How to Set a Formal (but Totally Doable!) Dining Table

Expecting guests? Whether it's for a special occasion, like a milestone birthday or anniversary, or holiday, like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, we'll walk you through how to set a table properly so you can celebrate in style.

By: Marian Parsons

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Set a Formal (but not Fussy!) Table

Setting a formal table can be intimidating but this tutorial will show how doable it is. Just use pretty elements like inherited china and silver, flatware received as a wedding gift, or pieces picked up through the years at thrift stores and yard sales. While this tutorial follows most traditional rules of a formal table setting, a couple of rules will be tweaked for the sake of simplicity.

Start With a Tablecloth

While a tablecloth isn’t essential, it's a nice way to set the stage for a formal table setting. A white linen tablecloth is traditional and will go with anything. Shake out the wrinkles and fold marks by spraying it with enough water to make it damp, then throw it in the dryer. Iron if desired or leave the tablecloth slightly rumpled for a more relaxed look.

See More Photos: Antiques 101: 10 Tips for Collecting Vintage Linens

Place the Centerpiece

Add a centerpiece to the middle of the table. If using a long, rectangular table, two or three smaller arrangements might be a better option. For a round table, one large centerpiece will make a strong visual statement. Feel free to remove the centerpiece when the meal begins so it doesn’t impede conversation and allows for food to be set on the table.

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Set a Charger at Each Place

A charger is like a piece of jewelry on a formal table. It frames out the dinner plate and is an opportunity to add shine, sparkle or texture. In this case, vintage brass chargers were used to add warmth to the silver, cream and pale blue Bavarian china set.

Add a Dinner Plate

The dinner plate is placed on top of the charger. Formal table settings generally use matching china, but feel free to mix and match if you have collected various patterns over the years. Formal doesn’t mean you can't display your uniquely personal style and using mismatched dishware may be just the trendy look you're after.

Top With a Salad Plate

Add a salad plate on top of the dinner plate. The salad is served on the salad plate before the main course and then the plate is removed before dinner is served. Again, you can use dishware from the same set or mix it up.

Place a Bread Plate and Knife

At the top left corner of the place setting, add a bread plate with a bread knife placed at an angle, with the handle pointing towards the dinner plate. This plate could double as a dessert plate if it needs to work double-duty.

Add a Cloth Napkin

A monogrammed linen napkin used to be an essential item on a wedding gift registry. They can be found readily in antique stores, online marketplaces, and even yard sales. Note: A cloth napkin is traditionally folded in a rectangle and placed under the forks to the left of the plate or just to the left of the forks. Since space is limited on this table, the more informal placement on the plate was used.

Place Forks + Knives

Place a dinner fork just to the left of the charger. Next to that, place a salad fork. To the right of the plate, add a dinner knife with the blade facing towards the plate. As a rule, flatware is used from the “outside to the inside” as the meal progresses. The final flatware used for desserts and coffee are placed above the dinner plate if there is room on the table. This can be a fun point of conversation at the table or even an etiquette quiz given as a dinner game. People should still feel welcomed and relaxed, even with silverware they may not be used to using.

Add Spoons + Glassware

Add a teaspoon to the right of the dinner knife and a soup spoon just to the right of that if soup is being served. A soup bowl can be layered over the salad plate, or bowls of soup can be brought to the table once diners are seated. It depends on the progression of the meal and how it's being served. Just because the table is set formally doesn’t mean the meal has to be served in a formal manner. A casual buffet or family-style service can be mixed with a formal table setting. Add a water goblet to the top right corner of each place. This is also where glasses of red and or white wine are placed, if being offered.

Add a Decorative Element

It’s not an essential part of a formal table, but it does elevate the look of a place setting to add a decorative element on the salad plate or napkin. Make sure you’re using something that will not shed, making the plate unusable, like glitter or inedible plants. Herbs, berries, fruit, vegetables and edible flowers are all great options. Wrap them in a pretty velvet ribbon that coordinates with the centerpiece and china.

See More Photos: 21 Edible Flowers: Weeds and Flowers You Can Actually Eat

Add a Place Card

A place card can be as simple as a folded piece of card stock with a name written on it. There are many beautiful and creative options that can be used as well, but simple and elegant will always be a winner.

Add Table Decorations and Candles

As a final step, add decorative elements to the table like seasonal fruit, vegetables, sprigs of herbs, nuts in their shells, pine cones and even ornaments or figurines that represent the season. This is a way to add more color and texture to the table to take it over the top visually. This step can be as simple or elaborate as desired.

Step Back + Enjoy the View

Setting a formal table is a wonderful excuse to pull out grandma’s china and learn about how things “used to be done properly.” It’s a learning experience that honors those who have used these pieces over the decades. Appreciating the past is a wonderful layer of enjoyment to add to a special dinner with friends and family.

How to Set a Formal (but Totally Doable!) Dining Table

Related To:

Shop This Look

Set a Formal (but not Fussy!) Table

Start With a Tablecloth

Place the Centerpiece

Set a Charger at Each Place

Add a Dinner Plate

Top With a Salad Plate

Place a Bread Plate and Knife

Add a Cloth Napkin

Place Forks + Knives

Add Spoons + Glassware

Add a Decorative Element

Add a Place Card

Add Table Decorations and Candles

Step Back + Enjoy the View

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