How to Make Romantic Dinner Chargers

Creating a romantic dining charger will set the perfect mood.

Dinner chargers are the large plates that are set underneath the dinner plate. You should not eat off of these plates. Rather, they create a pretty backdrop for a formal table setting. Chargers can be simple and elegant, or bright, dramatic and surprising. Chargers don't even necessarily have to be plates. By being creative you can come up with a variety of innovative chargers to suit the mood of your table scape.

Things You'll Need

• Craft paint
• Glitter
• Spray paint
• Stencils
• Artist paint brushes
• Clear acrylic sealant
• Glue
• Ribbon
• Flowers

Instructions

1. Buy a charger. Chargers come in a wide variety of styles, colors and materials. Select one that will compliment your table decorations. Soft colors like lilac, gray and white are perfect for more subtle occasions. Dark, vivid colors like garnet, plum and black create a dramatic mood.

2. Add a personal touch by painting a design on your charger with artists' paint brushes using craft paints. Metallic paints, glitter and spray paints can add flair and interest. A stencil can be used to create a symmetrical design. Make sure the chargers are clean and dry before painting. Apply two coats of clear acrylic sealant after paint is dry.

3. Glue ribbons or even flowers onto the charger. Don't add flowers to the center of the charger. The dinner plate will be resting on it. Concentrate on the outer edges of the charger for these types of decorations.

4. Use unusual items in place of the dinner charger. An inverted bamboo tray, for example, would be an interesting charger or a lovely hat box. Be sure that the charger is bigger than the actual dinner plate.

References

• Martha Stewart: Charger Plates and Turkey Tools
• HGTV: Share My Craft