Looking for simple summer entertaining ideas? Here are my favorite recipes, table settings, DIYs, outdoor dining ideas and so much more.
Just in case no one else mentioned it?
Summer, you are amazing.
There’s no other season quite like you. I was sitting outside yesterday with my feet in the green grass and my face turned toward the sun with blue clouds floating by sprinkled with flocks of birds in the summer sky and I started thinking of all my favorite things about summer.
And decorating.
And entertaining.
And celebrating long lazy days and all the summer things.
So today?
Today I’m sharing 21 of my favorite entertaining things about summer. Yep. My favorite recipes. My favorite table settings. My favorite centerpieces. My favorite quick and easy decorating ideas.
All my favorites, all the time.
Are you ready for the gold medal summer list?
Here are all my favorite summer entertaining ideas put into categories just for you.
My favorite summer entertaining desserts
For me? I’m not a cook. So summer for us involves grilling some sort of something outside, chopping up vegetables and tossing lettuce into a bowl.
And then?
Rewarding yourself with dessert.
Especially if you can make it ahead and not turn on a hot oven.
Here are three of my favorite no-bake desserts.
And the easiest recipe for peach sweet tea.
CHERRY CHEESECAKE IN A JAR
click here for the no-bake recipe
CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCH BAR
click here for the no bake recipe
ICE BOX CAKE IN A JAR
click here for the no bake recipe
SIMPLE PEACH SWEET TEA RECIPE
click here for the no bake recipe
My favorite summer centerpieces
Summer centerpieces are the easiest to put together.
Mostly because I just shop my yard.
I use tree branches and flowers that are in season and ivy and whatever else the yard decides to put on sale.
Looking for a simple summer entertaining ideas for the table?
Here are four of my favorite.
EMBROIDERY HOOP CENTERPIECE
see the tutorial for the centerpiece here
GROCERY STORE FLOWERS CENTERPIECE
see the rest of the dining room here
DOUGH BOWL FULL OF FLOWERS
see the rest of the dining room here
SIMPLE SUMMER CENTERPIECE WITH SCOTCH TAPE
see the rest of the dining room here
My favorite summer entertaining dining room DIY’s
Sometimes the dining room needs a little refresh.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing that takes away from an afternoon nap and a really good book. Just simple summer projects to make your summer entertaining easier—most that you can complete in under an hour.
Here are five of my favorite.
HOW TO COVER A BUTTON
SIMPLE POM POM PILLOW FOR YOUR DINING CHAIRS
HOW TO MAKE A DIY CHARGER
DIY MONOGRAMMED BURLAP VASE
DIY TOPIARY WITH REAL IVY
click here to see the tutorial
My favorite outdoor dining ideas
There’s nothing like eating outside on a summer evening.
It makes everything taste fancier.
Every gas station pizza.
Looking for a simple outdoor dining ideas?
Here are four of my favorite.
BLUE AND WHITE OUTDOOR DINING
click here to see the rest of the table ideas
GRAY AND WHITE OUTDOOR DINING
click here to see the rest of dining ideas
BRIGHT AND COLORFUL OUTDOOR SEATING
see the rest of the outdoor seating here
BLACK AND WHITE OUTDOOR SEATING
click here to see the rest of the post
My favorite ways to decorate for summer for FREE
Let’s talk FREE decorating.
Yep.
My favorite subject.
Ever in the history of ever.
Looking for some free summer decorating ideas?
Here are four of my favorite.
SHOP YOUR YARD
see how to decorate with branches here
SHOP YOUR REFRIGERATOR
add a bowl full of apples to the countertop
SHOP YOUR DISCARDED BRANCHES
click here to make this simple twig vase
SHOP YOUR CLOSETS
click here to make these spray painted baskets
Whew.
That was a LOT of ideas.
21 ideas to be exact.
I hope your summer is full of projects and decorating and entertaining ideas just like these.
I hope your summer is full of lazy days and lightning bugs and really good books.
But most of all?
I hope your summer is full of blue skies and sunshine.
And now? Here are a few more summer decorating ideas from some of my favorites.
Summer Flower Arrangement From The Garden
A Simple Summer Tablescape for Casual Dining
Lemons and Wild Daisies Tablescape
Romantic Outdoor Table Setting
5 Tips For Easy Summer Entertaining
Easy Ideas For Outdoor Summer Dining
21 Simple Summer Table Decorating Ideas
An Easy Summer Dinner on the Patio
Wow! Perfect guide to summer entertaining! You are the best!
Wow, you overdid yourself today! This is a week’s worth of ideas and cuteness. I am so grateful that a friend dropped your blog/website to me several years ago-it’s my first read and laugh of the day after my morning Bible reading. Thanks so much for sharing your talent, humor, creativity, family, and joy with us!
KariAnne, Your Summer Roundup is amazing! You have so many great ideas and projects! Thanks again for joining us on this blog hop!
New to your blog and really enjoy it!
Lots of fantastic ideas here KariAnne - love all the possibilities and juices flowing :)
The 21 best ideas for summer! Thanks for sharing all of your creative and beautiful tips. Now, go enjoy those lazy summer, sunshine-filled days! xo
So many beautiful ideas!!
Thanks and this should last me quite a while, if i can make up my mind which one to use first.
Thank you for ALL the inspiration - and such eye candy! Helps me want to get busy! And I am not embarrassed to tell you that I actually drooled on my keyboard when I saw your peanut butter crunch bars - I think they'd be great year round for sure. Right now all my peanut butter goes to making suet squares for my zillions of birds. They don't call us Finch Rest for nuttin!! <----I know you love a good pun. Hugs.
Where can I get some "blue clouds"? 😊
Truly the very best of summer!!! xoxo
What a terrific roundup! So many creative ideas for summer - thank you!
One word.....SUMMERLICIOUS !Thank you!
You are an absolute wealth of information!!! I learn somethin with every blog post I read. And next I will have to make the cheesecake in a jar:) Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!