The Opening Note

This week, I’ve found myself thinking about one of my favorite parts of summer: gathering friends and family together for a garden party.

I’ve also been inspired by how brilliantly Americans seem to host outdoor gatherings. There’s such a joyful, relaxed spirit to them – everyone brings something to share, whether it’s a favorite salad, a homemade dessert, or a signature drink, and the whole afternoon feels wonderfully communal. I love the idea that hosting and good garden party ideas don’t have to fall on one person; everyone pitches in, making it feel less formal, more fun, and far more memorable.

Growing up in Britain, I was always drawn to the charm of traditional summer garden parties too. The tabletop was never perfectly matched, flowers were clipped fresh from the garden, homemade cakes appeared on well-loved china, and guests almost always stayed longer than expected because nobody wanted the afternoon to end. Those gatherings felt relaxed, welcoming, and full of personality – and in many ways, they remind me of the same easy-going atmosphere I admire about American outdoor entertaining today.

There’s something magical about hosting outdoors. Perhaps it’s the slower pace of a warm afternoon, the way conversations drift long after dessert, or simply the pleasure of setting a table beneath the trees and letting the garden do most of the decorating. The best gatherings are rarely the most elaborate – they're the ones where everyone feels comfortable enough to settle in, pour another glass, and stay a little longer.

So this week, I’m sharing an edit of my favourite garden party themes and inspiration, from beautiful table settings and charming serveware to comfortable seating, fresh flowers, and all the little details that make summer entertaining feel effortless. Whether you're planning an elegant afternoon tea or a relaxed potluck with friends, these are the pieces I'd genuinely choose to create a gathering that's welcoming, beautiful, and above all, fun.

After all, the best garden parties aren't the ones where everything goes perfectly – they're the ones where everyone feels completely at home.

The Edit: Entertain in Style

In the Queue

Next week on The Very British Edit, I'm embracing the effortless charm of a European summer – and all the decorating inspiration that comes with it.

It seems as though so many people are returning from vacations across Europe with a fresh appreciation for the colors, textures, and relaxed style that make Mediterranean destinations so unforgettable. From the iconic blue-and-white palette of the Greek islands to the striped beach clubs of the Italian Riviera, charming sardine motifs from Portugal, and sun-faded linens found in the South of France, these are the little details that instantly transport you somewhere warmer.

I've always admired the way Europeans make everyday living feel like a celebration of the season. Long lunches stretch into the afternoon, outdoor tables are set with beautiful yet uncomplicated pieces, and even the smallest balcony feels inviting with woven textures, colorful ceramics, and plenty of greenery. There's an easy elegance to it all that feels just as appealing at home as it does on vacation.

The beauty of this look is that it's incredibly easy to recreate. A striped tablecloth, woven baskets, terracotta planters, olive branches, hand-painted dinnerware, colorful glassware, or a few blue-and-white accents can completely transform a space without feeling overly themed. It's less about recreating a destination and more about capturing that carefree vacation atmosphere.

I've been gathering my favorite European-inspired finds that work beautifully in everyday homes, whether you're refreshing a patio, styling a dining table, or adding a few seasonal touches indoors. Think Mediterranean stripes, rustic pottery, natural textures, playful sardine prints, lemon motifs, and all the little details that make a home feel bright, welcoming, and full of summer spirit.

Next week, I'll be sharing the pieces I'd genuinely buy to bring this timeless European style home, along with simple decorating ideas inspired by Greece, Italy, the French Riviera, and beyond.

The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.

Outdoor hosting is one of the best ways to enjoy the summertime. Whether it's brunch on the patio, an afternoon pool party, or a moonlit, al fresco dinner, nothing can ruin the mood of a day spent outdoors – well, except soaring temperatures. So how do you and your guests keep cool when hosting outside in the summer?

We spoke to hosting experts who shared their practical and creative approaches to staying cool and adding shade while spending time outside this season. Below, find their tips so you can enjoy hosting outdoors – no matter the temperature.

Whether you're prepping a small backyard for summer hosting or you're gearing up your large outdoor living room for an evening get-together, these six hosting tips can ensure a summer full of refreshingly cool outdoor parties.

1. Create Spots of Shade

It's always a good idea to have some shaded areas in your backyard. Even if you love soaking up the sun, some guests might prefer to relax in the shade. And on hot days, a shady zone can make your patio feel so much cooler.

Hosting expert Julianna McIntosh says that shaded areas are a must. 'I recommend using large umbrellas or pop-up tents to provide ample cover. Setting up comfortable seating areas under the shade with cozy cushions and fans can help guests stay cool and relaxed,’ she explains.

Things like outdoor umbrellas, small gazebos, and even tall plants can create shade in your outdoor space. And the more shading elements you have, the more outdoor space you'll be able to enjoy on a hot summer day.

2. Encourage a Flow Between Indoors and Out

If a shady space is not enough, you could combine indoor and outdoor hosting by starting the party inside and then transitioning outdoors once it's cool enough, author and entertainment expert Dawna Pitts recommends.

‘I live in very sunny Paradise Valley, Arizona, so oftentimes I hold the 'mingling hour' (the beginning forty-five minutes to an hour) inside, and then, after the sun has set enough, I love taking the party outside for comfortable dining without the sun beating down,’ she shares.

Keep exterior doors open so guests can quickly move from outside back in, and vice versa. Just make sure to use a screen door or a magnetic screen to keep unwanted pests from finding their way inside.

3. Plan a Summer Menu With Intention

A summer party calls for a seasonally appropriate menu and what you serve can make all the difference to keep guests cool. Rather than serving heavy, hot dishes and strong drinks, opt for light meals, seasonal accoutrements, and cold, refreshing cocktails.

According to luxury event planner Cassie LaMere, there are so many creative drinks to serve when hosting outdoors in the summertime. 'Serve beverages in mint julep cups with shaved ice that hold onto their cooling effect even in peak heat, or have glassware in a freezer so it presents frosted,' she suggests. It helps to set up an outdoor drink station, too, or at least a few chic ice buckets – this way, you don't have to run back inside to make another round.

As for the food, you can never go wrong with fish as the main course (grilled halibut is always a winner for an elevated but easy dish). That said, there are so many other summer foods that are worth serving at your party – like sliced fruit, melon and prosciutto platters, or cold pasta salads.

4. Incorporate Cooling Devices

Sometimes, shade is simply not enough to keep you cool while outside – especially when the summer heat surpasses 90 degrees. That's why it's a good idea to incorporate cooling units or devices into your backyard's design scheme.

If you have a covered porch, consider installing an outdoor ceiling fan to circulate air, and if you don't have a covered space, opt for a standing fan instead. If you live in a very hot climate, consider installing misters – or wire-like devices that can spray water around your patio to keep you and your guests extra cool and comfortable.

5. Use a Light Color Scheme

Light colors just make sense for outdoor summer hosting. These shades absorb less heat than darker colors do, and they can even trick your brain into feeling cooler, too.

According to our editor Jennifer Ebert, 'a lighter color scheme can completely transform how an outdoor space feels during the summer months.' She recommends utilizing a soft summer color palette of whites, warm neutrals, and pale natural tones to make patio seating areas feel fresh and more comfortable for summer hosting. 'Beyond the practical benefits, these airy hues also create a relaxed, timeless backdrop that enhances the feeling of being outdoors,' Jennifer continues.

Decor aside, you can even recommend that guests dress in light colors to help them feel even cooler as they enjoy time outside at your house.

6. Appeal to All of the Senses

Another way you can make your outdoor space feel cooler in the summer is by tapping into all of the senses. According to hosting expert Cassie LaMere, this is a key element in hosting a successful gathering. Since we've covered sight, taste, and touch, that leaves scent and sound.

'Saltwater or eucalyptus scents are refreshing and soothing,’ Cassie suggests in terms of scent. And while you can definitely buy a candle to emit a refreshing summer scent, consider planting fragrant summer flowers that will immerse your garden in cooling, fresh fragrances.

In terms of sound, Cassie suggests playing peaceful music to set the mood. 'Keep the playlist soothing with ocean waves or yacht rock; both will transport you to on-the-water instant chill vibes,' she says.

Hosting an outdoor event in the summer doesn't have to be a sweltering ordeal. Keeping you and your guests cool is simple when you follow these six tips – no matter what the mercury reads. With thoughtful preparation and creative touches, your outdoor summer party is sure to be a success.

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It’s a fact that every food looks better on a stylish surface. Fruit reads farmers’ market scattered across marble, while grocery store croissants might as well have been overnighted from a boulangerie. When it’s one hundred degrees and counting, a great serving platter makes you look like the host with the most – without actually requiring the most of you at all.

Each dish tastes brighter: a simple tomato Caprese pops against chocolate-on-cream splatterware. Cross-cut sandwiches are suddenly country club caliber haloed by a hand-painted flock of birds. Serving oysters? GreenRow makes a platter for that. Even a casual Tuesday-night barbecue feels fancy when the burger buns are piled high atop the American design classic that is Mackenzie-Childs’ Courtly Check.

For cut watermelon, ambitious lobster boils, and everything in between, shop 20 serving platters that make every summer table setting sing.

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The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

In Manhattan, the chicest people you know probably aren’t playing poker – they’re playing backgammon. Thanks in part to private members’ clubs like 7 Spring, where strategy salons, elaborate dinners, and cocktail-fueled tournaments have turned the rainy day diversion into social currency, the game has taken on a kind of luxurious legitimacy. Naturally, the board itself has become a must-have piece of coffee table decor.

Between the dice cups, doubling cube, checkers, and carrying case, there’s plenty of room for indulgence. Leather, mother-of-pearl, mahogany, and custom monogrammed inlays give these boards a handbag-rivaling appeal. If you've ever wondered what the Hermès Kelly Pochette of backgammon looks like, Geoffrey Parker has the answer. The brand, which introduced its first leather-clad set in 1961, still sets the standard with tonal acrylic hybrids that cost about the same. Meanwhile, newer names like Jonathan Adler and MaisonGames are loosening things up with animal prints, tortoiseshell finishes, and turquoise leather that feels distinctly Côte d’Azur-coded (which works out nicely, as many of these boards are designed to travel, too).

And even if backgammon remains more of a sometimes sport than a daily ritual, the glamour of the 5,000-year-old pastime still holds. We’re particularly fond of Verve Culture’s retro-inspired $45 set, while Anthropologie’s $59 version doubles as both a serving board and a secondary stage for checkers.

Call it a two-timing coffee table trend, a chic conversation starter, or simply insurance against an uninspired evening. Shop 16 sets for endlessly entertaining gatherings ahead.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Most tablescapes are assembled with the same features – a grounding tablecloth, plates and cutlery, glassware, and a decorative centerpiece. But the best tablescapes include an additional element – a set of chic napkins.

And no, we aren't talking the disposable paper variety: for an elegant table, you want cloth. Made from cotton, linen, specialty fabrics, or blends, cloth napkins take ordinary tablescapes from good to great. They're proof that you, as a host, are willing to go the extra mile to create a scene that's layered, considered, and thoughtfully designed.

The beauty of cloth napkins is that there are endless variations of them – floral, fringed, embroidered – so you're certain to find a set that matches your personal style. There are even cloth napkins that tap into this summer's top table decor trends, including Anthropologie's Bistro Tile Napkins that channel Italian summer energy and Williams Sonoma's Embroidered Gingham Napkins that look as coastal chic as can be. And since all cloth napkins are washable, you can use them again and again, for every dinner party you host this summer and for summers to come.

Ahead, find 24 picks that'll make your table setting look and feel complete this summer.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

While the best outdoor gatherings look and feel effortless, the best hosts know that the key is in the preparation. Putting in the legwork early means that your summer get-togethers will involve far less stress ahead of the event, making for a happier and more relaxed host on the day.

We've asked the experts for their top outdoor entertaining tips, from setup to cleanup – think seating layouts, shade and lighting, tableware, decor and drinks stations – for the most seamless and stylish patio hosting setup.

We have you covered with summer garden party decor and an essential outdoor entertaining checklist, as well as editor-approved buys to help you shop the best outdoor dining ideas for creating a memorable and magical event.

1. Start With a Layout That Allows Space and Flow

Ensuring that the layout of your outdoor space works for the number of guests and style of event is a crucial factor for backyard hosting. Creating 'micro-zones' that encourage guests to mingle and gather, allowing for flow between spaces to prevent overcrowding, and providing plenty of seating, lighting, and shade will all contribute to a smoothly run event.

Ensure There's Ample and Flexible Seating

While your outdoor living room ideas might work perfectly for your household day-to-day, when it comes to hosting, you'll need to consider more flexible seating arrangements that can be moved or adapted to suit the guest list.

'Flexibility is key in designing for entertaining, both indoors and out,' agrees Aly Morford, co-founder & principal designer at Pure Salt Interiors. 'Modular seating, like ottomans and stools, are a great way to flex with your party’s size while still keeping a curated and low-profile look when not in use.'

Make sure there are plenty of outdoor side tables for guests to put their glasses on and that furniture is lightweight and easy to move, or that you provide some elegant occasional pieces, like these Folding French rattan-style chairs from Wayfair.

Create Clearly-Defined Zones

'The biggest mistake people make with outdoor entertaining spaces is treating the yard as one undifferentiated room,' says Rebekah Zaveloff, founder of Imparfait Design Studio. 'Zoning is about giving each activity its own sense of place.'

