We Asked the Professionals: 3 Secrets on How to Style Your Table at Home

By Stephanie Commisso of Bluum Maison and BLUUMBLVD.

When it comes to entertaining, the table is the centerpiece around which everything else revolves. When it comes to setting a beautiful table there are a few guidelines that are helpful to know; but the beauty of it is to know those guidelines and mix and match them however you want to create your own unique look.

With close to 10 years in the wedding industry, I’ve designed my fair share of table settings. I wanted to share with you design secrets I’ve learned over the years that anyone can implement no matter your skill set. These design tips and tricks will enable you to create a stunning tablescape that will wow your guests. So whether you’re throwing a dinner party or just want to spruce up your dining room table for everyday use, read on for some inspiration!

Photography by White Canvas Photo

3 Secrets on How to Style Your Table at Home

The secret to a beautiful table setting is all about honing the skill of creating visual interest. You want your eyes to move throughout the table and be enticed by every detail. This can be accomplished by learning how to master these three elements: colour, height and texture. That’s it!

#1: Choose a Colour Theme for Your Table Setting

Photography by White Canvas Photo

Colour inspiration can come from anywhere – your table linens and napkins, a specific dish you’ll be serving, the colour of your dinnerware. I always say to start designing with what you already have. We sometimes believe that what we currently have isn’t good enough, but making a table with the components you already possess relieves the pressure and saves money on purchasing new items. It always gives you good practice on being more creative with your own table settings!

When choosing a color theme, remember that it doesn’t mean that everything needs to be the same colour, but rather that there should be a common thread running through all the elements on the table. For example, if you’re using gold flatware, then perhaps use a charger with a gold trim.

As mentioned earlier, you can allow your food to add to your colour theme, like a beautiful charcuterie board. The pinks, greens, and purples all come together beautifully without being too matchy-matchy.

Another example is using fruit as part of your table decor. This can be done in a few different ways – an arrangement of fruit as a centerpiece, place cards with a slice of fruit or even using fruit as part of the napkin fold.

Your table linens and napkins are a great and easy way to add in colour, as well. No matter what you choose for your colour scheme, make sure it reflects you and your personal style.

Now that you’ve got the perfect color scheme, it’s time to move on to the next step: choosing your texture!

Secret #2: It’s All About Adding the Right Texture

Adding different textures to your table setting creates an aesthetically pleasing design. You don’t need a million different elements to make your table look beautiful. In fact, sometimes too many things can actually make it look cluttered and busy. Stick to two or a maximum of three different textures.

Photography by White Canvas Photo

Examples of great texture pairings are:

Modern + Minimalistic: glass, metal, ceramic

Rustic + Farmhouse: lace, wood, linen

Boho: rattan, brass, dried grass

Again, these are simply examples to show you how to add visual appeal to your table by incorporating elements from each of the themes. Honestly, the possibilities are endless!

So now, the final element you need to be mindful of is height.

Secret #3: Create Height on Your Table

When setting your table, your eyes should move up and down along the table. A nice reminder for me is that the table should have an M shape. You can achieve this with candles on each side of the table and a low centerpiece in the middle.

Photography by Saleme Fayad

Using candles, especially the tapered variety, is one of the best ways to add height to any tablescape. Ivory and white candles are great go-to colors for any table setting, but if you want to add more interest, using coloured tapered candles is a great way to add height and colour at the same time.

When it comes to centerpieces, you don’t want it to be taller than 12 inches high. Doing this will keep the table from looking too busy and will be easier for your guests to see each other. The last thing you want to do is to obstruct sight lines and discourage conversation, so it’s key to have your table decor at the right height.

The Takeaway on How to Set Your Table at Home

Now the secret is out! You know how the professionals do it and now you are more than capable of creating a stunning tablescape on your own. Just take the time to put these tips into practice and get creative! Play around with different textures, colours and heights until you find something that speaks to you. And most importantly, enjoy your beautiful creation and have fun in the process.

Photography by Saleme Fayad

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your expertise with the TBB community!

You can find Stephanie on social @bluummaison and @bluumblvd for more inspiration.

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-Team TBB