So You Want to Go on a Picnic?
A Guide to the Luxury Picnic Life! From Stylish Baskets and Chic Blankets to Aesthetic Blanketware and Thoughtful Add-Ons.
We blame the movies, and honestly, thank them! Between 10 Things I Hate About You’s paddleboat-turned-lawn-lunch moment, Jenna Rink’s floral fantasy life in 13 Going on 30, and The Proposal’s lakeside escapism (Betty White included), the picnic has become a rom-com ritual. Sun-drenched, a little chaotic, and always memorable.
But like anything, good picnics don’t happen by accident. They’re made…thoughtfully, beautifully, and with just the right amount of effort. You need a blanket that doesn’t blow away, glassware that won’t crack mid-toast, and a basket that’s more than aesthetics.
That’s where this guide comes in, and just in time for summertime. We’ve curated everything you need to create a picnic that looks like a still from your favorite feel-good film, and functions like it was planned by someone who’s done this before.
Chic baskets. Soft, oversized blankets. Design-forward dining tools. A few extras to elevate the entire moment. Whether it’s in Central Park, your backyard, or on the floor of your apartment pretending, this is how you picnic, the It’s a Yes! way. Here are items that’ll make you feel like you're starring in your own fashion film….alfresco.
Your Picnic’s First Impression…Your Basket
If the picnic basket is the new designer handbag, why are we still bringing sad little coolers to the park? Let’s fix that.
Your basket is the first thing anyone sees. It’s not just a container, it’s a mood setter and a centerpiece. Woven wicker, polished leather straps, a pop of pattern or wood? That’s not overthinking it, that’s styling!
But beauty without structure? Never. A cute basket that dumps your rosé and bruises your apples is not the goal. Look for something with compartments. Lined interiors. Real buckles. Tableware included.
Picnic Time’s Windsor basket is a classic with gingham lining that feels like you stepped into a romcom picnic montage. Or, you can go bold with Williams Sonoma’s black wicker trunk, which could easily double as a stylish briefcase. If you want something sleek and unfussy, Picnic Time’s “Country Picnic” basket is compact, with a smooth wooden lid that could double as a charcuterie board.
For a wow factor, Picnic Time’s “Highlander” picnic basket is the kind of piece that turns heads, and makes you feel like you’re in a vintage yacht club, rather than a public park. And if you’re leaning whimsical and in that lovey-dovey mood, Pottery Barn’s lace-lined heart-shaped basket gives soft countryside romance, while their striped canvas hybrid offers a practical, cooler-style base that still looks elegant.
Now let’s talk about the real luxury: the built-in tools. We’re saying Yes! to baskets that come stocked: proper plates, actual flatware, wine glasses that won’t crack en route. Some even have linen napkins and salt shakers. You deserve a basket that has the most so you don’t have to do the most.
Yes! Worthy Tip:
If you wouldn’t store it where guests could see it, don’t picnic with it. Your basket should carry your lunch AND your taste.
Where the Mood Begins…Your Blanket
The blanket sets the tone of your entire picnic vibe. It’s where you sit, eat, lay, and maybe take a nap. Not only should it be functional, it should be eye-catching.
First, the fabric. Skip the scratchy fleece. Go for something soft, weighty, and beautiful like linen, cotton, or canvas. The kind of fabric that feels good against your skin and looks even better in sunlight.
Size matters. A roomy blanket gives you space to style a spread and stretch out. We love options that fold up easily or come with their own ties, practical, but still cute. The Picnic Time Montecito blanket checks those boxes: spacious, waterproof, and soft with a harness for transporting. The YETI Lowlands Blanket is another favorite. It’s plush on top and tough on the bottom, basically the SUV of picnic blankets. It even has its own carrying case.
If you're after something with a Euro summer vibe, the Business & Pleasure Co. beach blanket is hand-loomed cotton, breathable and fast-drying, with a hole in the center for an umbrella, for those extra sunny days. It’s the picnic equivalent of a St. Tropez pool boy handing you rosé.
For more of a modern-art moment, the Cold Picnic throw is a visual statement. The recycled cotton blend is soft and breathable, and the bold pattern doubles as your tablescape. It’s machine-washable (a win), but not waterproof, so layer up if you’re on wet grass.
If you're leaning casual but comfy, NEMO’s Victory Blanket rolls up into a compact little bundle and has a padded, durable underside that works on dirt, grass, or even sand.
