What to bring to a picnic – elegant ideas for dining stylishly in the great outdoors this summer

There’s something truly magical about dining alfresco, immersed in nature, but you may well be wondering what to bring to a picnic this summer. Whether it’s lunch in a country meadow, supper on the beach, or even just an impromptu gathering in a secluded corner of the garden, we've asked the experts for their picnic essentials and styling tips.

Start with the location and consider the picnic recipes that you will bring, as this will determine what to pack. A waterproof picnic rug, shatterproof plates and glasses, cutlery, and napkins are the key essentials, along with a practical cool bag and basket to transport everything.

But you can also up the style and comfort with cushions, folding chairs, twinkly and other garden party decoration ideas such as outdoor wireless lighting and summer table centerpiece ideas. Bring a Bluetooth speaker and some outdoor games too, to create a fun party atmosphere.

1. Choose a classic picnic basket

A picnic basket is an absolute must-have for your summer picnic. Some luxury baskets come with all you need to lay an alfresco lunch, including plates, glasses and cutlery, and others come with built-in cooling compartments, while more basic options allow you to fill them yourselves to suit your own style and mix and match options.

‘We love using rattan picnic baskets with lids and built-in coolers – they’re perfect for keeping drinks chilled while offering a dry compartment for essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, and hand sanitizer,’ explains Alidia Olcott, owner and lead designer at Lake Geneva Picnic Co. ‘We also love sourcing vintage picnic baskets whenever we can; they add so much charm and character to the setup and feel like an extension of the overall aesthetic.'

Shea McGee, founder of Studio McGee, is also a fan of the traditional rattan picnic basket. 'I love picnic baskets that make everyday moments feel elevated, and a well-designed picnic basket does just that — combining function, style, and the ease of bringing a bit of home wherever you go.'

2. Go for a colorful cool bag

If you’re travelling far, or you’re having a picnic on a hot day, you’ll need a well-insulated, leak-proof cool bag for salads, meats, cheese, drinks, and anything perishable.

Soft cool bags and backpacks are often easier to carry than harder ones, plus they can be collapsed down and are easier to store at home. You’ll also need to a buy asome airtight containers for storing and transporting food, too, like this 40-piece food storage container set from Amazon, which includes a range of sizes and handy stick-on labels.

If you don't have ice packs to hand, homeware designer Sophie Allport, suggests this easy hack: 'pack frozen drinks or water bottles to double as ice packs – it's a clever way to keep everything cool while making the most of your space.'

3. Choose a pretty yet practical rug

From a sandy cove to a sunny orchard, any outdoor space can be instantly transformed into a dining area with a large, practical picnic blanket. 'A picnic should be relaxed and full of home comforts. Start with a soft picnic blanket, preferably one with a waterproof backing, then layer cushions and throws - don’t be afraid to mix patterns either,' says Sophie Allport.

If you’re setting up a picnic in your own backyard yard then a large, lightweight outdoor rug can provide a much bigger seating area, especially if you’re looking to host a luxury picnic with a larger number of guests. ‘We love using rugs instead of traditional picnic blankets – they help anchor the space visually and instantly elevate the overall aesthetic, making it feel more like an outdoor living room than a casual picnic.’ says Alidia Olcott.

Alternatively, why not use a tablecloth? ‘I love using a bold tablecloth thrown on grass for an instant picnic vibe,’ says Joanna Buchanan, founder of the eponymous lifestyle brand. ‘They’re lighter than blankets if space or transportation is an issue.'

4. Get comfy

If you are planning a lazy lunch to last into the evening, comfort is a key consideration. Fold-up seating, such as deck chairs or camping chairs, will provide a comfortable perch. Alternatively, for a more authentic picnic feel, bring plenty of outdoor floor cushions, pouffees and throw pilllows to ensure maximum comfort at ground level.

‘We love creating a cozy, grounded experience with a mix of floor cushions and oversized throw pillows — ideally around 22x22 inches,' says Alidia Olcott of Lake Geneva Picnic Co. ‘The larger scale not only offers more comfort but also looks more balanced when paired with low tables.’

‘We don’t always use outdoor-specific materials, as long as items aren’t left out in the elements, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the same beauty and comfort outdoors as you would inside. That little touch of luxury makes the experience feel all the more special.’

