How to create a beautiful dining table setting - 3 table decor tips that will make your tables look professionally styled

Creating those beautifully styled tables you see on Pinterest looks like a work of art doesn't it? How on earth do they do it? What skills do they have? Can you achieve it yourself? Is it even possible? Will it look as good when I try? You'll be pleased to hear that anyone can style a table, and it's not as hard as it may first appear. Like anything, styling tables takes practice. And like anything, you can learn the styling techniques that make it possible to do it yourself. This is what I'm sharing with you today in this blog post, I'll be sharing my 3 top table decor tips that will elevate your tables so it looks professionally styled. 

~

Let address one thing first, the tables you see on Pinterest are often decorated by expert stylists who do this day in day out, they have learnt the tricks of the trade and know what it takes to create a dreamy table guests want to linger at. You have to remember, there is likely years of practice the stylist has build up over time, behind the table setting you see. So you mustn't compare you first attempts to a professional. 

~

Wedding Stylist turns into a table stylist

I've been styling weddings for over 6 years now and designing and creating the tablescapes has always been my absolute favourite part. So much so, I now specialise in table styling and have tweaked my business to become a table stylist for intimate events in my local community. I also focus a lot of my products creations that I sell in my online shop and etsy store, on the finer details for the table such as table stationery & dried flower creations. So I literally live and breathe table design on a daily basis.

~

The way I like to think of designing my tables is it's like creating a mini movie set. I'm literally setting the scene ready for the guests to gather, getting them dressed ready for the action to unfold.

I’ve always been highly complimented on how amazing and detailed my table designs are. The good news is that even though I’ve had years of practice and got years of experience under my belt, you too can create tables for your wedding reception or for a special occasion you're hosting at home, that look and feel elevated. I will be sharing my three pro styling techniques, which I have learnt over time, that make a huge difference to the end result.

If you’ve ever wondered why photos of tables on Pinterest look so swoon worthy and detailed, these are some the reasons behind that. Care has been taken. Story telling is at play and attention to the details has been carefully considered. Now let's dive into the three table techniques for styling like a pro.

~

Ruffle your table runners

Ruffling table runners is the one thing I always do without fail, if I’m using any form of chiffon, cheesecloth or loose linen table runners. It makes all the difference to the overall result. It not only adds natural dimension with texture, volume and layers to the base foundation of your table, it will look like a professional has styled it for you.

Taking some time and effort to gather them up also adds a softness to a wooden table, breaking up any harsh lines, giving a more decorative look that looks more dressed for guests, rather than just leaving them flat, which can lack some character.

It’s a fantastic technique to have up your sleeve for informal weddings, rustic wedding styles, romantic elegant weddings and vintage wedding styles, due to its loose and relaxed look of organic draping. You can either ruffle a single table runner down the centre of your table, combine two colours together to create a contrasting look, by layering one table runner on top of another. Or you can style a table runner over the top of a table cloth down the centre to add even more layers and depth.

You will also find that when you add your other wedding table decorations like table number photo frames, bud vases and candles, the bunched fabric will organically shape itself snuggly around these decor items, making the whole table look effortless and natural. The fabric will naturally flow around table centrepieces, cutlery and charger mats, giving a luxurious feel to dining, that looks elevated.

How to ruffle your table runners

If you spend time practicing the draping technique I am confident you will soon master it. I had no clue how to do it before I became a wedding stylist, but after lots of practice I find it a complete doddle now. If I can learn it, so can you. So don’t give up on your first try.

Some helpful tips if you want to ruffle your table runners on a smooth table surface, as I have been here before, and it can be so tricky when you have the combination of slippery fabric and a slippery table surface! If you’re using charger mats, either trap the fabric underneath so it holds it still, or lay your chargers on the table first, then your table runner next so that your fabric has something with texture to cling to.

If your table surface is shiny smooth, it may be worth considering opting for cheesecloth or I love using chiffon runners that are made from tulle fabric as well, as these fabrics have more texture to them, giving you a better chance of them staying when you put them.

Looking at the table texture in your wedding venue when you go for a private viewing or to a wedding open day, is one of those things that couples don’t tend to consider. It’s the last thing you would even be thinking about! I know because I’ve been there myself. It’s only because now I’ve had a lot of experience decorating different tables at different venues, that these issues have become visible to me. I love to pass on that knowledge so that styling your space doesn’t become stressful, especially on set up day. It’s helpful to know these things beforehand so you can better prepare for it. 

