Step-by-step: Finesse Your Festive Dining Table

Christmas dinner is, arguably, the best meal of the year. Other than weddings, I know of not one other occasion for which so much planning and preparation is required.

People up and down the country have been stocking their “Christmas cupboard” for weeks leading up to the big day, wielding off prying family members with threats of coal in their stockings. And, with so many tempting treats and indulgent dishes to be spectacularly displayed, there is a real art to getting the table décor just right.

They say you feast with your eyes before you savour with your mouth. So, here are my top tips to finesse your festive dining table:

Colour palettes

As with your Christmas tree and mantel décor, if the dining table is in the vicinity, you’re going to want to match or complement your existing colours and themes. Otherwise, you have complete creative license.

Here’s a few of my favourite table displays for inspiration:

The secret hack you need to know

The trick to having a dinner table that is highly photographable, is using contrasting and complementary colours, and using accents to highlight the best features. 

Take the above image as an example:

1. The neutral background is the base to show off the place setting. Whether you have a wooden, marble, or synthetic tabletop, work with it not against it or opt for a linen in a colour of your choice.
2. A red charger plate provides contrast against the white tabletop and provides a vibrant cushion for the bright white crockery. The general rule of thumb is to place a deeper hue on a lighter tabletop, and vice versa. 
3. Match your napkin to either the charging plate or the table linen.
4. Now it’s time to add your accents. In the sample above, green foliage is used as a complementary colour accent, with the gold ribbon and beads adding a little extra festive shimmer. If you’re not sure what your complementary colour should be, look at the colour opposite yours on this colour wheel.
5. If you’re not confident in layering or positioning, keep everything central for a neat, uniform look. You can read more below.

Everything has its place

If place setting isn’t your forte, here is a go-to recipe for a show-stopping Christmas table.

1. Lay your linen on the table.
2. Scatter any sequins first, so you get an even spread. Once you start placing crockery, it becomes tricky to scatter sequins without creating clusters.
3. If you have charger plates, put one on the table in front of each chair, then pop your plate on top. Otherwise, place your crockery straight onto the table.
4. Imagine your plate were a clock; your water or wine glasses should sit on the table at 1 o clock. 
5. Fold your square napkins in half. Fold the shorter edges in towards the middle of the napkin until it is about 2.5 inches / 5cm wide. 
6. Put the napkin on the centre of the plate, the shorter edges at 12 o clock and 6 o clock.
7. Place your cutlery (knife, fork, and dessert spoon) in the centre of the napkin, handles pointing towards 6 o clock, tips pointing towards 12 o clock.
8. Using ribbon, or twine, tie a bow around the centre of the napkin and cutlery to secure them as a bundle.
9. Slip a sprig of rosemary behind the bow.
10. If you have crackers to pull, they can either be placed on the table above the plate, or in between place settings.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

There you have it! A well put together Christmas table in just ten steps.

It’s only easy if you know how. That’s why you can rely on us for any home renovations you have planned. If you’d like to get in touch with the team here at Maidenhead Planning, to discuss any upcoming ventures, please drop us a line!