There's nothing quite like an Australian summer dinner party. The light hangs around until after eight, the doors are open, there's a cold drink in everyone's hand and nobody's in a rush to go home. The best ones feel effortless, but a bit of planning makes all the difference.
We asked interior stylist Mary to share how she sets a summer table, and pulled together everything else we've learned from hosting dinners in our showroom.
Start with the guest list, not the menu
The right mix of people matters more than the food. Six to ten guests is the sweet spot. It's enough for a buzz, but small enough that everyone can be part of the same conversation.
Think about who'll spark off each other, and mix it up a little. Seat partners apart. Put the quiet friend next to someone who's great at asking questions.
Make sure your table fits the crowd
A rough rule is to allow about 60 cm of table width per person so nobody's bumping elbows. Leave around 90 cm between the table and the wall or other furniture so people can pull out chairs and get past.
If you're regularly squeezing in extra people, it might be time for a bigger table. Take a look at our Axel and Marlo dining tables to find one that fits your space.
Keep the menu simple and seasonal
Summer does most of the work for you. Go for food that's at its best right now and doesn't need you stuck at the stove: prawns, ripe tomatoes, stone fruit, mangoes, cherries, big salads and something on the barbecue.
Shared platters down the middle of the table are relaxed and generous, and they get people talking and passing things around. Make dessert the day before so you're not juggling it at the end of the night.
Extra Styling Guide and Tips
Let the timber show. A beautiful solid timber table doesn't always need a tablecloth. In summer, a bare table with linen runners or placemats feels lighter and more relaxed.
Keep centrepieces low. If guests can't see each other across the table, the conversation dies. Keep flowers and greenery below eye level. Loose native stems, eucalyptus branches or a few small bud vases scattered down the table all look great.
Mix, don't match. A slightly mismatched set of ceramics, glassware in a couple of different shapes, or vintage cutlery makes a table feel collected and personal rather than staged.
Plan for the light changing. Your table will look completely different at 6 pm and 9 pm. Have candles or a few low lamps ready to go so the mood carries on after the sun drops. Unscented candles are best near food.
Add one personal touch. A handwritten place card, a sprig of rosemary on each napkin, or a little menu card. It shows guests you've thought about them.
Take it outside, or bring the outside in
If you have a deck or courtyard, summer is the time to use it. If not, open every door and window, and bring in big branches or potted plants so the room feels connected to the garden.
Whichever way you go, set up a drinks station away from the table so people mingle before they sit down, and keep a big jug of iced water on the table all night.
Let the night run long
The best dinner parties don't follow a schedule. Don't rush clearing plates. Leave the cheese out. Put on a playlist that can go for hours. Some of the best conversations happen when everyone's still sitting around the table long after the food's gone.
Hosting at The Acacia Tree
We love a long table and a good night, so we host small dinners in our showroom throughout the year.
If you're planning to host more this summer, come and see our dining tables in person, including the Axel Vic Ash Signature, Axel Blackwood and Marlo Vic Ash Signature.
Common questions
How many people should you invite to a dinner party?
Six to ten is ideal. Any more and the table tends to split into separate conversations.
What size table do I need for eight people?
As a rough guide, allow about 60 cm of width per person. Check the seating guidance for each table, as leg position makes a difference.
What are easy summer dinner party ideas?
Shared platters, seafood, big salads and a simple make-ahead dessert. Keep it seasonal so the ingredients do the work.
How do you style a dinner table?
Keep centrepieces low, mix textures and ceramics, use candles once the sun goes down, and add one personal touch at each setting.
