The Art of Layering a Table: Create a Stunning Tablescape for Any Occasion
Setting a table can feel overwhelming, but with some planning and simple guidelines, you can effortlessly create a beautiful and welcoming table for any occasion.
In this post, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of setting a formal table and share tips on how to personalize your setting to suit the occasion and reflect your own style.
Whether hosting an intimate dinner party for close friends or elevating a family meal, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about setting the perfect table.
Setting a table can feel overwhelming, but with a bit of planning and a few simple guidelines, you can effortlessly create a beautiful and welcoming table for any occasion.
BIG TIP! Do not place your centerpiece on your table first. Once you place all of the items on your table, you will find that the remaining real estate in the center of your table will be either larger or smaller than you expected. Most often, I have found that the center is smaller than expected. That will help you plan for how large or small your centerpiece should be. Also, I often use the centerpiece to carry the colors of the entire tablescape. If the table needs to be softened a bit or needs a pop of color, I will use the centerpiece to create that look and feel.
The centerpiece creates the mood of the tablescape. Its style helps to set the look and feel of the entire design.
Once you have gathered all of your supplies, you can follow these steps to set your table.
Here are the steps on how to layer a table to create a beautiful tablescape:
Initial Thanksgiving theme for this holiday table. I chose autumn colors and fowl salad plates to highlight the theme.
This is the first of my foundational and theme mood board. It’s always a good idea to bring the colors and other items you are thinking of using to see if they will all go together.
Set the foundation and choose a theme. The foundation of your tablescape is the tablecloth and/or table runner. This will set the tone for the rest of your table setting. If you're going for a formal look, a white or ivory tablecloth is often chosen. You could use a colorful table runner or a patterned tablecloth for more interest and texture. A theme will keep you on track with your design. It sets the look and feel of your table, whether holiday-themed, outdoor luncheon or any other type of dining experience you have in mind.
Tablecloths and runners are used to bring in texture and pattern.
“Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.
”
Add a charger. A charger is a larger dish, fabric, or placemat that goes under the dinner plate. It adds a layer of texture and color to your tablescape. You can choose a charger that matches your tablecloth or table runner or a different color or pattern to add some contrast.
I used two types of chargers—a very textured mat and then added a gold charger to elevate the look for more formal dining.
Set the plates. Once you have your foundation and charger in place, it's time to set the plates. For a formal meal, you'll want to start with a salad plate, followed by a dinner plate, and then a dessert plate. For a more casual meal, you could just use a dinner plate and a dessert plate.
Napkins were added on top of the plates before adding my salad plate. This is one way of using cloth napkins on a formal tablescape. The napkins are the same color as some of the colors found in the runner and accent plates.
Accent plates are a great way to highlight a theme. Here I added a plate along with an additional accent plate.
There are three sets of plates. There is a dinner, salad, and dessert plate. The dessert plate is used as my accent plate. These fowl designs were my initial inspiration for this table. You find most of the colors on this tablescape come from the colors of the plates.
“The art of dining well is no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure; neither the greatest captains nor the greatest philosophers have disdained the use or science of eating well.
”
Add silverware. Silverware should be placed to the right of the plates, in the order it will be used. You'll need a salad fork, a dinner fork, a knife, and a dessert spoon for a formal meal. For a more casual meal, you could use a dinner fork and a knife.
Set the glasses. Glasses should be placed to the right of the silverware, in the order that they will be used. For a formal meal, you'll need a water glass, a white wine glass, and a red wine glass. For a more casual meal, you could just use a water glass.
After looking at my foundational design, I saw that it was darker than I wanted. Although I love the textures, colors, and patterns, it just didn’t feel right to me yet. I wanted a warm yet delicate design that would have an elegance to it. Before adding my centerpiece, this is the time when I look to see what I need to set the tone of my table design.
This is when the centerpiece and other design details comes into play. With just a few additional elements, it can change the whole look for your tablescape.
I added some fruits to my table to pick up some of the colors from my tablecloth, runner, and accent plates.
Add a centerpiece. A centerpiece is the finishing touch on your tablescape. It can be anything from a simple vase of flowers to a more elaborate arrangement. Just make sure it's not too tall or bulky so it doesn't block people's view of each other.
This was my initial place card. I simply made them from some paper I had. They had a beautiful gold moving through the paper.
Add place cards (optional). Place cards are a great way to identify each guest's place at the table. They can be simple or elaborate, depending on your preference.
This tablescape could easily have become way too dark using browns and oranges, but I chose flowers that would pick up the lighter tones of the accent plates. Light pinks, cream, and green hues helped add a softness to the table and lighten up the overall tone. The plates are also very light which also lightens up the tablescape.
Here are some additional tips for layering a table:
Use different textures and patterns to create interest.
Don't be afraid to mix and match colors.
Add some height to your tablescape with candles, flowers, or other objects.
Keep the centerpiece simple so that it doesn't block people's view of each other.
Pay attention to the details. A well-layered tablescape is all about the details.
“Be able to set a table so that you feel like you’re dining, not just sitting and eating.
”
To learn more about how to host a holiday dinner, click on my link to my blog:
The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Holiday Dinner
How To Layer A Table and Create A Themed Design
How to set a table - negative space in the middle
There is an art to layering a table. With some planning and creativity, you can easily layer a table to create a beautiful tablescape that impresses your guests.
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining, my friends!
Mary
Warm lighting using votives and pillar candles
