Creative Outdoor Table Settings

A flat black rock resting on a single hosta leaf is a fun alternative for an outdoor table place card and adds a cool touch to natural-theme table decorations.

This earthy place setting is perfect for an outdoor party and can be put together in minutes. Set a single plate atop a solid-color place mat and add a large cabbage leaf to the center. Tie a bundle of silverware with green twine to finish the look.

Light teal plates and bowls make a serene outdoor table setting but stand out thanks to the unusual napkin ring. Tie a brown cloth napkin with sisal twine ties and top with a dried flower pod to give each place setting naturally rustic appeal.

A bright yellow flower in a petite pink footed dish adds a sunny outlook to this fresh outdoor table setting.

Instead of setting silverware on either side of your place settings, roll it neatly in a cloth napkin and tuck in a few flowers for a fresh and easy outdoor table look.

Add texture to an outdoor table place setting by incorporating burlap (here, we used it for the tablecloth and napkins). Silverware with twisted handles and patterned plates add color to the table, and a just-bloomed sunflower completes the bright, natural touch.

Before you set your outdoor table, decide on a cohesive color theme. Here, pink is the star color in the chargers and tinted glassware, but a hint of green and white add appropriate balance to the overall look of the outdoor table setting.

Three distinct floral patterns ring the edges of the dishes in this outdoor table place setting. When mixing different designs, use a single color to unite the setting. Here, the designs are brought together with a light blue napkin. A few faux bird eggs resting in a tiny nest (available at crafts stores) add nature to your outdoor party.

Outdoor entertaining is often more casual than indoor dinner parties, so don't be afraid to mix and match dishes to create a funky look for your place settings. Choose chargers and plates in colors that complement each other. Here, we used a brown napkin ring to tie pale yellow, blue, jade green, and burnt orange together.

Editor's Tip: If you want to mix up the look of each place setting, change the colors of each element around.

An easy way to jazz up an outdoor table setting is to include a small fresh-from-the-garden bouquet (we used a single blue delphinium and a Lily of the Valley stem) in a simple vase. Here, a large blue plate with a white floral design sits atop a rich blue place mat, while a sweet blue-pattern white bowl holds the look together.