15 Easy Centerpieces for Any Dinner Party

Transform your table with seasonal and year-round centerpieces that are simply elegant and easy to make for any chic dinner party.

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November 25, 2014

By: Kayla Kitts

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Photo By: iStockphoto.com/Sisoje

Spring Fling

This whimsical centerpiece is perfect for spring-inspired dinner parties and is surprisingly simple to create. "I gathered several manzanita branches into a tall vase to bring the outdoors in. These gorgeous branches, with their twists and curls, make such a dramatic statement on a tabletop," Katie Riley of Centsational Girl says. You can even replace the butterflies with seasonal objects, like leaves or snowflakes, for a gorgeous centerpiece to celebrate any holiday or season.

Black Balloons

To create this party-ready centerpiece and table, Wendy Hyde of The Shabby Nest first layered kraft paper over a neutral tablecloth and topped it with a black-and-white patterned table runner. "Balloons were tied to chandelier crystals to weigh them down and keep their place on the table," she says. "Pretty mercury-glass votives were placed between the balloons to add ambient lighting." For a personalized touch, each balloon was embellished with photographs, in this case, pictures of the anniversary couple.

Seaside Inspirations

Longing for that summertime feel during the winter months? Bring the beach right to your table. This sea-inspired centerpiece is easy to make and can be used all year round. "A rustic wooden tray provides the base for the rectangular glass vase filled with sand, candles and a variety of seashells," Katrina Giles of Seaside Interiors says. Add vibrant shells and starfish for an extra boost of summer hues.

Vibrant Fruits

This summer-inspired floral centerpiece sits nicely against crisp white linens and a neutral backdrop. Depending on the height of the flower stalks, fill a tall, narrow hurricane halfway with water and add a few small oranges for a burst of color. Choose tall seasonal flowers for a vibrant contrast against the floating orange hues.

Rustic Autumn Decor

This warm, rustic tablescape is perfect for displaying fall's favorite hues. Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home used a rust-toned vintage quilt on top of a linen curtain panel for a layered tablecloth effect. "I took cues from the season and brought in pumpkins, nuts and fresh urns on the table," she says. "I used both crystal and wood cutting boards for a juxtaposition between rustic and refined." This tablescape is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or for the entire fall season.

Spring Awakening

Celebrate the start of spring with an inviting nature-inspired tablescape. "A simple blossom-themed wrapping paper is the inspiration for this table setting to welcome spring. A variety of candles and a pedestal holding an egg-filled bowl add to the fresh feel of the table," Katrina Giles of Seaside Interiors says. For a subtle contrast and touch of drama, black place mats are added beneath simple aqua dishes.

Natural Instincts

Craft a centerpiece using natural items found right in your backyard. To create the various elements of this centerpiece, Alissa Ditta of 33 Shades of Green filled glass hurricanes with candles, moss and twigs and surrounded them with twig balls and small votives for extra sparkle. Potted succulents provide an additional green element to the decor in contrast with the burlap table runner. "Decorating with succulent plants is easy and inexpensive, because they are low-maintenance and will be around long after your dinner party," she says.

Winter Florals

For this fresh floral centerpiece, Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home wanted to create a clean, wintry look by pairing icy-hued china with a natural floral centerpiece. "I used a combination of white roses, freesia, carnations and mums in the aluminum bowl in the center of the table and flanked it with wheat grass," she says.

Hello, Orange!

These vibrant orange centerpieces would be ideal for a bridal or baby shower, or just a springtime soiree. Keren Dukes of Free Pretty Things for You created this chic centerpiece with tissue paper, vintage buttons, lace and thrift-shop milk glasses. The resulting stylish DIY centerpieces are both affordable and easy to make. Bring a pop of color to the living room by adding these to a mantelscape.

Conversation Starter

It's important that a dinner party centerpiece not block the view of the other side of the table. Something tall and slender can still provide a dramatic effect without interfering in the conversation. Add tall blooming branches to a slender vase and surround with pebbles, marbles or sand to keep the branches in place. Design by John Gidding.

Flowers and Fruit

Create a fragrant and colorful centerpiece with fresh lime slices and blooming perennials. The trick to keeping the lime slices upright is to use two vases of varying sizes, fitting one inside of the other and filling in the space with 1/4-inch-thick lime slices. The luscious fruit and floral scents will last for two to three days.

Old World Appeal

Red, white and pink aren't just reserved for Valentine's Day dinners. To create this romantic Old World centerpiece, arrange pink roses and white daisies, and surround them with homegrown creeping Jenny in a rustic urn. For a touch of intimacy and elegance, add silver candlesticks on either side of the arrangement. Design by Susan Herin of Between Naps on the Porch.

Stylish Collectible

Why not put that quirky collection to good use? Whether you collected marbles as a child or accumulate corks as an adult, either can be used as a vase filler for a floral centerpiece. Find a large, clear hurricane or vase, fill two-thirds of the way with corks and arrange your favorite seasonal flowers for a simple and unique centerpiece. Design by John Gidding.

Holiday Chic

RMS user mfranc created this chic centerpiece with clear hurricanes, cream pomanders and bronze-hued ornament balls in glass jars. Paired with simple table settings, this look is an elegant approach to holiday entertaining. Remove the ornaments and you have a centerpiece that's ideal for the spring and summer months.

Natural Whimsy

Inspired by nature, Carmella Fryar of Southern Fried Dreams used playful daisies and reindeer moss for this simple table-length centerpiece. She alternated vases and glasses of varying sizes with small floating candles to add elements of romance and whimsy. The burlap table runner helps bring in the natural feel of the entire tablescape.

15 Easy Centerpieces for Any Dinner Party

Related To:

Shop This Look

Spring Fling

Black Balloons

Seaside Inspirations

Vibrant Fruits

Rustic Autumn Decor

Spring Awakening

Natural Instincts

Winter Florals

Hello, Orange!

Conversation Starter

Flowers and Fruit

Old World Appeal

Stylish Collectible

Holiday Chic

Natural Whimsy

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