If you stop to really think about it, it's a bit silly to use your usual dinner plates and serving pieces for an al fresco party. Do you really want to worry about dropping a stoneware plate or watching a glass tumbler, uh, tumble? No, you do not — and that's especially true when you consider how easily you can stock up on break-resistant, outdoor-friendly dishes and serveware that's just as good-looking as your breakable dishes.
ICYMI, Bed Bath & Beyond has seriously upped its design game when it comes to its exclusive outdoor plate designs. There's something for the modernist, the cottagecore enthusiast, the maximalist, and everyone in between. Best of all, tons of items are currently half-price — it's a real "run, don't walk" situation. Read on to see our favorite picks, plus a few extra items that will make your picnic and patio plans just that much better.
Before setting your outdoor table, lay out this stylish Everhome Ikat Stripe Tablecloth ($15). The polyester fabric is water-resistant, so it's NBD if drips and spills happen. Plus, on a purely aesthetic level, it really ties the table together.
Tucked inside this pretty wicker Bee & Willow Picnic Basket ($49) is everything you'll need to provide a picnic for four: stainless steel flatware, plastic wine glasses, porcelain plates, a wine bottle opener, and even an insulated section to keep sandwiches and drinks chilled.
Protect your tasty morning buns and croissants from greedy, thieving birds with this Libbey Glass Acacia Wood Serving Board ($51). (Naturally, it also protects your treats from being attacked by flies.) When inside, it makes a fantastic cheese board as well.
The ridged silhouette and smoke tinge of this Studio 3B Textured Grey Drinkware Collection ($4-$6) look like something you'd find at a high-end Italian housewares store. Nope — it's super-affordable and shatter-resistant, so you can actually *use* these pieces instead of saving them for special occasions.
This break-resistant, BPA-free Studio 3B Plaid Melamine and Bamboo Dinner Plate ($2) looks modern and chic, especially in black and white. There are matching salad plates, too, to help you create a dining set that goes from the family table to beach picnics with ease.
Or if you prefer a little more color, this Bee and Willow Floral Melamine and Bamboo Salad Plate ($2) has a cheerful botanical design. It coordinates perfectly with the ginghams and jadeite colors in the full collection of outdoor-friendly dinnerware, too — including this next piece.
Perfect for displaying chips and fruit, this shatter-resistant Bee & Willow Jadeite Melamine and Bamboo Serving Bowl ($7.50) is currently 50 percent off — so you might want to pick up an extra bowl in case your party becomes a little, well, extra.
Oh, and did we mention the matching serving set? It's cute. It's six dollars. You might as well add to cart already.
If you didn't look closely, you'd assume this Destination Summer Bubble Bottom Pitcher ($20) is made of glass. Sure looks like it, but instead, it's fabricated of acrylic, with an air bubble trapped in the bottom to mimic the look of hand-blown glass. Except with this, there's zero chance of glass shattering and going everywhere — which makes for one less party foul to worry about.
This H for Happy Lemon Stripe Melamine Serving Tray ($5) looks like a classic beach towel, with all of the summery vibes that brings. This tray is great for serving food, displaying cutlery, or simply making your table feel a little more festive. Now you're ready to get the party started!