Welcome to this special decorating blog featuring a number of ways to set your table for any occasion!
Table settings can vary widely, from utterly informal to entertain close friends, to the perfect way to set your table for a grand gala or for a wedding.
The most informal table settings generally have few utensils and dishes, but follow the same layout as more formal settings. The utensils are arranged order that they will be used during the dinner. During an informal dinner, serving plates and sauceboats will be kept on the table.
At an informal dinner, you’ll find utensils on the right, and glasses on the left, as is traditional in the West.
In contrast, at a formal dinner you’ll see far more utensils, placed with the utensil used first in the outermost position, usually the soup spoon, followed by the salad fork, dinner fork, and the dinner knife.
Glasses are placed above the knives, also in the order of use: first white wine, then red wine, followed by dessert wine and water tumbler. Serving platters at a formal dinner will typically be placed on side tables or buffets.
At the most formal of dinners, like at a wedding, the dinner will be served from the kitchen, usually already plated. Typically silverware will not be placed on the table at the most formal of dinners.
No matter which kind of dinner you’re serving, try out a few of these amazing ideas to make your dinner party a smash hit. Remember, the details can really make the occasion!
A formal place setting with a gold-rimmed plate and utensils to the right of the plate. Dessert utensils are above the plate, next to the wine glasses.
A table set for a semi-formal dinner on a wrought-iron glass-topped table. The dinner plate is in a bright gold, with a blue floral salad plate and a white napkin held together by a silver napkin ring. The stems of the wine glasses are in a deep blue.
A simple but elegant table setting in white with silver-rimmed dishes. Each wine glass is crystal with a delicate pattern.
A beautiful wedding table setting in silver and white with ornate wine glasses and damask patterned linens. A small silver purse acts as a place card.
A table set for an outdoor dinner party. Light blue placemats match the table runner perfectly. Wicker plate holders fit around the salad plate, topped by a translucent gray bowl. A wine glass and a small water tumbler are above the plates.
Simple white place setting with three wine glasses and a coffee cup on a eyelet lace tablecloth. At the center of each plate is a periwinkle napkin in a silver napkin ring. A beautiful bouquet acts as a centerpiece and are particularly meaningful when plucked from your own garden!
A winter-themed place setting with silver-rimmed dishes and a single wine glass. Small paper place cards are trimmed with small snowflakes, and the simply folded napkin at the center of each place setting is topped by a crystal snowflake.
A fiercely elegant table setting in mauve with crystal ware glasses and jeweled silver napkin rings. The dinner plate is set into a larger silver plate, with a soup bowl at the center.
A simple, contemporary table setting with a gold-rimmed wine glass and a pretty floral arrangement. White is always a classic choice, with all white kitchens being among the most popular design styles.
A white tablecloth with simple folded napkins and delicate wine goblets. At the center of the table is a large globe vase with white tulips.
A table setting for a holiday party. Etched water goblets are paired with light blue wine glasses and silverware with a delicate gold filigree on the handles. The napkin rings have silver bubbles attached.
A contemporary table setting with scallop-rim dishes and peach napkins folded artfully and placed into the soup bowl.
A place setting on a glass-top table with white square dishes. The base of the water goblets are a light yellow-green.
A classy place setting with a lace doily under the cream napkins, which are finished with a white rose and a silky peach ribbon. The dinner plate is a beautiful solid silver.
A table setting that would be perfect for a family Thanksgiving in gold-yellow and rust-orange. Napkin rings are fashioned from fake autumn leaves secured with twine. Even the wine glasses have a subtle leaf motif.
A beautiful silver and white wedding place setting with a lovely floral centerpiece and a candle behind the plate.
A festive holiday place setting on a light green placemat. The white napkin has an embroidered snowflake on the edge. The napkin ring is made to look like a bunch of holly.
A bold orange and brown table setting with small floral arrangements. This setting is for a kitchen-served dinner, as there are no plates on the table.
Another festive table setting in evergreen and gray. The napkin ring is rimmed in shimmering crystals.
A similar set up to the above table, with one simple swap: a bold red napkin for the gray one.
A wide green-tinted glass dinner plate is topped by a long, thin soup bowl. To the right are two large wine glasses, above the utensils.
A gray and white table setting with accents of black. While the napkin is a more muted, dusky black, the top of the wine glass is a solid, glossy black inside and outside for a stunning effect.
A contemporary damask black and white table cloth with white pillar candles for ambient lighting and a light green napkin between the dinner plate and the salad plate. A simple menu sits at the center of the arrangement. This arrangement would coordinate nicely with the home feature for SoCal Contactors Urban Vibe project.
A beautiful, simple arrangement of white scalloped edge dishes paired with elegantly folded navy napkins that add height to the arrangement.
A contemporary white and cream table setting in a formal style with a woven mat and a small bowl off to the left.
The white dishes against the glossy black table are stunning. The curved shape of the dishes and wine glasses add another unique cast to this table.
Following the trend of faux deer heads in decorating, this holiday table setting places one in each bowl. The centerpiece is soft floral textures on a bold shimmering gold base.
An absolutely delicate place setting on a white tablecloth. The silver rim of the plate is complemented by the silver trim of the ribbon on the lace-trimmed napkin.
A bright and summery place setting in red, yellow, and blue. A fun folded napkin is placed into the bowl at the center of the arrangement.
A table setting for one all in green with a simple brown leaf-shaped napkin ring.
A red and brown table setting with a silver napkin ring. The bread plate at the center has a sprig of blackberries painted on it.
The woven wicker placemats help distinguish the glossy white plates from the matte white dining table. The two wine glasses are slightly different shaped.
An off-white runner is layered on top of the white tablecloth. The slight change in color keeps this all white arrangement from blending together.
An Asian inspired table setting on a natural fiber place mat. A white orchid bloom sits on the top left corner, and a pair of chopsticks lays across the bowl, in addition to the western utensils on the side.
Bold sapphire blue napkins lay on white salad plates atop golden dinner plates. The placemats are a light silvery-gray.
A simple table setting for a cup of cocoa. The saucer rests in a wicker tray, and a small wooden spoon is wrapped in the dark brown napkin. On the side is a small cookie to dip.
A cream and brown informal setting on a glass-top table. The dining chairs around the table have ornate carvings.
An autumn table setting on vintage dishes on a distressed white table, minus any linens.
Bright blue plastic serving bowls full of fruit combined with glassware that resembles a pineapple makes for an excellent tropical themed summer dinner party.
The exquisite details on the plates, combined with the pattern of the table makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
A more simple gold, white, and blue place setting on a gray woven place mat.
Without a placemat, a cream dish on a matte white table with perfectly polished silver is a simple, yet elegant setup.
A festive holiday table setting with rid dishes with a subtle snowflake pattern on top of gold dinner plates. A line of red candle holders act as the only centerpiece.
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