How to Create a Tablescape

A table scape of food and potted plants.

Arrange a tablescape as a decoration for your next party. Create a mad scientist's lab for a Halloween party by arranging beakers of chocolate eyeballs, a test tube rack of colorful mini-cocktails and a tray of finger sandwiches surrounded by plastic spiders and rats. For Christmas, create an arrangement of antique holiday decorations on the table behind your sofa. Arrange a collection of baskets, eggs and chicks on your Easter dinner table.

Things You'll Need

• Beautiful and interesting decorative items

Instructions

1. Gather a group of quality decorative objects in coordinating colors. The objects can have a similar theme if desired.

2. Start with the item you would like to highlight and place it in the center of the table near the front.

3. Arrange the other objects around and behind it.

4. Group objects in odd numbers. The finished tablescape should have an odd number of items. Group objects by placing them on trays or in dishes or by just arranging them in a close cluster.

5. If some of the items are small, gather several of them together. You can also highlight a small object by setting it on a pedestal.

6. Add tall items such as tall plants, candlesticks or an arrangement of stalks or branches in a vase.

Tips & Warnings

• Stack several books and use them as a pedestal.

• Gather your favorite items and arrange them into a more permanent tablescape.

References

• Apartment Therapy: How to Master the Art of the Tablescape
• Celebrations; Beach Scene Summer Tablescape; Yelena Johnson