The experience of walking into an immaculate white-furnished home and feeling anxiety is known to many of us. (Honestly, are Kim and Kanye’s children even allowed indoors? It’s near-impossible to imagine kids playing in the ultra-beige minimalist museum they call home.) If the décor is too manicured it’s hard to relax – there’ll be no feet up on the coffee table, glass of red wine in hand, lest you spill a drop of staining liquid on the snowy sofa.
According to Georgia Ashdown from Chelsea Gardens Events, the same is true of table settings. “Don’t fuss and stress over getting everything perfect,” she says. “I think a slightly undone table actually encourages people to relax and have a good time.” Ashdown counsels her clients against white tablecloths and uptight arrangements of flowers standing in line down the table like a military parade. “You want your arrangements of foliage and blossoms to look like they just grew there organically, like your dining table is a place of abundance, like things are a little bit wild.”
In terms of table trends, Australian native flowers and foliage are having a moment, especially eucalyptus leaves and Geraldton wax flowers (pictured above). “In these tough times [Chelsea Gardens Events is based in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, which was hit hard by bushfires], it’s important to support local flower growers and champion homegrown blooms,” says Ashdown. Australian native flowers are an environmentally responsible choice, as they require far less water to grow than foreign species.
When it comes to crockery and cutlery, think beyond the standard white and silver. “Texture is king in tablescapes,” says Ashdown. “Use plates that mimic natural stone patterns, crushed linen serviettes and patterned glassware.” Knives, forks and spoons now come in a variety of shapes and colours, from rose gold to black. “Cutlery with wooden handles is also lovely and touchable,” says Ashdown.
To help get you started, we've rounded up 18 gorgeous table setting ideas to inspire your next celebration, no matter whether it might be a dinner party with friends or an important birthday.
18 of the best table setting ideas
Image credit: pinterest.com.au/eclecticcreative
Edible place cards
Sure, a handwritten card denoting seating arrangements is personal and low-fuss, but a cookie embossed with your guests’ names? Now that’s a table setting your guests will not soon forget. While they may not be the easiest place cards to prepare yourself, an edible place card is a statement-making option for special occasions.
Image credit: pinterest.com/weddingforward
Mix and match vases
Perhaps one of the easiest centrepieces you can make is arranging bunches of foliage plucked from the garden in mismatched vases and vessels to line the centre of your table. Scour second-hand stores and op-shops for unique glass vases and bottles that look effective on mass.
SHOP NOW: Normann Copenhagen step vase, $111 from Finnish Design Shop
SHOP NOW: Georg Jensen Alfredo vase, $231.75 from Finnish Design Shop
Image credit: pinterest.com/rockmywedding
Mini terracotta pots
A cute and creative way to style a table is with a mix of mini terracotta pots filled with coloured and native blooms. Easy to do yourself, pick up mini pots at your local hardware store and fill with succulents you’ve grabbed from the garden, short branches of native foliage, or for an edible twist, wrapped chocolates.
Image credit: pinterest.com/thediymommy
Floral features
If you’re after a slightly more elevated table setting, opt for fresh florals sourced from your local florist or farmer’s market. Short-stemmed fresh flowers tend to work best so guests aren’t having to duck and weave to speak to people across the table—we love pastel roses or peonies.
Image credit: pinterest.com/ohbestdayever
Coastal casual
Trying to emulate a relaxed, coastal vibe regardless of where you’re dining? Opt for textile touches in muted cool tones and layer up. Stick to neutral crockery, like unpolished cream or textured plates, but if you’re after a luxe touch, why not add gold cutlery to elevate the tablescape?
SHOP NOW: Robert Gordon Mason 12 piece dinner set, $249 from Myer
SHOP NOW: Vue Spencer 16 piece cutlery set in gold, $49.97 from Myer
Image credit: pinterest.com/casadevalentina
Luxe linen
Perhaps the most versatile tablecloth and napkin material is linen. Easy to wash and care for (no ironing needed), linen can be both casual and elevated depending on what you pair it with. For a luxe take on linen, pair a linen tablecloth with cloth napkins in a matching hue then layer up the table with vases and greenery.
SHOP NOW: Aere Home linen napkin 4 pack, $60 from The Iconic
Image credit: pinterest.com/nomadstyling
Wild blooms
Not a florist? Don’t stress—when it comes to florals on the table, an undone, wild look can be just as effective as perfectly put-together bouquets. If attempting a wild floral centrepiece yourself, source flowers in differing shapes and heights in the same colour scheme and arrange in vases or bowls to line the centre of your table.
