By allowing your dining table to be mostly free of decorations and clutter, you can use the space for more than just eating! You can use wax or another product with a glossy finish to keep your table gleaming and looking great.
For example, if your chairs have blue cushions and your curtains are white, choose a table runner that includes blue and white. Swap out the tablecloth or table runner based on the season or holiday. A table runner can add a pop of color to a glass table.
For a contemporary feel, put a metal or clay sculpture in the middle of the table. The centerpiece shouldn’t be too tall, though! If it is, make sure you can easily move it out of the way when serving dinner or entertaining guests.
During the holidays, put string lights in the jars with glass ornaments to create a festive look. Put several jars in a row or on a tray in the middle of the table. Fill them with twigs or flowers for a rustic look.
You can choose to have the vase be the focal point or use a variety of colors and shapes of flowers to create a unique arrangement. Simple greenery, like Baby’s Breath or succulents, also look great. If you have a long table, consider using 3 or 5 smaller vases of flowers and spreading them out in a line down the middle of the table.
Put fruit in a wooden bowl for a pop of color and for healthy snacks on the run. An inexpensive alternative is to fill the bowl with scented pinecones, stones, or potpourri.
For a formal dinner or other special occasion, a table runner with hints of gold or silver helps create an elegant look. If you appreciate a modern style, a simple white or other neutral color runner will accentuate a minimalist feel. You can also match the tablecloth to the season. For summer, choose bright hues of blue, green, and yellow. For fall, go for warm colors like reds and oranges.
Make sure the centerpiece won’t obstruct the guests’ views. Place the centerpiece and sit down in one of the chairs to test if it blocks your view of the other side of the table. For a formal occasion, tall candles create a romantic mood. Place them in the spaces on the table runner where guests aren’t looking across the table. If you are using a circular table, cluster items of different sizes and heights in the center of the table to add variety. For a more eclectic look, place tea-light candles in between the other items.
For a bohemian look, put small twigs, pinecones, and rocks on the table runner or in the center of the table cloth. To celebrate the holidays, add small green and red glass ball ornaments. Top it off with soft white string lights.
If your tablecloth already has a pattern, choose placemats that are a solid color to make sure they don’t clash. You don’t need a table runner if you use placemats, as they will provide plenty of pattern and decor. Linen placemat holders are always a great addition to a table when you want to make it fancier, giving it a very European vibe. [7] X Expert Source Karen ParzialeHome Stager & Interior Designer Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
Pick out a common color between your table runner and placemats. Choose plate ware that also contains this color.
If you are hosting a more formal event, place the salad fork to the left of the regular fork and the dessert utensils above the plate with the handle aiming to the left. Add some flair by pulling the napkins through decorative napkin rings and placing them on top of the empty plates.