Who doesn’t love the cheerful look of a classic summer picnic?

There’s something timeless and soul-soothing about the simplicity of a picnic. But when you blend natural charm with intentional styling—like chamomile flowers, strawberry-themed accents, and curated picnic baskets—you create more than a meal. You create a full sensory experience.

This season, elevate your outdoor gatherings with designs for picnic tables that captures the heart of summer: sweet, vibrant, and gently rustic. Inspired by the soft elegance of chamomile flowers and the playful brightness of strawberries, these tips for designs for picnic tables feel straight out of a dream.

Whether you’re throwing a summer birthday party, a family picnic, an outdoor baby shower or simply decorating your backyard for the season, here are some fun ideas for creating classic summer picnic decorations with accents of strawberry and chamomile.

Chamomile Flowers: Soft, Rustic Beauty

Chamomile flowers bring a gentle, wild elegance to any picnic table design. Their small white petals and sunny centers create a relaxed, meadow-picked look that feels both effortless and romantic.

To keep chamomile flowers fresh throughout a warm day, each stem should be placed in a hidden water tube, ensuring they stay perky and dewy even in the heat. Chamomile also pairs beautifully with other botanicals like jasmine vines, and grape leaves, adding depth and texture to the arrangement.

Beyond their visual charm, chamomile flowers add sensory richness to your table. Their mild, herbal scent brings calm and nostalgia, evoking images of sun-drenched fields and breezy afternoons. Their versatility also allows them to be tied to chairs, placed near each guest’s plate, or floated in drink pitchers for a subtle botanical touch.

This flower is more than just a filler—it's the unspoken heart of a garden-style picnic. Whether you're styling for a bridal shower, seasonal celebration, or creative event, chamomile flowers help tell a story of summer ease and natural beauty.

Layer chamomile flowers in with geraniums—including chocolate-scented varieties—for added texture and a subtly spicy fragrance that beautifully complements chamomile's soft charm!

Vintage milk bottles, with their whitewashed glass and classic silhouette, pair beautifully with chamomile flowers, gingham linens, and picnic baskets, adding an authentic countryside touch.But they’re not just for looks—milk bottles double as drinkware for your strawberry decor. Fill them with homemade strawberry punch, flavored waters infused with chamomile, or even strawberry milk for a child-friendly birthday picnic!

Strawberry Decor: A Sweet & Stylish Picnic Accent

Strawberries are more than just a summer fruit—they're a charming design element that instantly adds color, nostalgia, and playfulness to any picnic table design. Whether fresh or faux, they bring vibrant red tones that pop beautifully against soft picnic textiles like gingham and lace.

Incorporate faux strawberries for long-lasting impact. Nestle them into vintage strawberry baskets or scatter them across the table like natural confetti. Add dimension by pairing them with geranium leaves, jasmine vine, and grape vines to mimic the look of a strawberry field. The deep green foliage highlights the juicy red hue, enhancing your table’s visual contrast.

Use strawberry decor planters or vases to nestle bright red floral arrangements, easily made with carnations fluffed by hand, for a stunning and affordable pop of color.

Use real strawberries creatively: place them in mint-green colanders or set them beside drink stations, nestled among ice or floating in infused waters. Their color and texture instantly make the table feel alive and delicious. For a more nostalgic touch, tie strawberries into your textile choices—ribbons, lace, and gingham work especially well with the cheerful vibe of this fruit.

Don’t forget strawberry-themed food and drinks. Strawberry shortcakes, tarts, and rosé spritzers with berry garnishes tie the theme together from decor to plate, creating a cohesive and delightful experience!

Strawberry decor brings a joyful, summery energy to your outdoor tablescape—perfect for bridal picnics, summer parties, or styled brand shoots.

Designs for Picnic Tables: Layered, Romantic, and Textural

A linen or gingham tablecloth sets a breezy, casual base. Scatter chamomile loosely across the table, intertwine vines through serving pieces, and place florals near each setting. Add dainty carnations, gently fluffed to maximize bloom size, and trail ribbon and lace accents along the tablescape to elevate the sweetness of the strawberry theme. Even the plateware can join in—with floral-printed dishes or etched glass adding delicate, vintage charm.

Red Carnations: Bold Florals with Vintage Flair

Red carnations bring a romantic punch to your picnic table design, especially next to softer elements like chamomile and strawberries. Their rich hue enhances the picnic’s color palette, creating depth and contrast against white linens, mint greens, and gingham patterns.

Carnations are long-lasting and resilient, making them ideal for outdoor setups. Gently fluff each bloom to maximize volume and texture, mimicking lush garden roses without the fragility. Tuck red carnations into your picnic basket displays for a layered, full look.

Red Carnations - Designs for Picnic Tables — Red Carnations and pink carnations - beautiful; for picnic ideas

Red carnations are a bold, timeless choice—perfect for adding garden-fresh beauty and classic charm to any strawberry-themed birthday, rustic picnic gathering, or summer celebration.

Picnic Baskets: Function Meets Style

Woven picnic baskets do more than transport your spread—they become styled vignettes. Let linen napkins, bread loaves, or florals spill naturally over the sides to create a lived-in feel. Tuck smaller arrangements inside with ribbons or lace for that soft, romantic touch.

Baskets can also double as personal picnic kits—each guest could have a mini version with a napkin, plate, and floral accent, bringing an intimate and elevated touch to the table design.

Ultimately, incorporating picnic baskets into your picnic table design adds warmth, texture, and a storybook sense of summer ease. They invite guests to lean in, explore, and savor the charm of the setting—not just the food.

Picnic Decoration DIY Tutorial

Join me in this DIY video tutorial as I show you how to create your own summery chamomile flower arrangements, and a table top wreath decorated with trailing vines and life-like artificial strawberries. The whole collection looks amazing together to create a festive tablescape, but each piece also works beautifully on it’s own.

Shop Strawberry Decor and Summer Picnic Looks at EZLD.co

I stocked up on strawberry decor tabletop accessories and vases for summer in my online store, EZLD.co, and my faux flower options allow you to maintain the look throughout the whole season. Check out a few of my favorite picnic inspired items below!