How to decorate table for dinner party
40 Table Decoration Ideas 2023 — Chic, Easy Tablescape Ideas
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1
Play with tablecloths.
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I don't know about you, but tablecloths seemed like something only grandmas worried about until I became an "adult" (quotation marks because that seems too impossible to be true). Now, I realize they can be game changers when it comes to a tablescape. Laying out a tablecloth just makes a meal feel infinitely fancier, and you can get super creative with colors and patterns. Don't want to shell out $$$ to buy a new one? Try spreading out a cute fabric you already have, like a big scarf or bandana (like you see here).
2
Get cozy al fresco.
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Dining outside is one of the best parts of summer (and spring...and fall) so getting the perfect al fresco setup is ess-en-tial. Get some comfy chairs, or a cushioned bench, if ya wanna be like Camille Styles, and an outdoor blanket you don't mind spillin' on, and you'll be ready to go.
3
Slice up some fruit.
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Nothing says summer quite like fresh fruit, so why not decorate for your next sunny soiree with just that? Slice up some juicy grapefruits, lemons, oranges, and whatever else looks cute at the grocery store and use them to make centerpieces, decorate runners, and even garnish your dishes and drinkware.
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4
Play up the rattan.
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I've said it once, and I'll say it a million times: Rattan is in, and it's not going anywhere (anytime soon at least). Stay on trend and up the earthiness of your dining room by stocking up on rattan placemats, cup holders, table runners, and more.
Bonus: the natural material looks great with damn near everything, no matter your aesthetic.
5
Make it festive.
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The holidays are all about eating, drinking, and hosting, so there's no better time to make your tablescape feel extra festive. If you wanna go all out with the decorations, go right ahead, but personally, I think the subtler the better when it comes to festive fixings. Think little pumpkin figurines instead of massive plastic jack-o-lanterns, or neutral-colored nutcrackers instead of tacky blue "Let It Snow" napkins.
6
Candles for everyone!
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"You get a candle! You can a candle!" — Oprah you when setting the table for your next dinner party. The more candles the merrier, duh, so popping one beside each place setting (like cutlery, but way more fun) is the perfect way to set the mood for a cozy feast.
Uhh, just make sure you go with a less flammable tablecloth material like cotton when you set these candles out...
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7
Invest in whimsical dishware.
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Garden parties need dishes just like the ones you see here. Butterflies...flowers...pastels...the more fairy-like, the merrier.
8
Decorate with fresh florals.
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There's nothing better than having fresh flowers in your home, and what better place to put a brand-new bouquet than in the middle of your table, for all to see. Don't have the capacity to take care of real blooms? Don't worry, there are plenty of faux flowers that could fool even the judgiest house guest.
9
Stick to neutral on neutral.
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So, we all know that red is a color that inspires people to eat, but sometimes red just isn't the vibe.
Neutrals never go out of style and they can set a calming mood—something that we can all use a little more of. Better yet, neutrals can be paired with so many other colors (especially other neutrals) so you can mix and match for endless options.
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10
Spruce up the kids’ table.
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Not all dinner parties can be adults-only, and the happier the crew at your kids' table, the easier your night will be. Parenting expert Chrissy Horton (who also has a background in tablescapes!) recommends getting little ones entertained by covering your table with brown craft paper. Not only does it make clean up easier, but the kids can doodle all night long.
11
Mix textures.
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Just like in fashion, mixing textures is an easy way to add visual interest when you're decorating a table.
Try putting together dishes that didn't come in the same set, or that you never would have thought of displaying side by side, and see how they look. Is the finished product overwhelming to the eye? Switch it up. Is it boring? Add another piece with a different texture. Sometimes you don't know what will look chic AF until you try.
12
Set out the menu.
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Creating and printing out a menu for an event—even if it’s just a regular girls' night in—just makes things feel extra special. Go all out and get them done and shipped to you on a site like Shutterfly, or design a lil something on Microsoft Word or Canva and print them out yourself (slash go over to your parents' house because who owns a printer anymore?).
