How to Flawlessly Dress your Dining Table
Whether graciously hosting guests or simply serving the regular dinner crowd, your dining table is the beating heart of your dining area – so let’s dress it up for the occasion!
Now, you may be wondering how to decorate your dining table - after all, what more is there really to do than pick up a few plates and lay out the cutlery? Well, there are actually so many different ways you can bring glitz and glam to your dining table, to really wow your guests!
So, let’s get started on our top five tips to flawlessly dress your dining table.
1. Begin with a theme
Picking a theme is the best place to start when creating your dream dining table set-up. You can then use this theme to pick out the perfect pieces for your table.
The world really is your oyster here! Maybe you’ve always fancied bringing a bit of cottage core to your dining room, or perhaps you’d prefer a modern motif. But no matter which theme you choose, we recommend choosing something you love, rather than a short-lived trend. Investing in tableware and decor can be costly, so it’s best to pick things you’ll love for the long haul.
However, the perfect times to get creative with your dining table dressing are big seasonal events. We’re talking about the likes of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentines’ Day, Easter and even Hallowe’en - exciting themed holidays that provide the perfect time to switch up your dining table styling and keep things fun!
Implementing cottage style decor
Modern Living Room Ideas
Christmas dining table ideas
2. Lay your tablecloth
So, we’ve sorted your theme, but what’s next? Well, we suggest covering your table with a lovely tablecloth.
Adding a covering to your dining table set-up creates the perfect backdrop for the rest of your dining table bits and bobs. What’s more, these lovely pieces also protect your table from messy mishaps like soup splashes or burger blotches, and make cleanup easy – two perks for the price of one!
In terms of finding the right style for you, a black tablecloth with white edging is the perfect sleek covering for a modern look, while nothing says biophilic better than a tablecloth adorned with floral prints. And for a countryside cottage core, a simple white lace covering is just the delicate tablecloth you need.
3. Invest in some luxurious crockery
With the basics done and dusted, we can look at the larger dining table set-up pieces, such as stylish crockery to plate up all those delicious meals!
Of course, the essentials here are dinner plates, as well as bowls for pastas or soups. But if you really want to get fancy with it, then pick up some side plates, serving platters and dip pots too. These are perfect for serving up warm bread and oils for guests to snack on before the main event!
Darker coloured crockery is great at keeping scuffs from knives and forks hidden, and the likes of black or grey plates and bowls work a treat for a modern dining table set-up. For a biophilic look, a dark sage green hue follows that natural colour palette, but there’s nothing wrong with branching out to some glossy white plates to match a coquette style. And while many people prefer plain solid coloured crockery, there’s no reason you have to stick to that - if patterns or fancy glaze effects are your thing, go for it!
Sage green design ideas
Choosing a colour scheme
Implement a coquette style in your home
4. Get some placemats and coasters
Underneath all this gorgeous dining table styling is your lovely table, which you need to keep in tip-top condition.
Enter placemats and coasters – the perfect home accessory to ward off scuffs and spillages! Heat from hot dinner plates, condensation from chilled glasses, and the havoc caused by messy eaters is no concern of yours with these dining table styling pieces.
And the best thing is, coasters and placemats are available in so many materials - from faux leather and slate, to practical wipe-clean options. You can even find these made from rolled up rope, which offers a rustic style that works a charm for both a coastal appeal and a lush Lakes’ cottage style. Or perhaps you’re decorating your dining table to match the pretty-in-pink world of Barbie instead. Well, you simply must go for glittery pink placemats and coasters here!
Accessories
Pretty-in-pink design ideas
Bring relaxing beach vibes to your home
5. Create a warm atmosphere
With the table set, it’s time to add those finishing touches to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere – after all, it’s the little things that show you really care!
Let’s start with some flowers in a vase as a refreshing centrepiece for your dining table set-up. You can switch these up depending on the season to keep your dining table styling on trend. Think sunflowers for summer and roses mixed in with holly and pine cones for winter!
Lastly, let the gentle flicker of a candle bathe your table in a soft and warm glow, as the final touch to your dining table set-up. We recommend opting for LED candles here, especially if there are little ones to consider, but just remember to blow out the flame if you do go with real candles!
And that’s all – you’ve got all the wisdom you need to start decorating your dining table for those swanky soirees! But before you treat your guests to a tasty meal, why not first treat yourself to a new dining table set with matching cosy dining chairs? After all, now you’re a dining table styling guru yourself, you’ll have all the know how to get your new table looking lush!
And if you’re looking for more styling tips to get your dinner table guest-ready, then we’ve got guides for everything from a maximalist motif to a vintage vibe - just head over to our inspiration hub!
