It is amazing when you have an outdoor space that you can enjoy throughout the year. Many of us are lucky enough to have a patio, deck, or other defined backyard area where we can entertain. However, it can be a bit challenging to keep the items you have in your outdoor space in ideal condition.
They are subjected to various types of weather conditions. It may be best to have a storage area where you can place your patio items when not in use. In addition to providing the best protection for your patio table, you want to accessorize it to maximize its full potential.
When you have the right accessories, you can enjoy your patio table with your friends and family all the time. This list of patio table accessories will help you decide what items you want for your outdoor experience.
Patio Table Accessories
1. Bar Cart
Source: Lowes
A bar cart is a great way to keep items close by while entertaining on your patio. If you do not have an outdoor kitchen, this is an ideal place for appetizers and drinks. The original intent of a bar cart is to store, make, and serve cocktails.
However, over time it has become a place to store and serve many items. You can roll it where you need it whenever you need it.
2. Curtains
Source: Home Depot
If you have a small patio area that is surrounded closely by neighbors, you can create a temporary wall with curtains. They are a great way to provide yourself with privacy. They are affordable and come in various styles, colors, and textures.
They are both functional and fashionable. You can soften your outdoor space while giving yourself a defined space. While this is not an item, you will put it on your table.
It is an item that can surround and accessorize your table.
3. Dinnerware
Source: Bed Bath & Beyond
If you are going to serve food in your outdoor space, you need all of the items you would have inside. You can use the same dishes that you have inside your house. However, many people like a different option for their outside space.
You may want something that matches your table or matches the mood of your outdoor space. Many opt for something that is a little more rustic, and that seems appropriate for the outside. You can use disposable dinnerware, so there is no mess or clean up.
You can also choose more durable dinnerware that can stand up to more severe elements. Opting for a dinnerware set that is fake wood gives you an outdoorsy feel while having another set of dishes primarily for outdoor use. In addition, there are sets that have many add-ons beyond dinner dishes.
4. Drinkware
Source: Westelm
You probably want to look for some specific features when it comes to drinkware for outdoor entertaining. One of the top features on your list is something that is sturdy and will not break if dropped. The last thing anyone wants is broken glass on their patio.
You can also look for drinkware listed as non-shatter or shatter-resistant. Most of this type of drinkware is constructed from plastic or acrylic. The good news is that there are many nice options available to you.
You do not have to sacrifice looks for function. You can find all types of glasses, from wine glasses to tumblers. The best thing about these glasses is that most of them are dishwasher safe.
This drinkware can withstand long-term sun exposure without fading or degrading.
5. Lazy Susan
Source: Wayfair
A lazy Susan is a great addition to an outdoor patio table. You can find them in varying colors, shapes, and materials. You can even find them to match your patio table.
Unfortunately, lazy Susans that are intended to match your table often have a hole in the middle of them to accommodate a patio umbrella. While you can find budget friendly versions, many lazy Susans carry an expensive price tag. They allow you to place items on them that can be moved around as guests need them.
This can be a place for napkins or condiments. This allows your guests to have access to whatever they need without having to ask for it. A lazy Susan also adds a touch of design to what might otherwise be a drab table.
6. Lighting
While lighting is not something that sits on your patio table, it is something that can enhance your experience. Depending on the type of lighting you choose, you can wrap wired lighting around the edge of the table. There are no limits to the type of lighting you can use.
You can select lantern style lighting that does sit on your table. It does double duty as a decorative item and a functional light. The key is making sure you are placing and directing lighting where you need it.
For ambient lighting, you can consider overhead lighting such as pendants or string lights. For example, you can use string lights that hang across your entire backyard or just on your umbrella. No matter what type of lighting you use, you want to make sure that you have outdoor lightbulbs and cords intended for outdoor use.
7. Napkin Holder
Source: Wayfair
An item that you may not consider but wish you had on a breezy day is a napkin holder. While it may seem like a silly accessory, blowing around napkins does not take much wind. They tend to be light and move easily.
