There is an abundance of inspiration and content available on how to design a tablescape and create a memorable dinner. Where social media often makes everything seem more extravagant and unattainable than it is, and if you’re anything like me, if I can’t do it perfectly, then I don’t want to do it at all. However, despite what your favourite influencer or blog may suggest, you don’t need to buy anything new to create a beautiful table setting. You can use whatever you have at home with a little creativity and finesse!
Just this past weekend, I had my parents over for a barbecue. Although the plans were made in advance, a busy week crept up on me, and I had to quickly put something together that didn’t look like an afterthought. If you find yourself in a similar situation or are just starting to explore tablescape design, here are some tips and ideas to help you make the most of what you already have.
Start with collecting everything you already have
Before you get ahead of yourself and start picturing what you want your table to look like, start by gathering all the foundation elements of your tablescape, like your serving dishes and dinnerware, cutlery and utensils, napkins or linens, whether everyday or special occasion and any other tabletop accessories you may have like placemats or napkin rings. Then, go through your home and look for anything else that could work as an additional decoration for your table or centrepiece, like:
- Fresh, dry, or fake fruit or vegetables
- Candles of any kind (votive, contained, pillar etc.)
- Fresh, dry, or fake flowers
- Small houseplants like potted flowers or succulents
- Small decorative objects
- Vases, trays, and bowls
In my home, I was able to collect the following items I had on hand:
- A classic white set of contemporary stoneware dinnerware with grey speckle accents and a band of bisque around the rim by Scott Living. I use these as my everyday plates since my house is small and has limited space for multiple dinnerware sets.
- A 5-piece and 6-piece modular serving dish set from Crate and Barrel, my go-to entertaining tools that can be used together or separately for whatever I’m serving.
- Four hometrends Tan Border Placemats from Walmart that were gifted to me a few years ago.
- Fresh flowers I received from my husband earlier in the week and a few potted succulents that I had placed around my home.
- A few vases and bud vases I’ve collected over the years.
- A collection of clear votives I had left over from my wedding decorations and some contained candles I found on the open shelving in my home office.
- Gold feathered pattern paper napkins from, honestly, I can not remember!
- Silver everyday cutlery
Eliminate items and pick a theme
I know what you’re thinking: “I just spent an hour collecting all of this, and now you want me to put it back? What was the point of that?” Well, out of sight, out of mind. Laying everything out helps you see what you have readily available and makes it easier to draw connections and spot similarities in style and color. For example, I only have one set of dinnerware, cutlery, and placemats, all with neutral undertones and modern lines. Knowing our menu was simple—hamburgers and hotdogs—and that we planned to eat outside on our low-to-the-ground, contemporary Palmore Brown Wicker Patio Set, I quickly realized that my leftover elegant wedding decorations and tall floral arrangement wouldn’t fit the vibe. This helped me eliminate those options and focus on the items that would actually work for the occasion.
Put it all together
With the table decor you have left from the elimination phase, it’s time to start experimenting and putting things together—in other words, the fun and creative part! Begin by placing your must-haves and foundational items, such as your placemats, dinnerware, glassware, and cutlery. Starting with these essentials will help you create a solid base to build upon, where you can add decorative elements and see how they look. Place and remove items as often as you need until you strike a balance you’re happy with, and don’t forget to add a centrepiece or focal point to your table.
For my finished table, I chose to use two of my potted succulent plants and a small black candle to fit into the modern yet casual aesthetic of the rest of the table. However, to give it a more polished and elevated look, instead of placing the napkin to the left of the table setting where it traditionally goes, I put it under the salad bowl at an angle, making it feel more intentional and elevated. While not a significant detail or change, it’s small movements like this that can make all the difference.
Don’t overthink it
Hosting a dinner party is meant to be fun! A curated tablescape adds a nice touch to any event, but it doesn’t need to be perfect, excessive, or lavish to make it memorable for your guests. The right company will appreciate any effort you put in, and they won’t be able to tell whether the table decor is new or repurposed from somewhere else in your home. Trust me!
Ready to put together a last-minute tablescape with what you have at home? We want to see your creativity! Share yours with us on social media: togetherscapes on Instagram.
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