Skip to Content

5 Inspired Picnic Table Setting Ideas

It’s time for summer picnics and here are 5 Inspired Picnic Table Setting Ideas which include how to pre-pack your food for easy distribution at your picnic and creative tableware for an inspired table setting.

In addition, I am hosting my picnic next to our pool and ponds so I needed additional lighting to create the perfect ambiance. AQ Lighting provided the perfect copper outdoor lighting kit to enhance the picnic area and are such a great addition to our landscape.


Picnic Table Center Piece

I wanted a simple centerpiece for the picnic table so I began by gathering flowers from my garden. Black Eyed Susans are plentiful as well as zinnias.

In addition, I recently update a couple of my old lanterns with a fresh coat of copper paint. Now they are a perfect accompaniment to the new copper landscape lighting by AQ Lighting.

The fresh flowers are loosely arranged in a vintage blue canning jar with a wooden berry basket as a riser.


(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)


Monthly Supper Club

I’m so excited to be joining my good friends for our monthly supper club. If you are joining me from Stacy Ling, I’m so glad you stopped by. Stacy’s Picnic Date Ideas are so cute and you’ll want to check out all the other supper club friends linked at the end of this post.

Saturday, we will each share a favorite picnic recipe with you.


Pack a Picnic Basket

After I gathered the center piece flowers, I filled the picnic basket with many thrift store finds that are perfect for an inspired table setting.

The wicker plate chargers, vintage pie tins and botanical dishes are all interesting finds while out Thrifting with the Gals. You can follow our adventures every Wednesday here.

I couldn’t wait to find a use for a fun set of vintage wooden berry baskets that I found at a Flea Market. In addition, the picnic basket was one of my very first thrift store finds.

I wanted to pre-pack the Rotisserie Chicken Salad Croissants and in order to keep them fresh, I was inspired to use crinkled parchment paper to wrap them. I then placed the parchment paper wrapped croissants inside the napkins which I had tucked into the berry baskets.

Parchment paper is heavy duty but it works great for wrapping once is is crinkled. Just ball up your paper into a tight ball and then spread back out to wrap your sandwiches.


the Picnic Table Setting

The table setting begins with this festive blue and white quilt.

Next, I began setting the table.

First, I placed the basket charger and then added a vintage tin pan. The vintage botanical plates fit perfectly in the pie tins.

Finally, I topped it off with the berry basket filled with a napkin and parchment paper.

The lanterns were updated with this easy spray paint idea to match the new landscape lights.


In order to keep the cutlery simple and easy to carry, each table setting is tied together with jute string and sprigs of rosemary.

I like to use inexpensive but fun tableware for a picnic and these botanical plates were only 49 cents each at Habitat for Humanity Restore. Even the lovely stemware was a Goodwill find.

Each napkin is tucked inside a vintage berry basket and parchment paper is pre-wrapped around a croissant. I’ll be sharing the Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe on Saturday.

If you like to entertain outdoors, here is another Easy Outdoor Table for inspiration.

A good party doesn’t end when the sun begins to slip behind the mountain. This is our favorite time of day and the perfect way to end a Summer Picnic.

Outdoor Lighting

To create a perfect atmosphere for your outdoor entertaining, it’s important to have good lighting.

We had previously relied on solar lights for this area, but they were unreliable and didn’t provide enough light for the area.

AQ Lighting to the rescue. These gorgeous, easy to install landscape lights were the perfect answer.

See how I painted these old rusty lanterns to match the new landscape lighting here.


Now the area is well lit and our guests can linger and safely watch the sunset after our Summer Picnic.



I hope you enjoyed these Inspired Picnic Table Setting Ideas.


Now for More Picnic Inspiration

Next up is Jen from Midwest Life & Style. She has created a romantic outdoor table for two.

Jen at Midwest Life and Style – Table for Two **/** Anne & Ann Marie at Simply 2 Moms


Michele at Vintage Home Designs **/** Stacy Ling at Bricks N Blooms


Thanks so much for stopping by. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

PIN IT TO REMEMBER IT

Ann

Tuesday 12th of July 2022

Such cute ideas Rachel, Pinned!

Rachel

Tuesday 12th of July 2022

Ann, Thanks so much.

Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

Monday 9th of August 2021

Love your outdoor setting and all the fun decor on your table! Thanks for sharing with us. I'm excited to feature your post this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party!

[email protected]

Tuesday 10th of August 2021

Michelle, You are so sweet to do this. Thanks for your sweet compliments.

Kim | Shiplap and Shells

Sunday 8th of August 2021

I love every single detail Rachel! It's all so gorgeous.

[email protected]

Tuesday 10th of August 2021

KIm, Thanks so much for stopping by.

CoCo

Thursday 5th of August 2021

These are all so beautiful and creative, Rachel! Your creativity constantly blows me away and is so inspiring. Can't wait to try some of these ideas too. Late afternoon beach picnics are the best! Hugs, CoCo

[email protected]

Friday 6th of August 2021

CoCo, You are so kind. I appreciate your encouragement and support.

Va+in+NC

Friday 30th of July 2021

Love all these ideas...looks so inviting for anytime.

Thanks so much for sharing.

[email protected]

Saturday 31st of July 2021

I really appreciate this. Thanks for your comments.