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13
Give it some Old Hollywood flair.
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We can't all be invited to the Oscars.
..but we can throw a party that looks like we were. Go big on Old Hollywood glam with a color scheme of gold, white, and black, plus a little sparkle here and there. The more candles and champagne flutes, the better. Ahem, and the award for best dinner party goes to...
14
Put down some pillows.
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Dining outdoors is supposed to be joyful, and no one is joyful when their booty is in pain. Pop a fun patterned pillow on each seat, whether you're sitting inside or out. Only problem: No one will want to leave at the end of the night.
15
Bring golden hour inside.
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We could all use a little more sunshine in our lives, so why not make your tablescape match the happiest hour of them all: golden hour. Yellow candles? Check. Gold silverware? Check. Bunches and bunches of honey-colored florals? Check, check, check.
*Cue "Golden" by Harry Styles."*
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16
Bowl up some fresh fruit.
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You're not a fully formed adult until you have a fruit bowl. That's just #facts. Pop 'em in a ceramic bowl on the table and you'll have a) fresh and colorful decor and b) grab-and-go healthy snacks.
17
Bring in a bit of the beach.
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Nothing beats a day at the beach—so try to bring the beach home with you! If you live in a coastal town (or just want to change things up for summer) try decking out your dining room with some nautical-inspired decor. Take to your table with seashells, rattan, sand-filled jars, and more for a beachy look that's subtle but seaside chic.
18
Change up the cutlery.
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News flash: Your cutlery doesn't have to be boring silver.
Ditch those hand-me-down forks and knives your parents gave you when you went off to college and invest in something a little more exciting. I love changing things up with colored cutlery—specifically gold and matte black.
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19
Don't be afraid of color.
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Sure, neutrals may be in (yes, neutral-on-neutral is still a thing) but sometimes you just need to bring in a little color, baby! Don't shy away from the bold and the beautiful—stock up on dishware, decor, art, and florals in shades of yellow, orange, pink, green, purple, and red. Neutrals may instill a sense of calm, but a pop of color can bring a sense of joy to the party.
20
Add some trinkets.
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If you're hosting a meal for a ~special occasion~ like holidays, birthdays, or engagement parties and want to kick your entertainment game up a notch, think up some creative trinkets you can add to each seat.
U.K.-based event designer Fiona Leahy, for example, loves adding crackers (no, not the edible kind) to each plate—even if it's not December. "My favourite pastime is making crackers, and I never limit them to Christmas," she captioned this shot on the 'gram. "Who couldn't do with a cracker right now?" Retweeeeeet, Fiona.
Hannah Chubb
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
DIY Dinner Party Decorations | Martha Stewart
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blue and pink table centerpiece decor
Credit: Bryan Gardner
Hosting a special evening? Invite your friends, plan a menu, and set the table with these decorations—centerpieces, floral arrangements, candles, and more ideas.
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blue and pink table centerpiece decor
Credit: Bryan Gardner
Of course, the meal is the star at any dinner party—with its burnished turkey, vegetarian casseroles, and abundant seasonal offerings—but you should still set a table that is as rich and memorable as the food itself.
Take, for instance, the set-up pictured here: Wow dinner guests with a bold color-blocked table. Instead of traditional fall colors, we chose soft pink, deep navy, and metallic gold to create a display that's equally elegant and in step with the season. But a beautiful table can be set with decorations all year-round—many of which can be crafted at home with ease. In floral arrangements, you can use any dried foliage including tallow and canella berries, wild lily pods, globe thistle, lemon leaves, mum flowers, and thistle. Set them into decorative vases for a mix-and-match foraged look. For a soft glow of ambience, try candleholders, lanterns, luminaries, and votives—use vessels in similar colors to the candles for a tonal effect.
