|

How to Set a Casual Outdoor Table with Vintage Style

vintage elements elements really make this outdoor table setting pop!

A wooden outdoor table being set with vintage details.

When it comes to outdoor patio entertaining, I love setting a casual table where guests can help themselves. Putting all the vintage serving elements on the table makes it feel homey and comfortable. I’ll share how I do it with style by adding some rustic vintage elements. I recently purchased a new outdoor table and chairs so it was fun styling it for the first time.

I’m also participating in an Outdoor Extravaganza hosted by my friend Shauna of Satori Design for Living. Be sure to see the other gorgeous outdoor decorating ideas from my blogger friends at the end of this article.

Casual Setting

I love to place all the items on an outdoor table very casually, family style.

There’s no need for fancy items but I do like to bring out some beautiful vintage items that have height and different textures like metals. Items like this vintage champagne bucket and silver bucket are easy to clean after use and won’t break if accidentally dropped.

Wine glasses, candle holders, and a silver food tray on the table.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click to read my full disclosure policy.

Lanterns

Candlelight at night is always so pretty but even if you are eating during the day, there’s nothing prettier than charming lanterns on or around the table. I found these lovely lanterns at Home Sense.

You can find similar ones here:

Lemon & Kale Centrepiece / How to Set a Casual Outdoor Table French Vintage Style - So Much Better With Age

Tableware

Acrylic wine glasses are a must for outdoors. This set was given to me years ago and they come in the most perfect little carrying metal basket.

I love enamelware and found these white and grey plates and bowls from West Elm a couple of years ago. You can also find enamelware at camping supply stores.

Be sure to have napkins handy and in a container like this galvanized tray with holder so they don’t fly away.

Centrepiece

With plenty of flowers and greenery already outside, I love having a minimalist aesthetic centrepiece that doesn’t include flowers but is natural. Fruit and vegetables are the best choices!

Here is my fresh kale and lemon centrepiece. The ideas are endless on what items you can use from the refrigerator.

Lemon & Kale Centrepiece on the outdoor table.

Pretty Containers

Plastic cutlery is fine to use for the outdoors but I prefer my regular flatware.

Pop the flatware into a container like this galvanized bucket or in some rustic mason jars that would look pretty too so guests can help themselves.

Cutlery in a galvanized bin on the table.

A nice bottle of rose in the champagne bucket is the perfect touch but for this lunch we opted for Perrier instead, with lemon of course. The green bottle matched perfectly with the green kale centrepiece.

A champagne bucket is on the table beside the kale and lemons.

Covered Trays

Baked goods and breads are easy to take outdoors but why not bring them out in a wicker tray with a net. I snagged this one up from Home Sense.

A tray with food and a covering over the food to protect from bugs.

Blankets

It’s nice to have some light cozy blankets on hand. I love using Turkish towels for light blankets.

A white blanket hanging over the side of the wicker chair.

You can find things around your house and thrift shops (like where I found my champagne bucket), camping stores (enamelware plates) and places like Home Sense, Home Goods and TJ Maxx to find good prices on beautiful things that also have a vintage vibe.

The dining table and chairs I purchased from Canadian Tire. 

Make sure to pin it for later!

How to set a casual outdoor table with vintage style poster.

Now be sure to visit my blogger friends and see how they do outdoor entertaining.

Click in Case You Missed:

Lavender Outdoor Summer Table

Lavender Outdoor Summer Table graphic.

How to Paint Stripes Like an Outdoor Rug on a Concrete Slab

How to paint stripes on concrete slab graphic.

Raspberry Lemonade Rose Cocktail by Craftberry Bush | Pimm’s Cocktail Jug for Summer Outdoor Parties by Satori Design for Living

Peach Strawberry White Wine Slushie by The Happy Housie | Backyard Patio Tea Party by Elliven Studio

How to Clean and Style a Cotton Canvas Hammock by The DIY Mommy |DIY Farmhouse Serving Tray by Making it in the Mountains

Decorating & Entertaining poster.

SaveSave

SaveSave

Similar Posts

20 Comments

  1. Gorgeous, Jamie! I have many of the same pieces and love playing around with different combinations. In fact, I’m working on an outdoor table setting today that I’ll be sharing next week. Enjoy your long weekend (hopefully outdoors)!

    1. Thanks Shauna! It’s fun decorating an outdoor table. Can’t wait to see yours. Have a great long weekend too!
      Hugs, Jamie

  2. So beautiful Jamie! I’m impressed that it stopped raining long enough to get outdoors for a meal!! I can’t wait for summer weather to arrive…

  3. Where can I purchase the container holding the lemons and kale?
    Gotta have this! Your patio is lovely.

    1. Hi Nan,
      The silver bowl I bought at Pottery Barn. I left a source above for a similar one, Antique Silver Sentiment Serve Bowl. The exact one of mine I cannot find on their website anymore. It’s very similar without the script writing along it. I have many pieces from their Antique Silver collection that I just love!
      Hope this helps!
      Hugs, Jamie

  4. What a gorgeous table setting! Using acrylic wine glasses is absolutely genius! Definitely going to invest in a set of those! Thanks for sharing your tips with us at Merry Monday this week!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.