Enjoy dining outdoors this summer with these simple ideas to style a cozy and casual picnic breakfast in your backyard.
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Outdoor Dining Blog Hop
Summer is the perfect time to dine al fresco, and today I’m excited to join 11 other bloggers to share ideas and inspiration for dining outdoors. A big thank you to my friend, Pasha, from Pasha is Home, for asking me to be a part of this talented group of ladies.
To those of you that are popping by from Jennifer’s adorable honey-themed table at Tatertots and Jello, thank you for visiting!
My name is Jen. I am a wife, mom of two, a lifelong Nebraskan, and the creative voice behind Midwest Life and Style. I love to plan events by day, and blog, bake, and DIY by night.
Here at MWLS, you’ll find that I love to share a little bit of everything, including affordable home decor, DIYs, simple recipes, and inspiration for everyday living.
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Cozy And Casual Picnic Breakfast In The Backyard
I had so much fun creating a boho picnic last summer, that I thought it was time to style a new one. For this picnic, I created a cozy and casual breakfast setting in our backyard.
Here is how you can recreate this simple look in your own backyard.
How To Set A Breakfast Picnic Table
First things, first. To set a breakfast picnic, wrangle up a “table” and some “chairs”. I use both of those words loosely because the truth is that you don’t need an actual table or chairs at all.
If you don’t have any outdoor dining furniture, an old quilt is perfect to use for a casual picnic setting.
Or you can create a temporary seating area with some wood pallets and a few oversized floor pillows.
To make my breakfast table, I stacked three pallets I bought on Facebook marketplace for $30 last summer. If you’ve never shopped on marketplace, you need to go and give it a look. You can always find some good deals, and sometimes you can even score things for free!
The oversized floor pillows are the same ones that I used to style a fall harvest picnic, too! They’re super comfy. And beyond a picnic, they’re perfect for a family movie or game night.
Picnic Place Settings
My number one rule for styling any table is to use a mix of materials to create a layered look.
For my picnic place setting, I used a basic white table cloth to cover the stacked pallets before adding a delicate lace table runner to give the tabletop a bit of pattern and texture.
Then I added my favorite wicker chargers and paired them with a green and white striped napkin and some everyday cream stoneware dishes.
To give the table a summer feel, I included some china with a pretty floral pattern.
The china belonged to my great, great grandma so it’s extra special. I’m thrilled that my mom was kind enough to let me borrow some of it for this picnic.
Whenever possible, I love to use vintage decor to style my tablescapes and unique pieces that tell a story. And can you just imagine the stories that these teacups could tell if they could talk?
Of course, fine china may not be practical for a casual and cozy breakfast picnic beyond the boundaries of your backyard (or when tiny humans are involved in the picnic festivities.) These floral paper plates are a pretty and practical alternative.
To finish each place setting, I add some simple gold flatware and some vintage-looking pink drinking glasses.
A Sweet and Simple Picnic Centerpiece
To match the cozy and casual backyard vibes, I kept the centerpiece for my breakfast picnic simple by pairing two of my favorite things…flowers and drippy candles.
The brass candlesticks are a mix of antique and thrift store finds. I love to use them throughout my home decor year-round, so I’m always on the lookout for more anytime I’m out thrifting.
Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite places to find affordable flowers, but these beauties were free right from my own yard!
I always look forward to hydrangea season and was all too happy to clip a few stems to create a fresh bouquet for my picnic centerpiece.
What To Serve At Your Picnic Breakfast
I kept my picnic menu simple and hassle-free by choosing breakfast foods that are both easy to eat and transport.
First, I filled some old berry baskets with strawberries and blueberries for easy snacking.
I also filled a picnic basket with fresh croissants from the bakery.
Mini mason jars are a simple way to serve yogurt parfaits.
And donut hole and fruit kabobs add a bit of fun and whimsy to the breakfast menu.
More Outdoor Dining Ideas
Thank you so much for visiting today! I hope you enjoyed seeing my cozy and casual backyard picnic breakfast.
Next, visit my friend Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse to see her creative outdoor dining ideas. And see all of the outdoor dining inspiration linked below.
