How To Set Your Patio Table Without The Umbrella Ruining Your Aesthetic

Patio tables are great for summertime entertaining, but there's no denying that a built-in umbrella can stand in the way of a stunning tablescape. That doesn't mean vetoing a chic display in favor of plain-and-simple functionality, though. With some creative thinking, it's more than possible to get the best of both worlds. 

Picture this: you're having people over for an al fresco lunch. You start dreaming up fun tablescape ideas for the occasion ... and then you remember your patio table's umbrella. Of course, an umbrella is pretty essential for a patio table, especially in the daytime, so you definitely don't want to not have one. However, that doesn't change the fact that the umbrella pole right at the center of a table can pose problems for things like runner placement and centerpieces. After all, in a sense, the umbrella pole is the centerpiece — not exactly ideal if that doesn't align with your go-to table setting aesthetic.  

Don't despair just yet, though. From switching up traditional runner placement and using two runners on either side of the pole to picking placemats and tableware that coordinate with the color and material of your umbrella, it's more than possible to set a stunning patio table. 

While there's no question that patio table umbrellas make it tough to place anything across the center of the table itself, it's important to remember that there is more than one way to decorate with table runners. For starters, you could double up with two matching runners, placed across the width of the table and on either side of the umbrella pole. Depending on the width of your table, it may be a better choice to get smaller runners (or even coffee table cloths, available on Amazon for around $25), so you don't end up with long swathes of fabric hanging over either side. That said, you could also just fold longer runners in half. 

Prefer the look of a traditional runner? Using the same approach, you could also create the illusion of a runner placed along the length of the table. For this, all you'll need to do is place the smaller or folded runners on either side of the umbrella pole, toward the head and foot of the table. Adding a vase or small pot plant on either side of the pole will create a more polished look. Bonus points if you choose vases or planters in the same color or material as your umbrella pole — doing so will help everything look more intentional.

If you're not overly attached to the idea of table runners, placemats are the perfect alternative for a patio table. Simply pop them down wherever people will be sitting, and you're good to go. As with the coordinating pot plant and vases, though, we'd recommend finding ways to issue subtle nods to the umbrella pole. Of course, there's no need to go overboard with all-matching everything, and you may even like seeing some contrast on your table. However, playing off the color and material of your umbrella pole will bring harmony to your tablescape. 

If you have an umbrella in the brown color family, you can opt for rattan placemats, like these on Amazon for $15.99. However, if your umbrella pole is white, black, or gray, you can opt for monochromatic ones like these from Crate and Barrel for $20 for a cohesive color scheme. Then, use the pole as an anchor to your setup and arrange greenery, condiment holders, or candles around it. 

At first glance, patio tables with built-in umbrella poles can pose problems for entertainers who love a good tablescape, but they don't need to. By embracing the umbrella pole rather than trying to distract from it, you can create something truly chic without compromising on keeping your patio furniture cool. Sure, it takes some thinking outside the box, but in just a few steps, your patio can become the ultimate outdoor entertaining destination.