Dressing your table for guests is an important part of making your home welcoming. Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful setting that will impress your friends and family.
1. Have a Plan.
Before you start cooking, make sure you have a plan. This includes what you’re going to serve, but also the table dressings. A beautifully cooked meal can be let down by presentation skills.
Nothing shows you can do more than the effort you put into making sure you impress your guest. Guests appreciate that you’ve taken the time and placed a value on hosting them.
2. Set the Mood.
If you’re hosting a dinner party, set the mood. Consider what food you’re making if it’s posh nosh, you’ll want to use posh napkins. For a casual lunch with the family maybe paper will do. But for an evening dinner party, a fabric napkin elevates the experience.
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Ambiences or moods can be created with music and lighting. Lighting is often overlooked and that’s a real shame as everything looks better candle-lit. Candles alone won’t provide enough light for guest to see their food, depending on what level of cook you are that may be a good thing! Most of us do like to see what we are about to eat. But avoid being overly illuminated as lighting that is too bright does little to enhance the ambience.
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3. Themed Table Settings
If you are serving sharing platters or warm hearty fair you can be less formal. Rustic food calls for a tablescape that matches the theme.
Sustainable settings are all the rage, not only are they a sensible choice. But they look so appealing to work with most times of the year. You can win out a rattan table mat and linen napkins at any time. Be it Easter, Christmas or any other the natural textures lend themselves to any occasion.
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Mix it up
Having some stand-by pieces like placemats, napkins and napkin rings that work with many looks is always good. You can change up the look easily for each event. Stalwart like ticking, gingham checks and plans can be mixed with pastel colours and florals to create a perfect spring look. Winterise linens by adding fir cones, holly, or jolly up the naturals for a summer vibe by adding brighter pops of colour.
4. Add Colourful Accents.
You can add colour to any room with accessories and the table top is no exception. Choose items that match your room décor. Or pick a punchy contrast to make the table the main feature for the evening. Less is more, and the best way to change up the look of your table is by adding an accent colour. Accents are used sparingly. Accents can also be textural this can be a small seasonal floral arrangement or an unexpected mix of fabrics.
You’re simply creating a little interest so matching everything is nice. But the contrast in a sea of patterns really grounds the look.
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5. Create an Atmosphere That Makes People Feel Comfortable.
Let us not make too much of a meal of it! Most people are pleased with some good food and drink but by making guests relaxed you can too. I think that’s worth doing, cooks have enough to stress over right?
Yours is welcoming and comfortable but when hosting guests isn’t too time-consuming to dress the table to impress. With well-chosen table wear, soft music, and ambient mood lighting you have all you need to have a relaxed gathering. All you need to do is just cook good food. Ply them with drinks and they’ll think you are the bee’s knees.
Go Wild
If you’d love to host a dinner party but your home is not big enough. You may be interested to hear of the latest trends for outdoor alfresco dining. There’s a growing trend to eat outdoors no matter the weather.
Making dining experiences outdoors with a woodland theme unleashes an adventurous spirit. It’s also a really nice idea if your home isn’t large enough to give all your guests space.
If you’re going to go wild in the country the above tips still apply. But in late summer or early autumn, it may be an idea to have some warmth. Throws and blankets around a fire or fire pit help to make guests comfortable and cosy.
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