Use functional accessories.

Accessories can add beauty and function to your table. At the 2009 Dream Home in Sonoma, Calif., a rustic picnic table serves as the focal point of the enchanting rose and hydrangea-bordered garden. The centerpiece of the table, an oversized reproduction of an antique French lantern, also lights the table for parties that go late into the evening.

Get the look: Look for bargains on outdoor lighting at vintage stores. You can always repaint a dated light to complement your outdoor decor.