Here is fun video you can watch below, of me styling a table runner.

~

How to reduce wedding stress

If you're planning your wedding, and are worried you'll forget items you need to decorate your venue with, I have created you a free complete wedding decor checklist, so that you won't forget anything. There's handy checklists for your tables, reception area, ceremony space and so on. You can download it for free when you sign up to my email list here.

~
The other thing I do without fail, to elevate wedding tables is to add unexpected flourishes.

Why adding finishing touches to your tables brings them to life

When I first started styling tables, I would put all the foundation pieces on and then arrange all my decor down the middle, but when I took a step back, I felt like something was missing. It was the thing that took it from looking just nice to looking extra special. In one word I wanted it to look elevated. I played around and eventually found what the special 'something' missing was, and it was the final flourishes that tied everything together.

A final flourish for me is anything small, like fruit, sprigs of greenery, moss, berries, dried flowers, leaves, acorns, pine cones, conkers, twigs, mini disco balls. You get the idea!

I arrange these flourishes around the base of bud vases and candle holders, and nestled between the gathered draping of the table runner. The trick is to have a light touch and use your creative eye to help balance these little additions. And in doing so makes all the difference. I have styled countless tables now and if you look close enough you will notice every table has it's final flourishes, that help tie everything together and feel inviting. They might be subtle, but they are there, and that’s what gives my tables that elevated, effortless look.

So unless you’re going for a minimalist look with clean lines, consider what little flourishes you could add to take your table design up a level. My top tips for choosing final flourishes are to consider the season you’re in, consider the story you’re telling with the table, consider the colour scheme and vibe. And of course consider the other decorations you have on the table. You might have to play around with some ideas, but just have fun with it, you’ll know it’s the perfect fit when you’ve experimented with some options.
A great source of creative ideas for adding flourishes is my portfolio page, where you will find lots of inspiration for this.

Fold your table napkins with styling techniques

Something else I do every time to elevate my tables, is to carefully consider how to style the napkins on top of the place settings. Your place settings for each guest need to feel welcoming, so that each guest invited feels extra special. Taking the time to think about how to present your napkins is a huge part of that, as when they take their seat this is what they will see and touch first. There are lots of creative folding techniques and fun embellishment ideas that will add interest to them to help level up your table setting.

~
Making an effort with this small detail will instantly make your tables look professionally styled. When you take the time to get creative with how you present them, it immediately makes the occasion feel more special, as it is a thoughtful touch to add, which guests tend to relate to as a luxury dining experience.

Getting creative with how to present them allows for lots more styling opportunities too. You can play with pocket folds which you can hold cutlery in, menu cards, personalised drink straws & name cards or a seasonal flower or sprig of greenery. You can even add twine or ribbon around the napkin for a different look.
~
There’s also the fabric of the napkin to consider as this is a very tactile decor piece. Your guests will be touching them, so the material wants to reflect the mood and style of your occasion. If you're planning an elegant and romantic wedding reception for example; what about using a bow style napkin, or if your event atmosphere is relaxed, maybe opt for a knotted napkin.

Play around with placement, experimenting with angles and don’t forget to consider what else you have on your place setting, so you can choose a napkin design that incorporates items like, wedding favours, place cards, menu cards, thank you notes, and order of evening reception cards.

~

Here is a helpful video tutorial on my you tube channel I made, showing 4 different ways to fold your napkins on your place settings. These folding techniques can be used for wedding receptions and dinner parties at home. I invite you to subscribe to my you tube channel for more fun tutorials and tips like this.

~

Decorate your table with these new styling techniques 

These are the three things I always do when styling my tablescapes and they really do make the whole thing look and feel more elevated. The extra effort you put into each one, the ruffling of your table runners, creative presentation with your napkins & adding those small final flourishes will help you achieve professional looking table that look like you’ve had a stylist help you.
~
Remember it’s not about your tables looking perfectly polished, it’s not about choosing high end decorations or having more decor on the table, is about selecting thoughtful pieces and styling them with care. It’s about layering textures, creating depth, personalisation, story telling and welcoming vibes.

I hope you have enjoyed reading how you can easily elevate your tables.

Feel free to drop a comment and share with tip you will be using next time you style your table.