As the nights close in we’ll be spending more time indoors. The season of dinner parties begins and dare I say it we are starting to thing about the biggest feast of the year… Christmas. An elegant table setting is a talking point at parties. What's your dinner table style? Discover how to style a dinner table for your perfect party.
How to style a dinner table - The Essentials
The Table
When thinking of how to style a dinner table, the materials it is made of and the size are a good starting point. For example a wooden table is perfect for a rustic style home dinner party.
To create a more elegant formal setting cover it with a table cloth or use a table runner. The size of the table is important in designing how it will be decorated. Is your table big enough for guests to serve themselves at the table? Make sure guests have enough room to manoeuvre and avoid cluttering the space up with too many decorations such as candles and centrepieces.
Similarly if the serving dishes will be jostling for space, serve the guests their plates individually. This way all that needs to take up space on the table, alongside your centrepiece, is the condiments.
The Centre piece
The table centrepiece is a talking point. Flowers and candles and always winners. Make sure that the centrepiece is below the eye height of your guests. There is nothing more annoying than trying to talk around a bunch of flowers at a table.
If you like large floral displays then use a slender tall cocktail vase. This puts the flower display above the guests heads and leaves the see through glass on the table.
Alternatively use several small floral displays made using tea lights and small flower vases to get around this problem. They are also easier for guests to move around when there are serving dishes on the table.
The Crockery, Cutlery and Glassware
For a formal dinner party follow the traditional place setting as in this illustration. Place the starter plate on top of the dinner plate. Place cutlery beside the plate working by course from the outside in.
This illustration includes a spoon on the right hand side for a soup course. In France the dessert fork is traditionally replaced by a cheese knife. There would also be an extra glass making three for white wine, red wine and water. Depending on what you’re serving you can add fish knifes, finger bowls or steak knifes etc.
What’s your dinner party style.
Do you love an elegant soiree with the finest foods and wines in suitably swish surroundings? Is your style more fun loving bringing a unique sense of colour and style. Perhaps you prefer a rustic table surrounded by friends and family with hearty homestyle cooking. Take a look at these stylish tables to inspire your next dinner party.
Bright and Breezy
Get some colour in your life with a laid-back colourful table brimming with boho style.
A Luxury Formal Dinner Table
A classic table with a hint of luxury. Formal place settings, matching floral arrangements and golden cutlery create a luxurious, elegant dining table style.
Vintage White
Beautiful white porcelain, elegant linen and a timeless traditional style. Simple white brings style to any table rustic or modern.
Designer Glamour
Turn up the Hollywood glitz and glam. Bold colour and pattern with designer plates and golden cutlery. Beautifully styled here by the lovely Jenny from Seasons in Colour.
Modern Eclectic
Mix it up with mix and match furnishings and beautifully crafted patterned plates. 2017 trending colours of blush pink and gold. feature against a backdrop of a Scandinavian style bare blond wood table and industrial metal furniture.
Traditional Table
An elegant heirloom dinner service and hints of gold create a traditional luxury table setting reminiscent of a grand country house.
For more tips on styling your home for the perfect dinner date or party, contact Create Perfect and ask about styling services.
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