Overhead, hanging lanterns and balloons add to the dining room's decor. Go ahead and play up height, but keep anything tall thin so nobody's view is blocked.
Creativity aside, etiquette experts will tell you there is a formal way to set your table. Knowing where everything goes streamlines the process of serving dinner and also makes dining a breeze for guests, who will have the utensils they need at their fingertips. Table settings are arranged with napkins, place mats, flatware, and glassware. Place cards show the designated seat for each guest. And all of these details can be personalized to your hostess style. Feeling inspired? Scroll through the best of dinner party decorations.
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Place Cards
napkin fold wrapped
Credit: Alpha Smoot
Make something that works double-duty, such as a dinner party menu that doubles as a place card. It makes an elegant addition to the table, especially when paired with gilded greenery and a wrapped napkin.
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Tablecloth
blue dining table for Thanksgiving
Credit: Johnny Miller
Block-printed linens are costly to buy but surprisingly simple to make. With little more than textile paint, muslin fabric, and woodblock stamps, a personalized setting is close at hand. We went with a botanical motif, but choose whatever appeals to you. When block-printing napkins, mix colors and patterns to add to your table's eclectic vibe.
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Tableware
terracotta plates and cups
Credit: Addie Juell
Sun-kissed terra-cotta tableware and neutral linens are a match made in dinner-party heaven. We bought the plates and tumblers, and painted stripes onto the decorative terra-cotta bowl. Salt and pepper cellars and napkin rings were sculpted from a few colors of no-bake, air-dry clay.
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Candles
dipped candles
Credit: Anna Williams
With a quick dip in tinted wax, even simple tapers turn into works of art.
Just lower the ends into melted colored wax and let them dry. Then keep things interesting by placing them in an assortment of candlesticks: Some of these are vintage; others are from a crafts store.
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Balloons
balloon tablescape decor
Credit: Sang An
Create a setting that abounds with bubbles. Decorate with candlesticks topped with glass orbs and buckets full of them. At each setting, tie a ribbon around a folded napkin as with a gift, and tie it to another piece of ribbon attached to a small helium balloon. Balloons overhead add to the celebratory feel.
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Luminaries
Glittered Bowl Candleholder
Credit: Kate Mathis
As if out of thin air, candleholders appear where balloons used to be. The trick: Blow the balloons up, then brush on a glittery glue mixture. Once it dries, pop and discard the balloons—leaving behind shells you can paint on the inside.
They make dazzling centerpieces, especially when clustered with glitter-dusted pillar candles (use a coat of transfer adhesive) and paired with silver dip-dyed linens.
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Glassware
copper metallic striped glassware table decor
Credit: Johnny Fogg
Give glass bottles, tumblers, and vases one-of-a-kind graphic patterns in metallic tones. Conductive copper tape really shines when you take it out of the home-improvement aisle. The metallic find, originally intended for electrical jobs, comes in a wealth of different widths.
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Trivet
mla106331_1110_buffet5.jpg
Credit: Maria Robledo
Choose the elegance of a velvet-accented setup. A striking wreath draws guests to the buffet. Start with a store-bought willow branch, and glue on hand-dyed pom-poms for berries. The wreath contrasts with the opulent purple and gold of velvet-covered trivets. To make the trivets, stretch velvet over wooden slabs of assorted sizes.
You can easily re-cover the slabs to suit a new color scheme.
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Coasters
leather painted coasters
Credit: Aaron Dyer
Soft leather coasters protect the table's surface and the glassware. Stripes and paint splatters bring out their playful side. Block off a pattern using masking tape in various widths, then brush the exposed sections with craft paint. Allow to dry completely before removing the tape. Spray with clear sealant, let cure for 24 hours, and use them at your next get-together. Create a color-block look by painting just half the circle or water down the craft paint before splattering.
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Table Runner
Leaf-Stamped Table Runner
Credit: Alpha Smoot
Leaves aren't just for expanding the size of your dinner table. Take the kind piling up outdoors and make a one-of-a-kind runner.
