How to Set a Beautiful Holiday Table

Everyone loves a beautifully set holiday table, and I’ve had a lot of fun creating them this year, so I thought I’d share with you my tips for how to set a beautiful holiday table.

The first thing you need is inspiration. I always go to Pinterest for inspiration but there are lots of other places to find it, like your favorite Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Google Images, etc. Since it’s fall, and there are so many beautiful colors in fall, I wanted to do a more natural/earthy table setting, so I was inspired when I found this picture on Pinterest.

The leaves on our trees haven’t quite started turning yet so I thought I’d use this picture as inspiration but do my own take on it.

Step 1

Clear off the dining room table and make sure it’s clean.

Step 2

Start with a base layer. Setting a beautiful holiday table is very similar to getting dressed up, you start with a base layer, then add additional layers and then the accessories. 🙂

I loved the white base layer in the inspiration picture so I decided to do the same. I found this lace in my fabric scrap crate and thought it was perfect for this tablescape.

Step 3

Add a color layer. I love the teal burlap in the picture but I didn’t have any burlap long enough to fit my table, and since I was trying to just use what I already owned, I decided to go a different direction. Instead of the burlap I added this beautiful table runner that I’ve had for years. It’s elegant and has the perfect colors for fall.

I also love the teal glass vases in the inspiration picture so I pulled all my teal and blue glass containers from my storage closet. The big blue ones I found on clearance at Target this summer and the tall skinny glass containers are from Goodwill. The table runner has silver detailing on it so I also pulled out some of my silver tea light holders.

Step 4

Bring in nature.

Our trees haven’t started changing colors yet but we have these beautiful burnt manzanita bushes on our back hill so I used some of the burnt branches to bring in nature and the darker colors of fall. I love the contrast they bring to all the lighter colors on the table. I also added lots of little pumpkins because they are adorable and add even more texture to the table.

Step 5

Add candles. Every good tablescape has lots of candles. I added lots of different types of candles to my holiday table – pillar candles in mix-matched vases, tea lights and a purple glass candle I found at TJ Maxx awhile back.

Step 6

Set the table. There are 2 main ways to set a table – everything matches or everything is mis-matched. I like to mis-match my holiday tables to add lots of charm.

I start by adding chargers, for this table I used copper and eggplant purple. Then I added my sister’s China (I sort of consider it mine since it resides at my house permanently) and then I added clear glass salad plates. I like the depth that the clear salad plates add to each place setting.

Then to add a little more color, and charm, to the table I used 3 different types of glasses. I used milk glass cups for each end of the table, I used green glasses I bought awhile back at Goodwill (49 cents each!) for most of the place settings, and then I added in a couple of my late grandmother’s crystal goblets. I love the character that each of the different types brings to the table and they are all vintage which adds extra charm!

Step 7

Throw a dinner party! Now that you have a beautifully set holiday table it’s time to invite your friends over to show it off for dinner.

Light all the candles, dim the chandelier and enjoy a wonderful evening with your friends gathered around your beautifully set table! Trust me, with a table this beautiful they will feel extra special. 🙂

My table doesn’t look exactly like the inspiration picture, actually it doesn’t really look like it at all, but it was the perfect inspiration because it inspired the colors and the textures of my table but most of all it inspired me to create something that is ME.

I would love to see your inspiration pictures and finished table settings, share them with me on Facebook or Instagram (just make sure to tag me so I can see it). 🙂