3 Stunning Ways to Decorate a Table for Lunch, Dinner, and More

As any host will tell you, a beautiful table setting makes any dinner party more delightful. To help you decorate the table of your dreams, Brides Today Digital asked three experts (and decor pros!) to show us three stylish ways to update a standard table setting using tableware, flowers, mats and more. These ideas are  perfect for everything from formal dinners, relaxed gatherings with friends, to an outdoor lunch!

A formal dinner setting by Raseel Gujral Ansal, interior and lifestyle designer and founder of Casa Paradox.

Takeaway tip: Add a personal touch

“We all are familiar with the basics of a formal dinner table setting—plates should sit in the centre, glassware should be set above and to the right of the dinner plate, and so on... But it's always that personalised touch that makes an exceptional dinner table layout,” says Raseel.

“For me, the really fun part of setting a table is putting the accessories together. Candles, fresh flowers, handwritten name holders, runners, and napkin rings can all be added to dress up a table for a whole range of events.Start off by setting a colour palette. Then you can build up a collection of little extras to make the table shine.Focus on the little details like tying the cutlery into a bundle with ribbon or twine. Don't forget that the dinnerware you choose will be the focal point of attention. Choose carefully to add that extra edge to your table setting,” she adds.

A relaxed sit down dinner party at home by Srila Chatterjee, founder of Mumbai-based art, lifestyle, and furniture store, Baro

Takeaway tip: Mix traditional with modern

“I suggest you take the party outside—set up a table on the terrace, and dress it up completely. Why not use a beautiful odhni as a tablecloth (and if there are stains, they’ll only add to the stories)!Do bring out the family thalis, and mix kansa (bell metal) with glass.Add some gold through candles, and offset that with classic, white napkins, and coasters.Add flasks for water because they look good, and always include flowers! You don’t need to order flowers, by the way—just get some champas or whatever you can get from the garden.Shola (thermocol) flowers on the napkins add a great touch of the exotic,” says Srila Chatterjee.

A shabby-chic, picnic table by designer Anushree Reddy, founder of Decadent Luxury Wedding Decor

Takeaway tip: Pair glamour with nature

“This is my take on a homegrown, shabby-chic table setting, which is perfect for an outdoor picnic. I believe flowers and ferns add a refreshing vibe to any table. Considering the lockdown, all the props and flowers here were plucked from the garden.To make the tablescape a little more fun, add a pop of colour through plates. I like the idea of mixing two colours while plating. Remember to use complimentary colours and not contrasting ones.Personally, I love fabric mats and napkins. Prints are a great option, by the way, as they add a little drama to the setting.Get innovative—instead of traditional tables, use checker trunks as shown here.As for the seating, make it interesting by adding a low casual throw,” says Aushree Reddy.