Casually Elegant Summer Outdoor Dining

Looking for simple summer entertaining ideas? Be inspired to soak up the summer with your loved ones by this casually elegant summer outdoor dining table.

Casually elegant outdoor dining: get tips for beautiful, simple outdoor summer dining. #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining

I want to be good at the art of slow living. Really. I do.

But I think it’s a little like humility (you know the saying: the moment you think you’ve achieved it, you’ve actually blown it?)… The very act of trying to master slow living often seems to negate it somehow.

String lights and candles make this outdoor dining magical. Get more tips for outdoor summer dining! #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining #stringlights

I’m sure part of the problem is my natural tendency is to be a do-er, a scheduler, a planner, an over-achiever. But I can honestly say that this outdoor summer dining table somehow embodies what I want to capture this summer: slow, gracious, no-agenda living with the people I love.

outdoor dining to watch the sunset

If you’re visiting from Celebrating Everyday Life, welcome. I’m so excited to be joining Designthusiasm’s seasonal entertaining tour again, and I hope this post (and all the amazing posts linked at the bottom!) inspire you to enjoy entertaining this summer.

Tips on how to create a casually elegant outdoor dining experience #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining #stringlights #outdoorumbrella

This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure.

As I mentioned, though, I’m drawn more and more (maybe it’s the four kids and busy spring schedule talking here, but…) to simple, slow life right now. In the summer, especially, I want the freedom of a slower pace, a true drinking in of the people I love and the beauty around me.

Casually elegant outdoor dining: get tips on creating a gorgeous, simple summer dining space! #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining

GET THE LOOK:

So that is what I tried to capture here. You’ll notice I kept it so very simple. Just like my back porch this year, I started with some ferns and succulents in a simple copper canister. I had to cover our fire element on our table (don’t worry, it’s turned off 😉 … it’s too hot to actually use it in the summer anyway), but I’m enjoying the versatility of the table now.

fern and succulent centerpiece: a perfect idea for an outdoor summer table! See more outdoor summer entertaining ideas. #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summer #summerentertaining

I used my basic white dishes, with my favorite silverware, and more copper accents for fun. The copper drinkware is my go-to for outdoor entertaining – non-breakable but still feels fancy.

perfectly simple yet elegant outdoor summer dining

We still have the string lights hanging from our umbrella (because string lights add so much ambiance), but I opted for some additional twinkling lights with candles as a centerpiece. I added hurricane glass as the evening wore on to keep the breeze from blowing them out.

String lights and candles bring all the ambiance to outdoor dining! Get more ideas for making outdoor dining memorable. #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining #stringlights

GET THE LOOK:

And that’s really it. I tried to remove distractions and set up a space that simple oozed simplicity, beauty, and an invitation to sit all night long.

casually elegant outdoor dining

What do you think? Could you join me out there to watch the sunset?

Simple summer outdoor dining: get these tips for casually elegant outdoor dining! #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining #poolsidedining #stringlights

SHOP OUR PATIO LOOK:

Get simple tips for creating a simple, casually elegant summer dining table! #outdoordining #outdoorentertaining #summerentertaining #summerdining

Be sure to visit my sweet friend Annie at Zevy Joy for more amazing summer entertaining ideas. Her home (and her heart!) are so very welcoming and beautiful.

Monday’s posts:

Monday Summer 18

Maison de Cinq | Town n Country Living
Celebrating Everyday Life | Maison de Pax | Zevy Joy

Tuesday’s posts:

Tuesday Summer 18

Designthusiasm | Shabbyfufu
So Much Better With Age | On Sutton Place

Wednesday’s posts:

Wednesday Summer 18

Cedar Hill Farmhouse | My Soulful Home | Cotton Stem
Bless’er House | Taryn Whiteaker

 

Thursday’s posts:

Thursday Summer 18

StoneGable | CitrineLiving | Life on Virginia Street
French Garden House | ZDesign at Home

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18 Comments

  1. Such a beautiful outdoor dining space, Rachel! I love how you tucked a bottle inside of a hurricane for a unique candle holder. Very clever!

  2. I love the white and green with the simple copper accents – so pretty Rachel! And your patio is divine! What a perfect space for summer entertaining!

    Sheila
    xo

  3. Wow! I like the combination of copper glasses with white plates it looks decent. I read somewhere that it is beneficial to drink water in the copper metal glass, so I just loved this one.

    1. Thank you so much! The pitcher was a HomeGoods find; I’m sorry I don’t have a link for you!

  4. Yep, I will join you at your beautiful tablescape. It is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. My favorite part is your silverware. Or, should I call it goldware? Would you be so kind and share the source?

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