Creating A Pretty Table Setting Is Easier Than You Thought
Sometimes you just don’t where to begin when even thinking about setting a pretty table. Where to start? What to put on the table? What pulls everything together? Do I need a theme? What do I use for a centerpiece? By following a few simple tips you will be able to pull together a pretty table setting in no time.
My family and I love to sit in our sunroom during the summer months. It is actually a screened in porch. We have a small table there that is perfect for impromptu dinners for the family. It seats four. This is my favorite table to set create a pretty table setting for. Over the years, I’ve come up with my own ideas on how to decorate a table.
How To Set A Pretty Table
Here are my steps to easily create a pretty table setting.
Create A Foundation
Now a foundation is what you will build your table setting on. Such as a table cloth, place mats or a table runner. This foundation will also decide on the colors you will be using for the rest of your accessories.
I try to start with a solid color foundation. No prints, please. A solid background works best when building your table setting. For the table below, I began with a solid blue table cloth.
If you don’t have any foundation pieces, a flat sheet or a piece of fabric does just as well. I have even used cloth napkins as placemats before.
Choose Your Plates
At this point, you should have an idea of what you will be serving to eat. That will help you decide what dinnerware you will be needing.
Naturally, you will need a dinner plate. Will you be serving a salad or soup? Then you would need that piece as well.
For my table setting, I chose a dinner plate and a salad plate. I found these lovely navy blue gingham plates at Home Goods for $10.00. For a set of four. Who could resist? They are made of melamine and my salad plates are stoneware. It doesn’t bother me at all to mix different types of dishes. This is for an informal summer family dinner.
Speaking of dinnerware, I believe you should own at least one set of white dishes. You can do so much more with them. White blends well with other colors. By purchasing just a few different styles of dinner plates or salad plates, you could really change up your table by mixing them with the white dishes.
Chargers
The white chargers appear in all my table settings. They go with everything. I got them at Pier 1 years ago. Layer a charger then the dinner plate topped with either a salad plate or soup bowl for a pretty table setting. I think the more layers a table has, the prettier it is. You could skip the charger and layer two different size dinner plates.
Glasses
Water goblets are so pretty with the short stems. They can be casual or fancy. I use an informal set of water goblets.
Stemmed glasses dresses up a table setting. You could opt for any type of glass. Colored glass would be nice for setting a pretty table, too. Or even etched glasses. Lots of possibilities with inexpensive glasses.
Flatware
This would be another item to consider what you will be serving. A full set of forks and knives plus spoons is unnecessary if you aren’t serving many courses. I kept my flatware simple with only a fork and knife.
Napkins
Napkins are a staple. To really create a pretty table, use cloth napkins. This is another item, I would recommend getting a set of white napkins. World Market sells lots of colors of napkins including white at a great price. With white napkins, you can layer two different napkins for an entirely new look.
Centerpiece For A Pretty Table Setting
Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers are my choice for a centerpiece for a table. Especially during spring and summer. I gathered a few hydrangeas blooms from my garden and put them in small, footed bowl. Then placed the bowl on top of a drink dispenser pedestal to bring just enough height without it being in conversation way.
A cluster of candles would be a very pretty centerpiece. As would a statuette or piece of pottery. Go shop your home for some interesting pieces. I made a wooden box that I fill with different items for a centerpiece. It is one of my favorite decor pieces.
One thing to note, do not use a tall center piece. Keep the centerpiece short. It’s bad when you can’t see the person across the table because the centerpiece is in the way. Kind of defeats the purpose of bringing beauty to a table when it only becomes a distraction.
I like to add small trinkets or votive candles to fill any empty spaces. This also adds visual interest to the table. For this table, I grabbed some small candle holders from another decor piece and placed battery operated tea lights inside. Then added one to the top of each place setting.
Think outside the box. Use bits and pieces from other things to create the look you want.
Color
Lastly, you could decide on a color scheme. By choosing your items to fit your color scheme, you will create an impact.
For this table I used blue and white. I think by using only two colors in this table setting, it makes a definite wow factor.
Decide on a theme or color scheme will bring continuity to your table setting. Not only it is prettier to look at, but you will find it easier to pick out things that go together easier when it fits into your theme or color.
If you like blue, come see my post on my favorite Easter table setting.
The Steps To Creating A Pretty Table Setting
- Foundation
- Plates and Chargers
- Glasses
- Flatware and Napkins
- Centerpiece
When listed together, the steps are very doable. Not at all over whelming. Give it a try. I think you will wow your family.
