Designing Beautiful and Simple Tablescapes

Designing beautiful, simple, and minimalist tablescapes is a bit of an obsession of mine.

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You might technically call them centerpieces or vignettes, however, I prefer “tablescape” since it sounds grander. So what is it? You'll find varying descriptions but here are two I like:

An artistic arrangement of articles on a table
YourDictionary.com

Tablescaping is the act of creatively and intentionally arranging a tabletop so that it conveys a specific theme, mood, or experience.
FearlessFresh.com

There are Competitions

I am not alone in creating these. There are industries built around it – linens, place settings, silverware, china, etc. Did you also know there are competitions? I certainly didn't until I researched information for this post.
Competitive Tablescaping is Real, and It’s a Delight to Behold is a 2017 article featured in Apartment Therapy where I discovered these images and these fantastic judges notes:

“Dessert fork is too large and facing the wrong way.” Another table, with a nautical theme, got a nod for rope-wrapped legs but also a note that “Teaspoon should be on saucer and the tablecloth should be rectangular, not oval.”

Look at these elaborate tablescapes! One even has pillows. Pillows.

Credit to: LACountyFair.com

We'll walk through what you can include to make your table stand out. I am choosing to show dining room tables, but you can easily design ones for your coffee and side tables in addition to sideboards. Really, wherever you like. I use materials I find in my home and occasionally buy items here and there. I've been doing it so long that I have a nice sized storage area for all of my holiday and theme decor. Remember I mentioned in the beginning I have a slight obsession?

What's in a tablescape?

Whatever you like, but if you're looking for design steps or a checklist, here's one:

Choose what inspires you
Gather your items
Start with a clean foundation
Pick your linens and textures
Create your centerpiece
Add your place settings
Personalization

I asked my friend Paige Hills to give me an idea of what she uses in her designs. Paige owns her own design firm, Lievano Interiors, in Atlanta, Georgia. She's extremely talented and her home is amazing if you're lucky enough to visit. She is one of the most creative people I have ever met.

“I really love milk glass bud vases for a centerpiece or a batch of vintage rocks glasses from the thrift store. Fill them with ice cream salt, because it looks like crystals and I always clip greenery from clients’ yards. I try to make all centerpieces low enough for guests to see over and I always remind clients to never use scented candles in the dining room. I like to add as much nature as possible. Mine is an all-purpose design firm and I’m really known for color selection and use of vintage pieces.”
Lievano Interiors
Full-Service Interior firm providing all manner of services for both residential and commercial projects.

Etsy is a personal favorite of mine since you can support independent artists and find unique, vintage things you can repurpose for any occasion.

Linens
Table runners

Candleholders
No table is complete – in my opinion – without candles and candleholders. I like natural wooden or ones made of most type of metals.

Place Card Holders (optional)

Fun Mismatched Silverware
I have an eclectic soul and love mixing patterns. Plus, you don't have to have a ton of sets!

Example of Holiday Themes
I'll use the holiday tablescapes I've created in the past year to demonstrate easy ways to decorate your dining room table.

Thanksgiving
I used inspiration from a Pinterest post to create my November theme. I purchased the round tin tray and pumpkins from At Home. Everything else I owned.

Christmas
I repurposed the tin tray and candle sticks and candles.

Mardi Gras
I already own tons of bead necklaces so I added them along with a New Year's Eve mask to a ceramic bowl I had in the house.

Valentine's Day
One of my favorite holidays. We celebrate everyone including family and friends. I used items I owned and purchased the red plastic hearts from Michaels.

St. Patrick's Day
I had quite a few materials since half of my mother's side is Irish, but I bought key elements from Hobby Lobby.

If you're feeling extra crafty and inspired by Pinterest, you might want to try this easy project. I made this shutter to use as a stage for future tablescapes. It turned out nicely and simple to make. I am going to use it with various table runners and centerpieces throughout the year.

Easter Table Ideas
I've started to design my Easter table but haven't finished so can't feature it here yet. However, I can link to Easter ideas from Etsy.

Home good stores, DIY places, Etsy, and thrift stores are all great spots to hunt for your tablescapes. It gives me joy to create fun areas for our home, and if you haven't yet, I hope you'll be inspired to design a table this week or month or year!

You might enjoy our other post Bringing joy to your home through your art .