Creating a three-zone outdoor hosting setup for dining, lounging, and late nights is the perfect way to do this. Rebekah adds, 'At our home in Michigan (pictured above), we have a pizza oven positioned close to the dining area – when you're pulling a pizza out and bringing it straight to the table, you want that energy, that heat, that theater all happening in the same breath. But the fire pit is somewhere else entirely. That's a slower, more contemplative space for lingering after dinner. Those zones need to feel different because they invite different kinds of connection.'

It's also important to pay attention to the 'flow' between those zones. 'People often overlook the in-between – the planting pockets, the moments of greenery that you move from one zone to the next,' says Rebekah. 'Those transitions matter enormously. They signal to your body: this is a new space now, shift your pace. Good outdoor design choreographs how people move through it.'

Provide Shade and Lighting

A purpose-built structure, like a pergola, not only provides shade to keep guests cool and protected from the midday sun but can make for a really atmospheric feel by night, too.

Outdoor lighting, such as the statement pendant light shown above, can be fitted to the crossbeams and combined with string lights and lanterns for a cozy glow. A semi-permanent structure can also be useful for attaching outdoor fans, heaters or speakers (for ambient background music) to, while the wiring can be hidden in the frame. And, if positioned close to the house, there's no need for an external power source.

2. Build a Hosting-Ready Outdoor Dining Setup

When it comes to styling an elegant summer table there are a few additional things worth considering for outdoor entertaining. First of all, it's worth investing in some outdoor-specific tableware to keep your best plates and glasses for indoor use. Colorful and washable linens will help to create a styled tablescape, while practical elements, such as substantial serveware, table weights and outdoor-safe candles, can be balanced with personal touches, for a functional yet elegant setup.

Switch to Stylish, Durable Tableware to Prevent Breakage

Outdoor-safe tableware is far more sophisticated today than the plastic and paper picnicware of old. Think vintage china-inspired melamine, scalloped edges, acrylic glasses that emulate cut crystal. Birch Lane's Cabana stripe dinner plates (pictured above) are the perfect example and come in four colors, so you can mix it up if you wish.

Melamine is a good choice for plates and bowls as it's lightweight, practically unbreakable, and comes in an array of colors and designs to suit your event. Bamboo is another great option, which is a sustainable tableware choice.

When it comes to outdoor glassware, opting for shatter-proof acrylic will take away any stress about breakages – nobody wants to be sweeping up broken glass when hosting – but don't scrimp on style either. Colored glassware is everywhere right now, and the best acrylic drinkware is just as effective, from tumblers and flutes to jugs.

Layer Linens for a Curated Look

Tablecloths aren't just for indoors; outdoor table linens can add a really chic look to your alfresco entertaining setup. And one way to make them look purposefully styled is by layering. This means starting with a tablecloth base and building on the look with linen napkins, a table runner and other details in a complementary colorway or pattern. For example, a yellow and white striped linen tablecloth (Summerill & Bishop) would pair beautifully with these Marigold block print napkins (Wayfair).

Mary-Kathryn McConaghy from Curated Events explains: 'Layering linens allows us to create visual depth and dimension without adding complexity to the experience. By introducing a secondary textile, pattern, or color through a runner or overlay, the table begins to feel more alive, more intentional, and more reflective of the overall event story.' She adds: 'Those subtle, complementary elements help guide the eye and transform a tabletop from a functional surface into part of the sensory memory of your gathering.'

Style an Outdoor Centerpiece That Feels Informal and Effortless

You can get really creative when it comes to outdoor table centerpieces. Think candles or lanterns, fruit and floral displays that incorporate edible decor and vintage decor pieces that bring a touch of whimsical garden style to the table.

Curated Events' Mary-Kathryn shares: 'The most compelling outdoor tablescapes engage more than one sense. Centerpieces with a combination of florals, fruit, candlelight, and layered textures create a feeling of natural abundance without overwhelming the table.'

'In this setting (pictured above), the grapes soften the formality of the floral design while introducing movement, color, and an element of seasonality. The goal is never decoration for decoration's sake – it's creating an environment that feels inviting, effortless, and thoughtfully considered from every seat at the table.'

Mix Up Your Serveware For Alfresco Ease

The lovely thing about entertaining outdoors is that you don't need to be as formal or rigid with your choice of serveware. Switch up traditional platters for vintage trays, rustic boards, or repurpose unexpected collected pieces.

Founder of Creative Event Catering Company, Lauren Lombardi says: When entertaining outdoors, I love selecting serveware that feels both beautiful and functional. One of my favorite approaches is to present food on trays and platters that are ready to move seamlessly from kitchen to table. Rustic wooden boards, vintage platters, woven baskets for bread, and collected ceramic pieces add warmth and character while encouraging a relaxed style of entertaining.'

'I am always drawn to pieces that feel collected rather than perfectly matched. Antique platters, weathered bowls, and heirloom-inspired serving pieces bring a sense of charm and authenticity to the table. They help create an atmosphere that feels inviting, effortless, and personal.'

Work in Some Personal Touches

A couple of thoughtful personal touches go a long way and can make your gathering (and your guests) feel extra special. They needn't take a great deal of time, effort, or expense either. A simple handwritten placecard popped in a holder, like these gold strawberry placecard holders from Tuckernuck (pictured above), creates a really elegant look.

You could also place hand-written menu cards on the tables, propped up on some tabletop easels (Amazon), pop some fresh herbs into napkin rings, or try making your own floral napkin posy using seasonal florals straight from the garden.

Personalizing glasses with name labels like these wine glass charms from Amazon, which you can write straight on to, will both help guests to keep hold of their own drinks and reduce glass usage throughout your event, so that you don't run out.

3. Don't Forget Lighting to Add Evening Ambiance

If you're hosting a late afternoon or evening event, lighting is absolutely crucial and can instantly transform a bright and breezy daytime setting into a warm and atmospheric one. Opting for multiple light sources, from string lights to table lights and pathway lighting, is one way to plan outdoor lighting like a designer – it helps to reinforce entertaining zones to create a layered and intimate scheme that works on all levels. Outdoor solar lights are ideal for entertaining as they don't have unsightly or hazardous wires. Dimmable bulbs and warm temperatures all add to ambiance.

Create an Atmosphere With Candles and Lanterns

Candlelight is unbeatable when it comes to creating an inviting and magical atmosphere, thanks to its natural warmth and hypnotic glow. However, there are safety implications of using open flames in an outdoor arrangement. A gust of wind could cause loose florals or linens to catch light and quickly become problematic.

Instead, opt for tealights in glass votives, or solar-powered flameless candles, like these real wax LED pillar candles from Amazon, which can be equally effective and are often easily managed with a remote control. Mix them up for different heights. Lanterns can also be used on tables or hung on nearby trees or hooks for added interest.

Make it Magical With Festoon and String Lights

Overhead lighting, whether string lights or festoon lighting, can bring a wonderful aura to an outdoor dining area, particularly if the lights are nestled among branches and greenery. Courtney Allison, stylist, founder of French Country Cottage, says, 'I love to layer lighting when entertaining. From candles and moody lights on the table to zig-zagged strands of lights above, it is all about creating a magic-filled ambiance for a gathering.'

Festoon lighting makes a great choice for relaxed outdoor gatherings as it brings a rustic, homespun touch that feels casually thrown together rather than styled to perfection. Claire Bassett agrees: 'Festoon lighting is my go-to – it’s super versatile, can be draped or wrapped around sheds, greenhouses, fences or trees to add comfort and warmth in the evening.' She adds a practical tip: 'The color of the cabling is important to consider – black can provide a strong contrast, while white cabling gives a lighter, softer feel when combined with the glow of the bulbs.'

'String lights are equally as impactful – they tend to be smaller than festoon lighting and are therefore better for smaller spaces, or for lighting nooks and crannies. I like to wrap string LEDs around objects or plants, such as trees or foliage, as this can act as a nicely lit backdrop.'

Lead the Way With Pathway Lighting

If your outdoor entertaining area is sprawling with different zones and lacking in built-in lighting, you can easily add definition and ambiance with LED or solar pathway lighting. From clusters dotted among floral borders (like the Anthropologie Solar Dandelion Stake Lighting, pictured above), to hanging lanterns on stakes, there's such a variety to choose from.

Claire Bassett suggests, 'LED candle lanterns can be situated on the pathway leading into the garden, at the entrance to greenhouses or sheds, with various sizes creating more of a theatrical entrance or scattered throughout steps and paved spaces at different levels on the floor for a more interesting look.'

While pathway lighting is beautiful, it's also a practical choice to guide your guests around your entertaining space safely. You can make it really easy for yourself by opting for solar powered lights which come on automatically when it gets dark.

Opt For Rechargeable Table Lighting

You can easily capture that romantic and intimate European courtyard aesthetic with some thoughtfully positioned table lights. While overhead lighting brings a warm glow, portable table lights will provide directional lighting for guests to see what they're eating and aid easy conversation.

Opt for chic rechargeable touch lights (like this Cading Cordless Outdoor Table Lamp from Lulu & Georgia – pictured above) which will mean that you won't have to contend with wires in among the plates, and that they can be seamlessly worked into your tablescape, bringing height and interest. Warm color temperature bulbs will ensure the light isn't overly harsh or unnatural, and dimmable settings will allow you and your guests to tailor the brightness to suit them.

4. Set Up a Self-Serve Drinks Station

Setting up an outdoor drinks station is a wonderful way to take the pressure off the host and to encourage guests to interact in a natural way. Rose Duong, of The Wickwood Inn, in Michigan, says, 'I love outdoor self-serve bars for so many reasons. They give guests autonomy to choose whatever they like, whether that’s lots of ice or an extra olive. They free the host to mingle and actually enjoy themselves at their own party. And, maybe most important, they offer a reason for guests to prompt conversation with people they may not know, and acclimate to their surroundings at their own pace.'

Find Stylish Ways to Keep Drinks Cool

While regular ice buckets will do the job, you can create a stylish talking point by being more creative with your choice of vessel when entertaining outdoors. Lauren Lombardi says, 'Some of the most charming entertaining details come from reimagining everyday objects. Rather than traditional beverage tubs, I often use antique bowls, terracotta pots, vintage enamel sinks, stoneware crocks, or galvanized vessels filled with ice to chill wine and beverages.'

These might be items found around your garden – a stone trough, for example – or picked up at local antique stores or estate sales. 'These unexpected pieces add personality and visual interest while serving a practical purpose,' adds Lauren. 'I especially love using terracotta pots as wine coolers. They feel natural and relaxed, complement outdoor settings beautifully, and create a collected, garden-inspired look.'

Elevate Soft Drinks With Thoughtful Details

As the host, you'll likely have your wine, beer, and cocktails covered, but don't forget the soft drinks for non-drinkers and drivers, as well as for keeping your guests hydrated in the heat. Think colorful thirst quenchers, like fresh lemonade and fragrant mocktails with pots of pick-your-own herbs to garnish with.

Courtney Murray, co-owner of luxury party rentals and event design company, Spoon + Salt, recommends: 'Prepare garnishes ahead of time. Slice citrus fruit, herbs, and other garnishes before guests arrive. Display them in small footed bowls for elevated presentation.' It's well worth investing in something like this glass footed drinks dispenser (Williams Sonoma) for showing off your beautiful beverages.

Rose Duong adds, 'An event’s color palette, setting, and theme can all provide inspiration for a signature mocktail. If it’s in a garden, for example, you can incorporate elderflower and fresh herbs. The idea is to heighten the guest experience by providing a beverage that looks and tastes delicious, and tells a story.'

Add Accessories for a Thoughtful Flourish

You can really hone in on a theme with bar accessories, from elegant garnish picks and colorful coasters and napkins, to chic bar tools, like bejeweled bottle openers.

Founder of eponymous home style store Joanna Buchanan says, 'An outdoor bar should create a sensory overload with color, pattern and whimsy. Start with a colorful tray (like the large ombre capiz trays from Joanna Buchanan), then create interest with cocktail napkins, coasters, cocktail picks and a dazzling bottle opener. I really like using natural or coastal themes as they mimic what's going on around you and really amp up the vibe of the party.'

Offer DIY Garnishes to Encourage Interaction

'A garnish station is one of the easiest ways to elevate cocktails while encouraging guests to interact and personalize their drinks,' says Lauren Lombardi. 'I love arranging seasonal garnishes on a tray with delicate and curated bowls of fresh strawberries, edible flowers, citrus wheels, and herbs, such as mint and basil. Not only does it add beautiful color to the table, but it also transforms a simple cocktail into a memorable experience.'

A set of these mini berry serving bowls from Target is ideal for small soft fruits, while you can add potted herbs, or vintage jars and bottles for flavored sugars and syrups, as well as mini vases for edible flowers.

'One of my favorite garnishes is chamomile. It brings a soft, romantic element to entertaining, with its gentle flavor and daisy-like blooms. Guests enjoy creating their own combinations, and the presentation becomes part of the decor,' adds Lauren.

5. Put Guest Comfort First

The best gatherings are those that bring a natural ease, where guests don't have to ask for anything, but this concept of 'invisible hosting' does take a little forethought and planning ahead. Check the weather forecast to ensure you have cover for all eventualities (shade, cooling and warmth), consider ways to prevent outdoor pests from ruining your event, and create a comfortable setting that brings a quiet luxury to your outdoor space, encouraging relaxed conversation and a reason to linger.

Add Coziness With Cushions and Blankets

Comfort is key if you want to create an environment where guests want to settle in. Extra outdoor throw pillows will ensure hard outdoor furniture is easier on the back, while leaving blankets out for wrapping up in as the sun goes down will be welcome additions to your backyard hosting setup.

