Rules and methods for decorating the table at home

During the holidays, you want everything to be perfect: cleanliness, delicious food, beautiful outfits and the right table design. You don't have to be a professional chef or take special courses to decorate your festive table to be perfect. It is enough to study this topic and find out some of the nuances and features.

how to decorate the table — The miracles of masterly serving will help to emphasize the significance, appetizing of the dishes and favorably set them off.

Content Hide

How to properly serve a festive table
Festive table decoration styles
Decor elements and colors
Examples of thematic design
Video: setting and decor of the festive table
50 options for beautiful table setting and decor

How to properly serve a festive table

Consider the basic design rules for individual elements of the festive table.

Features of the choice of tablecloths

The tablecloth is the basis of the table, emphasizing the importance and significance of the moment. First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that it is perfectly clean, without holes or scuffs.

Important! You cannot cover the table with oilcloth, as this is bad manners. In order to avoid the appearance of stains on the tablecloth, you can use special napkins under the plates.

Tablecloth selection rules:

For the official reception, only white fabric is used. It can be linen or cotton with slightly shiny patterns. It is preferable to choose damask fabric, as it is more in line with the theme of the event. When using this option, it is imperative to put a gasket under the fabric so that the cutlery does not emit an unpleasant knock during the arrangement and the meal itself. Felt can act as such a gasket;
For a celebration in the old noble style, you can use lace or embroidery. It is worth giving preference to muted tones and golden threads;
For an ordinary home feast, a soft lightweight fabric is perfect; you can use bright embroidery;
Colored tablecloths should match the dishes and napkins. Do not overdo it with colors, it is better to stop at two or three shades. You also need to rely on the purpose of the celebration: it will be good if the tablecloth matches;
Children's home parties should be bright, so it will be appropriate to use a beautiful fabric with patterns and decorations.

When using bright fabrics, you should use only modest and monochromatic dishes, napkins should also be monochromatic, preferably white.

bright tablecloth — Textiles and tableware should be combined with the overall interior design.

Before laying the tablecloth, you need to iron it thoroughly. Usually it is ironed so that it is divided into four parts, which will look symmetrical on the table. It should be laid so that the corners of the canvas slightly cover the legs, the edge should go down by about forty centimeters.

how to decorate a table for the holiday — The tablecloth is the basis of the festive table setting.

Which plates are suitable and how to arrange them correctly

The second stage in the design of the festive table is the arrangement of the plates. All dishes must be perfectly clean and dry, for this you need to thoroughly wash and dry them first with a regular towel and then with a paper napkin. This will help prevent streaks and pills from the towel.

table decoration for the holiday — Plates for a celebration should be from one set, otherwise you will have to forget about the beauty of serving.

The rules for arranging plates depending on the purpose and size (arrangement from first to last):

Flat. Its diameter is about 30-40 centimeters. She is placed first, usually made of silver or high-quality porcelain. It is used for dessert;
For the soup. The diameter is about 25 centimeters, and the capacity is 0.25 liters. It is used for creamy soups. For regular soup, use a plate with two handles on the sides;
For pies. The size is about 20 centimeters. Used for baked goods and butter;
Small plate measuring 30 centimeters. Used for second courses;
Great for snacks. More than 30 centimeters, it serves snacks, meats and hot desserts;
Small for snacks. Less than 20 centimeters, served with a cold appetizer;
Deep for dessert if sauce is provided;
Small for dessert. Fruit is brought on it.

serving — During lunch time, 3-4 plate changes can occur.

It is not necessary to use all of the above plates, only if it is provided in the menu. They are placed exactly opposite the guests' chairs; there should be a distance of at least half a meter between adjacent plates.

It is recommended that all the dishes are from one set, so the setting will look more harmonious and attractive.

table setting for the holiday — Plates should correspond to the general color scheme, the style of the room, the nature of the event and the chosen cuisine - European, Japanese.

Rules for serving glasses and cutlery

You can't do without glasses and glasses at any holiday, so you need to study their arrangement. The types of cookware will depend on the liquid that will be fed during the process.

glasses on the table — Before talking about the correct placement of glasses, it should be stipulated that drinks are changed several times throughout the dinner.

Selection rules:

A glass is needed for water or beer;
Mugs are used for kvass and fruit drink;
Long, elongated champagne glass;
Round with a large bottom for red wine;
With a wide bottom and a slightly elongated neck for white wine;
Small with a wide bottom for port;
Small as for wine, used for liquor;
A small glass for vodka.

glasses on the table photo — There is a certain rule - glasses are installed to the right of the guest at an angle of 45 degrees to the line of the edge of the table top.

A glass for water is placed in the center of the plate, and other containers are lined up on the right. The first, after the glass, should be the champagne glass. The distance between them should be about two centimeters.

Note! The stronger the drink, the further the container is placed from the glass of water.

Placement of napkins

They can be paper or fabric, the latter are used only for festive feasts. Napkins are used for a regular or formal reception. Before folding, they need to be starched.

napkins for serving — The choice of colors depends on your taste and the nature of the event.

Do not fold napkins too intricately, as this takes too much time, and it will be inconvenient for guests to spoil the beauty. You need to put them only to the right of the plate.

napkins for serving photo — Combinations of color paints of related tones look ideal. For example, pink works well with turquoise and dark blue.

Festive table decoration styles

There are many options for decorating a festive table with your own hands. Consider the design options depending on the style solution.

country style table setting — Prefer rustic simplicity? Country style characterizes the naturalness of the rural flavor instead of stylization.

Seasonal. The table is designed in accordance with any season of the year: autumn, winter, spring or summer. The main characterizing features are used. For example, autumn leaves, snowflakes, and so on;
Country. Rustic style will give zest: the presence of flowers and natural materials. Usually these are neutral colors, a little rough fabric;
Minimalism.There are practically no decorations, muted tones and lack of patterns;
Art Deco. Availability of gold and silver colors;
Focus on sustainability. Only environmentally friendly materials are used;
Provence. Small bouquets of wildflowers, candles in exquisite shabby candlesticks, tablecloths with patterns embroidered with colored threads will look great;
Vintage. Bright colors, preferably red, pink. Bouquets of peonies or roses, exquisite porcelain.

In addition, the design depends on the purpose of the event and the number of people. So, the celebration of the New Year should be accompanied by an appropriate decoration.

Decor elements and colors

In addition to the tablecloth and the correct arrangement of dishes, you need to add accessories. The beautiful decoration of the festive table at home can be expressed in small details that form the overall picture.

how to decorate the table with flowers — There are many options for decorating the festive table with flowers.

To do this, you can use candles in candlesticks, flowers in vases, beautifully cut fruits and vegetables, candy bowls and decanters with liquids. Also, the decoration depends on the holiday: snowflakes, autumn leaves or numbers in honor of birth.

table decor for the holiday — Individual buds look great when placed in a vase of water.

Examples of thematic design

Consider the decor of the table in honor of February 14 - Valentine's Day. A romantic dinner will be perfectly complemented by photos of lovers. Valentines and heart-shaped balloons will add more romance.

table decor for valentine's day — For a romantic Valentine's Day dinner, you need to think carefully about all the details.

You can use rose petals scattered around the table or heart-shaped plates. It is preferable to use pink, red and silver shades. The main condition: do not overdo it.

table for valentine's day — Stylists recommend highlighting one bright accent in table decorations for Valentine's Day, which needs to be supplemented with small details.

The correct design of the table will give the holiday more solemnity and luxury. To do this, you must follow some serving rules and connect imagination when decorating.