Step-by-Step Table Decorating
Decorating a dining room table for a special dinner, event or party should be an enjoyable process. It is best to think about your event well in advance in case you need to acquire or purchase items. It is also a good idea to practice new recipes before your event in case one doesn't turn out like you expect. Preparation and time management are key to producing a fabulous dining experience that you and your guests will enjoy and remember. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lampshades
- Table cloth
- Table runner
- Place mats
- Dishware
- Silverware
- Stemware
- Glasses
- Shakers
- Napkins
- Menus
- Candles
- Flowers
- 1/2 chair slips
- Slip covers
Instructions
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1
Clean your chandelier and dining room furniture. Remove all clutter and items that make the room look dated. Wash windows, and vacuum your floor. Try to do this about a week in advance, so you have a chance to note if your chair seats are stained. Locate all of the table linens you wish to use for your event. It is generally a good idea to place all essential decorating items on your table prior to the party, so you know you have everything you need well in advance.
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Select a party theme. Your theme may be as simple as choosing a color. You do not have to choose an exaggerated theme. Keep in mind that color evokes mood, and think about how you want your guests to feel. Also consider making the food center stage. This means that you select table decorations that are somewhat neutral, so the color of your food becomes dramatic and interesting.
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3
Determine your number of guests. Every guest should have a chair and sufficient room at the table to feel comfortable. When you pre-set your table, you will be able to check this. Make sure each guest can draw her chair back and walk past a seated guest. Sometimes you should move sideboards out of the dining room to allow room for your guests movement.
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4
Consider placing individual lampshades on your chandelier if it is the type that has exposed candle style light bulbs. This may be even more important if your light does not have dimmer capability as the shades will reduce the glare effect. Lighting affects what your table looks like.
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Launder and iron your table linens. When you have a limited budget, it is best to own a white table cloth, as white will always look crisp and go with any theme color. There are many ways to arrange linens, and no one way is correct. For this even, use a white table cloth that overhangs your table by at least 18-inches on all sides. Position a full-length table runner, so the pointed ends and tassels fall half way between the table top and the bottom edge of the table cloth. Use place mats of a similar color or fabric for individual settings.
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Position each place mat with at least a minimum of 2 inches between them. A place mat should generally be the same width as your dining room chair. If your place mats are touching at the sides, your seating probably is too crowded.
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Center a charger at each place setting. A charger is a large, often decorative plate that food is not served on. A charger can be used to focus a theme, and it can bring an additional decorative element to the table setting. Chargers do not have to be food safe. Place a bread plate on top of your charger. Often designers in stores will place a dinner plate and bowl at a setting, but for an actual event you will be serving food on the plate and bowl, so you do not set them on the table.
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8
Stack your clean dinner plates, salad plates, soup bowls and any other dishes you will be using to serve your guests on a sideboard. Make sure you have sufficient items for each guest. These items will move to the kitchen prior to the dinner, so food can be placed on them for your guests. If your dinner is buffet or family style you can pre-set with dishes your guests will use immediately.
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Place your dinner and salad fork on the left side of each plate with the largest fork closest to the plate. Place your knife and spoons to the right side of each plate. Specialty fish forks, steak knives and other utensils should be added to the top of the setting, horizontal to the place mat. The blade of the knives should be toward the plate and spoons should be in descending order. Example: butter knife, tablespoon, teaspoon.
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Position stemware, glasses, cups and saucers to the top and right of your plate at approximately the 2 o'clock position. Your shortest cup or glass is closest to the center of the setting. Personal shakers should be placed unobtrusively behind the water glasses. Fold a napkin, and place it on top of your dinnerware. Place a small menu for each guest on top of the napkin.
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Arrange 3- to 4-inch tall pillar candles and flowers or petals along the center of the table. Be sure to create openings where you can place water carafes during the meal. Centerpiece decorations should be low enough that guests can easily see each other across the table. Finish your table by using slipcovers over stained chairs or half-slips to bring your color theme to your chairs.
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Tips & Warnings
The critical elements to a noteworthy dining experience are that your settings be spotless. Everything should sparkle, so guests feel special. Less formal settings can follow similar organization; just use more natural materials. Keep in mind that your evening should celebrate good food and good guests.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
