The Best Outdoor Entertaining Essentials: 15 Must Haves
The 15 things you need for outdoor entertaining, from fun patterns and thoughtful pieces to practical items that are still beautiful, this list covers some of the best outdoor entertaining essentials you can grab right now. You’ll also see a few gorgeous tablescape inspiration ideas throughout this post that you can easily recreate at home. Trust me, if you love hosting outside, you’re not going to want to skip this one.
Heads up! This post contains some affiliate links. If you shop through them, at no extra cost to you I might earn a little something—like a virtual high-five! I only share products I genuinely believe in and think you’ll love too.
If you love hosting outside, then you already know it’s the little things that make the whole setup feel fun and put together. A few good pieces on the table, drinks on ice, some music playing in the background, and suddenly everyone is having a great time, and no one wants to go back inside.
That’s what this list is about!
These are some of the outdoor entertaining essentials that personally I love for using when hosting outside. They’re fun, colorful, and honestly just make everything feel easier when people come over. Some of them are practical, some of them are decorative, and a few of them are just pieces that make your table look really cute.
This post is all about outdoor entertaining essentials.
1. A Three Tier Dessert Tray
The first thing I always recommend for outdoor hosting is a tiered tray.
This piece is perfect for stacking cookies, cupcakes, brownies, or any desserts you’re putting out for guests. Instead of spreading everything across the table, you can layer it all on one tray and it looks really pretty.
It also works as a centerpiece on your table, which you’ll love.
You can mix different desserts on each tier and it makes the table feel full without taking up a ton of space.
2. A Drink Bucket
Next is a cute drink bucket filled with ice.
This is one of those outdoor entertaining essentials that makes hosting way easier because people can grab drinks themselves instead of asking you every five minutes…
Fill it with sparkling water, soda, Ollipop, juice, wine, or anything else you’re serving.
And if you pick a cute bucket, it also becomes part of your table setup instead of just being something practical.
3. Large Food Covers
If you’ve ever hosted outside, you already know bugs love food.
Food covers are something to never skip when hosting outside. You can place them right over trays, plates, or desserts and your food stays protected the whole time.
No flies landing on things. No mosquitoes hanging around your food. And these ones are actually really cute instead of looking purely practical.
Save For Later:
14 Affordable Hosting Supplies for Home Parties That look Luxe
How to Decorate a Bar for a Party: 7 Easy Ideas
12 Fun Hosting Must Haves for Entertaining at Home You Need Now
4. Pretty Outdoor Wine Glasses
Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t use cute glasses.
Outdoor wine glasses are perfect for hosting because they give that nice table look but they’re still safe for outdoor use. They work for wine, spritzers, mocktails, lemonade, or anything really.
Having pretty glasses on the table just makes everything feel a little more special.
Tablescape Inspiration
Photo: sophistiplate
This tablescape is absolutely gorgeous! It keeps things simple but still feels really special.
The neutral plates with the soft gold edges give the table that really pretty, clean look, and the woven candle holders add a relaxed boho vibe that works perfectly for outdoor entertaining. Everything is light, airy, and super easy to recreate.
If you’re someone who likes a table that feels styled but not overdone, this is such a good example! The candles, glassware, and simple florals show how a few thoughtful pieces can completely pull a table together without feeling busy.
This type of setup works for almost any event too. Brunch, dinner, a small gathering with friends, or even a casual outdoor celebration.
5. Wicker Table Lamps
These lamps are one of the top favorite pieces for outdoor hosting.
Even during the daytime they look beautiful sitting on a table. And once the sun starts going down, they add the nicest glow. Wicker lamps especially give that relaxed beachy summer look that feels perfect for outdoor dinners.
They’re simple, but they really make your table look finished.
6. A Beautiful Pitcher
A good pitcher is one of those things people always notice.
Instead of serving drinks straight from bottles, you can pour lemonade, iced tea, or infused water into a pretty pitcher and place it on the table.
It just looks better! Guests can easily pour their own drinks throughout the night.
7. Colored Cloth Napkins
Napkins are something people don’t always think about, but they make a big difference on the table. I always recommend choosing colored napkins instead of white ones when hosting outside. White napkins get messy really quickly outdoors.
Blue tones, stripes, or fun patterns look great and add color to your table setup.
They help everything feel a little more put together.
Save For Later:
10 Fun Summer Patio Decor Pieces You Can Grab on Amazon Right Now
Spring Home Reset | 7 Things You Need to Switch Out
Stunning Summer Outdoor Patio Decor Ideas on a Budget
8. A Wicker Bar Cart
If you host outside a lot, a bar cart is extremely helpful. You can keep drinks, cups, mixers, and snacks all in one spot so you’re not constantly running inside and outside.
