Whenever I start to think about an upcoming holiday or special celebration, I start to think about the tablescape and how it will all come together. Over the years, I’ve developed what I think are the key essentials to successfully designing a beautiful tablescape to elevate any occasion into a celebration! I’m excited to share with you the key steps I use when creating a beautiful tablescape.
Set a theme for your tablescape
Decide on the look of your table setting based on the season and the occasion. This will shape your color palette as well as your table accents. A few themes I’ve used in past have included Alpine Forest, (like this table setting here I used for my Christmas one year),
as well as coastal, glamourous, organic / nature themes, tartan, enchanted forest, ski chalet, or just an overall tie-in to a specific holiday like a spooky Halloween manor or Christmas in Paris theme.
Plan early for the design
Once you’ve chosen a theme, start to review what you already have in the way of table linens, dinnerware and decorations so you can determine if you need anything to enhance the table setting to make it special. I typically start planning a few months before a big tablescape design so I can shop for unique finds that will add something special, while keeping my costs low.
Once I have a theme in mind and start to plan the actual table, I think about creating functionality for the food and drink – the most important part of the table! – as well as visual interest using color, texture, and varying levels of decorative touches, like candles and flowers, so the final effect dazzles.
Build a menu plan
I know this seems obvious, but what you plan to serve will inspire your dish selections and impact what space you need for dishes versus décor on your table. Dinnerware selection and serving dishes will be tied to the final menu – do you need soup bowls? Are there condiments? Do you plan to serve family style? If so, your table setting will need room for a platter. And don’t forget about the dessert plates!
Seriously, a dessert this delicious deserves a beautiful setting! (you can find my recipe for this easy and elegant dessert here)
Set the foundation for the table with linens
This is important for creating a stage for your tablescape to land on. Tablecloths and table throws can add color and pattern, or just create a blank canvas to work on. Table throws are a good option when you want something a little less formal than a tablecloth, and they usually don’t need any ironing – a definite bonus!
While I will typically choose some sort of table covering because our dining table top is glass, for many of you with wood tables or other natural materials, a table cover isn’t necessary and may add to the overall look of the final table setting. Add in additional layers to create texture, like placemats, a table runner, chargers – all three or just one. Depending on what you select, these added layers will bring additional visual interest to the table. I like using beaded placemats for more festive settings or textured ones to add a natural element, like these here from Ballard Designs I used for my “Bunnies and Butterflies” Easter tablescape.
A quick note about charger plates – chargers are a fantastic way to dress up a place setting or keep it casual, and they are an easy way to keep the same dinnerware looking fresh for a new table design. Here is the same dinner plate with a different charger for a glam coastal look or a natural beach coastal look.
In some cases, I use various layers of charger plates to create additional shine or texture to a place setting, like I did for this Cinco de Mayo table setting.
As for napkins, cloth napkins are the best for adding a pop of color and some texture with an interesting napkin ring, but if you’re setting a table to dine outside, there are many beautiful paper options out there. You can also use both on a table setting to create some added texture or color – I typically use two napkins in a place setting, mixing and matching paper and cloth in some instances.
Choosing the dinnerware
You don’t need an extensive selection of different dinnerware for every new table design – chargers and interesting napkins are a relatively inexpensive way to change up the same dinner plate. Adding a few layers to the plate – like an appetizer plate or small bowl for a surprise (think chocolate truffles, or a seasonal kumquat) – can also enhance your theme and freshen the look of the same dinnerware from one tablescape to another. Mixing and matching different pieces will also add some fun to the final place setting.
I use these lovley scalloped dinner plates a lot! But because I tend to add a different salad plate, napkin, and charger plate, they can look different from one table design to another. Here is an example of the same dinner plate for my Alpine Christmas table where I went dark and woodsy, a French Country design where the vibe was more whimsical, and a jewel toned Fall table setting.
A final note about dinnerware. If you want to change the look of an existing dinner plate by adding a new salad plate, stores like Home Goods have great finds, as well as websites like replacements.com for vintage or discontinued patterns. I also pick up a few different plates by going directly to the manufacturer’s website. Lenox.com, Mikasa.com and others will typically have a sale on patterns that are being phased out, and you can by as many as you need versus having to invest in a set of four or eight.
Selecting the stemware
Does the occasion call for wine glasses, champagne glasses, or both? Whatever you decide on based on the menu plan, play with various colors and sizes, or add some sparkle with jeweled or decorated stemware.
I use coasters to add some additional sparkle to a tablescape if they align with the theme, and I would recommend them if you are not starting with a table covering.
The black wine glass, green champagne coupe glasses and red water goblets here worked perfectly for my Tartan themed Christmas table design!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match stemware, like you can with dinnerware. While a matched set of stemware can be very elegant at a place setting, different pieces can add contrast and change up the look of existing stems, as well as add some color or texture to the overall look of your place setting. For this July 4th table design, I paired a gorgeous Waterford crystal wine glass with a lovely red water goblet from Williams Sonoma that I have used for many Christmas tables, they added just the right amount of glam and red for the final table look.
Adding florals
Flowers can really make a table come together, adding a natural element, color and texture to the setting. When I choose flowers, I tend to go with faux florals – they’re enduring and can be used over and over again through the years, they look very authentic if the right ones are invested in (I like florals from Michael’s, World Market and Afloral), and never need any water! Another benefit of using faux florals is that any vessel will work for the arrangement because you won’t need it to hold water.
Real flowers are lovely as well, and roses and orchids are always a favorite of mine for a Valentine’s Day or Christmas table to add some elegance.
Below are some examples of flower arrangements I’ve made using real and faux flowers.
My final note is to have fun and enjoy the process! Tablescaping can be a creative outlet that starts off a season and allows you to start thinking about the festivities ahead.
These are my top tips for creating amazing tablescapes that will elevate any occasion to a celebration! Thank you for joining me today, until next time, Cheers!
