Non-floral Tablescapes to Try This Summer

These low-maintenance looks will save you time and money, without compromising on style.

Flowers and tables are like popcorn and movies; they’re a perennial pairing (and a magnificent one at that!). But if you feel like you've exhausted your favourite arrangement of blooms or simply want to try something new for your next summer gathering, rest assured there are plenty of tablescape ideas that will save you a trip to the flower market.

While there’s no denying the timeless appeal of dropping a cluster of ranunculus or a single-stem sunflower into a beautiful ceramic vase, why not challenge your creative skills and reach for other accents to carve out a beautiful setting?

Ahead, find inventive ideas for whipping up your most masterful summer tablescape yet.

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Use fruits and veggies

Not just for munching on! Aside from their nutritional value, fruits and vegetables also make for an ingenious table centrepiece. If you’re somewhere with a bountiful supply of lemons (like this interior stylist’s chic dinner party in Sicily), scatter several across the table with the leaves still attached. Or if you want to contrast a crisp white tablecloth, go for bright red tomatoes and bell peppers. Permission to eat your tablescape: granted.

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Rely on glassware and ceramics

The aesthetic power of beautiful glassware and ceramics can’t be understated. If you curate a lovely mix of glasses, bowls, plates, and so forth, you can build out an entire tablescape by relying on these statement tabletop pieces. For a look that skews wonderfully eclectic, mix and match colours and textures. Or, choose a scheme (such as ocean-hued blues or splatter prints) and create a tonal look.

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Switch to greenery, instead

Flowers are so often chosen due to the crayon box of colours they offer a tablescape, but greenery shouldn’t be overlooked. Instead of something like a bright hydrangea or tulip, consider layering branches of eucalyptus or olive leaves down. You could also construct a succulent vignette with favourites like cactus, jade, and aloe vera in stylish pots traveling down the table. Or if you prefer height, drop a few sprigs of dried herbs into a colourful carafe.

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Focus on layered linens

Anyone who has invested in a charming tablecloth knows how easy it is to create a beautiful setting with this anchor in place. Taking the idea a step further, consider layering several linens on top of each other to create a consistent look. For example, if your tablecloth is a gingham print, consider placemats in a solid linen hue with an interesting shape (like our Scalloped Placemats) and complete the stack with a stylish napkin. Bring in beautiful plates, glasses, and serveware and your table is colourful, cohesive, and ready to go.

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Find items in nature

If you’re throwing a dinner party and want the table to reflect the sense of place, simply look around you. Dining by the sea? Take a stroll along the coastline to gather a few natural items like rocks or seashells to arrange inside a ceramic vase (don’t forget to put them back after you’re finished!). Cosied up in the forest? Grab a few pinecones or pieces of driftwood to run along the length of the table. The more authentic to the destination the better.

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Add drama with candles

There’s no tablescape a beautiful candle can’t make better. Whether it’s an elegant row of brass candlesticks or unique colourful glass holders, adding a gentle glow to your summer table setting is the perfect way to cement the ambience. We especially love the look of these green ceramic candlesticks paired with cream taper candles and lush green leaves.