With the warmer weather moving in, this is the time of year when we start moving outdoors. Our evenings are spent eating on the deck and sipping on a cocktail while we watch the sun set over the mountains. It’s also the time of year when I start craving outdoor parties and BBQs. It’s no secret that I love to entertain but there’s something so fun about entertaining outdoors, in God’s beautiful creation!
Last year I added a seating area on the deck off our living room, but this year I wanted to add some outdoor eating space too. I would LOVE to build a farmhouse table for this space but we’re a little project’d out this spring (after finishing up the bedroom/bathroom remodel and the downstairs floors) so for now I decided to go simple, and use one of our folding tables. Setting up my outdoor table got me thinking that it would be fun to show y’all how to set up an affordable outdoor dining area for your family too!
If all you have is a cheap plastic table, like me, don’t worry, you can still have a fabulous, magazine worthy table setting for your family and guests! Set the stage (and hide the table) by covering it up with a pretty tablecloth, like this indigo border tablecloth from the Better Homes and Gardens line at Walmart (only $11.88!). I love the colors of the table cloth and it coordinates perfectly with our breakfast nook on the other side of the wall. And you’d never know this was one of those cheap tables once it’s all decorated!
Outdoor dining should always be fun and these melamine plates and bowls are the perfect way to make it fun and pretty! At a mere $2.48 a piece you can set an entire table very affordably!
After you’ve got the plates set up then it’s time to add lots of serving dishes for the food. This bamboo serving bowl was less than $20, and I’ve used it for everything from salads to chips! I also love these ceramic oval bowls because they are super cute and can be used to serve a variety of things too.
And of course every meal needs drinks and at less than $12 (what!?) this adorable drink dispenser is the perfect way to serve them. I use mine ALL THE TIME so I was stoked when I found the drink diffuser because now I won’t have to spend time picking berries out of the spigot. 🙂
And of course flowers; every dinner party must have flowers, and sunflowers are so “happy”. They are an inexpensive way to dress up any table and make it look like you spent a lot of time and money on it. But don’t worry, the secret is ours that we just set this entire table for less than $60, and I’ll be sure to use all these items time and time again!
I seriously love this time of year and I’m so excited to enjoy lots of dinners out here. Does your family dine outside when the weather gets nice? To help you set your outdoor eating area, I’m giving one of you a $100 Walmart gift card, so you can buy all this stuff AND have money left over for something fun for you! 🙂 Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win and GOOD LUCK!!!
Shop this table –
- Folding table
- Table cloth
- Teal plates
- Bowls
- Bamboo serving bowl
- Ceramic oval bowls
- Drink dispenser
- Drink diffuser (in stores only)
Follow Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart to see what’s coming out soon!
Disclaimers – I am part of the BHG Live Better Blogger Network; this post is sponsored by BHG at Walmart. All opinions are my own.
I have included affiliate links to the products I used for this makeover, if you buy through the link I get a small commission but you don’t pay a cent more than you normally would. Thank you for supporting Ask Anna!
Your outdoor area is gorgeous and I am going to get a new tablecloth, dishes and a flower pot with pillows for my outdoor dining area! Thanks so much for a fun giveaway!
I would love to have a drink dispenser and some bamboo serving bowls. I also could use a new grill accessory set.
a rug and an umbrella for shade
I like their different pillows like the Chenille Swirls Decorative Pillow in turquoise.
I would get an outdoor sofa for my backyard
A few new chairs and pillows!
I think I need a pretty rug to pull everything together.
If I won, I will purchase a new indoor/outdoor area rug and a few pillows for our patio set. 🙂
I’m going to buy a fire pit set.
We love to eat outside. I need a new umbrella this season and a new colorful tablecloth. Will be in Walmart later today. Must check out the options. Thanks for sharing.
Love the colors! I would love some fun summer dishes for an outdoor soirée! Well, at least a family dinner al fresco. 😉
I would purchase a patio umbrella.
I would love to purchase some outdoor place settings!
id purchase dishes
I would buy dishes.
I would love to purchase a large umbrella for our patio area.
I will purchase a bench.
I would get some ceramic bowls and dishware
I would purchase a tablecloth and out door dinnerware. My email I follow with is cshell090869 at aol dot com, I entered it wrong in giveaway form.
I would buy new placemats, plates and bowls. New decorative pots and bright, bold flowers.
I need a patio rug.
I need a really good outdoor rug.. they have an amazing selection.
I love that tablecloth! Thanks for the great inspiration!
I would buy a tablecloth, melamine plates and bowls, and flatware.
I really need to purchase new patio furniture because mine is getting very old!
I would get Better Homes and Gardens Matte Swirl 12-Piece Dinnerware Set.
My first purchase would be an umbrella. Mine was torn up during a storm.
One of the things I would get is the Better Homes and Gardens Color Rim 19 oz Tumbler, 6-Pack and some fresh fruit!
I really want an outdoor rug
I am decking out our deck right now with fresh paint, would love set my sights on some of your melamine dinner plates and have our guests sip a refreshment from the spigot of that beverage dispenser!
Oh I would love to purchase the Better Homes & Gardens 9′ Market Umbrella, Cabana Stripe to put over our table! So pretty!
can’t wait for new pretty dishes and cups as well as colorful pillows
I’ll purchase a market umbrella for some shade over our patio table.
I will be buying flowers and pots for the deck.
I’d purchase cushions and an area rug, and some serve ware~
After reading and seeing how easy it is to set a beautiful table. I am going to buy some bright blue plates. They really add something to an outdoor table with the yellow accents of sunflowers.
I would love a pretty outdoor rug, I love the way they look.
I want an outdoor rug, some melamine dishes and a mason-jar style drink dispenser.
I would purchase some outdoor chairs.
A few new pillows!
Love these colors and your seating area is stunning! I’ll be getting those cool dishes!
we need more chairs!
I will but a new fire pit.
I’d love to get additional outdoor lights!
I would get a outdoor umbrella and stand or the firepit.
We need a new outdoor rug!
Your table looks so lovely. I’d love to win the gift card because I’d love to have friends over for a lovely summer lunch, but since I only have $400.00 a month income, that may not happen. Anyway, thanks for the chance to win!
I would buy new chairs.
What a colorful, beautiful set up there! I love it! I would put this towards the Better Homes and Gardens Bird Hollow Cabin-Style Gazebo, 10′ x 12′, which I have been wanting.
I would love to purchase a drink dispenser and metal ice cooler.
Dishes and a rug
I need a nice patio set with chairs.
I would purchase some new patio furniture.
I would love some outdoor pillows!
I want to buy two new chairs to go with my white bistro table i have.
I really need a nice pitcher and glasses!
I love the plate and bowls. They are pretty shades of blue.
I would buy an umbrella and chairs for my back porch
Brightly colored talecloths