Leigh Lincoln, co-founder and principal designer at Pure Salt Interiors, explains, 'High-quality, outdoor-grade furniture mixed with soft accents like throws and accent pillows make for a functional space that allows you and your guests to relax and stay awhile.'

Cushioned outdoor furniture that you can sink into, like these wicker swivel outdoor lounge chairs from Pottery Barn, invites your guests to get cozy and embrace the comforting environment.

Keep Bugs at Bay

There's nothing worse at an outdoor gathering than an invasion of unwanted bugs. But there are plenty of ways that you can keep them at bay without compromising on style.

These screened food domes from West Elm are chic, yet practical, while these fly fans from Amazon are battery-powered and will keep bugs away without having to cover food, so that your guests can easily reach for dishes.

As dusk arrives, biting insects can spoil the party spirit, so consider providing some natural bug spray (like Murphy's Lemon and Eucalyptus Bug Spray from Target) in discreet baskets, away from the food areas, for guests to help themselves to. Hanging some elegant citronella-scented candles like these ombre lanterns from Anthropologie brings ambiance and fragrance as well as protection.

Be Prepared For Changes in Weather

You can manage every element of your party from the food to the decor, but one thing you can't control is the weather. You can prepare for it, though. Providing a covered space that offers a cooling oasis during the hottest part of the day, and protection against wind and rain should you have an unexpected downpour, will pay dividends if the elements are against you.

'Designing a shaded space for outdoor entertaining adds longevity to your hosting throughout the season,' says Aly Morford. 'We love an integrated shade, like a draped pergola, for both its function and form. It adds a layer of texture and softness while providing a cool atmosphere – bonus points if it’s retractable.' This freestanding pergola with retractable canopy from Lowe's is under $300, making it an affordable addition to your backyard.

'And never underestimate the effect of greenery in your outdoor spaces – trees and other large foliage help keep things cool, and offer natural shade as they mature,' Aly adds.

6. Do the Prep for Food Service and Cleanup

It's easy to feel overwhelmed if you're hosting a lot of people, but the key is in the prep – if you've put in the work before the guests arrive, you'll be able to actually enjoy the party when it comes. That includes ensuring food is all but ready (bar the final touches, or a quick warm-up in the oven), drinks are chilled and mixed, the grill is clean and tools accessible, and plates and glassware are ready-to-go.

'The secret to enjoying your own party is doing the work before anyone arrives,' says Joseph Marini, event designer and author of Mastering the Art of Entertaining (SparkPress/Simon & Schuster). 'A host who’s still mixing drinks and plating food when the doorbell rings spends the gathering in the kitchen instead of with their guests. A little preparation buys you the thing you actually want, which is to be present.'

Finally, having a plan for dirty dishes, glassware, and trash as you go along (putting out accessible and stylish trash cans for guests to use, for example), will cut your cleanup time dramatically so you won't feel burnt out at the end of the night.

Set the Stage Before Guests Arrive

'Entertaining well comes down to a pre-preparation plan, from staging your hosting space to organizing your kitchen. Every staged area, whether the kitchen or a buffet table, needs room to work,' says Joseph.

Consider extra surface space, whether that means temporarily clearing a kitchen sideboard or investing in a couple of portable tables that can be used indoors or out, like this slim rectangular folding table from Lowe's.

'Even a small kitchen can be zoned ahead of time: one area for cold prep, one for staging hot food, and one for clearing dirties. If counter space is tight, keep restaurant-style bus tubs or deep bins on the floor so you can clear dirty dishes straight into them, and deal with them after the party,' adds Joseph.

Keep Drinks Well Stocked and Food Fresh

After all the hard work prepping delicious food for your guests, the last thing you'll want is for it to go cold before serving or spoil in the heat. 'Oven space is usually the bottleneck, so a restaurant-style chafing dish is always in my arsenal for keeping food warm behind the scenes,' shares Joseph.

'For cold food, keep an oversized cooler on hand and line the bottom with 6 to 8 inches of ice. I use round deli containers in quart and pint sizes for salads, dips, and the like, and tuck them right into the ice. Here’s the trick: number each lid, then number the platter or dish it will go into at serving time, so you’re never pulling containers out to guess what’s inside.' You might also want to keep a separate large coolbox outside, ready to top up the drinks station when needed, so you don't have to keep running to the fridge indoors for refills.

'Building a menu that can be served entirely at room temperature is another good way to take the pressure off,' adds Joseph. 'I also set out food on larger platters, so I’m not constantly refreshing them.'

Get the Grill Zone Ready

If you're planning on cooking on one of the best grills, the last thing you want is to open the lid and find it's not been cleaned properly from the last use, so allow plenty of time to clean your grill before you need to get the food sizzling.

Making sure that all of your grilling tools and accessories, such as aprons, charcoal (if using), spare gas cans, and dishes to serve into once the food is cooked (plus aluminum foil for keeping it warm), are close at hand will help things go smoothly. And, placing a folding table will provide extra space for tools and dishes so that you won't be fumbling around for space when the food is ready to come off the grill.

It's also worth investing in a steam grill cleaning brush for a quick and easy post-cook clean, and a small, but stylish trash can like this mint green galvanized steel lidded bucket will be so useful for disposing of meat wrappers, used foil, and kitchen towels, and save on cleanup time afterwards.

7. Consider The Final Details For an Effortless Atmosphere

Often, the more you force it, the less relaxed your event will feel, so don't fixate on trying to make things perfect. Atmosphere is everything when it comes to hosting. 'Perfection is the fastest way to ruin a party. Guests can feel a host who is performing rather than present,' warns Bryan Graybill, interior designer and seasoned host. 'I’d rather have a slightly crumpled linen cloth and a host who’s actually sitting down than a flawless table and someone hovering in the kitchen. Atmosphere is generosity; perfection is anxiety with good lighting.'

But the good news is that you can help to create an atmosphere by taking the pressure off, keeping a flexible and relaxed schedule, and adding memorable touches that engage the senses from lighting to scent and music to fresh flowers. You can also bring natural ease with elements such as fire pits to gather around, self-serve drinks, and informal sharing platters rather than plated food.

Consider All of the Senses

Good atmosphere engages all of the senses, from scent to sound. Choosing the right playlist can really set the tone for your gathering – and make sure it's not so loud that it hinders conversation. Remote-controlled speakers give you flexibility to adjust the volume from afar and ensure they're placed at a slight distance from key gathering zones.

Easy floral displays can bring a natural feel to your event – place them on the main table as well as on drinks stations and side tables – and can mirror the garden and bring color and scent. Build on the olfactory element with scented candles in garden-inspired fragrances like Jo Malone's Green Tomato Vine Candle, and opt for natural textiles and textures in table linens, cushions and blankets for tactility.

'I layer a table the way I layer a room – scent, texture, light, sound, all working quietly together,' says Bryan. 'Flowers cut from the garden that morning, never anything that looks flown in. Candles low and plentiful rather than one grand gesture. Real linen, because the hand remembers what the eye forgets. And music is the architecture of the evening – set it at the volume of a good rumor: present enough that no one fears a silence, quiet enough that no one raises their voice.'

Linger Longer With a Fire Pit

Providing a comfortable and inviting area where your guests can make themselves at home and keep warm as the evening chill starts to bite will make sure they linger, and can often end up being the best part of the party.

There's nothing like the natural glow of fire to entice guests and while a gas option might be easy, you can't beat a wood-burning fire like this Lidded Rectangle Fire Pit from Anthropologie (pictured above) with its wonderfully rust-hued patina. 'A fire pit does half my work for me,' says Bryan. 'People arrange themselves around flame the way they have for ten thousand years; no seating plan required.'

Add low-slung seating, blankets for comfort and you might even want to offer self-serve s'mores to cook over the open flame for a sweet treat. This DIY S'mores Kit from Williams Sonoma will save you the effort at the end of the night.

Keep the Schedule Relaxed

Be guided by your guests rather than sticking to a rigid timetable – it will take the pressure off and make for a far more relaxed atmosphere. Daytime events should gently move into evening without ceremony, allowing guests to come and go.

'Keep the schedule loose,' suggests Bryan. 'The best evenings have one fixed point – dinner – and everything else is allowed to drift.' And if the majority of the work is done in advance, you should be able to attend your own party stress-free. 'The host’s job is to design the gathering, then disappear into it,' adds Bryan.

Providing self-serve food that guests can keep going back to throughout the evening, rather than sitting down to a formal dinner, will keep things flexible and manage expectations. 'Sharing plates over plated courses, always,' advises Bryan. 'Passing a dish is the oldest form of conversation. The goal is for guests to feel they’ve discovered the evening rather than attended it.'

The Often-Forgotten Outdoor Essentials That Hosts Swear By

You've sorted the food, drinks, and styling touches, but there are a few not-so-glamorous but equally essential items that hosts wouldn't be without for any gathering. Make this your last-minute checklist to ensure your event goes without a hitch.

• Extension cords, power strips, and chargers: essential for any electric lighting or music that needs to be connected to an indoor power outlet. This green power strip from Target will blend in with the garden planting. If you have rechargeable lights or speakers, ensure they are fully charged in advance.
• Matches or lighters: Keep a packet on standby near your candles, grill (if it's a charcoal one), and the wood-burning fire pit. The last thing you'll want is to be hunting down a single pack of matches all evening.
• Extra candles: tealights look beautiful, but they don't last long, so stock up on a 100-pack of tealights from Amazon, and stash them away for top-ups.
• Hand towels: Have plenty on standby for spills, barbecue grease and sticky fingers.
• Bathroom essentials: even though you're hosting outdoors, your guests will be using the bathroom, so make sure it's clean and well stocked with hand soap, toilet paper, and clean towels
• Spare serving utensils: This 9-piece serving set from Walmart will have you covered if serving spoons or tongs get mixed up or misplaced.
• Tablecloth weights: Ensure that your linens stay put if there's a gust of wind. Natural shells or smooth pebbles work wonderfully as weights, or choose something that clips onto your tablecloth, like these white bird tablecloth weights from Amazon.

Successful outdoor entertaining isn’t about perfection – it’s about thoughtful preparation, comfort, and atmosphere, designed to create a memorable experience for your guests and to allow for a relaxed hosting experience for you. For more inspiration, these garden party themes will have you covered, from rustic and natural to cool coastal.

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The Fourth of July is one of the best holidays of the year. Between the parades, the backyard barbecues, the family parties, and of course, the fireworks, there's no shortage of lively celebration. But before all of the festivities and fun comes the hard part: the prep.

Like any other holiday celebration, Fourth of July parties require lots of planning and preparation. You'll want to consider everything from Fourth of July decor for the front porch to patriotic touches for the inside of your home. Even little details, like flag-inspired cocktail picks or red, white, and blue bud vases, can go a long way in making your house look extra festive. And since The Fourth is a summer holiday, you can't forget about the backyard – decorate it to theme and bring out your favorite yard games to encourage play and celebration all day long.

With so much to prepare for ahead of America's 250th birthday, I thought I'd help you out by assembling a hosting checklist – a comprehensive guide to everything you need to plan a successful Fourth of July party at home. With these recommendations in mind, your holiday party will be the talk of the town.

1. Exterior Decorations

One of the best and easiest ways to decorate your home for the Fourth of July is by putting up exterior decor – that is, flags, banners, wreaths, and yard signs. These details can instantly elevate your home's curb appeal with holiday flair.

Pleated fan flags are my personal favorite form of exterior decor. They're easy to hang from porches, railings, or fences, and if your yard doesn't have a flagpole, they act as a suitable alternative to the traditional American flag. I have my eye on this variation from Michaels – with its deep maroon color, it can add some heritage charm to your front porch this Fourth of July.

I’m a firm believer that less is more when it comes to exterior decorations. Subtle red, white, and blue touches mixed with your standard yard decor and existing greenery will create an elegant scene that you can keep up through Labor Day.

2. Interior Accessories

Though many Fourth of July celebrations are spent outside, there's no harm in refreshing your interior spaces with some patriotic touches to tap into the holiday spirit. Small details like decorative pillows, vases, and blankets can make your home look on-theme for the Fourth without going over the top.

Growing up, I remember that each summer, my mother would swap a few of the generic pillows on our couch for festive alternatives. These pillows didn't scream Fourth of July, instead, they tapped into the iconic color scheme and the stars and stripes motif to add some old-school, Americana elegance to our home. Even though these pillows were meant as holiday decor, in my eyes, they became summer decor staples that just so happened to make our house look festive. Any interior decor in America's color scheme can have the same effect in your home.

3. Tableware

Whatever type of feast you're planning – a backyard barbecue, a park picnic, a chic dinner party – you'll need Fourth of July tableware that taps into the theme.

Plates are the obvious essential, but instead of buying plain paper plates, consider Table Two Studio's American-inspired paper collection that looks even better than ceramic alternatives. Paper plates (along with non-breakable melamine dinnerware) are ideal for outdoor entertainment, but if you're hosting inside, consider something a bit more formal to set the scene, like Lenox's Gingham Dinner Plates.

While there are so many additional elements of Fourth of July table decor, another detail that I find important is the table linens. These ground the scene – whether you're setting the table for dining or lining it with trays for serving. Though these linens sit in the background, they're the quiet workhorses that pull the entire arrangement together.

4. Lawn Games

The Fourth of July is a summer holiday, which means any parties or gatherings that you're hosting will most likely take place outside. In between the meals, the chatter, and the fireworks, it helps to have some playful yard games to keep guests occupied.

