How to Set the Table

Everyone wants to set a gorgeous table when guests are coming over. And most of us have a general idea of what needs to be on the table for a casual dinner, but when it’s a special occasion, do you know if you have what you need to dress up your dinner table? We’re going to spell it out, step by step.

First, think of what kind of accessories you want to complement your table. Don’t worry about fancy centerpieces. Simple can be just as elegant. A pretty dish for salt, a few branches of eucalyptus, and a couple of succulents set the stage perfectly.

When you were a kid, the setting of a dinner table probably started with a tablecloth. But we encourage you to embrace the woodgrain of your table and nix the cloth. Instead, find a few placemats that play up a few colors in your dining space.

Dinner plates are the foundation of a place setting. It’s nice to have a set of plain white dishes so you're able to be flexible with the colors and elements you use to accessorize for each party and season.