How to dress the table
With a beautifully set dining table, you can turn every meal into a celebration. Dress your table to perfection with our stylish, practical dining table decoration tips. From natural decorations with a warm appearance to colourful napkins and tableware. At IKEA, we have everything for a personal, but affordable, set table. This way, you can enjoy long dinners and show your cooking skills. Get inspired and discover how to dress your table for every season.
Dress the table in three steps
1. Start with the basics
Whether you’re setting the table for a festive occasion or a weekday breakfast, you always need the basics: tableware, cutlery, and glasses.Here’s how to set the table according to etiquette:
Plates
Are you going all out with multiple courses or dishes? Then use a different plate for each course. Stack the plates on top of each other, from large to small. Place napkins and bread plates to the left of the main plate.
Cutlery
Also set the cutlery. For cutlery, the rule is: forks on the left and knives and spoons on the right. Work from the outside in, with the cutlery you need first on the outside and the cutlery for the main course closest to the plate. Serving dessert too? Place the dessert cutlery above the plate.
Tip: the dessert spoon goes to the Left, the foRk to the Right.
Glasses
Place the glasses in a diagonal line above the plate to the right. Start with the water glass, then the red wine glasses, and finally the white wine glasses.
2. Choose a theme
Decorate your dining table with a tablecloth or runner and coasters for a festive look. At IKEA, we have linen tablecloths for a luxurious feel, but also plastic tablecloths so the kids can go wild. Keep the base simple by choosing one colour and create a playful effect with place mats or napkins in a striking colour.
3. Dining table decorations
The basics are set in a theme on the table, so now comes the fun part: the decorations. Let your imagination run wild. For a rustic look, choose decorations made from natural materials, such as wooden chopping boards and coasters. Going for a romantic look? Opt for silver-coloured napkin rings, candle holders, and vases. Finish it off with artificial flowers and leaves on the table.
Tip: make your festive dinner extra personal with handwritten place cards.
Hosting a dinner? Find out how to seat more guests
If you're hosting a dinner, it's crucial to have a seat for everyone. Even when you don't have a large dining room, it's still possible to create more seatings. IKEA has handy stackable stools and foldable chairs.
- Product information page