Wicker bar carts work really well for outdoor spaces because they match that summer patio vibe. They’re practical but also look really nice sitting on a patio or balcony.
Spring Tablescape Inspiration
Photo: sophistiplate
This one is so fresh and fun.
The light blue tones paired with white flowers and greenery instantly make the table feel bright and spring-ready. The runner brings everything together while the white tulips add that clean, elegant look that never goes out of style.
What to love most about this setup is how the colors play together. The soft blue, the pops of yellow on the plates, and the greenery all feel very light and happy, which is exactly the energy you want for outdoor entertaining.
This is a perfect example of how using a runner and fresh flowers can completely transform a simple table into something that looks really beautiful and thoughtful.
9. Patterned Dinner Plates
Patterned plates are a really fun way to add personality to your table.
Stripes, checks, or colorful designs make everything look more playful and relaxed. Honestly, food always looks better when it’s served on nice plates.
These types of plates work perfectly for outdoor dinners because they look casual but still styled.
10. Serving Utensils
Serving utensils might not be the most exciting thing, but these?! They are definitely one of the outdoor entertaining essentials you need.
If you’re serving cake, salads, or snacks, having proper serving pieces keeps things simple for everyone. When the utensils match your table setup, everything just feels more organized.
11. Stackable Serving Plates
Stackable serving plates are great when you have multiple dishes on the table. They save space and make it easier to serve different foods without overcrowding the table. They’re also really easy to store once the party is over.
12. Colorful Outdoor Cups
Cups are something you’ll use constantly when hosting outside. Ones that have a little color but still feel simple are perfect. They shouldn’t be overly fancy, but they should still look nice on the table.
Colorful cups keep things fun and casual, which is exactly the vibe you want for outdoor hosting.
Patterned Tablescape Inspiration
Photo: sophistiplate
This one is for the people who love color. The lavender plates, green patterned tablecloth, and floral details make this tablescape feel really playful and full of personality. It’s a great example of how you can mix patterns and colors while still keeping everything balanced.
Even with all the color happening, the gold trim on the plates helps tie everything together so the table still feels polished.
This kind of table setup is perfect for outdoor brunch, garden parties, or summer gatherings where you want the table to feel cheerful and lively.
It shows that you don’t have to stick to neutral colors to create a beautiful tablescape. Sometimes adding color is exactly what makes the table stand out!
Save For Later:
The Best Outdoor Fire Pits for Small Patios
12 Fun Hosting Must Haves for Entertaining at Home You Need Now
15 Hosting Ideas and Must-Haves for a Party Everyone Will Love
13. Decorative Candles
Candles are one of the easiest ways to make your table feel cozy. A candle placed in the middle of the table adds a warm glow once the sun goes down, and it also adds tons scent to the space.
Striped candles or colorful ones are really popular right now and they look great outside.
14. Serving Tray
This one has that same beautiful checkered style and comes in multiple colors. It’s one of those pieces that looks great sitting on the table but is also super practical when you’re hosting. You can use it to serve desserts, or even place it in the center of the table with small dishes on it.
It works as both a functional piece and a decorative accent, which is always the best kind of hosting item.
15. A Bluetooth Speaker
And finally, music! A Bluetooth speaker is one of the easiest ways to bring everything together when hosting outside. You can play a summer playlist in the background so the space never feels quiet or awkward. Good music, good food, and good company. That’s really what outdoor hosting is all about!
Textured Tablescape Inspiration
Photo: sophistiplate
This tablescape is a little more textured and layered, which makes it really interesting to look at. The neutral tones keep everything calm and elegant, but the woven runner and floral centerpiece add depth so the table doesn’t feel flat. The flowers in the center bring in soft greens and creams that make the whole setup feel very natural and welcoming.
This is a great example of how you can mix textures on a table. You have the woven runner, smooth plates, glassware, and fresh flowers all working together. When you combine those different materials, the table feels styled without needing a lot of extra decor.
It’s simple but still feels very thoughtful.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor hosting should feel relaxed and fun. These outdoor entertaining essentials are simple pieces that help your table look good and make the whole experience easier when people come over.
A few colorful plates, a tray for desserts, drinks on ice, and some music playing in the background is sometimes all you need.
Save this post for the next time you’re planning an outdoor get together, and send it to a friend who loves hosting just as much as you do!
This post is all about outdoor entertaining essentials.