Croquet is a classic choice, and a classy choice, I'll admit – perfect for those who plan to host elevated garden parties for the holiday. Other favorites include pickleball and bocce ball – two yard games that can just as easily be played on a sandy beach. And of course, there's cornhole – perhaps the most American game of them all. It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without a competitive cornhole tournament taking place amidst the hot dog eating and the beer drinking (both of which are equally as competitive, might I add).

Whatever your outdoor game of choice may be, keep it on hand during your July Fourth fête for anyone eager to take part in some friendly competition.

5. Entertainment Extras

After the exterior decor, the interior decor, the tableware, and the yard games, your Fourth of July party prep is nearly done. However, it's always a good idea to include some extra party details to ensure a successful celebration.

A cooler is an essential detail – especially if you plan on hosting your Fourth of July party outside. This way, neither you nor your guests will have to run back inside for another drink. A model like Wayfair's Cart Cooler with its deep interior and wheeled design is a perfect choice.

Secondary details like decorative string lights, patriotic pool floats, and festive cocktail picks might not be on your must-buy list, but truth be told, it's little touches like these that can make your Fourth of July party come together.

The Fourth of July is nearly here. Keep this list in mind to ensure a successful and well-styled holiday celebration.

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Nothing sets the scene for a Fourth of July party quite like festive decor. And I don't just mean flags, banners, and lawn signs; I'm talking about the table decor – the plates, the bowls, the napkins, and the platters that ground the scene with patriotic appeal.

This holiday is just as much a celebration of independence as it is an excuse to indulge in the most delicious summer foods – barbecues, cookouts, picnics, or seafood boils to mark the occasion. And a well-styled table creates a stunning backdrop for all of these festive feasts, bringing the entire holiday celebration together.

Fourth of July decoration can get rather kitschy, and I am partial to flags and bunting around the porch, but on the table, I find that simplicity yields the best look. Use the iconic red, white, and blue color scheme as a starting point, and invite subtle pops of patriotic flair here and there. You can even incorporate silver serveware or rattan table decorations to add visual interest and variety to the scene. Ultimately, the key is to choose table decorations that tap into the holiday theme but remain timeless by design – this way, you can reuse them for events well past the Fourth of July and for summers to come.

Whatever type of Fourth of July feast you're planning – a picnic in the park, a backyard barbecue, or an evening dinner under the fireworks – this festive table decor will ensure the scene is as stylishly on-theme as can be.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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We've all been there – the summer party outside, the ceramic dinnerware left on precarious surfaces, the unfortunate but inevitable shattering. It's not that you weren't extra careful; it's just that delicate materials, patio slabs, and maybe a few cocktails don't mix well.

Outdoor-friendly tableware becomes the obvious alternative to avoid this disaster, but in the past these hardwearing dishes have leaned more campside that chic. However, 2026 has been the summer for shatterproof tableware as stylish as their ceramic counterparts, and Drew Barrymore's 12-Piece Dinnerware Set from Walmart is the latest launch to prove outdoor dinnerware can be every bit as aesthetic as indoor.

This dinner set is bold, lively, and perfectly on-trend for summer tablescapes. Plus, it's just as design-oriented as the collectable plates and platters you only take out for special occasions. The only differences are that this set is completely safe for outdoor use and it's a bargain find, at less than $30.

An accidental drop to the floor means nothing to these melamine dishes from Drew's Beautiful Line at Walmart. In fact, they're made to withstand the impact without showing signs of wear. You can bring them to picnics in your local park, use them for outdoor dinner parties, and even trust them in the hands of uncareful children.

And this set isn't all function and no form. The green and blue color scheme is bang on trend for summer 2026, and the sardine is the motif of the season. Layer it with a gingham green tablecloth, rattan placemats, and some simple white linen napkins for a table that feels fun yet elegant.

Along with this 12-piece dinnerware set, Drew has released additional summer table decor details and hosting accessories that can complete the look. This Sardine Serving Bowl, for instance, is the perfect dish for a large summer salad, and this Sardine Oval Platter is the ideal tray for serving dessert after dinner. The Rattan Drink Basket and the Rattan Tray act as the perfect complementary details – bringing a touch of texture to the scene while tapping into the same color scheme as the plates and bowls themselves.

Together, these tableware details can create a tablescape that's fresh, inviting, stylish, and outdoor-safe. But if you're looking for more decor to complete the scene, find everything I'd style alongside Drew Barrymore's 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, below.

How To Style Drew Barrymore's Dinnerware Set

Shop More Outdoor Dinnerware

Need more outdoor-safe dinnerware options? Here are additional melamine-made styles that are perfect for outdoor use and look just as chic as Drew Barrymore's sardine dinnerware set.

Drew Barrymore's 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set will help you make sure that outdoor hosting is just as thoughtful, considered, and design-driven as indoor hosting. Not only that, but with their melamine materiality, these dinnerware sets eliminate the fear of shattering your favorite ceramics.

But before the dinnerware sets and tablescaping can even happen, you need to make sure your outdoor dining room is up to par. Lucky for you, we have tons of ideas to create a space that's fit for entertaining and endlessly inviting, too.

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The World Cup is officially here. If you can't make it to the stadium to support your favorite team, then hosting an at-home World Cup watch party is the next best thing – that is, as long as it's decked out with the best decor.

Of course, I don't expect you to inundate your house with blow-up soccer ball balloons or turf-inspired tablecloths to honor the occasion. Instead, it's important to choose decor with longevity – that is, decor that can work for a World Cup watch party, but be used in other contexts, too. Like these green wine glasses from Pottery Barn or this black and white speckled serving platter from Hudson Grace, sometimes it helps to decorate with colors that remind you of the event – and for a soccer tournament, that's green, black, and white. You can even draw inspiration from your team's colors (go USA!) to tastefully set the scene for your World Cup watch party.

Though I do think it's best for your World Cup party decor to lean more timeless in style, that's not to say you can't invite themed decor into the mix. In fact, I think you should. Mount an international flag banner behind your TV (like this one from Etsy), use soccer ball-inspired paper plates for eating (these from Meri Meri minimize dishwashing), and keep a cup of cocktail picks with soccer ball charms on your bar cart. When tapping into a theme, simplicity is key. Don't overdo it and be sure to balance it out with neutral, complementary decor. This way, your World Cup party will look like an elevated affair rather than a child's birthday party.

There are tons of matches left to be played until the World Cup final on July 19th, which means there's so much time for hosting watch parties and decorating your house with the best World Cup-inspired decor. So below, shop everything you need to create a dream starting lineup of chic watch party decor.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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The arrival of Memorial Day weekend is usually seen as the official start of the summer, but it also means all the best sales are about to begin.

It's the best time to stock up on everything you need for the season ahead – new outdoor furniture, a fancy grill, chic pool floats, and of course, beautiful pieces to help you host. And Magnolia's Memorial Day Sale is filled with Joanna Gaines-approved pieces to get your table looking perfectly rustic.

From adorable berry bowls that look straight out of a farmhouse kitchen to an array of servware that will make even the most low-effort meals feel special, Joanna Gaines' country-inspired collection makes hosting summer soirees feel nothing but easy. And with a 20% discount, what's not to love?

Shop Magnolia's Summer Hosting Essentials

Get ready for a summer of alfresco living with Magnolia's charming picks designed to ease all kinds of hosting, from intimate drinks to birthday blow-outs.

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As the weather brings longer, warmer days that stretch late into the evenings, our way of living naturally becomes more transitional between indoors and out. But, far more than just a backyard, or a single-use patio, our outdoor spaces can be transformed into multi-functional extensions of our homes, where we can dine, entertain, and relax with friends and loved ones.

The key to achieving this successfully lies in creating intentional outdoor hosting zones. From outdoor living room ideas to outdoor dining ideas and magical spaces to spend an alfresco aperitivo hour, these defined, but evolving areas, will invite guests to naturally flow easily from one to the other, as the day progresses into the evening.

With these expert styling tips and tricks, you can master this 3-zone outdoor hosting concept, whatever size or shape your space, for seamless hosting throughout the summer months and beyond.

Zone One: The Dining Space – The Heart of Hosting

Sharing a meal is the perfect way to spark conversation and conviviality, so the heart of your outdoor entertaining space should be the dining 'room'. As such, it should feel comfortable enough to encourage a relaxed atmosphere, but also be thoughtfully styled, to show your guests that you've really made the effort to help them feel special and welcomed.

Choose a Sheltered Spot for Shade and Protection

A back porch or purpose-built pergola offers the perfect ready-made shade from the sun and protection from the elements for your dining area. This beautiful sunset view is enhanced by the natural unpainted wood of the pergola and dining furniture, while the floral arrangement echoes the vibrant colors of the sunset beyond, for a naturalistic and elevated evening atmosphere.

Founder of Well by Design, Lauren Sullivan, explains: 'We preferred the dining area underneath the covered porch here for the ability to use the space throughout the warmer months – even during intense sun or summer rain – while still feeling completely connected to the surrounding landscape. I also think having a more sheltered dining area makes people naturally want to linger a little longer at the table.'

If you don't have a porch or pergola, you can opt for a stylish outdoor umbrella, which will allow you to be more flexible with where you set up your dining zone.

Opt for a Statement Dining Table and Relaxed Seating

A dining table can make a statement outdoors as well as indoors, and this one is a lovely example of how to be creative and achieve that indoor/outdoor feel. This pretty tiled tabletop looks striking, will withstand the elements, and is easy to wipe clean, negating the need for tablecloths or placemats.

Jamie Robb, Creative Director at Marlborough Tiles, explains: 'A beautifully tiled surface brings depth, texture, and individuality to a piece like a dining table, transforming something purely practical into a focal point. Whether using plain glaze colors or hand painted patterns, tiles allow you to create a table that feels entirely bespoke – full of character, artistry, and permanence. Beyond aesthetics, it’s also an incredibly durable choice; a well-tiled table is designed to be lived with, enjoyed daily, and admired for years to come.'

Meanwhile, the deep basket chairs with soft cushioned seating are proof that you can dine in comfort outdoors. If your guests are comfortable, they will feel more relaxed, and your event will take on more of an informal atmosphere, inspiring lively conversation and the chance to sit back and relax after the plates have been cleared away. The pretty floral cushions tap into the rustic country look here, whilst the lacy greenery on the tables and colored glassware add extra layers of texture and hue.

Create a Layered Tablescape Inspired by the Garden

When it comes to spring tablescaping ideas, Founder of eponymous lifestyle store Joanna Buchanan explains, 'I take inspiration from my garden and love to layer colors, patterns and textures. I definitely don't see minimal tables as being effective outside. It needs to be a full-blown statement.'

In this example, Joanna has leaned into the colors and textures of the garden, with sky blue, floral block-printed linens, and napkin rings embellished with bejewelled bees and butterflies. 'They are simply the perfect accessory for outdoor entertaining and a wonderful conversation starter,' she adds.

And there's one non-negotiable in Joanna's book. 'You have to have fresh flowers on the table – simply cut from what is around you for a seamless effect.'

Finally, if you're hosting a day-to-evening event, 'don't forget candles,' says Joanna. 'It's always magical to eat by candlelight outdoors.'

Ensure Proximity to the Kitchen Space

It may sound simple, but ensuring your dining area is located within easy reach of where you'll be serving food from will make your job as a host so much easier. If your guests are seated at the far end of the yard, even if it feels like the perfect spot, you'll have a long way to bring dishes back and forth and risk food being spilled or getting cold.

You may have a fully functional outdoor kitchen setup, or one of the best grills in the backyard, but if you're going to be prepping your food in your indoor kitchen, you'll ideally want your guests sitting as close as possible. A kitchen hatch for passing dishes through, as shown in the above image, or simply some French doors opening onto your dining terrace are perfect solutions.

'We prioritize indoor/outdoor living in all of our designs, but a functional connection to the kitchen is paramount for easy and enjoyable outdoor living. If a full doorway from the kitchen to the backyard isn't possible for the design, we love a pass-through kitchen window – this becomes a design feature with bar seating, unique materials, and increased livability for both the interior and for outdoor entertaining,' explains Leigh Lincoln, Co-Founder and Principal Designer at Pure Salt Interiors.

Shop the Outdoor Dining Edit

Zone Two: The Lounge – Relaxed, Social, and Flexible

Outdoor living room ideas should cover all bases, from morning coffee to pre-dinner drinks and late afternoon relaxing. Comfort is, of course, key, so ditch the more structural furniture and turn to softer silhouettes and textures, with modular or easy-to-move options, allowing you the flexibility to change the flow of the space depending on the form your gathering takes, or your number of guests.

Bring in Elevated Yet Comfortable Seating

This serene, neutral space incorporates natural materials, like wooden furniture and a rattan pendant light (perfect for changing the atmosphere after dark), with white upholstery for a clean and minimal finish. The wide chairs and deep cushions beckon guests to get comfortable, whilst still feeling elegant.

'Given the scale of the outdoor areas of this property, it was important to thoughtfully program each space with its own purpose and atmosphere. This more formal outdoor lounge sits adjacent to the great room, with firmer, more upright seating designed to better suit evening entertaining,' says interior designer Gianpiero Gaglione.

This intimate, yet elevated seating arrangement is the ideal breakout area for enjoying a pre-dinner aperitif while your guests warm up for the evening ahead.

Add Outdoor Rugs and Soft Textiles to Anchor the Space

If there's no clear structure, whether a pergola, patio or low-walled area, to set up your lounging zone in, create your own. This is the perfect way to use an outdoor rug, as it will instantly define an area around which to arrange your furniture, and it will give you total flexibility over where you want your guests to sit.

