Table Setting 101: A Step by Step Guide on How to Set an Awesome Table

It’s like the most unimportant part of any dinner party or event, but also the one that leaves the biggest impression. If your guests are left with a bad taste in their mouth because of the way you set your table, then they won’t even care how awesome your food is. The right table setting can make or break even the most extravagant dinner party; it gives that finishing touch to your whole effort and makes a statement about who you are as an individual host. A well-set table is not about being fancy or about bringing out all those antiques from grandma’s attic. It’s about making your guests feel comfortable from the moment they walk into your home. A step by step guide on how to set an awesome table – here are some tips and tricks that might come in handy for you.

Keep it simple

While you don’t need to put a tablecloth on every table, try to keep it simple. Start with a tablecloth or table runner that matches your dinnerware or the theme of your dinner party. If you want to add a bit of flair, use a table runner in a contrasting color. If you like to use a tablecloth, choose a fabric that is stain-resistant, such as a polyester or acrylic. If you use a tablecloth, make sure it is the right length. Your tablecloth should extend one inch below each end of the table. Keep your table settings simple and elegant. With only a few pieces on the table, your guests’ attention will be drawn to the food and each other. If you must put out lots of extra things, make sure they are small enough that guests can put them on their plates without getting in the way of eating.

Balance the mood

Choose your table setting to match the mood you want to create. Each table setting below will set the stage for a different type of event. If you want to create a romantic or intimate atmosphere, keep the table simple and elegant. If you want to create a celebratory mood at the table, then go for a bold and colorful table setting. When setting a table for a festive occasion, add a bit of whimsy or festivity with a few decorative touches. There is so much you can do with table settings that you can create an entirely different mood every day by adding a few simple decorations to the table.

Dining room is where the table is

If you are setting the table in the dining room, centre it in the room with the table legs even with the other two sides of the room. If you are setting the table in the living room, position it so that the table legs are even with the sofa. The centre of the table should be about four inches below the height of the table. The top of the table should be about four inches above the seat of the chairs.

Utensils are key

The utensils you put on the table are a reflection of the type of meal you are serving. Use these rules of thumb when choosing the utensils for your table. Always put a fork on the left side of the plate and a spoon on the right side of the plate. For formal meals, place a salad fork, dinner fork, and dinner knife on the plate with the fork to the left of the knife. At a more casual setting, use a bread and butter plate with the knife placed to the right of the fork. For a casual meal, use a soup spoon and a teaspoon. If you are serving a formal meal, use a dinner spoon and a dinner fork. For a formal table setting, set the table with a dinner knife, fish fork, and possibly a fish knife. If you are serving a casual meal, use a dinner knife and a dinner fork.

Don’t forget the flowers

Choose flowers that are in season to save money and because they will be at their freshest. If you are having a casual meal, use a few flowers in a vase. If you are hosting a more formal meal, use a single flower or a small bouquet. If you want to add a bit of whimsy, use a few decorative pieces that are related to the meal you are serving. For example, for a Mexican meal, use a sombrero or a few chili peppers in a bowl. When using decorative pieces, make sure they are small enough to put on the table without getting in the way of eating.

Lighting matters too

If you are hosting a formal dinner party, use a chandelier or overhead lights that have enough wattage to cast light on the dishes and table setting. If you are hosting an informal meal, turn on the main lights, but keep them dimmed so that the guests are relaxed. If you are having a romantic dinner, set a dimmed light next to the guest’s place setting. If you are serving a formal dinner, use a dimmed light on a side table or in the centre of the table.

Conclusion

If we can agree that setting a table is one of the most unimportant parts of any dinner party, then what does that say about how much of an impression we leave on our guests? The right table setting can make or break even the most extravagant dinner party; it gives that finishing touch to your whole effort and makes a statement about who you are as an individual host. A well-set table is not about being fancy or about bringing out all those antiques from grandma’s attic. It’s about making your guests feel comfortable from the moment they walk into your home.