Timeless Outdoor Design Tips from Nate Berkus for Summer Entertaining

This summer, quick-fix, trend-driven designs can undermine your outdoor aesthetic. That's the view of Nate Berkus, who offers innovative advice on how to enhance your entertaining style for the season.

For Nate, true design centers around timelessness and choosing pieces that will remain appealing for years. His recent collaboration with Pepperidge Farm, which features a stunning serving board for their Chessmen cookies, exemplifies this belief.

Nate emphasizes, 'Timeless design begins with something classic. Chess patterns have stood the test of time because they're iconic, just like Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies. I enjoyed the challenge of taking something familiar and giving it a fresh perspective. The Pepperidge Farm x Nate Berkus Chessmen Cookie Board honors that legacy while presenting it in a modern, sophisticated way. And yes, it's perfect for serving cookies.' This board is poised to be the standout feature of his garden parties this summer.

Nate, usually the one setting the table rather than baking, focuses on making the presentation stunning. His outdoor entertaining strategies emphasize enhancing items you already cherish. He enjoys using pre-packaged elements in more stylish ways, often decanting products from their original containers for a more refined display.

Nate believes our homes should reflect our stories over time, including our tablescapes. He loves integrating games into decor, suggesting a chessboard could serve as a tray.

Curate Your Outdoor Entertaining Collection

Whether it's Nate's unique design or another charming, textural piece, incorporating distinctive decor into your summer tablescape is a fantastic way to elevate your garden gatherings.

With the latest release of Chessmen cookies, Nate created a new checkerboard cookie plate inspired by the cookies' warm flavors.

Chargers define each setting and introduce a splash of color, especially if your dishware is neutral. This hand-woven seagrass placemat from Terrain, available in vibrant colors, has a lovely wavy design.

Opt for lightweight iron side tables, like this stylish option from Amazon. Its lattice design and soft green color add elegance.

Made from durable melamine, Anthropologie's new floral dinnerware collection is stylish and perfect for outdoor settings. Imagine a tablescape using a mix of all the colors and patterns!

Bamboo flatware is set to trend in stylish tablescapes this summer. You can upgrade your basic utensils affordably with this Pottery Barn set, which is on sale, or opt for a 20-piece Bamboo Plastic Flatware Set from Amazon for under $20.

This cheerful starburst napkin from the collaboration between LA designer Peter Dunham and Hudson Grace is inspired by block printing. They offer various colors for mixing and matching.

Instead of opting for generic outdoor furniture trends, Nate prefers to style his outdoor spaces like his interiors. He states, 'I don't like matching outdoor furniture sets.' Instead, he suggests exploring antique shops, flea markets, and secondhand shops for unique, durable pieces made from materials like wood, iron, and rattan. These items not only add character but are also built to withstand the outdoor elements.

To achieve a truly timeless design, prioritize personality, warmth, and character both inside and outside your home.