This alfresco French cottage range from McGee & Co has an elegant countryside feel, thanks to the rattan, but is softened with plenty of throw cushions in mix-and-match striped and gingham patterns and a soft palette of greens and blues. The striped rug brings a sense of order and timelessness, while anchoring the space that is also beautifully framed by the boughs of the trees above.

Use Low Tables for Drinks and Candles

A key differentiator between dining and relaxing areas, is the table height. Outdoor coffee tables work wonderfully as part of an outdoor lounge area, alongside lower slung, deep seating, and they are the perfect level for placing candles, drinks and snacks on without obstructing the eyeline.

Interior designer, Wendy Glaister, adds: 'Part of the allure of a beautiful outdoor space is the romance of an evening filled with candles and a cozy fire. I like to find interesting tables to set around my seating areas for visual interest.'

Lower tables are an excuse to get creative with outdoor candle ideas. 'Outdoor, battery-operated candles come on with just a click of a remote and suddenly the space is alive with quiet, flattering light,' says Wendy. 'A drink in a sparkling glass reflects the candlelight and voila! A romantic getaway has been created in your own backyard.'

Soften Zone Borders with Delicate Planting

The idea of creating hosting zones isn't to add hard, physical borders to separate different areas of the backyard, but to incorporate subtle definition with visual tricks. One of the loveliest ways to achieve this is with delicate planting. In the above example, a low concrete wall is softened with wispy grasses that bring movement and texture.

The best ornamental grasses for privacy make the perfect choice, as they'll not only offer a quiet space away from onlooking neighbors, or the hubbub of the more lively areas of your gathering, but also protect guests from the wind.

You can achieve a similar effect with climbing plants over a pergola for a natural canopy, or a simple, low floral border. It's about hinting at these different spaces without defining them too rigidly.

Shop the Outdoor Lounge Edit

Zone Three: The Late-Night Space – Atmosphere and After-Hours Appeal

As night falls and the last of the plates have been cleared, you'll likely want to usher your guests to a softer seating area to enjoy an after-dinner drink or two. Think casual clusters of seating around a cozy firepit, baskets of blankets for wrapping up in, and even a bar cart on hand for effortless refills. The addition of twinkling string lights and candles will create a warm and inviting atmosphere, bringing a natural ease and elegance to the end of your evening.

Add a Fire Pit for an Evening Glow

There's something about fire that is so magical and mesmerizing and a firepit is a wonderful way to draw your guests away from the table to sit in comfort and enjoy the beauty of an open flame. This square firepit from Wayfair is light for maneuverability, but you could go for more of a statement piece or a permanent fixture, such as an in-built outdoor fireplace.

In a real wood, (not gas-powered), firepit you could add scented wood or colored fire sticks (like these from Anthropologie) for a full sensory experience. Alternatively have some S'mores ingredients on standby for a sweet after-dinner treat.

Make it Magical with Ambient Lighting

As dusk falls, clever outdoor lighting ideas can take the look and feel of your entertaining space from day to night with an ethereal ease. You could opt for candlelight, position string lights in trees or around fixed structures, or go for more permanent garden lighting solutions, such as garden uplighters, as shown above, for a beautiful and magical effect.

'Garden uplighting transforms an outdoor space into an experience,' explains Jessica Bennett, Creative Director of Alice Lane Interior Design. 'It casts a soft glow through layered landscaping and highlights architectural beauty, while creating an atmosphere that invites guests to linger after sunset. It’s the perfect backdrop for evening parties and candlelit conversations.'

Curate More Intimate Seating Clusters by Night

Getting cozy and hunkering down for quieter and more relaxed moments, by the warmth of a fire, with a nightcap in hand, is the perfect way to conclude an evening gathering. This might involve creating a focal point to center seating around, allowing for more flexible and casual seating arrangements, providing comforting touches such as throw pillows and blankets to snuggle up in, and adjusting lighting for more intimacy.

Dee Dee Lear, Founder and Principal Designer at Delaney's Design created the above space and explains: 'When designing outdoor spaces for use after dark, we take great care in considering clearances, sightlines and, of course, lighting. In this cozy outdoor space, the topography required small retaining walls to create a flat surface for the firepit and gathering area, which offered an opportunity for additional seating and a place to install downlighting.'

'The choice of a circular design with dimmable downlighting and inconspicuous, flexible seating blends with the landscape and enhances the natural aesthetic. We created an intimate and quaint gathering space that feels both effortless and organic.'

Set up a Designated Drinks Station for a Magical Cocktail Hour

Creating a designated area for drinks will not only ease your load as the host – because guests can help themselves – but help to encourage guests to move from one zone to the next as the evening progresses. As the sun goes down, the addition of some pretty lighting, like these lace lanterns from Anthropologie will bring the space to life.

Whilst it can be lovely to wheel out a stylish outdoor bar cart, it's not the only way to create a stylish drinks station. You can easily curate your own using a side table, dressed with an elegant tray and some summer cocktail essentials.

Alternatively, get creative and stack boxes or wooden crates at different levels to provide surfaces for cocktail garnishes, ice buckets, napkins and stirrers. Drape string lights around your bar area or suspend LED lanterns from low-hanging branches above for an ethereal look. You could even lead your guests from the dining table to the after-dinner drinks area by lighting the garden path.

Shop the Outdoor Evening Edit

Bringing It All Together: How to Create Flow and Cohesion

The key to successful zoning is in creating a cohesive look in terms of color palette, materials and finishes. If you combine a dining area with a rustic aesthetic with a living space that is colorful and contemporary, it will jar and feel thrown together as opposed to intentional. This cohesion is also important when it comes to the flow of your outdoor hosting spaces. Guests should be able to easily move from one space to another throughout the course of your event, from dinner to dusk, and visually defining hosting areas with clear pathways and visual connection will ensure that this happens naturally.

Ensure Visual Continuity With the Palette and Materials

Creating continuity isn't just about the connection of your outdoor spaces but also with the overall aesthetic of your home. In the above example, a minimalist yet comfortable palette of off-white, natural wood, and rattan connects the three hosting zones beautifully, whilst each still has its own clearly defined purpose.

Designer Gianpiero Gaglione explains: 'The garden wraps around this LA home, which is designed in an L-shaped configuration, allowing nearly every room to maintain a strong visual and physical connection to the outdoors. Large double doors throughout further blur the boundary between inside and out, creating a seamless flow across the property.'

'For the exterior spaces, we intentionally kept the palette cohesive, opting for crisp whites and fresh, understated tones throughout. A bar anchors one side of the garden alongside an adjacent dining area, whilst a firepit with relaxed lounge seating creates a more intimate gathering space nearby.'

Create Zones Without Rigid Separation

One of the most important things to remember with the 3-zone hosting concept is to ensure freedom to flow between areas easily and naturally. As well as creating soft borders with planting, another subtle visual trick is to use contrasting flooring surfaces to create differentiation. In the above example, slate flagstones demarcate the lounge area, whilst red brick paving indicates the move into the dining zone. This is a far more fluid solution than adding walls and physical structures, which could make your outdoor space feel smaller and more disjointed.

Designer Sally Wilkinson explains 'For this client's outdoor spaces, we wanted a clear distinction between the lounging and dining areas without making the terrace feel overly formal or disconnected. The shift in flooring material subtly defines each zone, while the consistent palette ensures the space to still feel cohesive and relaxed. We wanted the spaces to feel less prescribed and unfold more naturally within the setting.'

Make Zones Multi-Functional in Smaller Spaces

Even if you don't have an expansive outdoor space, there are plenty of ways to prepare a small backyard for summer hosting. One way to achieve this is by overlapping zones or giving them a multi-functional purpose.

Brittny Smith, Founder of Homesmith Design, says, 'You don’t need a large backyard to create a space that works for entertaining, you just need to be intentional about how each area functions. On this patio, the bar, dining, and lounge zones are layered so they can overlap. The bar works for drinks but also doubles as a casual dining area, while the lounge anchors the space for conversation. That flexibility allows the space to feel more generous than it actually is and keeps everything connected when you’re hosting.'

This free-flowing feeling is also achieved through subtle repetition of material, color and pattern, whilst the covered structure makes this a functional all-weather space.

Consider Seasonal Adaptability

As wonderful as it is to enjoy hosting outdoors when the weather is at its best, it's a shame not to be able to make use of your patio space all year round. Considering all-weather solutions is a good idea if you want to make your hosting zones as flexible as possible. To achieve this, you will naturally need some cover to keep the area dry, but other home comforts, such as heating and indoor-style lighting can help, too. And, by installing a blank structural canvas, you'll have the freedom to ring the changes with decor as the seasons come and go.

'Adding heaters and speakers to a canopy setup can completely change how the space feels and how often it gets used,' explains Pamela Lastiri, Founder and Principal of Pamela Lastiri Interior Design Studio. 'We intentionally kept our structure fairly restrained, so it could evolve. It’s much easier to rotate furniture, textiles, and styling seasonally than to commit to bold colors or patterns within the structure itself.'

A well-designed patio isn’t just beautiful – it’s thoughtfully zoned. By creating distinct yet connected areas for dining, lounging, and late-night gatherings, any outdoor space can feel elevated, functional, and effortlessly sociable. For more ideas on how to spruce up your patio, take a look at Editor, Jen Ebert's Very British Edit – a guide to creating a well-designed outdoor space for spring.

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Memorial Day is one of the highlights of summer. It's a day for burgers on the grill, bare feet in the grass, and long afternoons spent with friends and family, ideally somewhere near the water, as fireworks and festivities await after sunset.

Whether you’re hosting indoors, outdoors, or bouncing between the two, your summer decor should be just as Nancy Meyers-ready as the scene itself.

It starts with the curb appeal: old-timey patriotic bunting and woven urn planters overflowing with fresh white hydrangeas. Indoors, there are striped cotton linens trimmed with tiny bows from Gohar World and woven beverage tubs already stocked with ice-cold bubbly water and beer. Outside, half-moon fringed umbrellas create a more clever kind of shade, letting even the tiniest backyards indulge in the full festive fête.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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Nothing says summer like a good old soiree, whether it's a formal alfresco dinner or an intimate early evening apéritif in the late sunshine, and beautiful thrifted treasures will help to bring a timeless, lived-in charm to your outdoor set-up – no matter the occasion.

Nailing summer outdoor dining ideas starts with investing in good-quality thrifted outdoor decor pieces. Don't get us wrong, there's plenty of chic new outdoor furniture and tableware to shop (I've had my eye on Serena & Lily's stylish Riveria dining set for quite some time), but nothing beats decorating with vintage when it comes to elevating your hosting game.

From luxurious silver platters to romantic table linens, we asked interior designers for their go-to thrifted picks to bring an outdoor get-together to life. 'When it comes to hosting summer gatherings, thrifted pieces are honestly where the magic happens because they give a tablescape that layered, collected-over-time feeling that brand-new items just can’t replicate,' explains interior designer Jennifer Hunter. 'It’s less about matching and more about building a tablescape.'

1. Outdoor Furniture

Vintage furniture is the first step towards an effortlessly chic backyard that feels just as considered as your home's interior. Whether it's a pair of rattan loungers to aid late-night conversations or a wrought-iron bistro set for brunch with friends, thrifted outdoor furniture is perfect for gardens in need of a little elegance.

Interior designer, Shani Core, sourced a second-hand dining set (pictured above). She explains, 'Here we took a high-low approach and found the vintage Brown Jordan dining set at a local Palm Beach resale shop. It was in terrible condition, so we had everything powder-coated in fresh white.'

Paired with vintage ceramics, colorful tableware, and fresh blooms, the look comes to life. 'The antique turquoise planter centerpiece was a thrifted find, and when combined with a fabulous floral arrangement and beautiful china, you would never know!' says Shani. 'When you start with a great quality foundation such as this vintage Brown Jordan dining set, it’s simple to style a beautiful summer table.'

2. Pitchers & Vases

It's not just outdoor seating that can make or break your outdoor dining area. 'Vintage pitchers are a favorite of mine during the summer months,' says hosting and vintage expert Rachel Leonard Kennedy. 'They’re beautiful for serving lemonade or iced tea, but they also double as casual floral arrangements filled with grocery store flowers or greenery clipped from the yard.'

Interior designer, Jennifer Hunter designed her dining table (pictured above) around one large centerpiece, scattering Summer table decor around a central floral arrangement. She explains, 'The goal is to make each piece feel as if it landed there naturally. I like to build table settings organically, starting with a central piece and letting everything evolve outward from there. I’ll anchor the table with something found, like a vintage pitcher, and often repurpose it as a vase filled with loose, seasonal stems.'

3. Tableware

'Some of the most charming hosting pieces are the ones with a little history behind them,' says Rachel. 'I almost always thrift serving platters, woven baskets, vintage glassware, linen napkins, candle holders, and small ceramic bowls when preparing for summer gatherings.'

'Vintage glassware mixed with simple everyday dishes creates that collected-over-time look that feels both elegant and relaxed,' adds Rachel. 'I especially love collecting mismatched pieces because they make guests feel relaxed. A perfectly uniform table can sometimes feel intimidating, but mixed textures and collected items create an atmosphere that says, “Come as you are.”

Jennifer's approach is similar. 'I layer in smaller pieces like candlesticks, little bowls, mismatched vessels, tucking them in rather than spacing them out too perfectly,' she says. 'It should feel collected, not arranged. I also like to pull in items from around my home to give the table a lived-in quality. It could be a small dish from the kitchen, a stack of plates, or an object that wasn’t originally meant for entertaining. Those unexpected elements are what make the table feel personal and a bit undone in the best way.'