Xo,
All Things Outdoor Dining
Al Fresco Dining // My Sweet Savannah
How to Fashionably Bring Your Dining Room Outside This Summer // Dabbling and Decorating
How To Create An Easy Outdoor Table Setting // Cottage in the Mitten
A Casual and Easy Outdoor Summer Table Setting with Hydrangeas // Open Doors Open Hearts
Summer Honey-Themed Outdoor Dining // Tater Tots and Jello
Cozy And Casual Backyard Picnic Breakfast In The Backyard // Midwest Life and Style
Top 10 Best Dining Alfresco Table Ideas // The Pond’s Farmhouse
How to Set Up a Potato Bar for a Summer Dinner Party // Pasha is Home
Summer Dining on the Porch // White Arrows Home
Easy Ways to Elevate Your Picnic // A Life Unfolding
How to Set a Beautiful Table for High Tea // Peacock Ridge Farm
How to Create a Cottage Style Summer Table // Truemans Treasures
Lora Bloomquist says
You styled everything so beautifully, Jen. Love the vintage floral dishes. They just add that sweet summer cottage vibe that can’t be beat! Lovely:)
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Lora. I love that the dishes are a family heirloom. It just makes them all the more special.
Cindy@CountyRoad407 says
Popping back in to say I’m featuring this tomorrow on Farmhouse Friday. Love it. Thanks for linking up. Hope to see you again soon. pinned
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thanks so much, Cindy! I appreciate. Can’t wait to read tomorrow’s edition of Farmhouse Friday.
Cindy@CountyRoad407 says
You have a knack girlfriend! I always love your tablescapes. The turned crate with the croissants… LOVE IT! Plus, you can’t go wrong with vintage looking plates and those adorable plates. pinned
midwestlifeandstyle says
Awe…thank you, Cindy. I appreciate your kind words. Tablescape styling is one of my favorite things to do, and it was fun to incorporate my great, great grandma’s china into the picnic.
Lynne Zemaitis says
Jen, your table is gorgeous and I love the idea of a backyard breakfast picnic! How fun! I am excited to feature your post at Tuesday Turn About this week. Thank you so much for sharing!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Lynne. I’m glad you enjoyed the backyard picnic idea and I’m so appreciative of the share. Popping over now to check out this week’s TTA. Hugs!
Kristin | White Arrows Home says
I love this idea Jen! I’m so inspired! I want to do a breakfast picnic!!! My family would love this!!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kristin. I need to do another one…next time when it’s not so toasty out!! 🥴
Barbara at Mantel and Table says
Oh your great great grandma’s china!! That’s worth having a picnic right there! This is so beautiful and fresh and cool! I love all your wonderful ideas Jen – especially the donut hole kabobs. I’m SO going to do that soon. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Barbara. I’m so glad to have a family heirloom like my great, great grandmother’s china. And the kabobs were delish! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool!
Aliya says
Donut hole and fruit kabobs?! Ummm YESSS!! Absolutely love this friend!! Love love love it!!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Right? What’s not to love about donuts on a stick?😉 Harper was all about helping me make (and eat) them. Maybe a fun breakfast idea for your girls? I just got donut holes from the store, but you could make your own too. You’ll have to let me know if you try it.
Pasha is Home says
This all turned out so perfect Jen! I love that you used pallets for a table! And just wow on how gorgeous your garden hydrangeas are ;)!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, sweet friend. the pallets are such an easy thing to put together, and I love that I can easily store them when they aren’t in use. I brought the hydrangeas inside and love seeing them on my kitchen counter daily. And they smell amazing, too!
Libbie Burling says
Jen,
I love the idea of a breakfast picnic!! Your table is so pretty, and I love your pink glassware! Happy to be hopping with you this week.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Libbie. I hope you are having a great week too and staying cool in this crazy heat wave!
Jennifer Hadfield says
What a fun idea, Jen! I love the way you styled your breakfast picnic too! Those floral china plates are so pretty!
xoxo
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Jen! The china really made the table. I’m so glad our family saved it and has taken care of it for all of these years.
Melaine Thompson says
love your tablescape, so pretty!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Melaine. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
Kim says
So pretty, Jen! I am a collector of tea cups and think the same thing. Happy touring with you today! Pinned!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kim. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip to Atlanta. So sorry that I will miss you all this year. Hopefully, I’ll be back next year!
Rachel says
It’s beautiful, Jen!! I LOVE that floral china and those drinking glasses are stunning!!! Super good ideas…I love all the textures you used together. Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Rachel. The china was really the starting inspiration for the picnic. I remembered I had some pink glasses that matched so it all worked out perfectly!
Ann says
Jen, this table is so gorgeous. Every detail is so inviting. Love it. Pinned and happy hopping here with you today!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Ann. I hope you are having a lovely summer and staying cool!
Kylie says
I absolutely love how this turned out! Everything is so beautiful Jen!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kylie. It was a fun picnic to style and create. Now…if only these temps would cool down so we could enjoy some more outdoor dining!
Rachel Harper says
Jen,
I love these colors and this idea. I’ve never served breakfast outdoors so this is in my bucket list.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Rachel. My youngest daughter loved to help me make (and eat) the donut hole kabobs. And she was such a great little helper with styling and clean-up. It was a fun table to create together.