6 Trending Table Décor Ideas for Outdoor Dining in 2025

Words by Bridie Newman

Longer daylight hours call for late lunches that turn into starlit evenings under blankets. When hosting a garden party, make your dining table the centre of attention. Second only to you, of course. Need inspiration? Discover our homeware buyers’ tableware trends to know for Spring/Summer 2025.   

A fresh take of the cottagecore trend, this look leans into biophilic design, pastel hues and heritage tableware that will feel right at home in a whimsical English garden. The essence of spring, it comes to life through decorative plates from Harrods, painterly enough to display on your wall, meals served tableside from petal-shaped Le Creuset, floral tablecloths from Maison Margaux and joy-inducing ceramic vases and jars from Laetitia Rouget.   

Dig out your Breton stripes – the nautical trend is making waves again. This year, however, our buyers noted a bohemian take on the coastal aesthetic. At Maison et Objet, tactile woven structures and wooden details offered a fresh perspective on classic seaside motifs.

Incorporate the look into your table setting with deep blue crockery and vibrant striped glassware from LSA International, a lobster-printed serving tray from Harrods and seashell cocktail picks and napkin rings from Joanna Buchanan. Complete the scene with rope furniture by Indian Ocean – perfect for channelling that breezy, beachside charm. 

If 2024 was led by crafted simplicity, 2025 is all about understated elegance. Think paired-back premium pieces in calming neutrals and sophisticated materials and finishes: leather, marble, crystal and brushed gold. Make a Lalique vase filled with a white cherry blossom branch the centrepiece and complement it with the ivory, Milan-made woven leather Champagne cooler and tray from Riviere to master the look. 

Wallflowers, look away now. A bold contrast of ultra brights and dramatic darks, with tropical flora, fruits and animal motifs, defines this theme. Our buyers have seen it materialise through the pairing of maximalist animal prints and fantastical florals, alongside vibrant surfaces and gleaming gold finishes. Turn your roof terrace into an urban jungle, starting with your table by incorporating leopard print trays from Dolce & Gabbana Casa and tropical fruit-shaped bowls from Bordallo Pinheiro. 

Now that you’ve picked your table décor theme, here are five top tips from our expert stylists for creating an inviting and easy-to-assemble alfresco table. 

1. Work with the rule of three. Focus on three core colours, three key pieces – a charger, main and starter plate – and three glasses: wine, Champagne and water.

2. Choose a tablecloth or runner that complements your space. Achieve a cohesive look by pairing your table linens to your furniture and wider outdoor space. For example, a floral tablecloth will lend itself to an English garden in full bloom, while a pared-back linen runner will feel at home in a clean, greenery-filled space.

3. Play with height – but not too tall. Avoid tall table features that obstruct anyone’s view. Instead, use a mix of varying heights that aren't restrictive, for example, a mix of different vases, glasses, decanters or jugs, and candles or candlesticks.

4. Make flowers and foliage your centrepiece. Choose blooms that complement your space. Ideally, you’d pick them from your garden and place them in bud vases along the table or as a floral arrangement at the centre. Otherwise, opt for hues that chime with your environment for a cohesive feel.

5. Have a continuous thread across your table décor. Pick a texture and stick with it. For example, a glass table will suit crystal glassware and fine bone china, while a natural wood table or rattan outdoor dining furniture is paired best with hessian and recycled glass.