4. Good Linen

Easy to overlook, you may be surprised to hear that thrift stores are often stocked with all sorts of outdoor table linens that make outdoor dining feel all the more special and inviting.

'I love layering woven textures with softer elements like linen napkins or slightly wrinkled tablecloths because it keeps the space feeling approachable,' says Jennifer. 'When styling thrifted hosting pieces, I focus less on perfection and more on creating a table that feels lived-in and welcoming. Summer gatherings should feel effortless, never overly staged.'

'For summer specifically, I tend to keep the color palette natural and sun-washed; creams, soft blues, faded greens, warm wood tones, and touches of citrus or fresh herbs scattered throughout the table,' says Rachel.

5. Bar Carts

Whether it's an ornate metal antique or a beachy wicker style, a beautiful bar cart can elevate your outdoor hosting set-up with an unexpected, luxurious feel – they're ideal for indoor-outdoor summer hosting.

'A rattan bar cart is the perfect vehicle for so many thrifted entertaining essentials,' explains Shani. Referring to the project above, she says, 'A vintage ice bucket holds champagne while a thrifted bowl holds citrus. The round upholstered ottoman on wheels was also a thrifted find.'

Smaller side tables and stools can double up as drinks stations, too. 'We set up a thrifted green garden stool as a side table to hold a cold drink, and we re-purposed a thrifted blue and white Murano glass carafe as a vase holding monstera leaves from the garden,' says Shani. 'I’m always on the lookout for garden stools to be used as extra seating or side tables, small planters or cups to hold cut citrus for drinks and herbs as shown on the ottoman, and any opportunity to bring a little color to a vibrant summer tablescape!'

Vintage-Inspired Essentials For Summer Hosting

'New items can sometimes feel overly coordinated or sterile, while vintage and secondhand finds bring warmth, texture, and character into a space,' says Rachel. 'They tell a story before the meal is even served. At the end of the day, the most beautiful summer gatherings aren’t the ones where everything matches perfectly. They’re the ones where people feel comfortable lingering a little longer at the table.'

Be sure to also explore our piece on the 7 things interior designers say you should always try to thrift.

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Of course, nothing compares to beautiful, long-lasting tableware, but for casual backyard BBQs, birthday parties, or those supposedly ‘intimate' family gatherings that mysteriously balloon into a 17-person affair, absolutely no one wants to spend the night handwashing dishes.

We've curated an edit of the chicest paper plates available right now to elevate your summer table with a beautiful (yet low-maintenance) look. A few names currently saving our summertime sanity include Table Two Studio, whose designs tap the retro cabbageware revival, alongside clever Etsy makers channeling the energy of a certain iconic Italian homewares house – all of whom have somehow managed to make paper plates look wonderfully luxurious.

We don’t usually encourage deceiving your guests, but for disposable outdoor tableware this delicious, we’re willing to look the other way.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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It’s the season when we throw caution to the wind: cracking open crustaceans with our bare hands, sipping skinny margaritas barefoot in the grass, probably singing along to ‘Summer of ’69’ a solid 20 decibels too loud.

You could call summer a little uncivilized, or you could call it heaven. The difference is really in the accoutrements. Manhandling a lemon for your crab legs feels infinitely chicer with a swan-shaped Gohar World squeezer in hand, while a canned cocktail tastes crisper pulled from the ‘champagne cold’ interior of a FIELDBAR Drinks Box. Big breeze threatening the tablescape? There are Art Nouveau-style tablecloth weights for that now, too.

These four months of the year feel a little less buttoned-up, and a whole lot less basic. Follow suit with 24 unexpected summer hosting essentials you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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Interior designer Shea McGee is fluent in the language of rooms – the flow, light, and casually elevated styling that she’s known for as the co-founder of Studio McGee. Her new cookbook, then, is less of a departure than it first appears. In Around The Table: Tables and Traditions For Gathering, available on Amazon, McGee approaches food the way she approaches a living space: with an eye toward how it feels to be there, how people gather, linger, and, ideally, help themselves to seconds.

She begins her cookbook with a line that disarms: 'I am an interior designer, not a professionally trained chef.' It’s a teaser for her ultimate thesis: That the recipes are only one part of the offering, and the real subject is the moment they create.

'I’m not just thinking about flavors – I’m thinking about color, texture, height, composition, and how the whole scene comes together,' she says. The table, in her hands, becomes an extension of the room – another surface to layer, edit, and bring into balance. A platter of salmon scattered with citrus and herbs is treated with the same care as a console styled with books and objects. 'The table is just another room to me. And food is just another form of design.'

The book is organized by season, a structure that feels intuitive once you hear her describe it. 'My whole approach to gathering is shaped by how I’m experiencing the season,' she says. 'What produce is in season, what the light looks like outside, whether we're eating around the fire pit or out on the patio with the doors open.' To McGee, spring is light and bright, summer relaxed and a little improvisational, fall layered and candlelit, winter pared back to soup, bread, and closeness. It is a way of cooking that pays attention to mood as much as ingredients.

Late spring, which happens to be when her book was released this year, is her favorite time to host. 'After a long winter, we’re all coming out of our shells – there is a sense of possibility as everything comes to life,' she says. The menus, she insists, 'almost build themselves,' guided by fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and whatever looks good at the market that morning. There is a pleasing lack of overthinking in that approach, a confidence that the season will carry you.

Though her focus is always on beauty, her idea of the perfect spring party food is sneakily pragmatic. 'To me, the best party food is essentially a portable salad – it should look beautiful, taste interesting, and require almost no effort to eat,' she says. Skewers of blackberry and Gouda, smashed tzatziki cucumbers, whipped ricotta piped onto croissant crostini – each one designed to feel generous without demanding much from the host or the guest.

That ethos extends to the way she sets a table: Bring the outside in, use what you have, and let things be a little imperfect. A few bud vases with flowers clipped from the yard, rumpled linens, a woven element to break up the ceramics – small gestures that add up to something memorable.

There is, throughout the book, a sense that hospitality is less about performance and more about attention. McGee describes a last-minute visit from a friend with a kind of ease that feels aspirational in the best way: a board assembled from whatever is in the fridge, a quick crostini, conversation unfolding in the kitchen. 'Thoughtfulness, not perfection, is always the goal,' she says.

A designer writing a cookbook makes perfect sense when you consider the end goal of any gathering: Never the dish itself, but the room it creates around it.

Blackberry Gouda Skewers

'Color and texture are top of mind when creating a menu. These skewers have a contrast of dark and light hues with a pleasant, toasty crunch from coarse salt and walnuts. It’s essentially a portable salad, easy to eat and transport, whether I’m at the beach, hosting a barbecue, or sneaking a few into lunchboxes.'

Ingredients

• 1 pound peeled, seeded, and diced honeydew melon
• 5 ounces Gouda cheese
• 32 (4 3/4-inch) bamboo skewers
• 5 ounces spring mix
• 1 pint blackberries
• ½ cup walnuts
• Balsamic glaze, for serving
• Coarse grey French salt, for serving

Directions

1. Dice the honeydew into 1-inch cubes. Next, chop the Gouda into ½-inch cubes.

2. Assemble by layering a piece of honeydew, pinch of spring mix, cube of Gouda, blackberry, another pinch of spring mix, and another piece of honeydew on a skewer. Place in an airtight container or cover in plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fragrant. Finely chop.

4. Stack the skewers in an airtight container for easy storage and transport. To serve, set the skewers on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze, then sprinkle with the toasted walnuts and French salt. Alternatively, let guests dress the skewers on their own.

Tzatziki Cucumbers

'Thanks to a punchy dill vinaigrette and creamy yogurt base, these tzatziki-inspired cucumbers are cool, crunchy, and packed with flavor. With just a few ingredients and simple prep, this dish delivers the refreshing bite of tzatziki in an engaging, deconstructed form.'

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ¼ cup fresh dill, packed
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 lemon
• 2 English cucumbers
• ¾ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, make the vinaigrette by whisking together the oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Chop the dill, grate or finely mince the garlic, and zest and juice the lemon. Add the dill, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the oil and whisk to combine.

2. Cut the cucumbers into thirds crosswise, then smash each piece with the side of the knife or a mallet. Roughly chop the smashed cucumbers and add them to the vinaigrette. Stir to combine.

3. Add the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to the yogurt and stir to combine. Spread the yogurt over the bottom of a serving platter or shallow bowl. Spoon the cucumbers on top of the yogurt. Pour any remaining vinaigrette over the top and serve.

Whipped Ricotta Crostini

'These crostini are a simple, elegant appetizer that feeds a crowd. Using croissants in place of a typical baguette yields a supremely buttery toast that delicately shatters beneath each bite of cloud-like ricotta. For a little extra color, finish with flaky salt and a sprinkle of dried edible flowers.'

Ingredients

• 3 ¾ cups (30 ounces) ricotta
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 to 4 large croissants
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Flaky salt, for serving
• Dried edible flowers, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the ricotta, heavy cream, and salt. Whip on medium-high speed, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes. The mixture will be light and fluffy.

2. Transfer the whipped ricotta to a piping bag or gallon storage bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and slice the croissants into ¼-inch slices, just like you would a loaf of bread, to yield about 10 slices per croissant. Nestle the slices onto a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer, using two sheets if needed.

4. Brush the croissants on both sides with the oil, then transfer to the oven and bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Flip the croissants, then bake for another 5 to 6 minutes until they are deeply toasted and crisp. Set aside to cool completely.

5. When ready to assemble, cut the tip of the bag to create a ¼-inch opening. Pipe the whipped ricotta onto each crostini in a squiggle motion, then sprinkle with flaky salt and dried flowers (if using). Serve immediately.

Menu of the Moment is a monthly Homes & Gardens feature which taps into a seasonal cookery mindset or food trend, with a selection of recipes inspired by the calendar or zeitgeist, and an interview with the cook, chef or recipe book author about the story behind them, and what brings them joy about cooking seasonally and for the moment.

One gust of wind and all hell breaks loose. Your still-in-progress tablescape, not yet anchored by heavy vases or plates, is suddenly in a precarious position. Salt cellars capsize. Floral napkins take flight. All four sides of your new ikat tablecloth start swaying like they’re lost at sea. But you have a trick up your sleeve.

Tablecloth weights. A whole set, actually – one for each side of your teak wood table. It’s not exactly standard outdoor dining fare, but then again, you’re not a standard host. You’re a prepared one. So you clip on a few friends: a quartet of surrealist, hand-painted lobsters from Anthropologie, cheekily foreshadowing the course to come. Or perhaps silver Art Nouveau–style seashells from H&M Home, because your table – like your fashion-minded guest list, already en route – knows how to accessorize.

Outdoor entertaining means making peace with Mother Nature. She’ll do her thing. With these 12 summer table-saving pieces, you’ll do yours.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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Backyard badminton, anyone? Bowling? A bonfire? Or maybe a cheeky 4 p.m. cocktail, served six at a time? Joanna Gaines’s new summer 2026 collection for Target covers every expected (and entirely unexpected) activity one might hope to partake in this season, with a level of chicness that makes lawn games finally feel like a luxury.

In this leisure-loving new lineup, there's no shortage of ways to stay occupied. Joanna brings her signature nostalgia to familiar pastimes, from punchily striped croquet mallets to movie-screening kits that recreate the magic of the big screen in your own backyard. Even the humble picnic, long overdue for a refresh, returns in warm beige gingham, newly revived with an effervescent orange carrying handle.

Across the lawn and onto the patio, Joanna’s decided it’s party time. She’s reimagined at-home bartending with a sensibility so analog it somehow lands as avant-garde. The metal-and-wood drink caddy is perhaps the best example: not unlike something a milkman might carry, only now meant for margaritas.

Basically, Joanna is making sure we're booked and busy through Labor Day. Shop nine entertaining-ready summer essentials you didn’t know you needed.

You already know multi-hyphenate designer and tastemaker Joanna Gaines doesn’t do just one thing at a time. If you liked this Target lineup, don’t miss what she’s doing at Magnolia, with a new slew of charming, room-reviving finds that look as though they were plucked from the vintage store of dreams.

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With spring fully underway and April fast-approaching, Easter (and all its joyful merriment) is imminent. A time to indulge and enjoy the delights of the season, this celebration calls for decorations that live up to the cheerfulness of the big day.

Easter decorating looks different in every household. Whether you're levelling up your Easter table decor for a spring lunch in your backyard, or transforming your front porch with a seasonal wreath in anticipation of the awaited weekend, these irresistible picks will inject any home with a good old dose of light-hearted charm.

Even the smallest of doses can transform your home into the spirit of Easter. Handpicked by Homes & Gardens, these twenty pieces are the best of the bunch, designed to spark joy and make the holiday feel even more special.

From whimsical tablecloths to egg-shaped ornaments, there's something here for every home this Easter. Whether you're looking to get into the true spirit of the holiday or you're shopping for spring decor that lasts beyond the big day, these pieces will uplift, inspire, and cheer up any space.

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The Opening Note

This week on The Very British Edit, I’m turning my attention to one of my favourite moments of the year: Easter – and, more specifically, what I’m shopping to make it feel special at home.

By the time Easter arrives, everything has shifted. The light lingers a little longer, the air feels softer, and the garden begins to stir back to life. It’s that gentle seasonal change that always inspires how I shop for the occasion.

I find myself drawn to pieces that reflect spring – fresh linens, simple ceramics, and those small details that quietly elevate an Easter table without feeling overdone. It’s less about following trends and more about choosing things that feel right for the season and the way you want to gather.

