Lemon Tablescape for Summer
This bright and cheerful lemon tablescape for summer makes outdoor entertaining both stylish and fun! Lots of photos for you to peruse today, so grab a beverage and settle in!
I am so happy to be joining the lovely Rita from Panoply as she hosts myself and 19 other bloggers as we share our vision of the perfect summer table! All the links are below so be sure to check them out after you explore my own festive summer table.
I have a confession to make. Summer is my least favourite season. Yes, I said it! Now, I do love the extended daylight and the sunshine, but the heat and humidity is enough to make me want to never go outdoors.
This poses a real dilemma since I also love to entertain and host family and friends to dine al fresco whenever I can. What’s a girl to do?
Well, I do my best to embrace the season while secretly waiting for cooler temperatures. Setting a pretty table always elevates my mood, and this fun and cheerful lemon tablescape is no exception!
Usually I share a patriotic tablescape for summer, like this Canada Day tablescape, which was a favourite! But lemons just scream “it’s summer”!!
Today I am going to show you how to set a pretty table for summer entertaining that is easy, low cost and will set the stage for a lively evening of food and conversation.
Essentials for a lemon themed summer tablescape
- dinnerware (I purchased my lemon themed plates at the dollar store, but below I show you how to highlight the lemon theme even if you only have plain dinnerware)
- Glassware
- Lemonade or lemon sparkling water
- Fresh lemons
- Tablecloth or placemats
- Daisies or other simple white and yellow blooms
- A delicious lemon dessert like this Boozy Frozen Limoncello
This table was put together with things purchased at Dollar Tree, the grocery store and blooms from my garden and farmers market.
Start with lemon themed plates. I purchased mine at the Dollar Tree, but you could also use inexpensive lemon themed paper plates.
The only purchase for this tablescape was the adorable daisy shaped rattan placemats. They were coming home with me whether I was setting this table or not! I anticipate getting a lot of use out of them this summer.
How to Mix and Match Place Settings with Ease
My dilemma was that I had only 4 dinner and salad plates in the lemon theme, but was setting a table for six. I also only had 2 yellow striped napkins and service for 4 gold flatware. And, only 4 daisy shaped placemats.
I didn’t even bat an eyelash! I grabbed 2 of my trusty white everyday plates, 2 sets of my everyday flatware and 4 green linen napkins, and my round rattan placemats.
As long as all the place settings compliment one another, I think anything goes!
In the photograph below, you can see how well they all work together! I actually think I like the break it gives the eye, amongst all the lemons!
Simple everyday footed glasses from Ikea with a slice of lemon are waiting for the lemon La Croix to be poured in. A sprig of organic camomile in each glass adds a nice visual that ties win with the peony centrepiece.
And speaking of centrepieces! This table features, not one, not two, but three lovely centrepieces!
Easy Summer Centrepiece ideas
Peonies are a favourite in my garden this time of year, but even better when they are cut and brought inside I an enjoy their amazing scent! These white peonies are paired with a few springs of chamomile for a bright and cheerful arrangement.
Another simple idea for a lemon themed summer tablescape is to stack lemons in a shallow bowl and tuck little white blooms amongst them to fill in the gaps. I can’t recall the name of this flower, but it was picked from the garden.
I made two of these to flank the peony arrangement, and placed them atop cake plates to give them some height.
Took less than 10 minutes to make these two lemon centrepieces. And, I have plenty of lemons to make some fresh lemonade later! Or, maybe even some yummy lemon squares!
The table was just too long to fit in a proper overhead view, but I photographed from above in 3 separate sections!
I love the contrast of the dark green Ralph Lauren linen napkins against the white linen tablecloth. The napkins I purchased for use at Christmas time, but they work perfectly for this summer tablescape as well.
Of course there were plenty of fresh sliced lemons for adding to drinks too!
One last look at the stunning white peony centrepiece and then its’ time to visit all the other bloggers and there summer tablescapes! The links are all below, and believe me when I say, get ready to be inspired!
I just love how gorgeous they are when the fully open up! They look like giant garden roses.
Without further adieu, please take some time to visit the tablescapes below! You won’t be disappointed!
Panoply – Up, Up and Away With Summer Dining
Home is Where the Boat Is – Hydrangeas and Butterflies
Everyday Living – Welcoming Summer With A Garden Tablescape
Life and Linda – A Boho Alfresco Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer Plaid and Polka Dot Picnic
Living With Thanksgiving – Summer Blessings
Debbee’s Buzz – Alfresco Bee Theme Table and Florals
The Painted Apron – Boats, Floats and Fish!
The Little Yellow Corner Store – Pucker Up Lemony Tablescape – It is Time to Have a Bee-utiful Day!
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A summer picnic tablescape for Canada Day
Pandora’s Box – Summer Blues
Me and My Captain – Florida Blue Crab Summer Tablescape
From My Carolina Home – Welcome Summer Tablescapes
The Bookish Dilettante – Summer Tablescape: Old Glory
My Thrift Store Addiction – Summer Picnic Brunch under the Texas Mountain Laurel
Red Cottage Chronicles – Lemon Tablescape for Summer
Hyacinths for the Soul – Long May She Wave
Celebrating Everyday Life – Create a Chic Seashell Table Setting This Summer
Dinner at Eight – A Summer of Colors
Bluesky at Home – Pretty Table for a Ladies Dinner Party
Summer and lemons just go together! Lovely table.
i like your summer table. Another solution to not having enough lemon plates would be to use the lemon dinner plate with the white salad plate then alternate with the white dinner plate with the lemon salad plate. That way there would be a touch of lemon at each setting.
