I am so excited about the possibility of a family gathering again. We usually don’t have big parties in our house in a “normal situation,” but we have always loved to have our family over for dinners. Now I ask, are we ready for this next step coming out of a pandemic? Many people might still be concerned about big gatherings indoors, but the outdoors might still be the solution for us this Summer.

It is a good idea to set some tables outside where families can still practice social distancing while eating. Aim for one table per family, and skip the “boring” table setting to welcome your small gathering guests in a way that you show them that you appreciate and enjoy their company. That is what I am going to share with you today.

A simple but still beautiful table styling with items you might have around the house can set the mood and tone of the gathering.

5 steps to a stylish outdoor family gathering

Use an outdoor rug to define areas

An outdoor rug pulls the seating area together into a unified space that is inviting and comfortable. In our case, it also limits the location of where one family will be hanging out (maskless) during the meal. Outdoor rugs allow us to create a personalized, detailed decor for your outdoor space that will bring all the other elements together. 

Skip the tablecloth

A casual mood for Summer gatherings makes the room feel light and fresh. So, skip the tablecloth and use some placemats instead. For this outdoor table, I used these woven placemats to add interest and texture to the table. I love how warm and earthly they look, and the color goes with my style allowing me to use them any time of the year, inside or out. 

Use your outdoor dishes

To add a twist to our everyday dishes; I picked this modern stoneware square dinnerware set in white matte for our outdoor gatherings. They pair well with any silverware and glassware and perfectly coordinate with the square placemats. After the party, we run them in the dishwasher and store them in our outdoor cart, ready to be used next time.

Keep the decor simple and casual

A small centerpiece brings color and harmony to the table. You can create something similar very quickly by just arranging some branches and fresh lemons in a basket. Since I wanted one centerpiece that would last me all season, I went for faux items that gave us the same effect. If you already have a flower arrangement (faux or fresh), use that to add a pop of color to your tablescape. I also used some green napkins, wooden picking rings, and a sage table runner to bring all the elements together. 

Make people feel comfortable

provide your guests with a refresh basket filled with bug spray, sunscreen, wipes, hand sanitizer, band-aids, etc. Also, add some lightweight blankets for those cool summer evenings.

This quick but beautiful setup only took minutes to put together. Some pretty items like placemats, and dishes, can transform a simple table in an instant. Now, how are you going to style your next family gathering? How will you make them feel welcome and safe? Let us know it in the comments, and share this post with your friends so they can get inspired as well.

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* These products were gifted to Di is Organized as a part of a paid partnership with DII Home Store and Stone + Lain, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies and brands that we love.

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