Must-Have Accessories for Stylish Outdoor Entertaining

At Crate and Barrel, we love coming up with new and exciting ideas to make your outdoor entertaining that little bit different, stylish and sophisticated. To help you create the perfect ambience for that evening dinner party under the stars, we have a few great ideas on accessories to embellish your table. Let’s take a look at the top five must-have additions for any outdoor soiree.

• Stemless wine glasses

This hot new trend fits perfectly with the autumn months, thanks to the earthy shades of ochre, gold, grey and green used in these beautiful glasses. Stemless wine glasses have the same elegant and sophisticated bowl shape but without the long stem of a traditional wine glass. That makes them infinitely more stable and less likely to be knocked over, preventing spills. They’re also more versatile and can be used to serve your guests soft drinks such as fruit juice or carbonated water.

• A gas pizza oven

There's nothing quite as delicious as a freshly-cooked pizza made from scratch and cooked out in the open. A gas pizza oven is a must-have alongside your regular BBQ set-up for outdoor entertaining. Kids and adults alike will love the results, no matter what you top your pizza with. Go for a gas oven that's ready straight away and gives you that authentic stone-baked flavour.

• Lovely lighting

Extend the season for outdoor dining and living with exterior lighting. From loops of sparkling bulbs stringed through the trees and bushes to free-standing uplights, lanterns, and candles, outdoor lighting removes the need for harsh floodlights and creates a softer, more welcoming ambience.

• Outdoor accessories – cute cushions and perfect planters

An outdoor space is incredibly versatile; you can make it even more individual by adding accessories. Brighten up sofas and loungers with outdoor cushions that are soft and fluffy yet tough enough to cope with life outside. When you've finished with them, pop them in a box or move them indoors for use in your interior spaces.

Planters reconnect outdoor living spaces with the garden, bringing natural beauty and structure to a deck or patio. Simple forms such as globes or cubes harmonise with the structure of an architectural plant. Balance things with smaller pots filled with succulents that will thrive in dry conditions.

• Harmonise your furniture

While a random selection of furniture will be adequate for your everyday needs, harmonising your look in the same way you would with your living room gives your outdoor space far more impact. Collections of outdoor furniture ensure that your chairs match your tables, your sofas match your loungers, and your ottomans coordinate with your umbrellas.

 Contemporary collections use monochromatic colours and brushed metal finishes to create sleek, sophisticated lines, which can be softened with rugs or throws. Classic rattan has a wonderfully organic feel, while polished hardwood has a timeless elegance that elevates any outdoor space to a new level. 

If you're unsure how to start designing your ideal outdoor space, why not begin by browsing the collections of outdoor furniture, tableware and accessories at Crate and Barrel? You can pick and choose your look for maximum effect, whether it's just the two of you or you regularly welcome crowds of friends and family into your home.

Take a look at the Crate and Barrel Outdoor collections online today.