5 Stylish Table Linen Ideas for Summer

With longer, balmy evenings upon us and sunshine as often as you can expect in the UK, the summer season is in full swing. Whether you’re dining alfresco to make the most of the warmer weather or staying inside, updating your table linens is an easy way to tweak your decor for summer. Everything from a laid-back weekend brunch with friends to midweek dinners can feel more special by switching up your tablecloth, placemats, and napkins.

From floaty fabrics to sunny colour pairings, we’ve put together five ways to style your dining table with fresh, relaxed, and summery table linens.

1. Light, airy materials

Summer styling is all about keeping things feeling easy and fun. Go for natural, airy fabrics like cotton, linen, or a blend. These materials drape beautifully, are straightforward to care for, and bring a relaxed elegance to the table.

Linen tablecloths look effortless when left with natural creases, so you don’t need to worry about getting the iron out. This gives your table a worn-in charm and is ideal for chic, casual tablescapes or outdoor settings. If you want to leave some of your table on show, go for a table runner instead of a tablecloth and place it down the middle.

Measure your dining table to ensure you pick a tablecloth of the right size. A drop of roughly 30-40cm around your table is common, so the fabric looks natural but doesn’t get in the way when you’re seated.

Try switching out single-use paper napkins for reusable fabric alternatives, like these colourful scalloped designs from Anthropologie, that you can throw in the washing machine and love for years to come.

Linen tablecloth tips

The weight of linen is measured in grams per square metre (GSM), and 170-200 GSM is typically a good range for your tablecloth to be durable and hang well. This comes down to personal preference, though, and should be considered along with the quality of the linen fibres and weave. It should feel thick and have naturally occurring slubs if it’s pure linen. Check if it’s stone washed, which is pre-washed for less shrinkage, and if not, how much you can expect it to shrink when washing.

2. Summer colour palettes

Updating the colour of your table linens can change the entire mood of the space. For summer, play with bursts of bright colours or go for something more relaxing like warm neutrals or earthy hues. You can contrast and combine colours or layer different shades from the same colour family to create a refined, tonal look with depth.

Here are three trendy colour palettes to try in 2025:

Sun-baked glow: Layer a rust or terracotta-coloured tablecloth like this option from Bed Threads with clay pink or soft ochre placemats and sandy beige or warm taupe napkins for a sun-kissed tonal look. If you just want to use two colours, match your napkins to your tablecloth and choose an alternative colour for your placemats. 

Biophilic tones: Combine earthy colours in muted shades for a grounded, calming feel. Try an olive green with cream or oatmeal and muted sage green. This colour palette works particularly well on a warm-toned, dark brown wood dining table.

Lilac haze: Choose a powdery, soft lilac and contrast it with a muted turmeric, buttery yellow, deep burgundy, or a subtle green like eucalyptus or olive.

3. Patterns: from subtle to bold

While plain linens are a classic option, summer is the perfect time to have fun with patterns.

Gingham is a timeless, casual pattern for a tablecloth. Give it a modern twist in muted green, light golden yellow, or other neutral colours which tie into the Summer Cottage interior trend.

Stripes are another fail-safe pattern for adding interest without it looking too busy. Try light, warm brown and off-white fine strips for a neutral paired-back look, or go for different colours and stripe widths for something more unique. 

If you don’t have a garden, bring the outside in with botanical prints that tap into the Biophilic design trend.

For a more eclectic look, try block prints, bold designs, and handwoven textiles that add character to your table.

If covering the whole table isn’t your style, go for patterned placemats, napkins or coasters for an easy way to experiment with different looks. 

4. Stylish placemats and coasters

Placemats help break up the table visually, especially if you’re not using a tablecloth or table runner. You can find various fabrics, shapes, and styles to tie your table together. Popular materials include:

• Cotton or linen offers a soft, layered feel. For a pop of colour, look for reversible designs you can flip over depending on your mood or embroidered details and trims.
• Woven materials like raffia, jute, or seagrass add a natural texture and are great for both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Cork isn’t just for backing. Look for contemporary styles that showcase natural patterns and add tonal interest.
• Ceramic or marble are highly durable and can contrast your dining table nicely.

If you have an oval or round dining table, you can mirror the shape of it with round placemats and coasters. Rectangular placemats optimise space on square or rectangular dining tables, while round or alternative shapes provide an interesting contrast.

5. Tableware and decor

Once you’ve selected your table linens, finish off your summer tablescaping with stylish tableware and decor to pull it all together. You can choose to keep things simple and try:

• A jug or vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of citrus fruit as a centrepiece.
• Candles or tea lights for evening meals outside.
• Coloured glassware or mismatched ceramics and stoneware for a relaxed and welcoming feel.

Whether you go with contrasting colours or layer tones and textures, styling your table linens for summer can make even a simple meal feel like you’re dining somewhere far more exciting.