Having weather-resistant furniture pieces provide a stylish base for outdoor entertaining, but the real fun's in the styling, so we went looking for inspiration from the experts.

Image - Kara Rosenlund www.kararosenlund.com

Stylist and photographer Kara Rosenlund used grey linen with vintage silver cutlery and white china, adding texture with foliage, flowers, nuts, cloves and hessian ribbons as runners.

Image via Instagram @sibellacourt

At a styling workshop at The Society Inc warehouse space, Sibella Court created a simple but effective setting using white linen and vintage silver cutlery, with a gorgeous green ceramic bowl to add a hand-made element. The green was repeated in a string of beads and a single leaf at each place.

Image: Amanda Prior Styling: Claire Delmar via clairedelmarblog.com

Stylist Claire Delmar's blog The Palate Project is a treasure trove of table styling ideas. In this breakfast setting, shot by Amanda Prior, she used an inky indigo tablecloth to create contrast with mixed ceramic pieces including a hand-made cup.

Image by Jane Cameron for Fete Magazine summer 2013

Our friends at Fete Magazine are firm believers in keeping things simple and achievable when it comes to entertaining. In this outdoor gathering, shot by Jane Cameron for their their Summer 2013 issue, editor Annabelle Kerslake recommended using neutrals, crisp white and a plant or clippings from the garden as a finishing touch. Her top tip was to pick one colour and use it consistently throughout the day – here the emerald green of the maidenhair fern and cushions was also used in disposable napkins and paper cups – for a simple but easy to execute theme. We recommend subscribing to Fete for great entertaining tips and beautiful, inspiring images.

Image: Alicia Taylor Styling: Heather Nette King via homelife.com.au

The beaded chandelier and larger armchairs add a certain elegance to this gathering. Stylist Heather Nette King used a monochromatic palette with pops of green but there's nothing stark about this richly layered scene. For a similar tablecloth, try Bonnie and Neil.

Image - Prue Ruscoe Styling Shannon Fricke via www.insideout.com.au

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While not exactly set for a meal, this outdoor table at The Atlantic Byron Bay has all the basics right, with comfortable seating and cushions plus an eye-catching hanging piece (or light?) to reflect its beachside locale.

Follow our Outdoor board on Pinterest for more inspiration