40+ Table-Setting Ideas For Literally Every Occasion
New day, new table setting.
Whether it's an average weeknight dinner or a festive holiday feast, you're going to need to set your table, so make sure it's as chic as it could possibly be. You could go out and buy new themed linens and dinnerware, or just use some of these creative tips to make your old stuff look fresh. No matter what the occasion is, you'll find a tablescape on this list.
Casual
Pretty up a spontaneous get-together with color, pattern, and crazy cool texture. Family dinners never looked so cool.
Jewel-Toned
Pick rich gemstone hues to balance out geometric elements. Graphic black-and-white stripes are grounding against the bright colors.
Mix It Up
Try patterned tablecloths, palm leaves as placemats, and rattan chargers for layers of texture and color.
Fall Feels
Transform a summery scheme after the weather turns by adding fiery blooms. Autumnal colors pop against a blue and white tablecloth.
Back To Nature
Bring in the outdoors by pairing potted plants with fresh bouquets. It looks even more earthy against a wood table.
Pattern Play
This room's Moroccan-style wallpaper inspired the patterned plates and textiles.
Tropical Punch
Add gilded pineapples and palm baubles on your table and you can practically feel the island breeze.
Industrial, But Still Formal
Swap kitchen chairs for colorful stools to give a dining space a cool, industrial vibe.
Low-Key
This spring party is simultaneously casual and elegant. Showcase vintage bottles as bud vases and up the relaxed vibe by skipping napkin rings and stemmed wine glasses.
'merica
A red, white, and blue color scheme doesn't feel too kitschy set against a bold wallpaper in an opposing color.
Formal
If you're dressing up for the occasion, don't forget to deck out the table the same way. Pull out all the stops: stemmed glassware, elaborate centerpieces, and obvi, your fancy china.
Secret Garden
Branch candlesticks, plants, and nature-inspired china, napkins and placemats bring a table to life.
Vintage Vibes
Before splurging on contemporary place settings, look online (and in thrift shops) for unique sets of antique china and silver flatware.
Flower Power
Novice florists can nail a bouquet by choosing monochromatic blooms and a matching vase.
The Writings On The Wall
Writing your own place cards is a super quick and easy way to make your formal table feel inviting.
Such Great Heights
Go ahead and play up height, but keep anything tall thin so nobody's view is blocked.
Colorful
Pack a visual punch without looking like a box of crayons threw up on your table. We've got all the inspo you need right here.
The Bold, The Blue, The Beautiful
This whimsical tablescape is colorful enough to wake everyone up for Sunday brunch.
Loving Him Was Red
Rattan chargers and clear blue goblets add some contrast to this bold red table setting.
Pretty in Pink
Here's how to set a table Elle Woods would die over.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
Sienna is a senior editor at Hearst. She lives in California with her husband and two littles.
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