Simple and Elegant Table Setting Ideas for Summer Dinner
When the warmer weather hits many people move their dining to patios and decks as family gathers around enjoying great food, stimulating conversation and making a host of amazing memories. Moving from indoors to out can pose a challenge but there are simple and elegant table setting ideas for summer dinners that will add life and personality to any party.
Some of the most elegant and simple ways to dress a dinner table in the summer is by adding a flower centerpiece or place settings. With the warmer climates, summer brings with it many season friendly flowers such as roses, geraniums and lilies that make fabulous additions to any dinner table.
Place settings, even if they are old can easily be dressed up by adding colorful napkin rings or cloth napkins. Go for bold summer colors that inspire excitement and serenity such as red, orange and blue for a dash of color and flair to your summer dinner table setting.
For a simple and elegant dinner table setting combine rich colors that are mood evoking. Chocolate brown napkin rings against lavender napkins or place mats look rich and lavish but also create feelings of calmness.
Candles are a great way to add elegance any time of the day and with some many scents, styles and sizes you have free reign of which ones you can choose to make your summer dinner elegant but still simple. Many candles with great scents are also made with keeping pesky bugs away during warm months so this is a bonus. Look for candles made from citronella for a romantic and insect free dinner.
Personalize your guest’s settings by making or buying little place cards that you can write their names on or for an even more individualized idea, glue letters of their name on a pretty colored ribbon which you can tie around nice wine or champagne glasses or use to hold their napkins in place. Your guests will love the effort and these subtle ideas can make an elegant and simple addition to your summer dinner.
Summer theme parties are the rage right now and there are plenty of creative ways to theme your summer dinner party. Purchase a few empty plant holders, line them with wax paper and use them to hold the food you are serving for a nice twist on traditional Tupperware. Or pick up a few glass vases and instead of flowers, add water and some floating candles for nice centerpieces. As dusk settles in you can light the candles and the bobbing effect in the water with glimmering light makes for a romantic setting.
Instead of the usual cloth or paper place mats purchase or better yet so pick some large lily leaves and use those under your plate ware. The greenery will add a splash of color and a nature infusion to your dinner setting.
Adding silver to any dining table setting will automatically add luxury and elegance to any atmosphere. Whether you break out your grandmother’s good silver or use the cheap kind, candlesticks and silver place settings will create a subtle but elegant and romantic backdrop for your dinner.
Who says rustic can’t be elegant? For a spin on the ho hum dinner dressing swap out your old table cloth for one that is plaid and switch out modern centerpieces with wood baskets to hold flowers, plants and acorns. You can also use a little log cabin as a centerpiece for a real rustic approach. This kind of theme will go great with the outdoorsy feelings of a warm summer night.
One of the best things about summer dinners is spending time with loved ones. To really create a warm and inviting dinner setting pull out some photos and get some fun or elegant picture frames and place them around the table, in between candles or at the head of seats. Not only will this add spark to your setting, the photos will spark memories and make for great conversation and trips down memory lane.