Hosting an Easter party has become something of a ritual for me, and I’ve learned that a few well-chosen pieces can completely shape the atmosphere. I always start with the Easter table. A beautiful tablecloth, a set of glassware you don’t use every day, or a new serving piece can instantly make things feel considered without any fuss. This is where I naturally lean into a few Easter decorating ideas – but in a way that feels subtle and lived-in rather than styled for show.

The same goes for the food. I tend to return to a small collection of Easter recipes (this grilled lamb with carrot pilaf is a personal favorite) – dishes that are seasonal, straightforward, and designed for sharing. Over time, I’ve found that having a handful of reliable favorites takes the pressure off and allows you to actually enjoy the day.

What I love most about Easter is how effortless it can feel when you get the balance right. It’s not about doing more, it’s about choosing well – shopping thoughtfully, cooking food that nourishes you, and creating memories with the people you love most of all.

In this week’s edit, I’ll be sharing exactly what I’m shopping this season to pull together an Easter home. It’s all about keeping things simple, seasonal, and genuinely enjoyable to host.

The Edit: Easter Decor

In the Spotlight: Burleigh

My adoration for the heritage pottery brand Burleigh has been passed down through generations. It was always there, woven into my family life. My parents had it, my grandparents, too, and so some of my earliest memories of a well-laid table are tied to those familiar pieces.

It’s one of those brands that stays with you. You grow up with it, and then, almost without thinking, you find yourself coming back to it for your own home.

Founded in 1851 in Stoke-on-Trent, Burleigh has been handcrafting earthenware for generations and still operates today from Middleport Pottery. That sense of continuity is part of what makes it so special. In a world that moves quickly, there’s something incredibly grounding about a brand that has stayed true to its roots – still using traditional techniques, still making each piece by hand, and still producing everything in the UK.

What I’ve always loved most is the craftsmanship. Burleigh’s signature tissue-transfer decorating is done entirely by hand, a slow and highly skilled process that gives each piece its own character. No two are ever completely identical, which only adds to their charm. Patterns like Blue Asiatic Pheasants feel timeless – instantly recognisable, but never overdone. They carry their history lightly, in a way that feels relevant rather than nostalgic.

Burleigh has never been about saving things for special occasions. It’s meant to be used. There’s a comfort in that – plates, cups, and teapots that are part of everyday life yet still make the table feel considered. That balance of practicality and beauty is something I’ve come to appreciate more and more over time.

It’s also been lovely to see Burleigh reach a wider audience in recent years. For a long time, it felt like a very British secret, something you mostly encountered here. Now, with its growing presence in the United States, it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves internationally – while still holding onto everything that makes it distinct.

At this time of year, especially, when the light shifts and we start to gather again, I find myself naturally reaching for it. A simple table, something homemade, a pot of tea shared slowly – Burleigh just fits into those moments so effortlessly.

That’s what keeps me coming back to it. It’s not about trends or reinvention. It’s about familiarity, craftsmanship, and pieces that carry meaning. The kind of things that quietly become part of your life – and, if you’re lucky, get passed down through it too.

In the Queue

Next week on The Very British Edit, I’m focusing on a part of the home that’s easy to overlook, but makes all the difference, especially in spring: the entryway.

I’ve come to think of the entryway as more than just a practical spot. It sets the tone. A few small changes – a lighter touch with materials, a vase of something seasonal (daffodils, tulips, or lilies), a bit of space to let the light in – can completely change how it feels to walk through the door. Nothing complicated, just thoughtful.

What I like most is how simple it can be. You don’t need to redo everything. Just a few considered updates can make the whole house feel lighter, calmer, and more in tune with the season.

Next week, I’ll share how I refresh my own entryway for spring – the pieces I rely on and the small shifts that make it feel quietly put together and ready for the months ahead.

The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.

Spring is in the air, and with Easter fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about seasonal styling ideas to set the scene for a magical Easter celebration. Whether you’re hosting a party or having an intimate family gathering, introducing a few Easter-themed accessories and home updates is guaranteed to bring spring cheer and lift spirits after the long, cold winter.

There’s no need to spend a huge amount; just a couple of pieces can elevate your spring decor and breathe new life into your home. From a beautiful tablecloth and spring floral arrangements to pretty pastel candles and little decorative eggs dotted around shelves, these small spring decor ideas bring hope for sun-filled spring and summer days ahead.

Whether you’re looking for cute Easter finds or spring styling tips, we’ve rounded up an array of joyful Easter decor ideas to get you inspired.

From chic Easter table decoration ideas to fun Easter craft ideas to enjoy with the kids, with Easter decorating ideas, the pressure is off. Whether you embrace simple flower arrangements that can be foraged from your backyard or choose to create elaborate bunny napkins, these ideas are ever so simple and require minimal effort, craft know-how, and materials for instant impact.

'I like to approach Easter decorating as a real celebration of spring,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'There's no need to go overboard with eggs and bunnies everywhere to set a festive tone. Start with vases of fresh flowers and swap your throw pillows for "springy" ones in lighter colors and breezier materials,' she advises.

Easter Decor Ideas

1. Decorate an Easter Tree

Creating an Easter tree couldn’t be simpler. Sculptural branches – bare or flowering – and a decorative vessel are all you need, but if you’re foraging for branches, there are a few things to watch out for, says Jenna Wetmore, stylist, floral designer, and founder of New Jersey–based florist Unknownlands. ‘Bringing blooming branches inside adds spring drama to any room, but they can be short-lived. We look for flowering bushes or trees that bloom in spring, like forsythia, dogwood, cherry, quince, magnolia, mock orange, lilac, or redbud. Cut the branch at an angle – this increases the surface area that absorbs water.

‘For an Easter tree, I would use forsythia or pussy willow branches, because they have smaller blooms that still allow you to hang decorations. Something with large blossoms can make it difficult to hang decorations, although you can use ornament hooks. You’ll want to avoid hanging items on the last few inches of the branch, as it will bow under any weight.’

When selecting a vase for your Easter Tree, pay attention to the size of the neck – choose a wide neck for a large display, or opt for something with a narrow neck for a more compact arrangement; fewer branches work better here. ‘Strip the lower leaves and blooms from the bottom of the branch – it’s important to remove any foliage below the waterline, as it will cloud the water and shorten the life of the blooms,’ says Jenna. ‘Change the water every other day. Clean water helps the branches last longer.’ Alternatively, you could also use winter branches or faux stems.

2. Style an Easter Mantel Display

Mantel decor isn’t just for Christmas. Often forming the focal point of a living room, the mantel is a wonderful place to create seasonal displays throughout the year. This year, there are plenty of Easter-themed decorative ornaments available, from ceramic bunnies to spring chicks and decorative egg-shaped candles.

For something with a bit more longevity, consider a few simple flowers in bottles and pretty pastel tapers. Bows are also a big spring trend this year, and this velvet bow garland from Meri Meri is perfect hung from a mantel or above an Easter table. Alternatively, go the DIY route and tie ribbons around vintage candleholders.

‘We love bows, whatever the occasion! Our pastel bow velvet garland is a charming nod to spring that works beautifully for Easter and beyond. Style it with mixed pastel candles and fresh flowers to instantly transform your mantel and create a soft, uplifting focal point for the new season,’ says Emma Peacock, associate creative director at Meri Meri.

3. Paint Eggs for A Super Simple Easter Display

Hand-painted eggs can be a beautiful way to personalize your Easter decor – think delicate floral motifs, abstract brushstrokes, or even a monochrome palette for a more minimalist feel.

'Extend the palette to the Easter table and try using leftover paint or samples in the same palette to hand-finish decorative eggs,' suggests Benjamin Moore's Helen. 'Add some contemporary brush marks for a sense of texture and arrange them in a bed of moss for an elegant talking point over a celebratory lunch with loved ones.'

'The beauty of these ideas is that they take humble materials, such as hen eggs or flowers picked from the garden, and turn them into glorious decorative pieces,' says creator and stylist Sara Bird. 'They are objects you could make mindfully alone, or craft together with family and friends. And if you want, they'll last much longer than the Easter weekend to bring joyful style to your home.'

Or, simply pick up these Handpainted Eggs from McGee & Co.

4. Style Consoles and Coffee Tables

Creating little seasonal vignettes around the home is a great way to celebrate the coming of spring and will delight guests at every turn. ‘Easter decor doesn’t have to be limited to the dining table. Adding a small vignette on a console table or kitchen island – perhaps a bowl of speckled eggs, a floral arrangement, and a candle – creates charming moments that make the whole home feel ready for the season,’ says interior designer Nicole McFaden. If time is tight, focusing on the entryway console is a good place to start, giving guests a joyful welcome.

Begin by creating a focal point – this could be an Easter wreath hung centrally above the table, or a large floral arrangement. Choosing a simple faux foliage wreath or a dried wreath is a good option, as it can be restyled with different decorations and ribbons from season to season. Alternatively, try your hand at a DIY Easter wreath. Don’t forget that scent is as much a part of a welcome as visual delight, so light a fresh floral candle to really set the scene.

5. Style up an Easter Basket

Easter basket ideas are wonderful and practical for celebrating Easter with children – but they can be part of your Easter decor as well. You can transform a simple basket with preserved and dried flowers and plenty of ribbons to sit atop a table or sideboard.

Baskets are synonymous with Easter decor and make a lovely table decoration by using different real eggs – white duck and hen’s eggs, quails’ eggs, and Bluebell Aurancana eggs.

'It’s so simple to create a mini Easter vignette for a side table, hallway, or mantel,' suggests Gisela Graham. 'All you need is a pretty basket, either woven or wire, and a few decorations or flowers. To finish off the effect, some faux straw or moss for the base, or a ribbon around the handle, adds the perfect finishing touch.'

Dress Your Easter Table

6. Create Characterful Displays with Vintage-inspired Pieces

For Easter, there are plenty of pretty pre-loved pieces that can be used to create an uplifting spring table or styled displays. ‘Vintage table runners, embroidered napkins, or heirloom lace accents are perfect for spring,’ explains Cait Barker, co-founder of the online vintage store Bessette. ‘I’m always drawn to blue-and-white ceramics, mismatched vintage plates, and colorful patterned linen napkins.’

Where gold and brass accessories were popular for many years, silverware is now having a resurgence when it comes to entertaining, explains Cait Barker. ‘Customers are gravitating toward classic platters, petite footed bowls, servingware, and decorative trays that can transition from everyday styling to special occasions like Easter. Importantly, buyers are less intimidated by patina. A soft tarnish is now seen as character rather than flaw, and many shoppers appreciate the romance of “lived-in” silver.’

For those looking to decorate with the on-trend blue-and-white palette, silverware is the perfect complement for this classic pairing.

Of course, another way to decorate with vintage for Easter is with table linens. 'I have a lot of vintage plaids and florals that I’ll be using this Easter, but feel free to bring out of the pastels and layer them as much as possible,' suggests designer Emily Henderson. 'Pastels, florals, plaids – you want all the springy patterns for this lunch.'

Kathy Kuo agrees, adding: 'If you're planning on hosting an Easter brunch, I find that vintage glassware in pastel colors is a really chic touch that also feels decidedly springy.'

7. Get Creative with DIY Bunny Napkins

The best Easter tables aren't afraid to be a little nostalgic, reminiscent of the days when you might find a chocolate egg in place of your golden yolk. But there's certainly a way to do so while still remaining stylish.

'I love to lean into the soft, pastel colors of spring for Easter,' says designer Alexandra Kaehler who created the whimsical place setting above. 'Using an egg and napkin to make bunny ears is a fun nod to the holiday without it feeling too juvenile,' she suggests.

To make your napkin bunnies, simply lay the napkin flat and starting at one corner, tightly roll up the napkin corner-to-corner. Fold the roll in half, bringing the two ends to meet each other. Tie the roll with twine or ribbon partway up the folded end, leaving a slight gap in the middle for an egg (real or chocolate). Place your egg in the hole in the center of the napkin, slightly folding the ends out to form bunny ears.

8. Decorate the Easter Table with Seasonal Blooms

Whether it’s a hand-tied florist bouquet or a few humble stems plucked from the garden, fresh flowers and greenery will instantly enliven and elevate any space. For a table, low-level arrangements are best to prevent obstructing conversation. Of course, bud vases dotted along the table always work well. Alternatively, opt for a small central arrangement that can easily be moved when food arrives.

‘The longest-lasting cut flowers for spring are tulips and ranunculus. These seasonal beauties have a long vase life and come in a stunning array of colors, making them perfect for an Easter display,’ says Jenna Wetmore, stylist and floral designer. These days, florists are leaning into organic, loose arrangements, so feel free to play with different stem lengths and shapes; the key is not to overthink it.

Alternatively, if time is tight, ‘buy potted daffodils and herbs, and you can use them for your Easter centerpiece,’ says Rochelle Bloom of Bloom & Dilligier Interiors. ‘These can then be planted out in the garden afterward.’ Place them in terracotta pots or woven baskets for a rustic feel.

Palette-wise, ‘pastels for Easter are obvious, but classic. We don’t need to reinvent the color wheel here, just finesse it,’ adds Jenna. ‘My advice would be to choose one or two pastel shades and then mix in a bolder color. This will still feel soft but will give that little lift we all need after a long winter. Chartreuse is having a moment, so incorporating it into an Easter palette is a great move. Many trees bud and leaf out in early spring, making it a great option for adding vibrant green.’

9. Create a Pretty Place Setting

If you have time to spend making special Easter table decor ideas for guests to take home – or for you to recycle for the next holiday celebration, table wreath place settings can be really quite beautiful.