Start with a length of linen and fray the edges. Using a roller, coat fallen foliage one at a time in fabric paint and press it, paint-side down, onto the runner. Place a piece of paper on top and go over it with a brayer (available at crafts stores) to transfer all the little details. The result will be imprinted in your family's memories.
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Foraged Greenery
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Credit: Johnny Miller
Here's a simple, summery way to celebrate: Set a handsome table using decanters, tumblers, and even an ice bucket or two, all filled with a dramatic mix of garden greenery and understated blooms.
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Paper Flowers
paper flowers table decor red and pink
Credit: Paul Raeside
Embrace a theme and have fun with it. The balmy climes inspired our tropical party décor. Flickering candles inside rattan lanterns set an alluring scene.
Inexpensive cedar boat trays fit right in with the island motif. The small boats at each plate hold ramekins of dipping sauce and seasoning for make-your-own spring rolls. For lush centerpieces that will flower all summer, create these crepe-paper lotus blossoms in vibrant hues. Eye-catching and economical, they are simple to make—even for a busy host.
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Lamp Chimneys
fall table setting with chimney vases and candles
Credit: Alpha Smoot
Sometimes, the most beautiful dinner table is eclectic in its design. Turn a stylist's eye onto the centerpiece by combining glass lamp chimneys with taper and pillar candles. Add assorted fruits of the season—grape clusters and Bosc pears.
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Cake Stands and Pedestals
cake plate with cookies
Credit: Linda Pugliese
Turn the traditional purpose of a basket on its head by using it to create a footed dessert dish: Snip off the basket's handle, invert the basket, and add a plate.
(Stick it on with removable putty.) We also wrapped the handle of a pitcher with seagrass trim for a subtle basket-like accent. Attach the end of the trim with hot glue to the base of the handle, wind it all the way around to the top, then glue the trim to secure.
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Botanical Centerpiece
fe-opener-140-mld109784.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller
Elements from nature bring life to any table. No flowers? Try seashells or even river rocks instead. Inspired by those glass-topped café and tea-shop tables under which menus and postcards are placed, we reimagined the concept. Here, we've placed a small sheet of clear polycarbonate over prints, ferns, and other natural ephemera. On top are stones, moss, and wisps of evergreens.
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Basket Centerpiece
baskets table setting for Thanksgiving
Credit: Linda Pugliese
A centerpiece that's stylish, simple, and affordable? Check, check, and check.
These baskets, filled with apples, pears, and walnuts, are reminiscent of an abundant cornucopia. You can use several to create a display that runs down the length of the table.
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Leather Lanterns
leather-trimmed lanterns
Credit: Lennart Weibull
To fill your dining room with golden light, group leather-trimmed lanterns holding beeswax pillars. A trio of varied heights is handsome enough to stand in for a flower arrangement, and comes together in minutes from basic materials: leather strips, brass fasteners, and glass hurricanes.
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Floral Art
romeo and juliet valentines day party table setting with gold candle sticks and glasses of wine
Credit: Billye Donya
A romantic table is set with cream and blush hues, layering brass candlesticks and white tapers, and crystal goblets. Wispy lengths of linens and ribbon in pretty pink and lavender hues make for lovely table runner and napkins.
Overhead, the floral installation is crafted from ethereal elements: baby's breath, skeleton leaves, and ornamental pampas grass.
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Pom-Poms and Luminarias
msw_spring06_pompom.jpg
Joyous bursts of color dance above a table, imparting a cheerful radiance to a dinner party. The dahlia-like pom-poms appear to float in the air; in reality they are hung from the ceiling with monofilament. Below right: Echoing the vibrant hanging puffs, pom-pom napkin rings in citrus shades adorn each place setting. Square glass vessels in various sizes line tables. Covered in sunset-hued tissue (cut to size and secured with double-sided tape), they cast a soft glow.
