Chic summer dinner parties start with new tabletop buys for the season. Our correspondent Meredith Lepore has curated a list of our top picks for home and tabletop buys in citrus colors like lime green, lemon yellow and orange for inspiration on how to set the perfect table for a summer dinner party.
Citrus colors in home décor and tabletop make for the perfect summer dinner party
There is nothing like a summer dinner party. Some rosé or an Instagrammable summer cocktail, lovely cheeses and fresh veggies from the garden, a stunning floral centerpiece and, of course, the perfect tablescape.
And the experts have decreed that this summer should be all about citrus. The citrus aesthetic is always a staple of summer and it should be incorporated as much as possible for these short summer months, say those who should know. Think tabletop items in lemon yellow, lime green and juicy orange. Or grapefruit, blood orange, clementine or tangerine.
Cynthia Zamaria, a home and garden stylist based in Toronto and the author of “House + Flower” recently told The New York Times, “When friends come by, you want to make them feel special and welcome. One of the ways to do that is by creating a beautiful table for them. You can still be working on the potato salad, but the table is set and it’s lovely.”
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So how do you create the perfect citrus summer tablescape with tabletop items in lemon yellow, lime green, orange, or any other fresh-from-the orchard color? Get it right, and your friends will never forget! Fire up the Pinterest board – because here we go!
How to set a citrus color table for the perfect summer dinner party
1. Find a happy tablecloth
The tablecloth really sets the tone for the whole dinner, so think of it as your base. This beautiful one from La DoubleJ is summer perfection. This blue and white one from Les Ottomans could also be stunning paired with hot pink, lemon yellow and orange.
If patterns are a bit intimidating, you could also go with more of a neutral solid. But since it’s summer, why not opt for a bright base like tangerine?
BUY NOW – $275.
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2. Location, location, location
Even with a small dinner party, location is everything and in the summer you have a lot more choices. According to New York Times writer Tim McKeough, people want an experience, especially after the last three years. Could you host your next dinner party under a large tree? Right next to the pool? Or out on the terrace?
3. Nail the citrusy centerpiece
Picking out your floral centerpiece can make or break a dinner party. Not really. But yes, really. Try breaking up a bouquet and putting smaller bunches of flowers in glass holders. Anything from glass bottles to bud vases to mason jars – even those beakers we used to use in science class!
As for flowers, a sunflower is always a beautiful choice. Think peaches, yellow and pinks when mixing colors, if you want to opt for summer roses. But let the creativity flow! It doesn’t all have to be matchy-matchy.
“For outdoor summer entertaining, seasonal and unfussy flowers are the way to go,” Liza Lubell, owner of Brooklyn-based floral design studio Peartree Flowers, told Goop. She suggests choosing a bouquet of one or two local flowers on the morning of the party.
The best tabletop and home décor in citrus colors like lemon, lime and orange for the perfect summer dinner party.
If flowers aren’t your thing, a really photogenic bowl of fresh fruit can also do the trick. You could even put dried fruit slices right on the table!
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4. Keep the drinks light
You could kick things off with a signature cocktail (maybe your own take on a mojito or Aperol spritz). Melissa Gisler Modanlou of Rock Juice, a San Francisco-based sommelier service, told GOOP that for a summer dinner party her recommendation is to start with a light, low-alcohol wine. Followed by a coastal white. And then a chillable red.
5. Create Textured place settings
Influencer Amy Littleson suggests layering your placemats, chargers, plates and napkin setups to really elevate your look. “I really love starting the base with a woven or rattan placemat or charger!” she wrote on her site. Think woven placemats, like this one from H&M. or this option, from Fete Home.
On to the plates! We love these gorgeous options from Vista Alegre and Trouva.
BUY NOW: $22.50.
Or go with rays of pure tropical sunlight with dinner plates like these, from Moda Domus.
BUY NOW: $260 for a set of 4.
Consider charger plates from Bordallo Pinneiro. This one from Rocco is also just so fun! These pineapple bloom table trays are exquisite, straight from from Jaye’s Studio. And your choice of glassware is also essential. This yellow stemless set from Estelle Colored Glass is a must-have for a citrus tablescape.
BUY NOW: $75 for a set of 2.
You can have big fun even with the water glasses when you’re using citrus hues. Like this “spritz glass” from the Italian design studio Yali.
BUY NOW: $165.
Everyone we know lusts after tabletop items and decorative objects from Helle Mardahl, and this orange “jug with a twist” of pink is the perfect serving piece for a citrus color table.
BUY NOW: $670.
Trellis napkins in a bright color will also tie everything together. Try these from Mrs. Alice.
BUY NOW: $72 for a set of 4.
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6. Accessorize
In addition to the table, add some background effects. Try some lime green, lemon yellow or coral pillows to complement your tabletop. And maybe some greenery for the table as well. Like hanging ferns, plants and potted flowers. Etsy has some gorgeous pillows or there is this one from SSense ($110.)
And though the days are long, eventually you will need candles. The Rattan Grapefuit Scented candle is a perfect match for a citrus color dinner party. Your bar cart can even be part of the fun, with accessories like this corkscrew from Alessi.
BUY NOW: $145.
Finally, go a bit over the top and serve citrus-infused water (maybe with fresh lemons). And pour it out of a gorgeous pitcher like this one from Bordallo. And hand-write name cards for your guests, or provide a hand-written menu with citrus color accents.
top citrus color tabletop picks for summer 2022
That’s our take on the top picks for home and tabletop buys in citrus colors like lime green, lemon yellow and orange, with inspiration on how to set the perfect table for a summer dinner party. What do you think, dear reader?
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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Meredith Lepore is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire Magazine, Women’s Health, InStyle, Architectural Digest, The Observer, and Travel & Leisure. She earned her Masters in journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Meredith resides in New York full time, and enjoys reading, jogging, spinning, and playing with her small dog, Otis.