You will quickly find how much you dislike holding napkins in place with your hands. While you can place your dish over the napkin to keep it in place, that only works when there are dishes on the table. You can find numerous napkin holder options.
You can find understated chrome versions to elaborate designs and materials. Anything goes when it comes to a napkin holder. You want it to secure napkins while keeping them accessible.
8. Patio Table Cover
When you have outdoor furniture, you want to protect it as much as you can. Patio furniture is designed to be water-resistant. Unfortunately, this means it can get wet.
No matter how much weather your table can withstand, it would be best if you still covered it. You just never know how severe the weather will be, and it is essential to protect your table from damage. You can find patio table covers in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials.
Of course, you want one that is resistant to tearing and water. You also want one that is resistant to UV rays. You can also find table covers that have various tie-down methods.
Some options are elastic, zippers, and drawstring. Or you can find one that has no tie-downs at all. The key is to find the best cover option to protect your table fully.
9. Patio Umbrella
No one wants to sit at your patio table and bake in the sun. You do not want it, and neither do your guests. One of the best ways to provide protection is with a patio umbrella.
Umbrellas can offer shade, protection from the harmful rays of the sun, and a cooler place to sit. You can place an umbrella at the center of your patio table. They are practical and decorative.
There are countless patio umbrella options available to you. You can find a plain umbrella that simply opens and closes as you need it. There are other options where you can tilt an umbrella based on the direction of the sun.
You can also find patio umbrellas that have lights to provide you with ambiance and lighting. You want to find an umbrella that is lightweight so you can lift it and carry it. You want one that is easy to fold so that you can take it down quickly and put it away.
A stain-proof patio umbrella and one that will not fade in the sun is also a good idea.
10. Seating
Source: Best Choice Products
One of the most essential items on your patio is the seating. There are countless options when it comes to patio furniture. You can have seating throughout your patio, but you also need seating at your table.
You can choose from traditional patio chairs, or you can pick something that is multifunctional. Multifunctional furniture is ideal if you have a small space. For example, you can choose something like a pouf that can function as either a seat or a side table.
When you buy a patio table, it often comes as a set with chairs. Typically, you will purchase a table and four chairs together. However, that is not always the case. You can also buy a table and chairs separately.
When you buy the tables and chairs separately, it gives you some flexibility on chair selection. When looking for chairs, you want them to be comfortable with backs and nice cushions. Often patio furniture can be uncomfortable. You want to make sure yours is not.
11. Serving Trays
Source: Williams Sonoma
You may need a serving tray when carrying food items inside your home to your outdoor space. Even if you have an outdoor kitchen, you may still want a serving tray. The best serving tray has large handles, sturdy construction, and a bottom that has a non-slip surface.
You want a tray that you can carry easily and provides you with enough space to take the items you need from one space to another.
12. Serveware
Source: Pottery Barn
When hosting guests at your home for dinner, presentation matters, even when you are outside. Typically, eating outside has a more casual feel, but that does not mean you should overlook the details. Serveware is used primarily for serving, but it can have double duty sometimes.
You will find items like serving bowls, platters, casseroles, soup pots, and teapots. Any other dish that is used to bring food to the table can count as serveware.
13. Tabletop Planter
Source: Walmart
A tabletop planter is a great centerpiece for your patio table. It is also ideal for creating a detailed focal point. It can create a low profile, and it can highlight a specific style or theme.
You can make them as large or as small as suits your style and the space where you have to display them. You want to ensure the tabletop planters have a drain for water to help promote the plant’s growth.
14. Utensil Caddy
Source: Overstock
A utensil caddy is a must-have for any outdoor patio space. This is a place where you can store your utensils to keep them neat and organized. In addition, a caddy can hold the items you need, such as forks, spoons, knives, serving utensils, and more.
They usually have at least four compartments to keep napkins, forks, knives, and spoons upright. There are many options available when it comes to utensil caddies to match any patio table, decor, and personality.
