How to Design a Tabletop Display

Visual diversity and mixed items and textures are the key organizing principles to a winning tabletop display or vignette. Tabletop displays can be either functional or decorative with the goal often being to incorporate both. For a great display, use varying height and dimension, texture, matte and shiny finishes, color, mix of items, something living, transparent and solid densities, and variant shapes. A mixture of these complementary and contrasting elements will ensure a successful tabletop display.

Things You'll Need

• Decorative or functional objects in varying heights, textures, colors, shapes Living plant, flower bouquet or single bloom in vase Solid, clear and reflective surfaces on materials Color theme or pop of color for contrast

Instructions

1. Choose tables seen from the front and sides only, such as entryway tables, side tables, consoles and bedside tables. Establish a maximum height line with your tallest object, be it a lamp, sculpture or flower vase display. Place this item in the back half of your tabletop. Layer in the next tallest and largest volume objects. Fill in with smaller objects, being sure to leave some table top space empty for functional use and a sense of space.

2. Arrange table displays viewed from all directions such as a buffet table, coffee table or dining table in the round. Anchor the look by placing your tallest and heaviest objects roughly centered along the length of the table and generally tapering down in scale as you move toward the ends. Alternatively set the tabletop with multiple high points in an odd number grouping of three or five depending upon the size of the table top. Layer in small decorative objects and functional items, again being sure to leave some open space to give a sense of lightness to the composition.

3. Employ these concepts in dining tablescapes by layering glassware in varying heights, color and textures with table linens with texture or trim detail. Use flatware and china that complement but do not necessarily match to give your tabletop liveliness.

4. Place a living green plant or orchid in a decorative container, fresh-cut flowers in a vase, or a single bloom in a bud vase that complements the decor setting to add life and freshness to the tablescape. Faux silk or fabric flowers are not an appropriate substitute. Simple fresh greens cut from a backyard bush are a no-cost answer to this requirement.

References

• Elle Decor website with hundreds of examples of tabletop displays in a wide variety of settings
• HGTV Canada site on crafting tabletop vignettes