The sun, the heat and the good weather call for spending more time outside and moving many of the daily activities outdoors, including meals. That's why, with these keys to decorate a summer table, perfect for an outdoor dining room, where meals will look beautiful, delicious, and according to each occasion.
How to decorate a summer table: The etiquette
The first thing to keep in mind when setting the table is always the protocol. The ultimate functionality of this is to always take the diner in the most comfortable way possible for the event that has been decided, avoiding embarrassing situations and unnecessary questions.
This is why basics such as the placement of the right cutlery and glassware is vital. In summer, fish and seafood often lead lunches and dinners, so it is good to remember to have the necessary cutlery and utensils.
In addition to the essentials that are already known, there are some extra reminders, which may also vary depending on the formality of the situation, but still have their way of doing, as is the case of the plating of summer fruits. Those that are large pieces, such as watermelon or melon, will never be served in a large slice, instead, medium triangles (with or without rind) for informal occasions, and in cubes or spheres in a bowl for more formal ones. This instruction applies to many other varieties of fruit.
The current protocol is no longer as strict and square as it used to be, now it is possible to allow certain "creative licenses", which can bring touches of personality to the decoration of the table, such as adding a thematic decorative element to the napkin rings, or folding the napkins imitating a suggestive figure.
How to dress the table for every occasion
Again, the most convenient way to decide how to dress the table will depend on each situation. But the most advisable is always that the textiles are of quality, such as linen or natural linen.
If it is a relaxed meal, such as a breakfast, aperitif or brunch with friends, this can be done without a tablecloth, although it is recommended to place at least a few singles, or failing that a table runner as a "individual to share", so that the beauty of the outdoor dining table is still appreciated.
For more formal occasions, such as celebrations, special moments and romantic dinners, a good tablecloth made of a light and quality fabric will provide the perfect touch. If the table is made of natural, untreated wood, it is advisable to place another tablecloth underneath it, made of a waterproof material, to prevent possible stains.
Napkins, placemats and coasters will mark the good taste of the meal. The choice of light and quality materials, in neutral colors or with small touches of color, will be perfect to give prominence to the dishes.
Decorating a summer table by bringing it to life
The best decoration in spring and summer is the one that only occurs in those seasons. Garden plants and wild flowers can give a personal touch and a lot of color to the table; besides a rich aroma that will accompany the aroma of the dishes.
Another interesting factor, if it is a special occasion or if any of the attendees is a botany lover, can be to make use of the language of flowers, and even write the meaning on the menu of each table. It will be a surprise and a curious touch that will develop more than one conversation of interest.
Of course, the most colorful touch of the table will be the food, since the dishes of the season usually abound in bright colors. For this reason, it is best to have a tableware that is not particularly flashy, or if some pieces are desired with color, that these are combined with other white tableware, so as not to saturate. It is also recommended to use tableware made of natural materials, which will bring natural quality to any event.
Taking care of the lighting
A candlelit dinner is a classic that should not fall into oblivion, but it is not something that every occasion calls for. For dinners with friends, it may be much more appropriate to place a garland of lights, with simple wicks and a warm and dim light, or for a table in the garden that you want to become more exotic, you can place some torches (far enough away from the table to not disturb anyone), no doubt, it will be a surprise.
You can also make use of a table lamp, if it is not going to get in the way. A lamp with a natural and discreet design that does not steal all the attention will be a good choice.
In case you want to place candles, this can also be done on side tables, so as not to hinder the food and avoid possible burns, in addition, in this way, the scented candles will not dull the smells of the food. A plus can be that these candles repel mosquitoes and other insects, which usually invade gardens and terraces in summer. Some natural candle holders or a colorful lantern will be the perfect complements.
Eliminate visual noise to focus attention
Bringing life to the table is also about avoiding and reducing distractions, or eliminating visual noise. This consists of changing the packaging of products with colorful designs and labels, for pieces that still fit perfectly into the composition of the table. An example might be to change the jars of prepared sauces or pickles for small bowls or sauce pans that offer them instead.
The same goes for beverages. Instead of placing bottles of soft drinks with large labels, these will be better and more comfortably served in pitchers with ice and some citrus.
This will give a more natural look to any table, making the dishes look better, and making the food even more enjoyable to eat, and to look at.
Although the best option is to reduce these changes to a minimum, making sauces, pickles and homemade appetizers directly, of course.
