We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
24 stylish picnic buys for a heatwave summer
Embrace the rising temperatures with the best picnicware for a designer al fresco feast
Whether you’re planning an al fresco lunch by the seaside with friends or a romantic dinner by the river, our edit of the most stylish picnic accessories has you covered – and there’s not a piece of plastic cutlery in sight.
Today, brands and designers alike are responding to eco-conscious customer demands by providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and paper napkins – hand-woven hampers, portable Champagne ice buckets and crisp cotton napkins. All you need now is a sunny day!
‘Rainbow’ wool picnic blanket, Heating and Plumbing
This bright picnic blanket looks the business, but combines classic style with modern day functionality. Its polyester backing makes it waterproof (ideal for laying on damp grass) while the lemon yellow leather carry handle means packing up is a cinch. £124, heating-and-plumbing.com
‘Park Soleil d'Hermès’ picnic basket, Hermès
Turn a picnic into a truly fashionable feast with this basket (woven by artisans in France) packed with everything four stylish diners need: cups, plates and crockery. A setup this pretty deserves a properly scenic spot. £14,390, hermes.com
‘Sun Totem’ portable Champagne holder, Veuve Clicquot
London-based designer Yinka Ilori is all about spreading joy, and what more joyful moment can there be than sipping a cool glass of Champagne in the great outdoors? This characterful carrier will help you transport your bottle in style. £75.99, selfridges.com
Foldable tray stand and tray, La Double J
Al fresco dining does not have to be laid out on a blanket. This foldable tray stand and selection of decorative trays are east to transport and will raise your snacks up – both functionally and aesthetically. Approx £333, ladoublej.com
‘Outdoor Market’ folding stool, Hay
Frankly, anything from Jasper Morrison’s new collection for Hay will elevate your next picnic or camping trip, but we are especially taken with this handy folding stool. For those who don’t love sitting on the floor this is a portable solution with the simple striped aesthetic that defines the range. £105, hay.com
Straw-look picnic blanket, H&M
Sometimes simplicity is the best approach in order to let nature bring the beauty. This picnic blanket rolls up small and is very lightweight. Plus, it can be strapped to its matching cool bag for the full look. £24.99, hm.com
‘Khymer’ fan, Toast
Don’r overheat on your picnic. UK summers are getting hotter, so this is now an essential item to pack. The design from Toast was produced in Cambodia using the leaves and trunk of the palm plant. £13.50, to.ast
‘Palazzo sul Mare’ tablecloth, Lisa Corti x The Socialite Family
France and Italy are both countries with a strong heritage in outdoor dining. This collection is a collaboration between those two cultures and two female-led design houses. The result is vibrant and invites long meals under the sun. £195, lisacorti.com
‘Pocket Weekend Bag’ in ‘Off-white’, Ferm Living
Keep things well organised with Ferm Living's ‘Pocket Weekend Bag’, a practical and Scandi-style tote bag. It features external pockets for items that need to be easy to reach, two thick straps for comfort and a thick organic cotton made to last. £49, fermliving.co.uk
‘Wilby Motif’ tray, The Conran Shop
Need somewhere to play your dips and nibbles? This tray is the perfect lightweight piece, and its pastel-coloured graphic pattern will get you in the summery mood. £36, theconranshop.com
‘The Muse’ portable lamp, Tala
Created in collaboration with Farrow & Ball (there are four muted colours to choose from) this cordless lantern has a battery that can provide illumination for up to 24 hours – surely you’ll have finished the sausage rolls by then! £275, heals.com
‘Kalas’ bowls, Ikea
You may have picked up your picnic from the nearby supermarket deli aisle, but nobody else has to know that. Decant your buys into these pastel-perfect small bowls from Ikea and the humblest of snacks will be instantly elevated. The bowls are plastic, so hardy enough to be used time and time again. £1.50 for 6, ikea.com
‘Primavera’ steel mug, Bornn
We love the peach and cobalt combination of this sturdy on-the-go mug, which is handmade in Turkey by fusing glass to steel. All you need to remember now is to pack the Thermos of tea. Approx £17, shop.bornn.com.tr
‘Madrid’ glassware set by Jonathan Adler
Bring a piece of Madrid's outdoor dining culture home with Jonathan Adler's jazzy four-piece tumbler collection. Adorned with marine blue and glamorous gold patterns, it's perfect for celebrating special occasions. £135 for a set of four, uk.jonathanadler.com
Cooler bag, Business & Pleasure
Keep your beverages at the perfect temperature whatever the weather in this nautical-look striped cooler bag. It has a canvas exterior with leather detailing and is available in a choice of seven colours. £78, businessandpleasure.com
Deckchair, Raj Tent Club
Crown yourself the king or queen of the picnic by taking your place in this classically striped deckchair (or throne). Raised high above the fray you will be able to sink into full relaxation mode. £110, rajtentclub.com
Pack and carry fireplace, Snow Peak
Planning on staying put in the great outdoors long after sundown? You can cosy up around this fire as the night falls. Designed and made in Niigata, Japan, its stainless-steel form is lightweight but seriously strong. £99, snowpeak.co.uk
‘Grid’ tablecloth by Oyoy, Smallable
Ideal if you want to protect your picnic blanket from spillages, this simple cotton tablecloth looks just as perfect indoors as it goes in the great outdoors. £47, smallable.com
Enamel tumbler, Falcon
Falcon enamelware is a key guest at any picnic, where its reliable sturdiness makes it endlessly useful. This tumbler in the cheerfully modern ‘Spring Green’ would make an especially attractive addition to any outdoor dining set. £7, falconenamelware.com
Fringed canopy, Cox & Cox
Keep the beating sun away while you dine with this striped canopy. No need to worry about sun burn and your wine will remain cooler for longer. Plus, set this up in your local beauty spot and passersby will know you take picnic style seriously. Larger gathering? There’a a fringed gazebo available too. £360, coxandcox.co.uk
13 homeware buys for a The Odyssey-inspired look
This summer’s most covetable outdoor cushions
12 ways to give your home some Wimbledon spirit
Ten of the best ice buckets to beat the heatwave
