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How to create a festive table setting

Are you excited about finding new ways to be creative with your table settings? Laying the table is so much more than just plates, glasses, and cutlery – it’s all about those little details that make the occasion feel special. And it’s a way to show your guests how much their visit means to you! Here are four different table setting ideas to inspire you. We’ll visit a family dinner party in the festive season, a birthday celebration with playful decorations, a calm brunch get-together and a cosy evening meal by candlelight. Let’s get the party started!

A festive table setting with white plates, POKAL glasses and decorative oranges and lemons on plates on a BERGSHYTTAN table.

An effortless table setting for family festivities

To make a get-together feel extra special, start by picking a colour scheme and let it guide you. It doesn’t have to be monochrome but don’t go too wild if you want to achieve this style – this table offers a pleasant combination of blues and beiges and other soft pastels.

Mix and match different textures and patterns to create interest – nothing is off limits if you enjoy the result. Does a dotted plate match a chequered tablecloth? If it looks great, it works!

Next, bring in the layers! By simply putting a smaller plate on a bigger one, or adding a bowl for salads or smaller dishes, you create a visual feast for the eye, long before food is served. What’s not to love about that?

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A bright dining room has a ROSENTORP extendable table that has been pulled out to accommodate five chairs and one highchair.
A ROSENTORP extendable table has been set for a festive meal with soup served in bowls and dumplings on a serving plate.
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A dotted/light beige DAGGASTER plate and bowl has a soup made of mushrooms, tofu and noodles, next to a bowl of avocados.
A dotted/light beige DAGGASTER bowl is placed on a plate, with two chopsticks on top of the bowl and cutlery on the side.

Surprise someone special with a creative birthday party

When hosting a birthday party, you want to set a stunning table. Everything should work together to set the mood and make both the person at the centre of attention and all the guests feel special. This is how you do it without having to dig too deep into your wallet.

There’s no need for fancy dinnerware – the surprise is in the details! This table setting has paper napkins folded into fun shapes and delicious fruit as decoration (they may or may not be part of the dessert).

For a splash of colour without having to add a vase full of water, carelessly tuck in some lifelike artificial flowers. They remain fresh-looking even if the party goes on hours after it officially ended – and you can use them for next year’s birthday, too! 

A NATTBAD Bluetooth speaker will blast your playlist with ease. Bright and cheerful, it may just be the star of the party and loud enough to get everyone singing along. Happy birthday!

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A BERGSHYTTAN table has a table setting with white plates and POKAL glasses and decorative oranges and lemons on plates.
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A birthday table setting has white plates with yellow paper napkins, POKAL glasses and plates with oranges and lemons.
A yellow NATTBAD Bluetooth speaker is placed on a table that’s been decorated in yellow and orange for a festive party.

A minimalistic table setting – with hygge

Put simply, the Danish expression “hygge” is about slowing down and stepping away from the busy pace of everyday life to enjoy calm, cosy moments. With that mindset, a brunch is more than a combination of breakfast and lunch – it’s an experience.

You’ll want a delicious menu, great company, and plenty of time to chat over coffee and croissants (or whatever your favourite treats are) – all served up in a setting that feels as good as it looks. 

To give your breakfast table a leisurely hotel lounge feel, go for graphic simplicity with some playful elements. This table setting features a mix of colourful plates, glasses, and bowls without any frills – the dinnerware IS the décor.

A portable LED lamp in an eye-catching design adds ambient light and can easily be move around. The only thing you may risk with this inviting table setting is that your guests will want to stick around all day.

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An eagle-eye’s view of an ÅLHULT extendable table in black/brown has a bench and chairs around it and is set for a brunch.
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A dining area featuring an ÅLHULT extendable table surrounded by four chairs and accented by a BACKSTÖRN LED pendant lamp.
A bowl with yoghurt, muesli and blueberries are placed next to a lilac-coloured GLADELIG mug and a champagne flute.

How you succeed with a candle-lit dinner party

When you throw a party, it’s all about making everyone feel relaxed and comfortable, whether you’re meeting new friends or catching up with old ones. To create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, there are three things to think about when setting up your table: textiles, colour, and light.

Choose textiles made from natural materials like cotton or jute. A tablecloth not only adds to the look but also protects your tabletop and helps keep things a bit quieter with plates and cutlery. Fabric napkins feel so much more festive than paper ones – it’s a simple way to create a charming table setting without breaking the bank!

Next up: colours! Go for shades from a neutral palette, whether they’re light or dark – think pale beige, deep green, and soft black.

Last but not least: lighting! To your overhead lights – ideally dimmable – you can add candles or maybe an LED light chain. The gentle glow will help you and your guests relax and cherish the time you get to spend together!

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People are playing cards at a festive dinner table with candle sticks, wine glasses and plates with cheese and crackers.
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People are gathered around a dinner table for a meal of cheese and fresh fruit, all in a cosy, atmosphere with candles.
People are gathered around a dinner table for a meal of cheese and fresh fruit, all in a cosy, atmosphere with candles.

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