In summer, with the long days, everything invites you to move the table outside: to the patio, the garden, the balcony, or under the shade of a tree. At Real Fábrica, we are very fond of setting the table with care —especially in summer, when gatherings become more lively, tapas become more frequent, and the tablecloth is filled with traditional colors and flavors.
Here are 10 beautiful and practical ideas to make your summer tables unforgettable. Featuring lots of artisanal ceramics , heartfelt glassware , and that simple celebratory spirit we love so much.
1. Get out your best dishes… even if it's Tuesday!
In summer, everything tastes better when served beautifully. And there are no excuses: at Real Fábrica we have artisanal tableware made by hand in workshops all over Spain—like those from Cáceres , with their floral patterns and vibrant colors, or those from Fajalauza , with centuries of history. Don't save them for special occasions. Setting a beautiful table on any given day is also a way of loving yourself.
2. Mix without fear: colors, shapes and styles
A summer table welcomes a bit of flair: you can combine plates of different colors, add Mallorcan blown glass glasses in shades of green or blue, and use mismatched linen napkins . Imperfection also has its charm. Each piece tells its own story, and together they create a beautiful backdrop on the table.
3. Give prominence to artisanal ceramics
Ceramics not only beautify: they also connect with our memories. The blue-speckled bowls, the round salad bowls, the white clay jugs from Agost … Each of these objects is made by skilled hands who know their craft well. And it shows. In their weight, in their texture, in how they withstand the hustle and bustle of long meals.
4. There is no table without good glassware
Blown glass vessels are a treasure of our country. At Real Fábrica, we work with Mallorcan workshops that have kept this technique alive since the 15th century. They are durable, fresh, and have that transparency with bubbles that we love so much. We combine them with hand-painted ceramic jugs that are a joy just to look at.
5. Prepare tapas with a traditional flavor
Slices of Iberian pork loin , dressed olives , cherry tomatoes, cured cheese , crusty bread, sunflower seeds... the usual, but well-prepared. You can serve it in glazed clay bowls, small ceramic plates, or on wicker platters with old cloths. The important thing is that it invites leisurely snacking.
6. Wildflowers, green branches and lemons from the tree
You don't need a florist's bouquet. Sometimes, just stepping out into the countryside or the garden is enough: a few sprigs of fennel, some flowers picked along the way, or some lemons with leaves. Placing them in a ceramic vase or clay pitcher makes everything look even more beautiful and natural.
7. Tablecloths and table runners with history
Pull out your grandmother's embroidered tablecloth, the one you only use at Christmas. Or place some placemats made from regional fabrics. Textiles count, too. We love to play with checked napkins, palm leaf placemats, or even striped tea towels. Anything goes if it has soul.
8. Mismatched chairs, wooden benches and floor cushions
The table doesn't have to be perfect. In summer, we often eat outdoors with whatever we have: some old chairs, a wooden bench, cushions on the ground. The important thing is the intention: to eat together, al fresco, with our feet on the ground and our hearts content.
9. Details that make the difference
Candles in glass jars, a wicker basket with freshly baked bread, handwritten name cards... Every little detail helps. At Real Fábrica, we have thousands of useful and beautiful gadgets that can add that special touch to your table: water jugs , candle holders , colorful fabric bread baskets , and more.
10. And most importantly: enjoy without rushing
Summer tables are for that: for lingering after-dinner conversations, for telling stories, for sharing without a watch. So, once the table is set, sit down, pour some lemonade, open the wine, share the gazpacho... and enjoy. Because what really matters isn't the plate or the glass, but the company.
Ceramics, glassware and everything you need to set the table
All the products you see in the photos—dinnerware, glasses, pitchers, serving platters, and bowls—are available at Real Fábrica. They are unique pieces, made by artisans from different regions of Spain, and handpicked so that your table tells more than just a meal: it tells a story.
And if you need inspiration or want to see more ideas, we have a section on the website called “ Setting the Table ,” where we gather all those beautiful and useful things that make every meal a little celebration.
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Real Fábrica is a project born to reclaim what's ours: what's well-made, what has history and soul. We travel across Spain in search of traditional products, those that smell of childhood, of the village, of long after-dinner conversations. You can discover our pieces in the online store , read the stories we tell on the blog , and join our community by subscribing to the newsletter .