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Gilded Lanterns and Décor
paper-lanterns-md107776.jpg
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
Gold paper may gleam, but plain brown kraft paper that has been spray-painted looks pretty, too. This lavishly decorated table is set with paper lanterns, which have been embellished with craft punches and spray-painted to shine.
Much of the glamour comes from nothing more than wallpaper, spray paint, and craft punches.
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How to beautifully decorate the festive table - tips from professionals Winter Story
A holiday is always a foretaste of something solemn. In our life, there are many reasons to gather at a beautifully laid table - New Year, Birthday, wedding and many others. Agree that the central exposition of any event should set a certain tone for the event. Let's figure out together how to set the table with taste. We offer a variety of elegant, aesthetic and useful elements with which the dining area will turn into an exquisite work of art.
Table decoration is not just a tablecloth and beautiful dishes with delicacies. Every detail of the serving should give out a festive mood, call to enjoy the meal and draw inspiration from it.
The solemn atmosphere at home and in the restaurant is successfully emphasized by the following attributes:
1. Path to the table
The advantages of this solution - having only one tablecloth in your arsenal, you can experiment with the serving style every time. There are no special requirements for the shade of the track. An openwork fabric on a table with a matching tone will look just as good as contrasting items. There are also sequin nets and themed runners on sale.
2. Napkin rings
No sophisticated feast is complete without such elements as wide textile scarves in a wide variety of shades. When serving, they are placed on a plate or set with a cone near it. The center of the whole composition will be a napkin, the holder of which is decorated with stones or shimmers with the brilliance of precious metals.
3. Decorative vases
Decorating the table with fresh flowers and flower arrangements is a sign of good taste.
For these purposes, an original bottle or glass vase is useful.
4. Candlesticks
Lit decorative candles will add a touch of romance to the festive table setting. They should be placed in the center. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the guests will not be burned by the flame. Secondly, the dancing light will evenly illuminate the space. By the New Year, in our assortment you can find options for table compositions with spruce branches and cones. An evening in retro style will be emphasized by an atmospheric flashlight, and any other celebration will be decorated with dignity by table candles or pillar candles of different sizes. You can arrange them around the table - on the shelves or the portal of the fireplace.
5. Bucket for champagne and wine
Bottle cooler will help keep drinks at the right temperature throughout the feast. If you are going to make cocktails or each guest prefers his own aperitif, then an ice bucket and special tongs will be your salvation.
6. Bottle decor
This decoration is especially relevant in the New Year. In our catalog you will find a Santa Claus costume for a bottle and many other funny cases.
Crockery: sets to create a festive mood
Beautiful table setting involves the use of the same sets of plates, cutlery and containers for drinks. Traditionally, wine glasses, shot glasses and wine glasses should be made of glass. The dishes with edges look spectacular. They reflect the light and thus complement the atmosphere of the celebration.
Don't forget to place a candy bowl and a vase for sweets on the table so that each guest can try a delicious dessert. Such products are usually installed on a thin leg, so they do not take up much space.
Recently, slate dishes have earned special popularity. Black color successfully harmonizes with any sets and tablecloths, and the natural purity of the material emphasizes the eco-style of your holiday. In addition to all kinds of coasters for snacks and fruit racks, slate dishes are widely used for sushi and pizza parties.
Cocktail party: how to decorate the table and space
If you decide to have a youth party, then the set table will only accommodate snacks. You will need wide dishes, coasters, shelves and, of course, attributes for mixing drinks. Better if it's a special set. A cocktail is guaranteed to turn out if you shake the ingredients in a shaker and add ice.
The interior also needs to be styled in a suitable theme. For example, a bottle holder in the shape of a suitcase or a bicycle will save space on the table and decorate the space.
An indispensable attribute of the evening will be a wine set. It often includes:
- airtight stopper;
- thermometer;
- corkscrew;
- dispenser.