Image credit: pinterest.com/crateandbarrel
Relaxed elegance
While a perfectly set table is often striking, a relaxed table arrangement can be just as chic and elegant. To emulate, pick a colour scheme for table linen and florals, then add an element of relaxed elegance by utilising napkins, crockery, or cutlery that don’t match.
SHOP NOW: Summerill and Bishop set of four rainbow striped linen napkins, $170 from Matches Fashion
Image credit: pinterest.com/alicialuciap
Natural hues
If dining outside, keep with the natural theme by sticking with earthy hues. A wooden table plays host to warm tones with the addition of a neutral linen table runner, amber glassware, and autumnal flower arrangements.
SHOP NOW: Australian House & Garden, fringed linen table runner, $29.97 from Myer
SHOP NOW: Coucou carafe in amber, $75 from Maison Balzac
Image credit: pinterest.com/brides
Lush greenery
Particularly effective against a rustic wooden table, lush green foliage works incredibly well as a chic and easy table setting. When utilising bunches of greenery, keep crockery and cutlery restrained and simple. White candles add a classic touch.
SHOP NOW: APC No. 2 green jasmine-scented candle, $52 from Matches Fashion
Image credit: pinterest.com/jenpinkston
Rose gold touches
Add a feminine touch to a simple tablescape with the addition of rose gold accents. Whether it be rose gold cutlery, vases, or napkin holders, a warm metallic touch elevates an otherwise casual table—perfect for brunch affairs.
SHOP NOW: Tom Dixon set of 2 martini glasses, $185 from Matches Fashion
Image credit: pinterest.com/junebugweddings
Australian foliage
Australian natives are not only beautiful and make for striking table centrepieces, they are widely accessible and a more sustainable floral choice given how little water they require to grow. Use eucalyptus branches in place of a table runner and assemble bouquets of native blooms for a quintessentially Australian tablescape.
Image credit: pinterest.com/oncewed
Calming minimalism
Sometimes, less is more. For a table setting that is simplistic and refined, stick to table linen in neutral and muted tones and keep cutlery to the classic silver. Add some greenery running down the table’s centre and you’re done!
SHOP NOW: Greg Natale Hellenica rectangle tablecloth in white, from $160 from The Iconic
Image credit: pinterest.com/plentyofpetals
Warm whites
White table décor doesn’t have to mean cold and clinical. Add warmth to whites by incorporating natural tones and textures in and amongst white floral arrangements, like the stalks of wheat pictured. Crockery with texture is also an easy way to add dimension to white settings.
SHOP NOW: Mrs. Alice 6 piece cutlery set, $199 from Matches Fashion
SHOP NOW: Dinosaur Designs earth large marbled-resin bowl, $280 from Matches Fashion
Image credit: pinterest.com/stylemepretty
Pretty pastels
Pastels are always a charming colour scheme for tablescapes, but incorporating richer hues in and amongst pastels, like brown and burgundy, add a distinct autumnal feel. For added opulence, pair a rich pastel colour scheme with vintage crystal—we love a dramatic wine glass.
SHOP NOW: Summerill & Bishop Marché aux Fleurs linen tablecloth, $552 from Matches Fashion
SHOP NOW: Royal Doulton Seasons 7 piece decanter set, $399 from Myer
Image credit: pinterest.com/whimwondwed
Rustic wood
Create an antique-feeling dinner table by using rustic wood as your base and adding natural textures atop like rattan placemats and stems of greenery. To add to the vintage aesthetic, use an array of mismatched wooden chairs around the table.
SHOP NOW: Linen House Kala placemat, $19.99 each from The Iconic
Image credit: pinterest.com/woodsandivory
Sleek and simple
When it comes to table decorating, if floral styling and cutlery arrangements aren’t quite your thing, there’s nothing wrong with keeping things sleek and simple. A white dinner plate can be jazzed up with the addition of a textured salad plate, while a wooden table can be left bare bar a few stalks of foliage for a clean and calming table arrangement.
SHOP NOW: Bordallo Pinheiro set of four cabbage earthenware side plates, $77 from Matches Fashion
Image credit: pinterest.com/serenataflowers
Woodland-inspired
A wooden table is the perfect blank canvas for a woodland-themed tablescape. Lush greenery paired with pastel florals and tea lights work beautifully with warm gold cutlery for a luxurious table setting.
SHOP NOW: Gatsby tea light holder, $5.95 from Bed Bath N’ Table
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