How to Decorate for Dinner

Use your formal or casual gathering as an excuse to decorate for dinner.

There was a time when dinner was a formal occasion in homes everywhere. Today you're lucky to get the entire family or busy friends together under the same roof at the same time, much less seated at the dinner table. Whether you're preparing dinner parties for a crowd or planning a smaller, more intimate event, it is the perfect excuse to decorate. You can change the decor in the room with each dinner gathering.

Things You'll Need

• Pillar candles and holders
• Taper candles and holders
• Tea light candles and holders
• Willow branches
• Tall clear vase
• Jewel-toned stones
• Table cloth
• Chiffon fabric
• Linen napkins
• Formal tableware
• Paint can
• Wallpaper remnant
• Small vase
• Fresh flowers
• Colorful dinnerware
• Paper napkins
• Gerbera daisies

Instructions

Formal Affair

1. 

   Candles set the mood.

   Light several candles of different sizes and place them around the dining room. Set two or three large pillar stands in the corner of the room and set taper candles on the buffet table. Pull the drapes a safe distance to the side and line the window sill with tea light candles.

2. Make a centerpiece to match the mood you are creating. Place willow branches in a tall cylinder vase filled with jewel-toned stones. Hang small silver and blue balls from the branches or leave them bare.

3. 

   Tablecloths add a formal touch.

   Lay a white or black table cloth over the table. Tie chiffon bows to the chairs or use chair covers you rent from a local linen service. Fold the linen napkins in a simple triangle or rectangle and place in the center of the dinner plates.

4. Set your table with fine china and crystal stemware. Fill the table with various plates, bowls, glasses and silverware adding to the formal look. Place a bread plate above the forks, to the right of the dinner and salad plate that may be stacked, one on top of the other. Directly above the dinner plate place a small dessert plate with a spoon laid horizontally in front of it. Set the water goblet to the top right of the bread plate and the wine glass next to it, but slightly closer to the seat or guest.

Casual Fun

1. Create a whimsical centerpiece with items you already have around the house. Strip the label from an old paint can and paste wallpaper remnants to it. Place a jar or wide glass in the can and fill it with water. Arrange a bouquet of fresh flowers in the can for a bright, cheery centerpiece.

2. 

   Use colorful dinnerware.

   Set the table with mismatched dinnerware and glasses. Mix and match the bowls and plates. In place of formal linen napkins, place colorful paper napkins inside the wine glasses or water goblets.

3. Tie large bows around the chairs. Use brightly colored fabric or gingham or wild prints. In the center of each bow place a Gerbera daisy as the finishing touch.

References

• Table-settings-with-pictures.com: Dinner Table Setting
• Do It Yourself: Host a Funky Modern Dinner Party
• MaminiRecepti.com: How To Decorate Your Dinner Table In A Way To Impress Your Guests