5 basic ideas to set the table for gatherings at home
Our social calendar may not be as hectic as in previous years and we may not have as many visitors at home as before. However, when time permits and bearing in mind the appropriate safety measures, we can enjoy small gatherings at home with our closest circle, just as before.
How about we show you a few easy and affordable ideas to make your table beautiful and ensure that these moments are even more special? Don't miss these practical and simple tips to dress up your table for any occasion.
We know that one of the most important things for a successful lunch or dinner is to prepare a surprising and delicious menu that will please everyone's taste buds. However, realistically, the first thing we always consider is the how everything looks—the table itself. So, in the case of meals at home, why not decorate the table a little to captivate both the eye and the palate? We'll show you all the different options available to achieve this. Let's begin!
Decorating the table with tablecloths and runners
Let's start with the main element: textiles. Depending on the type of table you have at home, you can make the most of it in one way or another.
On the one hand, you can use the furniture itself as part of the table decor. For example, if you have a rustic-style wooden table, it will look great if you leave it uncovered.
The effect of the wood itself will give it a very flattering touch and all you have to do is decorate it with the dishes and any other accessories you want to add.
If you have a more modern table, you can opt for this other simple and original decoration idea. With a few placemats you can set the table and decorate it at the same time (and also protect it!). It's a simple, affordable and quite flattering decoration. What do you think?
On the other hand, you can choose to dress up your living room table with a beautiful tablecloth and even pair it with a table runner. Think of these fabrics as your blank canvas. When in doubt, a safe bet is to use a plain tablecloth that allows you to play up the tableware you place on top in different ways. Light colours, such as cream or white, are always a good choice in this case, especially if your dishes have a pattern.
How to decorate the table with nice tableware
You can think about table decor in the following way: do you want the table itself to stand out or do you want the tableware to stand out and make the difference?
Whatever you choose, we recommend that you follow this rule to make your life easier: if you use a patterned tablecloth, pair it with plain plates and glasses (or semi-transparent ones, like the ones shown); if you use a plain tablecloth or a plain table runner, opt for patterned or printed tableware and introduce more details.
Centrepieces to add a decorative touch to your meals
Centrepieces are an excellent option to create a beautiful and surprising table presentation. And the best thing is that you can design them with anything, be it a floral arrangement, like the one in the photo, a few candles or a combination of different things, such as a bowl or a platter.
If your table isn't too spacious, play with the size of this decorative element so that it doesn't get in the way, or simply remove it and place it in another part of the house so that it doesn't become an obstacle. In this case, flowers are always very convenient because they look good in any space.
Decorate the table with glasses
Another original and very simple idea for decorating the table is to play around with glassware. It's so elegant that it looks great with almost any table decor.
In these examples, we opted for the sharp look of transparent glasses and goblets with a fine engraving. The natural light coming in through the window and through the glass gives the space an almost magical effect, doesn't it?
If you want to give it a more casual touch, remember that there are plenty of different options for decorating your table with glasses. For example, you can use some with a smoother cut and you can even be daring and use some coloured ones.
Home-made details to decorate the table
Do you want to give your table a personalised and special touch? We encourage you to add some home-made details to your table for that finishing touch.
How about welcoming each guest with a small menu listing the meal you've prepared? It's a very original way of presenting the table like a professional restaurant and it requires minimal effort. You can add little nods to each dish and even give them witty names that will make everyone laugh.
Want more ideas? You can pair this menu with a decorative touch, such as a little branch or a ribbon. Another option could be a small name card for each person so that they know where to sit. Or mark the glasses with a colour or a special coaster so that they don't get mixed up.
With these details, you'll see how you can create a fantastic final result for your table decor without spending much at all.
What did you think? Follow these basic steps and adapt them to the decor style of your table so that the result is impeccable. If you want more ideas for your events at home, don't miss this special selection of articles.
We love it when customers use our products in a creative way. Why not try to do something new with them yourself? But do remember, any modifications or changes that you make to IKEA products will prevent them from being resold or used for their original purpose, thus invalidating IKEA product warranties and your right to return them.