Great idea Lauren! I have done this when I have set my table for 8 but only had sets of 4!!
Maureen…you are a stylist after my own heart. I LOVE lemons and anything lemony. Your table is lovely and while I cannot agree with your dislike of HOT weather…(I live in Florida after all)…I can appreciate your tolerance of it….and your outdoor table certainly reflects your attention to detail under “warmer circumstances”. Using three centerpieces is certainly not overdone as the two lemon stacks compliment the lovely peonies (one of my favorite flowers, tho not grown in Florida ) As far the mixing and matching of plate stacks etc…I agree with you that as long as they are complimentary, it is perfectly all right. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you and I will wish you a Happy Summer as you wait for the cooler temperatures of Fall. (And an air conditioned home doesn’t hurt either.) Blessings Always
Maureen, I love the Dollar Tree lemon plates. Lemons bright and citrusy color is perfect to welcome summer. Those daisy shaped rattan placemats are fabulous and I haven’t seen these anywhere before. I am not a fan of hot weather and humidity, but I do love all of the seasons. I have never tasted Le Croix, but my DIL enjoys it. The peonies are gorgeous, mine are all gone. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you. Happy Summer
Maureen, I love your lemon tablescape and its perfect for summer – so light and fresh! I too love mixing and matching when I don’t have enough of one thing or another and it looks great on your table. The white plates with the yellow striped napkins between the lemon plates does break things up and is very pleasing. Your peonies are gorgeous and I can only imagine their wonderful smell. It was very nice hopping with you again and I hope you enjoy your summer and it’s not too hot or humid!
Maureen, this is such a wonderful, refreshing table- perfect for summer gatherings!! I love both of your place settings – loving the flower shaped placemats on the one setting and the soft yellow striped napkins on the other. Your bowls of lemons with the little white blooms tucked in are beautiful and I like how you elevated them on the cake stands. Everything looks spectacular!! I hope you have a wonderful summer!!!❤️☀️
Maureen, lemons and a summer tablescape speaks to me. The DT has some incredible buys. The daisy placemats are so cute. Your peony floral centerpiece is gorgeous. I love the stacked lemons with white flowers. I have had Le Croix either, I might have to try it. A pleasure hopping along with you. Happy summer.
Maureen, this literally fills me with the feeling of summer! Right from the start, seeing the green napkins paired with the lemon plates, and then the flowers and real lemons on the table …. I just love it all. Lemons are my go-to year round, a staple for my drinking water, and I love the flavor / scent in everything from drinks to foods to even bath products (remember Love’s Lemon Fresh from the ’70s? That was me!). You did such a good job completing service for 6 I didn’t even notice they weren’t the same dishes. All I saw were the complimentary yellow & white napkins. And those white peonies, my gosh they’re stunning!
I’d be willing to bet many of us would rather be inside once the summer heat hits (I know i would), but you definitely make a compelling invitation to get outside. Thanks so much for joining the fun with your cheerful table. Oh, and yes, that Patriotic tablescape was superb!
One last thing…I want those placemats, lol!
Maureen, your lemony table is so cheerful and summery! I really love how you arranged them–so simple yet elegant! I am partial to floral-infused drinks and your sparkling beverage sounds perfect! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Oh this is so pretty Maureen, lemons are a perfect theme for a Summer table! The peony centerpiece is gorgeous and the little daisies are so pretty and keep it from being too elegant for a casual outdoor setting. I love the dish of lemons and little daisies too, so cute. I swear I can almost smell the freshly cut lemons! Your daisy place mats are so so cute, great find! And the Dollar store lemon plates are another great find. I love it all!
Lemon love Maureen! Your daisy shaped placemats framing your pretty lemon plates are adorable! Love your lemons stack with sweet white blooms…so simple and easy to pull together. And who can resist the fragrance and beauty of bowl of peonies, love the sweet chamomile mixed in too. I have to confess that summer is not my favorite season either. The older I get, the least tolerant I am of the heat and humidity. So happy to join you again at the table and hop with you. Happy Summer ♥
Maureen, this is both charming and restful! No matter the heat index, I’m sure anyone would be delighted to join you here. I find the tartness of lemons in the summer time is unfailingly refreshing, and then you add my favorite flowers (peonies) and you’ve got the perfect setting! Mixing items just tops it off. Such fun hopping with you this week!
It was such fun seeing your lovely summer table with a lemon theme! I picked up plates, mugs and glasses last year at DT and used them while Covid quarantining. You’ve inspired me to pull them out for a restyling and pick up the luncheon size plate I saw in DT last week. And, to make some homemade rosemary infused lemonade as things heat up. Love those fun, sun-shaped placemats!
Maureen, Your lemony table is so refreshing and creative. I’m glad you taught us to mix patterns if you don’t have a place setting for six. I love you found the lemon plates at DT. Using real lemons stacked together with flowers is a great idea. Your garden peonies are exquisite! I am so jealous! I love how you placed them in a different container in the center of your table and then flanked them with the stacked lemons. That was very effective as a wow centerpiece; the lemons are reusable!
Blessings!! Have a good summer.
Maureen, your lemon tablescape is lovely. Love the dishes and your pretty lemon arrangement.
Hi Maureen, My apologies for being so late with my comment. Overcoming a bad virus. I see that you were thinking of lemons for summer time too. I love your lovely lemon decor from the stacked lemons on a plate stand with touches of tiny flowers to your gorgeous lemon plates for each placesetting. The flower shaped placemat is so unique. I have never seen that shape before. A very lovely touch. I am a big fan of lemon squares too. Your cream colored peony centerpiece is so elegant and adds a lovely feminine touch to the table. So lovely. Have a great summer, Maureen.