10 Essentials for Home Table Styling

Call it ‘adulting’ or hobbies-discovered-during-lockdown, table styling has become an upcoming creative passion thanks to Covid.

Last year, I started hosting Nonna Lizzie dinner parties. Along with a weekly menu theme, I began decorating the table as well. It became an extension of the dinner party experience.

From table linen, flowers in decorative glasses to flameless candles, my table decor (which mostly started from Ikea) collection began to grow. But maybe you’re thinking ….that’s cool but where do I even start, what do I buy?

So here’s a list of 10 essentials for any other DIY home stylist. Plus some products I’ve sourced to give you an idea of what to look for. If you’re just starting out, these items are for you (left out cutlery as that is hopefully a given!):

Happy styling and enjoy xx

1. Neutral Ceramic Plates

Beige tableware is a great staple for any table setting. Instead of white, neutral/beige/cream plates provides a more relaxed and versatile look for the table. You can either get ceramic, porcelain or clay plates. However try and stick to a plain finish without designs, let the food do the talking on the plate!

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2. Hard Rattan Placemats

Also known as ‘chargers’, these harder/stiffer placemats are not made out of cotton or plastic (ie. like the typical placemats we all probably grew up with). Today’s placemats are usually woven rattan or made out of glass or metal. It’s mostly a presentation feature.

I purchased mine from Bali back when we could travel. They are much easier to clean than straw placemats, whilst also versatile for both casual and formal dinners.

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3. Wine/ Aperol Glasses

If you’re only going to buy one set of wine glasses, buy medium width red wine wine glasses.

This will enable you to interchange between red/white wine, through to an Aperol Spritz. Wine snobs won’t call you out on it -but if they do, you can serve them water.

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4. Linen Napkins

A small but plush detail, linen napkins are beautiful and functional.

If you’re just starting, you can never go wrong with beige napkins. However for a pop of colour, you can go with green or burnt orange, then for a more ‘moody’ dinner, I would go charcoal.

Presentation tip: Tie a knot; fold it in half diagonally, then tie a knot closer to the top of the corner. Place a small branch or flower on top for a finishing touch.

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5. Linen Table Runner

A staple for any dinner -casual, formal or every day. I like to let the flowers and overall table setting do the ‘visual talking’. So I rarely, if ever, do I buy a printed table runner.

Choose a linen or chambray table runner, not straw-like material that is stiff like gauze. Also better to avoid fringes and tassels. Keep it simple and classic.

Presentation Tip: Buy two or more of the same table runner. You want a slight overhang on the edges.

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6. White Table Cloth

“The in-laws are coming -bring out the white table cloth!”

A white table cloth elevates the mood to a more formal setting. It looks and feels more restaurant-like and guests immediately appreciate the experience at home.

Presentation tip: Iron it. Doesn’t have to be perfectly ironed, but don’t put on a crinkly table cloth (mine below barely makes it 😅).

Peony Party at 2020 — Peony Party at Home 2020

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7. Short Decorative Vases

Three to four short vases along the table is better than one big floral arrangement in the middle. This way, everyone at the table will have a view of some flowers.

It also adds height and dimension to the table runner. I love to add different flowers at different heights to create a whimsical look.

Presentation Tips: Try to have a consistent theme across the vases (similar types of flowers and colours). They don’t have to be exactly all the same height, play around and experiment.

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8. Fairy String Lights or Flameless Candles

Illuminate your table with some light. I absolutely love adding fair lights or flameless candles! They brighten up the table and when it goes from dusk to dark, the lights add a romantic touch to the table.

Presentation Tip: For fairy string lights, weave them through the flowers on the table. For flameless candles, spread them out along the table, don’t just leave them all in the middle.

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9. Round Neutral Coasters

Coasters should compliment the table and stay true to your existing colour scheme. Perhaps I just gravitate too much towards neutrals and beige colours, but I think a simple neutral coaster is chic and versatile.

I would stick to wood, stone, bamboo or marble. Nothing with patterns, designs or heavy grains, you don’t want a small item to be a distraction to the whole table setting.

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10. Wood Serving Boards & Platters

There is something about wood which feels authentic and cozy. It never feels tacky or cheap, it just feels like home. Whether its entrees, seafood, warm bread or a BBQ platter, wooden serving items are both functional and aesthetically complimentary to any dinner table setting.

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With home dining on the rise, we’ve all started to create more experiences around the dining table. It’s the place we gather, eat, talk, laugh and where many memories are made. So have fun, get creative and set the table to suit you. Remember, you don’t need to go all out, a simple vase in the middle with flowers on each plate is a great start.

Here’s a recap of the list, enjoy : ) xx

Neutral Ceramic Plates
Hard Rattan placemats
Wine/Aperol glasses
Linen Napkins
Linen Table Runner
Small Glass Vases
White Table Cloth
Fairy String Lights or Flameless Candles
Round Neutral Coasters
Wooden Serving Boards.