Most people believe you need a special occasion to style up a dining table. But that’s totally not the case. Whether your casually entertaining friends, enjoying a Sunday family or hosting a small intimate dinner party, you can bring to life a beautiful dining table.
Here are some tips on styling a dining table, whether formal or informal dining, or even a breakfast bar…
1. Setting the Space
To really enjoy a meal, it’s important to have a feeling of space and tranquility around you, so ensure that the space you’re dining in, is clean and inviting.
Clear away any clutter, dust and vacuum as required. If you’re dining area is outdoors, then make sure the table doesn’t get direct sunlight and is protected from the wind.
2. Laying the Tablecloth
Before laying your tablecloth, cover the table with a thick protector cloth. This will also provide some comfort to your guests when resting their arms on the table and help to dampen noise. Next, choose your tablecloth. Consider the shape and size of your table, the season, and any theme your dinner party may have. If you have a round table, your tablecloth should always be square.
Make sure the corners of the tablecloth cover part of the table’s legs. Ideally, your tablecloth should hang down 20 to 40 centimetres from the table.
Tip: To style up the look, go for a contrast of prints and patterns on your table, such using a plain tablecloth with contrasting napkins in bold graphic patterns, featuring eye-catching napkin rings or using ombre layering of one colour from light to dark.
3. Setting Your Dinnerware
Prior to setting your table, select the proper utensils and dishes for your each course in the meal. At the centrepiece of each guest’s place setting use a charger plate. This is a large dish that goes beneath each of the plates the courses are brought out on.
The second dish that you should have is the butter/bread plate. This will be placed up and to the left of the charger. Your cloth napkin should be placed on top of the charger plate.
4. Arranging Silverware
Select your silverware according to what is being served. For instance, a serrated steak knife for red meat, a fish knife and any accessories needed to eat shellfish, and so on.
The pieces can align at the top or the bottom, depending on the effect you want. Then, make sure you place forks on the left, knives on the right, and the cheese knife and dessert spoon at the top of the plate, between it and the glassware.
5. Placing Glassware
Glassware should always be arranged at each place setting above the knife. They can either be aligned in a row or set in a triangle formation. For easier handling, place the largest and tallest glass on the inside. For example, from the inside to the outside, set glasses for red wine, white wine and water.
Tip: Explore different shapes and sizes of glassware to change the mood of your dining setting.
6. Folding Napkins
There are so many unique and stylish ways to fold your napkins, so you can really have fun with this. For an elegant stylish table always use cloth napkins and if you have neutral toned tableware, then napkins are an easy way to add a pop of colour to brighten up your table.
7. Add Condiments
Distribute condiments around the table so everyone can easily reach them. You can set bread, butter, salt and other condiments in small ramekins or decorative plates for an attractive table. Also, don’t forget finger bowls if your guests are likely to be eating with their hands.
8. Add Fresh Decorative Elements
There are plenty of creative and colourful lays to inject some life and love into a dining table. Fresh flowers is always a great way to do this.
Also, instead of cluttering up table space with a large centrepiece, place a few small vases filled with fresh flowers along the table. This always looks great, is more cost effective than a large centrepiece and effectively divides the space for the meal.
Fruit is another great way to infuse pops of colour and style into your table decorating. Try bowls of oranges, lemons and limes to dress your table.
9. Styling for the Season
Styling your table according to the season or for a special occasion really makes it feel and look special. Use events like Christmas, Easter and birthdays as an excuse to add some fun ideas and bold colours to your dining table and experiment with different setting and decorating styles.