5 Easy Ideas for an Elegant Dinner Party

You don't need brand-new dinnerware to create a chic table setting for a dinner party. Instead, start with neutral pieces you already own and dress them up with colorful napkin rings and other details.

Find a simple yet stylish way to personalize each guest's place at the table, such as tying a pretty tag to each glass with the guest's named marked on it. Photo by Laura Fenton.

Even if you don't have an expert eye for color, you can easily create a classy setting for your party with a monochromatic color palette. Try using dinnerware and decor in shades of brown for a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Choosing a motif for your party makes it easy to coordinate your menu and decor. Try a south-of-the-border theme, complete with a Mexican-influenced menu and colorful, festive decor. Serve condiments out of inexpensive terra-cotta pots and use your boldest, brightest table linens and dishes — with all the bold hues of a fiesta it won’t even matter if they match.