Now that you’ve set the table with the essentials of linens, stemware and dinnerware, it’s time to focus some energy on making it special by adding what I call the “extras”. I’ve always been one to go with more over less, and think that adding a few more extras to any tablescape can turn a pretty table into a wow table! Here, I’ll take you through my top ideas for adding extras to a table for any occasion.
Consider adding a garland to your tablescape
Garlands are a wonderful way to keep your theme going and add greenery to the table. I have a eucalyptus garland and a pine garland that I use regularly for various tablescapes. If you are going to invest in a garland or two, I would recommend keeping them greenery based without a lot of ornamentation, because you can always add that yourself to align with your holiday and theme without needing a new one for each tablescape. Here, I turned a very plain pine garland into something more fanciful for a Christmas winter wonderland table design with layers of added greenery, jeweled picks and sugared fruits.
Remember that you can also create your own garland using floral picks, that can be reused in arrangements for other holidays. I made this “garland” for my garden themed Thanksgiving Day table using bay leaf branches and eucalyptus stems.
Add decorative accents
Using a few unique pieces to the table can add whimsy or enhance an overall table theme. Jeweled butterflies for an Easter table, sugared fruit on a holiday table, sea shells for a coastal table setting, whimsical dishes on your Valentine’s table, even a fun snow globe can add something to your final table design. And don’t overlook Christmas ornaments, they are an easy way to add some color and sparkle to any table design.
For this 4th of July table design, I added a necklace to the blue and white ginger jar I used as vase to give it some sparkle, beaded blue and white candle rings, blue and white decorative balls I found on sale at Michael’s and a few coral pieces to tie to the coral charger plates in the place setting.
Simple extras like mini adorned champgane bottles, a gold cracker and a gold pear made this New Year’s Eve design extra festive!
Shells, tortoise votives (these are actually glasses I found at World Market masquerading as candle holders!) and loose floral stems added more interest and color to this British Colonial tablescape.
A quick word about color. If you have landed your table and you like it, but don’t love it, add color – either with a secondary napkin, changing the napkin ring, or adding some additional flowers at each place setting that bring in a different color aspect to your theme. Color can boost a lovely table design and turn it into a dazzling one.
Layer to add texture to the table
Layering gives your table visual interest, a little bit like adding a scarf and a blazer to a sweater to create an outfit. For this Valentine’s Day table design, I created layers by adding lace fabric over a white tablecloth, a rose colored faux fur throw, lace ribbon, sheer pink tulle, bunches of loose flowers and greenery stems, and finished off with strands of champagne pearls to create a romantic picnic ambiance.
Layers added some extra character to this Spooky Manor Halloween table design with a sheer snake deisgn fabric, a faux sheepskin throw, and black and white feather placements.
You can also add layers and color by using a table runner and placemats. For this glam coastal tablescape, I used a beaded runner with different coral elements on it, then added some jeweled shells for added shine and sparkle.
Add pillows or throws that tie into your theme
Hanging a boxwood wreath on the back of each dining chair for a Christmas dinner, placing pillows at each chair that enhance a color scheme, or just draping some blankets or throws can add some final extras to your table. I used these faux sheepskin rugs over the backs of dining chairs for a cozy outdoor Fall dinner party.
Use candles to create ambiance
Candles are a wonderful way to add a romantic touch to your final table setting, adding color and lightness.
I tend to use a lot of them, in varying heights and colors and in different candle holders to add some texture. Pillars, tapers and votives can all add shine and brightness to the final tablescape.
For this Halloween table design, I used hot pink and orange tapers, hot pink pillars with gold accents, white pillars and added hot pink votives along the tulle garland.
The glitter gold tapers I used for this Christmas tablescape added that extra touch of shine the table needed as did the gold toned votives set along the garland.
Create a centerpiece as an anchor
While florals are a big component of many table settings, they don’t always have to be the main player. The right centerpiece can anchor a table for the theme you’ve decided on, and coming up with your own design can be both fun and creative! A centerpiece can complement the flowers you have planned, or replacement them all together and add a unique effect.
This natural coastal centerpiece came together first with a grapevine branch over eucalyptus stems, then I added a shell garland, Christmas globe ornaments and candles to complete the look.
Use food where it complements a design or theme
Cupcakes on tiered cake stands can also add beauty to the final setting- and easy access to some delicious treats! I placed small plates of macarons at each place setting for this Valentine’s Day table for some added bright pops of pink that enhanced the final romantic look.
These are my top tips for adding the extras to your table design that will help turn a lovely tablescape into one that delights! Happy tablescaping, and until next time, Cheers!