5. Serve in style

When it comes to picnics there’s no reason why your summer spread can’t be as stylish as your outdoor dining table. A tablecloth layered with practical and pretty tableware can create a low-level summer spread to rival more formal settings.

‘I like to make a picnic look like it's at a dining table, with restaurant-quality acrylic wine glasses, and beautiful melamine plates that could be mistaken for fine china, as well as a fabulous patterned tablecloth,’ says Joanna Buchanan. ‘For me, decorative melamine plates are perfect for eating outdoors in the summer as they don’t break but they still look chic, so they’re a win.’

Alternatively, why not try palm leaf tableware, which is a much more sustainable alternative to paper. 'Opting for natural, compostable tableware is a simple shift that creates lasting impact. Our palm leaf plates are classy and break down in 90 days without leaving a trace, making them a smart and responsible choice for anyone looking to reduce single-use waste footprint without sacrificing style,' says Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtocs.

6. Bring a practical folding table

If transportation isn't too arduous, bringing a couple of lightweight folding tables will be handy for keeping food and drinks up off the ground, which is useful if there are bugs or pets around. Mesh or rattan food domes, like these food covers from Amazon, can also help.

You could also line up a few low folding tables and lay a tablecloth over them to create a low-level picnic table surrounded by cozy floor cushions. And it's also worth thinking about having a larger table or a trolley to act as a buffet station for guests to help themselves. 'A dedicated table for things such as coffee, tea, or other beverages keeps the main picnic table tidy and allows for a more relaxed flow,' says Alidia Olcott. 'Guests can help themselves and refill without disrupting the setup. Depending on the size of the gathering, small side tables, lightweight bar carts, or folding tables draped with a tablecloth all work beautifully.'

7. Don't forget the serveware

If you've spent hours in the kitchen preparing a wonderful spread of picnic food, curating a lovely selection of serveware to really show it off is just as important. Packing a range of lightweight trays, platters and even a cutlery caddie elevate the picnic experience for guests and make it that little more organised and refined. Rattan trays and wood platters bring that relaxed, country feel and are right on-trend at the moment.

'I love packing a chic tray for a picnic; the ground can get a bit wobbly with grass or sand underneath, so a tray is a great way to keep open bottles and glasses stable. It also really makes things a bit more elegant. My favorite vintage wicker picnic basket has two handy spots for bottles and French bread,' says Joanna Buchanan.

'I also love to bring a small empty vase on a picnic – then, if you pick some wildflowers, you have an instant floral centerpiece.'

8. Make it magical with outdoor lighting

If you’re setting up a picnic in your garden, or you have spare space in your bag, then let the magic continue after dark by adding atmospheric lighting? Dot tables with cordless rechargeable lamps and hang solar-powered lanterns or festoon lights from trees to make your setting extra special.

‘If you're picnicking into the evening, lighting becomes everything – taper candles or cordless table lamps can create the dreamiest setting,’ says Alidia Olcott. ‘Here [above image] I’ve used table lamps with crystal shades for a touch of luxe and sparkle.’

The finishing touches

‘It’s all in the details,' says Alidia Olcott, founder and lead designer of Lake Geneva Picnic Co. 'Fresh florals are a must – they instantly elevate the entire setup. We love layering textures to create a cozy, intentional atmosphere. Thoughtful touches like personalized name cards or a custom sign help make each picnic feel truly curated,’

‘For fun, we always include a few extras in our picnic baskets — like a Polaroid camera to capture the moment, and conversation cards to spark connection. It’s those little details that transform a picnic into an experience to remember.’

Another fun and practical idea is to create pre-prepared individual food boxes for guests. Not only do these feel special like a present to be opened, they also mean fewer serving platters and tableware to carry. 'For food, we love packing individual grazing boxes for each guest, they're beautifully arranged, easy to eat, and perfectly portioned,' Alidia adds.

Picnics are a wonderful outdoor dining idea as they really allow you to enjoy the bounty of summer. Whatever scale or style of your picnic, you can make it a truly magical occasion with some carefully chosen pieces to bring comfort, style and most of all, ease, to the event.