Decorating Ideas for a Table

Are you looking for some decorating ideas for a table? Then look no further. We have ideas for dressing your table up, dressing your table down, and everything in between. Table setting can be a lot of fun, and the perfect table setting is sure to wow your guests. These table decorating ideas will have you on your way to table setting glory.

Table Decorating - The Basics

Before you get to the good stuff in any decorating or interior design project, you have to get some of the boring basics out of the way. This is especially true of table decorating, because you have a limited space that has to look good AND be functional. Answer these basic questions to get your table decorating project off on the right foot:

• What size is your table? - If you’re going to be buying new table linens, you need the measurements of your table. If you’re going to be adding the leaf to the table, make sure you measure with the leaf in place before you start buying up tablecloths.

• What shape is your table? - When buying table linens, you need to make sure you are buying ones cut to fit the exact shape of your table - oblong, round, rectangular, square and so on. If your table is especially awkward to fit or if you don’t see the linens you like in the shape you need, you can buy a larger size of a similar shape and make it work. For instance, a large round table cloth can work on an oblong table.

• What will you be serving? - If you plan to serve your food family style, so that the plates must be passed around often, then large candle displays aren’t going to work. Likewise, consider how many plates and glasses will need to be on the table for the meal, so you don’t over decorate and fail to leave any room for the food itself.

• Who will you be serving? - Will guests be adults only or will children be in the mix? If you will have kids at the table, beware using your best linens and china and make sure you décor is kid friendly.

• Do you want a formal or casual table? - Formal doesn’t have to mean stuffy and casual doesn’t have to mean unkempt. Either type of table decorating can be a winner; your choice is a matter of personal preference. Deciding in advance which way you want to go, however, will make it easier to narrow down the decorating ideas.

Decorating Ideas for a Table

Now that you have the basics out of the way, you can focus on picking your favorite decorating ideas for a table. Give these ideas a whirl to get your creative juices flowing:

• Forget the tablecloth - If you have a beautiful wooden table that you want to show off, as long as it is covered in a protective sealant, you can skip the tablecloth and let the table shine through. Simply go for place mats at each chair to protect your table from the heat of the plates. This idea works best if you don’t plan to have serving dishes on the table - otherwise, each dish would require a hot pad which would detract from the simple elegance of the look.

• Go two-toned - Color can be a great way to inject some life into your table, but overdoing it can distract people from the food. A good way to use color is to choose two and repeat them through your table decor. Look for linens and dishes that show off the colors, and add accessories that incorporate them as well.

• Pick a theme - Are you serving a Japanese inspired meal, or is your menu filled with tropical flairs? Then build your table decorating around the theme of your menu. Look for Asian inspired dishes (these can found relatively inexpensively at stores like Marshall’s and Target or liven your table up with the colors of the tropics.

• Think centerpiece - For a really great table, you can stop sweating all of the other details and simply focus on having an eye catching centerpiece. Your centerpiece can incorporate any number of items, from glass bubbles and flowers to candles and plants. As a general rule of thumb, stay away from scented candles or strongly scented flowers - they detract from the taste of your food. Also, don’t create a centerpiece so large it obstructs the line of vision across the table, so people can chat easily.

• Kid design - If there are going to be a lot of children around your table, consider decorating the table specifically for them. Instead of a traditional tablecloth, use a piece of butcher’s paper or glue/stitch together multi-colored sheets of construction paper. Tie a few crayons together with a nice piece of string and place them by each guest’s place setting, and then encourage everyone to have fun drawing on your “tablecloth.”

Your Ideas

What are your best table decorating tips? What have you done that has worked well, and what hasn’t? Leave a comment and share you personal design inspiration.

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