Everything you need to know about how to dress a table for a fabulously festive feast, from place setting to centrepieces!
Wondering how to dress a table for Christmas? Whether you're hosting a traditional Christmas dinner, a cosy family lunch or a festive party, the right Christmas table decorations can help create a memorable setting. From choosing a colour scheme and styling place settings to creating a beautiful Christmas table centrepiece, this guide covers everything you need to create a festive table your guests will love.
How To Create A Simple Christmas Tablescape
A Christmas tablescape is a coordinated display that combines tableware, decorations and centrepieces to create a cohesive festive look. Start with a table runner or cloth, add place settings, then layer decorative elements down the centre of the table.
For an effortless look, stick to two or three key colours and repeat them throughout the display. This helps the table feel elegant and balanced rather than cluttered. Natural greenery, candles and textured linens are a simple way to create a Christmas tablescape that feels stylish without requiring lots of decorations.
Furniturebox Studio - Our best-selling Leonardo glass dining table with gold nested starburst legs and 6 Corona dining chairs in white faux leather with gold legs.
Choose A Christmas Table Theme And Colour Scheme
Now, this pretty much goes for all interior design stuff, but selecting a colour scheme and/or palette helps create a cohesive look. You can reflect colours already present in your room or accessories, or contrast with them. This can also apply to materials and textures. Similarly, complementing tones and textures create a calm style. Contrasting colours and textures create drama and high energy. Either works for a Christmas look in our book! When it comes to festive colour palettes, the world is your oyster.
Metallics, jewel tones and high-contrast give a feeling of dramatic opulence. Neutral shades, pinks and reds, blushes, greys, whites and natural materials are softer and more magical, whimsical feel, even when coupled with metallics. The ol' staples of Christmas colour combos tend to be greens, reds, golds, silvers and blues, but don't be afraid to think outside the box!
Furniturebox Studio - Our popular white Imperia dining table with Pesaro dining chairs in green velvet with gold legs.
How To Dress A Table With Place Settings
Having a nice table setting to eat from sets the tone. You can go full-blown fine dining with the salad forks if you want to, but some matching crockery and cutlery will go far. Visually pleasing and neat can make your table feel special.
For a bit of a fancier set-up, consider placemats, charger plates (basically a fancy large decorative plate to add some extra glam or colour to the table), a dinner plate, and a bowl. Maybe napkins in napkin rings? Or, just some fancy cutlery, some gleaming wine glasses, and a neat placemat under your favourite plates.
Furniturebox Studio
Christmas Table Centrepiece Ideas For Every Style
Centrepieces are a fun and pretty way to help make your table feel vibrant and provide a decorative focal point for your dining table. Go with the theme and/or colour palette you chose at the start so that your table decor matches your room and crockery/cutlery (or complements it nicely). The key to a great centrepiece is that there's still room for the food and that your guests can all see each other to chat.
You could go for a simple wreath or display right in the centre of the table, or get creative with a festive tablescape. A tablescape is basically a landscape or your dining table. A tablescape is a bit more than just a single centrepiece and tends to include a collection of themed and matching bits and bobs to make the table look pretty.
@renovation_at_no.39 - Our glass and chrome Leonardo table.
Christmas Table Decoration Ideas
Whether your style is traditional, modern or rustic, Christmas table decorations help bring your festive dining space to life. Layering different decorative elements creates depth and makes the table feel more special for guests.
- Popular Christmas table decoration ideas include:
- Candles and lanterns for warm ambient lighting
- Mini Christmas trees or festive foliage
- Pinecones, dried oranges and eucalyptus
- Decorative baubles incorporated into tablescapes
- Seasonal name cards and napkin decorations
- Gold, silver or brass accents for added sparkle
Remember not to overcrowd the table. Leave enough space for serving dishes, drinks and comfortable dining.
Extra Serving Space
There's nothing worse than getting your Christmas dinner table looking 'chef's kiss' and then realising when it's time to sit down and eat that there's nowhere to put the roast potatoes or the extra bottle of bubbly. Console tables or coffee tables make for handy additional surface space. Use them for a condiments and gravy station, setting out veg platters, or a little pop-up bar for your drinks! We've got a huge selection of console and coffee tables in glass, metal, high gloss, marble and concrete effect tops, so there's something to suit all home styles.
@our_wharncliffe_home - Our Tuscany coffee table
@newroad_newproject - Our Leonardo glass and chrome console table and matching coffee table
Christmas Table Decoration FAQs
What should be in the centre of a Christmas table?
A Christmas table centrepiece can include candles, festive foliage, a wreath, decorative baubles or a styled tablescape. The key is keeping it low enough for guests to comfortably talk across the table.
How do I make my Christmas table look expensive?
Layering textures, adding metallic accents, using matching tableware and incorporating candlelight can instantly create a more luxurious festive table setting.
What colours are best for Christmas table decorations?
Classic Christmas colours include red, green, gold and silver, while modern festive tables often feature neutrals, black, white, blush pink or jewel tones.
How do you decorate a Christmas dining table on a budget?
Natural greenery, pinecones, candles, seasonal foliage and reusable decorations can create a beautiful Christmas dining table without spending a fortune.
What Next?
We love seeing how our customers style their Furniturebox products so be sure to give us a follow on Insta and tag us in your product pics. We've also got links to lots of useful info there. And we've also got heaps more inspiration over on Pinterest so give us a follow there, too.
