Table Setting Themes: Dress Your Table to Impress

Whether you’re hosting an elegant high tea event or just having a few friends come over for dinner, it’s always a good idea to have a theme in mind for your table setting. A well set table will enhance the entire dining experience.

You can mix and match your tableware for a fun and colourful affair – perfect for tapas and dining with children! You can use your tableware to complement your interior aesthetic – maybe classic blue and white for a Hamptons theme, or matte black dinner sets for a minimalist setting. Or you can use your table setting to create a mood for your dining event.

We’re going to be focusing on that last one here, so let’s get to it – here are three ways to dress your tablescape to impress!

 

Smart Casual

Everyone’s favourite going-out attire! In terms of dining, this sort of style can be used in both a relaxed and a more formal setting. No matter the kind of dining event you’re hosting, you can’t go wrong with classic white dinner sets. But, as beautiful as they are, sometimes plain white dinner sets can feel a little bit … boring!

For a modern take on a classic table setting, choose white dinnerware with clean colour accents. A contrasting black or coloured rim exudes contemporary style while subtle blue patterning is perfect for achieving a Hamptons or Scandi-inspired vibe!

Square-shaped dinner plates also make a nice alternative to traditional round dinner plates. They still have the timeless sophistication of your classic white dinner sets, but offer something a little more striking to create a point of difference at your table setting.

For your cutlery, silver-toned stainless steel works in any setting. But again, if you want to create a point of difference, why not try cutlery with a different finish, like pewter or matte black or even copper? Like their silver counterparts, these finishes can easily bridge casual and refined dining occasions.

Lastly, the glassware. Keep your wine glasses and tumblers simple but elegant, with clean, smooth surfaces rather than embellished crystalware and cut-glass detailing. Classic glassware like this will see you through any dining occasion, from cheeky after work drinks to romantic soirees!

Fancy Dress

Here’s where you pull out your finest china and shiny silverware. Maybe you’re hosting an engagement party, or an elegant high tea event. Whatever the special occasion , you can help make it feel even more special with the right tableware.

Bone china dinner sets are, of course, perfect for this sort of style. There’s just something about the delicate look and feel of bone china that radiates elegance, more than porcelain or other materials. You can opt for crisp white china plates or perhaps something with a little patterned detailing for something a bit more exciting.

No fancy dining event would be complete without a fine wine, so you’ll want to make sure you’re drinking these fine wines in equally fine crystalware! Go all out with sparkling glassware with intricate cut details in the surface. Did you know the shape of your glass can impact the flavour of your wine (or other alcoholic beverage)? For the optimal experience, it’s important to shop around a bit to find the right shaped glass for the right type of drink!

A few gold accents here and there won’t go astray, either! Gold rims on dinner plates, gold handles on serving trays, or even gold finishes on your cutlery can add instant opulence to your table setting.

Laidback Luxe

Natural materials are essential to mastering this look. Serving boards, platters, and even salad servers made of natural timbers like mango wood in rich, deep tones are a perfect place to start.

Opt for placemats and table runners made of natural fibres, like jute and water hyacinth, for the ultimate relaxed, coastal look.

Linen tablecloths and napkins with frayed edges are also perfect for achieving that homely, earthy feel.

And finally, look for stoneware dinner sets with dimpled or textured surfaces, speckled or crackled glazes, and uneven edges. Perfectly imperfect pieces with an artisanal or handmade look and feel work best here.