Table settings for special occasions

A thoughtfully styled table is essential for ensuring memories of the special occasion are treasured for years to come. Whether you are sharing a meal for a family reunion, engagement party, date night, or Christmas get-together, every little detail of your tablescape is an important contributor to creating a memorable experience. Creating a beautiful table setting that your guests will appreciate and enjoy is not as complex as it may seem, and provides a wealth of opportunities for expressing your personal decor style. From crafting a cozy rustic dining experience, to sharing a meal in your own modern sanctuary, we have the perfect tips for choosing elements to elevate your event.

Setting the Tone with Table Runners

Your choice of table runner makes a huge difference when it comes to the tone or atmosphere you are wishing to create. White linen table runners are a classic choice, and are great for very formal or traditional events. Cotton table runners, especially with textural details such as ribbed weaving or tassels, set a more casual tone, and create a breezy, uplifting atmosphere. Patterned table runners are fantastic for adding a pop of colour or visual diversity to your table setting. Choose table runners that reference colours already found in your decor, such as the blues of Hamptons style decor. Table runners made from natural fibres, such as jute or raw linen, tie in perfectly to rustic or coastal-inspired decor, by adding that much-needed organic element.

Placemats for Your Decor Style

One of the simplest ways to echo the design choices throughout your house in your table setting is by selecting appropriate placemats. Woven placemats, such as those made from raw linen, rattan and seagrass, complement styles that focus on using clean, natural materials - think modern sanctuary, French Provincial, or coastal aesthetics. Printed placemats act like artworks for your table, so choose placemats that use colours and patterns featured in your existing decor, such as coastal blues or rustic brown.

Choosing the Perfect Coasters

Along with your placemats, drink coasters are great tools for elevating your existing decor. Matching the print on your placemats and coasters creates a cohesive, polished look. Wood coasters infuse table settings with rustic charm, while rattan coasters enhance a range of styles, from coastal to Hamptons. Resin coasters offer an array of looks, and are a great choice whether you would like an elegant vintage look with faux ivory, or a sleek modern look with crisp gold-edged coasters. If you would like to add a splash of sophistication to your table setting, opt for marble coasters in a colour that references the hues of your home decor.

Adding Class with Champagne Buckets

Dressing up the table with a champagne bucket is the perfect way to add class and beautiful functionality to dinner settings. Using wine buckets will make your event really special and ensure that you entertain in style. Metal ice buckets offer an elegant and chic look, and can be found in a sleek modern style, or a traditional urn shape that evokes old world luxury and charm. Take your entertaining skills up another notch with crystal wine coolers, which are not only beautiful but exude a sense of refinement.

Linen Napkins for Instant Sophistication

Ditch the tacky paper napkins, and add instant sophistication and timeless grace to your tablescape with linen napkins. Linen napkins have a long history of being associated with royalty and fine dining, and so your guests are sure to be delighted and entranced by your elegant table arrangement. Fold the napkins into crisp triangles or secure with a napkin ring to add some extra flair. Alternatively, use a napkin holder placed in the centre of the tablecloth, and choose a holder made from a material that ties into your aesthetic - whether you decide on rustic wood, coastal rattan, or whimsical vintage metal.

Deciding on Dinner Plates

Choosing the perfect dinner plates is the next step after you've chosen all the foundational elements of your table setting. Dinner plates aren't just a food receptacle, they are a decor piece in their own right, and can really enhance the visual appeal of your table arrangement. White dinner plates provide an air of clean simplicity and effortless elegance, and you can opt for plates with embossed details to add some textural variety and subtle beauty. If the traditional white dinner plate isn't your thing, go bold with patterned plates. Ceramic plates patterned in rich indigo blues are a classic element of the Hamptons style home, and will add a dash of luxury to your dinner setting.

Tie it Together with Glasses

The final element needed to tie together the perfect table setting is a selection of beautiful glasses. Be sure to choose wine glasses, champagne glasses, or tumblers that are appropriate to the occasion. Glass or acrylic glasses often feature intricate embossed designs, so try to choose a design that emulates the style of your decor. Geometric designs are popular in eclectic vintage or minimalist modern decor, while ornate floral motifs tie into a traditional antique or countryside inspired look. If you would like to add a splash of personality into your table setting, opt for coloured glasses, especially those that tie into other colours in your table arrangement and decor. Think cobalt blue glasses for the Hamptons style, or olive green for a vintage or farmhouse vibe.

No matter the event, creating a beautiful table setting will elevate the joyful atmosphere of any special occasion, bringing people together and forming lasting memories. Nothing says "celebration" quite like a thoughtfully crafted dining table setting, so set the mood and delight guests by following these tips and tricks. Explore French Knot's range of Dining, Kitchen and Tableware, and discover dinnerware and decor that will help you decorate for your next special occasion.