You can make an Easter wreath out of spring flowers, of course – we have a step-by-step for making a DIY spring wreath. However, if you want to get prepped ahead of the holiday, why not use dried flower arrangements that you can be repurposed for the rest of the spring and summer holidays.

10. Make Elegant Place Cards

Easter table place cards are such an easy idea and lovely to make to complement your settings. This one complements the vintage tablecloth and china perfectly. Using thin card, cut the shape, then fold in half.

Then either use a flower stamp, or if you want to, hand-draw the design from the tablecloth, write the name on, then punch a small hole on one side and carefully push a tiny flowerhead or two through.

11. Layer Plains and Patterns for an Effortlessly Stylish Easter Table

Feasting is at the heart of Easter celebrations, and putting extra care into styling the perfect Easter table decor will really set the scene for a spring celebration. Pastels are a styling staple for Easter, but this season, blue and white seem to be taking the lead. From plain textured linens to lace-edged designs, a beautiful white tablecloth is ideal for layering a fresh spring look.

Alternatively, blue-and-white gingham or even toile are great for adding a touch of pretty pattern. A timeless pairing, the beauty of blue and white is that it doesn’t just work for spring; it can be reused throughout the year. Here, Meri Meri has styled the table with vintage silver candelabras for a nostalgic feel, paired with pretty, on-trend painted candles.

‘For a fresh take on Easter tablescaping, embrace the trend for chintz and vintage floral patterns by layering with mixed prints, blue-and-white color pairings, and pretty, delicate blooms. It’s an effortless way to bring a touch of Marie Antoinette–inspired style to the table – a romantic look that continues to inspire interior trends this spring,’ says Emma Peacock, associate creative director at Meri Meri.

12. Be Playful

Keeping decor pared back and using what you have, alongside small finishing touches, can be really effective when creating some quick Easter decor. Making Easter place cards for guests, or simply adding sprigs of spring flowers to table settings, will instantly elevate the table. You could also add simple drawstring favor bags filled with chocolate eggs as a table gift, or try the fun bunny napkin folding trick. ‘Seasonal handcrafted accents like our Bloom and Easter Bunny napkin rings add a playful and festive touch to the traditional Easter table,’ says Kim Seybert, founder of the eponymous home store.

‘The overarching inspiration for this Easter tablescape was a bohemian, wanderlust vibe, complete with natural textures, fresh spring florals, and pops of pastel. A striking striped tablecloth serves both fashion and function, setting a chic foundation for the table.’

All it takes is a few hints of Easter bunny, some edible (or not) eggs, and a smattering of vintage pastels to makeover your home in time for Easter weekend. It's not big task, but you should get cracking.

I remember my mother treating the Easter table like a high-stakes production. Always a sunny occasion, underwritten by a surprisingly cold commitment to symmetry, stress, and dress codes for deviled eggs. But this year, IKEA’s festive fête is loosening the rules with a more eclectic approach, where nothing matches, but everything makes sense.

The streamlined, TJÄRLEK lineup blooms with unexpectedly table-ready pastels – among them, a perfectly imperfect set of multicolor mouthblown coupes, trays where bunnies frolic through tulips, and antique-inspired, hare-emblazoned paper napkins that may very well send your brain straight back to grannie’s linen drawer.

This is Easter decorating without the pressure, which also means no one is pretending anything here is headed for the laundry.

And while the egg shapes may be seasonal, the palette is not. Don’t miss IKEA’s broader spring decor drops on your hunt – namely the UPPLAGA series and MÖRFISK collection – which extend the story with cheerful florals and merrily mismatched dinnerware that carry these pastels well beyond a single sun-drenched Sunday.

Call it disorder du jour. Ahead, the hare fare to get you there.

Eclecticism isn’t the only IKEA trend on the table this season. Between the mismatched pastels, you’ll spot stylized storage and flashes of rebel pink offsetting softer, more organic forms.

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Forget the trendy tchotchkes, the aesthetically appealing decor, and the overly curated holiday set-ups. This Easter, Michaels is bringing the care-free, childlike charm back to Easter decorating, and its newly released collection of Easter decor is proof.

Brimming with over 3,000 products in friendly pastel hues and playful forms, Michaels' Easter collection is charmingly nostalgic and full of wonder. While there's no shortage of floral prints, egg motifs, and cheery springtime color combinations, there's one Easter element that outshines the rest, and that's the presence famed Easter Bunny.

Easter's beloved mascot hops all throughout this collection – in the form of woven tabletop decorations, garland strings, and front door wreaths. Michaels has the Easter Bunny working overtime to as a reminder that decorating for this holiday doesn't have to adhere to an elevated, sophisticated aesthetic. It can be charming, cute, and pleasantly nostalgic – reflecting the joy and merriment that surrounds the Easter holiday itself.

There's so much to love from Michaels' Easter collection – 3,135 pieces to be exact. Below, I've rounded up 24 picks that, in my opinion, perfectly capture the childlike, nostalgic charm of Easter. A heartwarming holiday display awaits you.

While Michaels' Easter decor collection nails the traditional holiday look, some might find it too childish or borderline kitschy. For a more elevated take on Easter decor, check out Target's Easter range instead – it's refined, charming, and doesn't rely on a fluffle of bunnies to make it feel seasonally appropriate.

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Target’s Easter 2026 collection is pretty in pink – a sensibility that spills well beyond the table and far past the usual hare fare. Think blushing radicchio ceramics, wild delphinium arrangements that look freshly gathered from the garden, and taper candle duos blooming with sculpted paraffin hydrangeas that make for charming yet chic Easter decor.

But even on a holiday where we trade candy like Wall Street – and adults might indulge in a few sugar-bomb jelly beans – there are still anchors in the natural spirit of the season. Natural weaves from Easter’s favorite accessory – the basket – appear throughout the collection in unexpected forms, from scallop-edged table lamps to carrot-shaped napkin rings, to temper the sweetness.

Meanwhile, the verdant green of spring grass pops up in mossy eyelet napkins and runners – and, if you look closely, along the tops of ornately painted ceramic eggs, intended to elevate a credenza vignette.

And speaking of eggs – though they always have a moment this time of year, they’re earning newfound design credibility. Borrowing hues from the once-viral spring accessory of years past – the oyster platter – this collection makes a convincing case for the egg plate. Perfect for displaying your freshly dyed batch or persuading hesitant guests that deviled eggs are, in fact, delicious, it’s the sort of piece that makes you wonder how you ever dressed an Easter table without one.

Whether you’re planning a Sunday brunch or simply want to festi-fy a bland corner, these are the whimsical finds Homes & Gardens would hunt down first this season.

You may have noticed this Target Easter collection takes a more abstract approach to the holiday – meaning many of these pieces can happily live on well beyond April. For more inspiration, browse our spring decor ideas and spring tablescaping ideas to make the most of your new finds.

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Easter may call for sporting your Sunday best, but this season poses a different question: what if your table were held to the same standard? Many of the trends circulating this spring look as if they were lifted from a vaguely Marie Antoinette–ish Rococo wardrobe, brimming with lavish, sartorially inspired accessories in a cloud of painterly pastels. The Easter table, it turns out, might just be the perfect runway.

Serena & Lily sets the base with a yellow-and-white striped tablecloth (butter yellow is officially out), finished with a ruffled flounce that could very well belong on a skirt. Meanwhile, Target chimes in with a floral-embroidered table runner we wouldn’t mind seeing translated into a duster coat.

Speaking of clothing, an actual fashion label is getting in on the fête. Romantic darling LoveShackFancy teamed up with Pottery Barn to finish napkin linens with intentionally aged, heirloom-inspired lace that looks as though it could have emerged from an archival rack – or, better yet, its Madison Avenue storefront. And since no occasion wear is complete without a bit of bling – cocktail picks, courtesy of Anthropologie, are dripping with pearls.

Even the eggs get the editorial treatment, quickly becoming the tabletop accessory of the season. Expect ovum-specific cups in chrome from H&M Home, radicchio-style platters that cradle a perfect dozen flush against the surface, and a renewed curiosity about what surrealist spins on the candelabra might look like for the occasion.

For fans of the fabulously offbeat, fashion-coded universe of Gohar World, the answer is finally breaking out the iconic Wrought-Iron Egg Chandelier, which swaps taper candles for a more Easter-appropriate accessory, creating a delightfully quirky centerpiece in lieu of the usual flowers.

It’s not coquette – it’s couture. If you wouldn’t wear it, it doesn’t belong on your table this Easter.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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When it comes to holiday decorating, there's a fine line between chic and cliché. Especially with a holiday like Easter – characterized by pastels, painted eggs, and leaping rabbits – it's hard to decorate your home in a way that feels seasonally relevant and stylish at the same time. Lucky for us, interior design expert Shea McGee has masterfully found the balance.

With her new Easter collection at McGee & Co, Shea has proven to us skeptics that decorating for Easter doesn't have to look overly juvenile or even kitsch. Instead, it can be elevated, tasteful, and truly timeless.

Shea's assortment of Easter decor taps into the holiday's main themes, but in a refined, sophisticated manner. Take the bunny rabbits, for instance – the icons of Easter decor. You'll find them hopping all throughout this collection, but never once do they feel too playful or childish. Like the painted rabbit on the Floral Pitcher or rabbit shaped Candy Dish, these rabbit forms lean more whimsical and charming than childlike. Even the Hand-Painted Easter Eggs (holiday must-haves), don't feel kitsch. Paired with their Rustic Egg Holders, these eggs can act as a delightful spring mantel decor idea.

Underscored with a soft and subtle pastel green and blue color scheme, this Easter collection from McGee & Co. utilizes some of the top spring colors that can make your home feel fresher this year, too.

Of course, this collection is Easter-specific, but what I like most about it is that it reflects the holiday in a very elegant and elevated way. Plus, it's so stylish that you might even consider leaving these pieces out well past April 5th. Okay, maybe the Holland Lop Pillow Cover and the Petite Ceramic Bunnies can go into storage until next year. But other pieces like the Meadowlark Hand-Painted Serving Platter, the Ruffled Edge Vase, and even the Faux Herbiflora Wreath don't scream Easter. While they feel appropriate for the holiday, they're not overly themed. These pieces are stylish enough that I'd be happy to keep on display late into the spring and even throughout the summer.

Filled with spring decor ideas that transcend the confines of the Easter season, Shea McGee's Easter collection at McGee & Co. is one that proves that holiday decorating doesn't need to be cliché. Sure, it can have its kitschy elements, but it can make your home look as elevated as ever, too. Shop my favorite pieces from Shea's tasteful and timeless Easter collection, below.

Shop the Collection

Easter is just about a month away, so if you're planning on hosting for the holiday, that gives you plenty of time to spruce up your interiors for company. But don't forget the outside spaces, too. Shea just dropped her 2026 outdoor collection at McGee & Co., so if it's warm enough to take the party outside, now you can do so in style.

The spring season is upon us – if not outside, then most definitely in new arrivals of our favorite homeware brands, including Threshold – Target's private label brand that's become a style editor's go-to for chic and affordable pieces.

This year, Threshold takes a refined, renewed, and refreshed approach to decorating for spring, with the slightest bit of whimsical flair. You'll find classic spring decor themes within this assortment of new arrivals, but there are more nuanced details in the new collection too – details that reflect current design trends and can elevate your home for the season ahead.

Texture subtly steals the show. Between the woven elegance of the Chunky Weave Basket and the rustic finish of the Ceramic Oversized Bowl, texture feels like a main theme within this assortment of new arrivals from Threshold. It's a detail we're loving in interiors right now, not only because of its tactile appeal, but because of the way it can bring dimension to a space with such ease.

Even some of the micro trends that we've been fawning over recently have found their way into Threshold's new spring arrivals – including the equestrian decor trend (I just love this Decorative Horse Bust for bookshelf styling) and the bird motif trend (this Ceramic Bird would be such a cute paperweight).

Of course, florals have to make an appearance, too, both in literal forms like the adorable Tulip Basket, and in heritage prints as seen in the best-selling Tambor Ottoman.

Threshold's spring 2026 line is the perfect place to pick up afforable piece that will usher spring into your home. Shop our edit of the collection, below.

Shop the Best of Threshold's Spring Decor Range

Threshold's spring decor is just the start. Target has tons of other product ranges that offer equally as chic decor choices to refresh your home for spring – some of our favorites include Shea McGee's Target line and Joanna Gaines' Target line.

On a holiday synonymous with four-leaf clovers, there’s a touch of irony in the tragic state of most St. Patrick’s Day decor. Tinny ‘gold,’ fluorescent plastic green, and novelty leprechauns hardly whisper abundance. But what is (finally) fortunate is that Terrain has intervened, delivering folklore-inspired pieces that muse on the archives of an Irish estate sale.

In the brand's new St. Patrick's Day collection, the shamrock is interpreted. Its curved leaves ripple across sculptural green-glass coupes (for those who’ve outgrown neon beer), and swirl through marbled planters. Elsewhere, the motif is carefully embroidered into linen napkins, or worked into iron garlands with a wink.

And for anyone still loyal to the retro ‘cabbageware’ interior design trend revival, there are hyper-real shamrock stoneware iterations that add some cheek to the table. Shamrock drenching, after all, is pretty much mandatory this time of year.

Leprechauns obviously prefer gold over silver, but here the usual metallic accent strikes a softer note – delicately threaded and etched into thoughtful details, like clover candle pins designed to dress up the tapers you already own.

These pieces may be new, but they carry a palpable non-party-store patina. Whether or not you're actually Irish is beside the point. This aesthetic luck is universal.