Some manufacturers add a tool to mix a cocktail with the wine set. A good quality shaker, by the way, will allow even beginners to experiment with strong drinks. You are guaranteed not to spill a single drop and have a lot of fun!
We also advise you to read:
Battery powered candles in home decor - beauty and safety.
Wax LED candles - the choice of romance and pragmatism.
Fabrics and ribbons for decoration, tips for use.
Summer workshop on decorating the house and garden with electric garlands.
Holiday table decoration. Table setting in pictures | Holiday again!
I wrote about decorating the New Year's table in a separate article, read HERE !
In the next couple of months, I have to organize several home feasts. I wanted something unusual, truly festive and spectacular. So that everyone will say: "Ah ...."
For a long time and carefully considered the table decoration options offered by the world and Russian Internet, chose the most interesting and affordable , now I am happy to share my experience.
Using most of the tips for decorating a festive table for a home party is simply impossible. We have a different mentality. Well, look - a beautiful picture?
Very. WHERE IS THE FOOD?!!!
Candles, flowers, vases, and there is absolutely no place for salads and duck with apples.
Such a table setting is suitable, perhaps, for a romantic evening. Such an event does not imply a plentiful treat, but candles with flowers are just right!
But! I found something useful for myself . For convenience, I grouped the pictures by topic:
- decorating the place for each individual guest
- name cards and gifts
- flowers on the table
- colors
- matching tablecloth
- candles
- wipes
- chair decoration
Now about everything in detail!
Decoration of a place for each individual guest
I put this idea as the first point, since this option for decorating a festive table is most suitable for our family holidays. Why? Just in this case the center of the table remains free for an abundance of treats , and all the nice little things are grouped around each guest's plate . Here he has a personal bouquet, and a candle, and a napkin.
Name cards and gifts
An easy-to-use, pleasant-to-feel trifle for all participants in the feast. Put small souvenirs or sweets in boxes, colorful bags or cardboard envelopes. Let the guests take away a pink box with pistachios in white chocolate, they will remember the time spent with you with pleasure.
Name cards can be not only with the name of the guest, but also with good wishes and photos. This is certainly a wedding tradition, but the idea is quite possible to use for any family holiday .
Cute little gifts on a plate... It's so festive!Flowers on the table
Here I just collected the pictures I liked. It's amazing how many different ways fresh flowers can be used on the table. In many photos, flowers take up too much space, again, where to put the stuffed fish, but you may well peep some idea.
Rose heads in glasses… So romantic!Color range
This, in my opinion, is a very important point.
At an ordinary family dinner, you can put assorted dishes, arrange colorful napkins on a checkered tablecloth and arrange candles that you found in the house. For serving a festive table, this is unacceptable.
I chose several examples with what I think are successful color combinations. We look and we wind on a mustache. Useful at the right time!
The mood of all guests depends on the colors you choose for the holiday!Oh yes! I also noticed that the color connects not only the items on the festive table, but also supports the overall style of the interior.
Tablecloth for the festive table.
To be honest, this question does not seem fundamental to me. The tablecloth looks pompous until the moment when candles-flowers-plates-napkins begin to be pointed at it. It becomes just the background of . We just have to watch so that this background is not too intrusive .
If you plan to use a large number of candles, flowers and figurines on the table, choose a neutral color for the tablecloth.
By the way, if the table for guests is beautiful in itself, you can do without any tablecloths at all. It's also very festive.
Candles
When describing table setting in pictures, you can't do without candles. Yes, beautiful! But!
One New Year's Eve, I recreated a picture in which the decoration of the festive table was full of small candles, placed between dishes on the festive table . Tell me how many people burned wrists, stretching out their hands for salads? Since then, I have come to the conclusion that candles should only be placed in the center of the table, preferably on high candlesticks .
Reasonable approach and caution!Napkins
Personally, I don't use cloth napkins, although, of course, it looks very pompous. If someone is ready to wash and iron linen squares after every family feast, see my article DIY napkin rings - 40 ideas in pictures .
