Are you are going to spend time cooking a special meal to celebrate Easter? It’s only fitting that the table where you break bread with your family and friends be just as special as the meal you prepare. Do you drool over beautiful table settings featured in magazines and on Pinterest? Does setting a beautiful table seem intimidating? Do you feel like it’s just too overwhelming? Not sure where to begin?
Setting a beautiful table is easy when you have a simple formula to follow. No matter what holiday or occasion, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, keeping these simple elements in mind will make setting a beautiful table almost effortless.
- Choose a tight color pallet
- Incorporate texture
- Layers add interest
- Add shimmer and sparkle
- Mix & match rustic & refined elements
- Add drama with height
Stick to a tight color pallet:
To create a cohesive, pulled together designer look stick to a tight color pallet. Look at how the table can easily transition from one holiday look to another just by changing up the color pallet. Rich autumn jewel tones for Thanksgiving, deep rich reds for the Christmas holiday and softer spring pastels for the perfect Easter table.
Using a table cloth is an easy way to establish a color pallet and it’s the perfect base to setting an elegant table. Use colors from the table cloth in the other elements on the table.
TIP: Thrift stores are a great place to find table linens and dishes for very little money.
Let’s start from the bottom up, step by step. You can do this, I promise!
Incorporate texture:
Add texture to the table for a more sumptuous look. It adds interest to the table without having to use anything kitschy or cutesy. Texture will add interest and dimension to the table.
Use nubby fabrics like burlap, and woven place mats to add texture. No need to go out and purchase expensive items for the table; these woven placemats are my everyday placemats.
TIP: Use what you already have. Use your everyday items in a creative way.
Layers add interest:
Layering is easy to do and creates a much more interesting table. Start with a table cloth, and add a runner. Use natural fibers like cotton, linen and burlap instead of manmade fibers.
Add woven placemats. Not enough placemats? No worries, let the table runner serve as a placemat at the head and foot of the table.
Top placemats with a charger. You can pick up inexpensive chargers at the Dollar store. Don’t worry about their color, it’s easy to change up the color with a little spray paint.
Next add a dinner plate and silverware at each place setting.
TIP: Do you have trouble remembering what side of the plate the fork, knife and spoon are supposed to go? The word “left” has four letters. Silverware with four letters like fork go on the left. The word “right” has five letters. You guessed it, silverware with five letters like spoon and knife go on the right side of the plate.
Add a small plate for bread at each place setting. This is optional but if you have small plates this is a nice touch to add. It leaves your guests additional room on their dinner plate for more food.
Add stemware to each place setting. Stemmed glasses not only add height to the table setting but they also add instant elegance. Add a water goblet to each place setting. Nobody has to know that they are from the Dollar store. If you are lucky and have some heirloom stemware, be sure to pull them out for the holidays. I inherited some beautiful silver goblets from my mother in law and I love adding them to the table for special occasions.
Complete each place setting with a cloth napkin.
If you don’t have napkin rings just place a folded napkin at each place setting or tie a length of jute twine around a napkin. Tuck in a sprig of fresh rosemary, or wildflower, and a cinnamon stick for a simple, understated, elegant touch. Remember, adding elegance doesn’t have to be expensive.
Don’t pay for overpriced napkin rings when you can make them yourself for just pennies. Read how easy it is to make your own using just a few simple household items and a hot glue gun here.
Add shimmer and sparkle:
Add some sparkle to your table with candles. Whether you are using pillar candles, votives or candlesticks, nothing adds a sense of elegance to a table like candlelight.
Keep your eyes peeled the next time you are at your favorite thrift store. I bet you won’t have any trouble finding candleholders for just pennies. Over the years I have collected quite an assortment of crystal candlesticks that look lovely on the table. Crystal adds a lovely sparkle, instant elegance and works with any color scheme.
Mix & match rustic & refined elements:
The juxtaposition of rustic elements like the burlap table runner and woven placemats paired with fine china, silver goblets and crystal candlesticks creates a visually pleasing contrast. The rustic elements keep the table from looking too stuffy and formal, while the fine china, silver and crystal elevate the rustic elements.
It’s an unexpected mash-up of rustic and refined. It creates visual tension that is unexpected and somehow works wonderfully. You don’t have to break the bank setting the table with all high end expensive items to achieve a high end lovely designer look.
Add drama with height:
Adding height to the table adds instant drama. Height can easily be added with a lovely centerpiece. Choose a centerpiece such as a ceramic sculpture, a bouquet of fresh flowers or a grouping of candles. Whatever you choose to add, just be sure that your guests will be able to see each other across the table.
Candles are perfect for adding height to the table, they won’t block anyone’s view and still allow guests to easily see each other.
Candles won’t stand up straight in your candleholder? Don’t toss out those short little candle stubs. Light one to melt wax, tilt and drip a few drops of wax onto the end of a candle taper or into the candlestick. Place the candle into the candlestick and hold the candle in place until the wax cools. This will secure the candle in the candlestick, keep it standing up straight, and prevent it from tipping over.
Things to avoid when setting an elegant table:
- Overly cute, themed items like bunny rabbits and plastic Easter eggs.
- Cheap looking plastic items; plates, cups, utensils, decorative items.
- Using too many small items will make your table look cluttered.
- Paper plates, paper towels or paper napkins.
- Plastic tablecloths.
Setting a beautiful table shouldn’t cause you loads of stress and doesn’t have to cost a lot either. You now have the tools you need to do it beautifully. Don’t wait till the last minute to set the table, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. I like to set the table a couple days beforehand. That way I have plenty of time to play around with the arrangement until I am happy with the way it looks. It’s so much easier to have fun with it when you are not pressed for time.
And one last thing…if you are going to go to all the trouble of setting a pretty table, be sure to iron the table cloth and napkins. Nothing will ruin the look of a pretty table than setting the table with wrinkled napkins and a wrinkled tablecloth.
But most importantly, have fun with this. With a little planning you will be able to relax and spend time with those you love, enjoying a lovely holiday meal around a beautiful table with your family and friends!
HAPPY EASTER!
God bless you this Easter season. May the lord keep you, your family, and friends in his loving embrace and fill your heart with peace, love, and joy.
Remember, Jesus loves you ❤️
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!