Last but not least, the Design Imports fringed throw is lightweight and lovely for layering. It gives texture and softness, but we recommend placing a liner underneath for damp lawns.
Now, we haven’t personally tested every blanket we’re recommending here, but we’ve done some serious digging. We pulled from sources we trust like The New York Times Wirecutter (a gold standard for product testing), New York Magazine, and Serious Eats. Plus, our intuition. If it made the list, it passed our vibe check and the utility test.
Yes! Worthy Tip:
If the blanket’s beautiful enough to leave out in your living room for guests to see, it’ll be perfect for the grass. Look for softness, size, and just enough structure to support your food. Also, for the blankets that aren’t waterproof, layer up!
Ditch the Paper Plates…for Elevated Blanketware
If you’ve gone through the trouble of finding the perfect basket and laying out the ideal blanket, you deserve blanketware (tableware) that elevates the moment. A stack of soggy paper plates? Ditch them.
We’ve already recommended a few baskets that come fully stocked (and we love an all-in-one moment), but if you’re building your own picnic kit, or just want to upgrade a few pieces, this is your cue.
First rule: ditch the disposables. Go for reusable plates, real flatware, and drinkware that feels intentional, not accidental. The Mar Y Sol Sustainable Picnic Set is compact, colorful, and packs neatly into itself. The palette is giving Blue Crush meets Matisse.
For drinkware, you’ve got options. The Dreamlike Liquor Glass Set by Ornamental by Lameice is basically cocktail jewelry…whimsical, dreamy, and just the right amount of eccentric. If you’re more into soft surrealism, the Bilboquet Wine Glass Set by Sophie Lou Jacobsen plays with color and silhouette in that playful, artsy way. Plus they are compact and will fit perfectly into your picnic basket. Want something modern but versatile? The Silje Lindrup Twisted Flute Glasses are minimal but textured making for a refined twist on a classic.
As for plates, the Modern Melamine Set from West Elm is durable, sleek, and stackable. The Emris Snack Plate leans earthy and elevated with its matte finish and subtle ridge…great for layering colors. And the La Ceramica Vincenzo Del Monaco Medium Dish brings the warm Tuscan sun straight to your picnic. That rich golden glaze? *Chef’s kiss*
Thinking of mixing sets? Please do. A mismatched (but thoughtfully chosen) spread feels personal. Let your blanket inspire your table! Think textures. Think tones. Think “I found these in a little shop in Milan” energy, even if you ordered them on sale.
Yes! Worthy Tip:
Cuteness counts, but function seals the deal. Choose pieces that do both. Your picnic should feel joyful and seamless. A true experience.
Totally Worth-It Add-Ons
Now that the essentials are covered, let’s elevate your picnic game even further. The magic is in the extras, the little things that take your picnic from practical to poetic.
For something visually charming and functional, Anthropologie’s Woven Forager Backpack is ideal for carrying flowers or market finds without crumpling your look. Their Colorful Woven Food Cover + Tray Set keeps the flies off your fruit and adds a gorgeous hit of texture and color. And the Seagrass Utensil Holder is the kind of detail that makes your picnic feel fully thought through.
Bring some games to play. Palace Skateboard’s Bicycle Playing Cards bring color and play, whether you’re doing a quick round of War or laying them out as decor.
Now if you feel like splurging, COTODAMA Lyrics Speaker is a conversation piece and a vibe. If you’re really committing to the full spread? Try the mini Kikkerland Briefcase BBQ. It folds up like a vintage suitcase but cooks like the real thing. Even a grilled pineapple moment becomes elevated when you’re pulling it from a portable grill.
And of course, don’t forget comfort: throw pillows, a parasol or umbrella for shade, maybe even a lightweight throw in case it gets breezy. Let your picnic feel good, not just look good.
Yes! Worthy Tip:
Pack like a stylist. Choose one or two intentional extras that make the space feel layered and lived-in, but not overstuffed. Real luxury is often about what you don’t bring.
And our final tip…
Treat your picnics as a moment to slow down and style up, not just a rush to “do something outside.” It’s about intention, beauty, and saying Yes! to pleasure.
Whether it’s Central Park, Prospect Park, or your own backyard, let this be a love letter to slowing down, styling up, and sitting in the sun.
Oh, and if you try any of our picks, come back and drop a mini review in the comments! We want to know what worked and what you’d bring again. Sharing is caring.
Pssstt…we only share products we truly love and know you will too. We may earn an affiliate commission when you make a purchase.
connect with us on Instagram.