Now that summer is here, I have been making the most of outdoor dining and creating some casual table place settings to eat alfresco in the garden. Whether you dine on your patio or lawn, here are five easy ideas for a stylish garden table set up to host outside when outdoor entertaining.

1. Bring the inside out by layering soft furnishings

2. Use portable lamps

3. Lay colourful tableware

4. Add cut flowers in bud vases

5. Wrap your cutlery in natural materials

Layer your table and chairs with soft furnishings

You don’t need to invest in outdoor textiles for simple and casual outdoor dining. Instead, bring outside what you already have indoors. Add cushions to each chair and use a fabric tablecloth to cover the table. If your dinner party will head into the evening, make sure to scatter throws and blankets so that your guests can use them once the sun sets. By layering your garden table with soft furnishings you will create a comfy, inviting space full of pattern and visual interest.

Use portable lamps

Lighting is key for outdoor dining that heads late into the summer evening. You can add light overhead with garden festoons, but brighten up your table by placing on it one or two portable lamps. These cordless lamps can be charged beforehand via a USB cable and can last from 12-18 hours without being recharged. If you want to add candlelight, battery-operated table candles are a safe way to get the look of a romantic flickering dinner candle. You could also invest in some outdoor candles that withstand any summer breeze and are loaded with citronella to keep away those pesky evening insects.

Layer colourful tableware

Keep it bright and happy when dining outdoors with colourful plates, cups and wine glasses. Choose painted tableware and coloured glass which will pop out against a natural garden backdrop. For great-value painted plates check out the new tableware range from Marks & Spencer.

Add cut flowers in bud vases

Avoid large floral centrepieces or a tall vase of flowers in the middle of a table. For a relaxed look with a nod to being outside, dot small bud vases up and down your table full of wildflowers and summer favourites such as cow parsley, stocks and peonies. The small size of the vases won’t take up too much space on the table and are great for holding small garden cuttings.

Wrap your cutlery in natural materials

For casual alfresco dining, you can place your cutlery directly on the table or place it upright in a jug. However, I like to wrap mine in hessian and then use garden twine to tie the sets together. Slip in a sprig of lavender or a rosemary for an extra touch.