Food and Recipes Holiday and Occasion Food 40 Ideas for Setting a Stunning Table By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Charles Walton IV / Styling Rose Nguyen / Food Styling Lyda Jones Burnette, Vanessa McNeil Rocchio For Southerners, mealtime is always an occasion, and creative place settings only serve to make our gatherings around the table even more memorable. Whether you're working with hand-me-down silver or greenery foraged from the backyard, here are 38 inspiring ways to dress up your table for weeknight dinners, birthday brunches, family holidays, and every celebration in between. 01 of 40 Splurge On Linens Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn The Champagne-colored cotton velvet tablecloth adds a luxurious feel to this pretty scene. High-quality table linens are an investment you'll enjoy forever. 02 of 40 Mix Traditional and Modern Photo: Jennifer Davick Monogrammed linens, crystal stemware, and silver flatware establish a classic tone while bold red chargers and graphic, gold-trimmed china update this display. 03 of 40 Pair Cool Colors with Silver A French blue tablecloth highlights the cool undertones of classic silver while basic glasses glow in the candlelight of this setting. 04 of 40 Mix China Patterns Photo by Ralph Anderson / Styling Scott Martin A pressed linen cloth provides a clean, crisp base for this mixed-pattern place setting. The purple geometric pattern charger coordinates well with the more flamboyant botanical print of the plates. 05 of 40 Choose a Limited Palette Charles Walton IV / Styling Rose Nguyen / Food Styling Lyda Jones Burnette, Vanessa McNeil Rocchio Various shades of green, from pale celadon to deep jade, shine among the metallic neutrals of this setting. Napkin rings covered in hydrangea blossoms bring a touch of the lush centerpiece to each setting. 06 of 40 Layer China and Glass Photo: Lauren Rubinstein Simple white china and clear glass look elegant (but not overly formal) when paired together. It's all in the details, so choose pierced and etched designs to add interest without distracting from the rest of the table. 07 of 40 Mix Simple and Ornate Photo: Jennifer Davick Select the basics and incorporate embellishments for a look that is uniquely you. Use simple stemware to counter balance more decorative china. 08 of 40 Balance an Elaborate Centerpiece with Basic China Photo: Jennifer Davick Simple white plates paired with timeless flatware and thin stemware keep this more rustic centerpiece looking elegant. Bold orange napkins give the setting a pop of seasonal color. 09 of 40 Use a Playful Pattern in a Sophisticated Way Photo by Laurey W. Glenn These black-and-white confetti napkins have a sophisticated yet playful vibe. And at 22-by 22-inches, they're large enough to wrap up small party favors at each place setting. 10 of 40 Create a Glowing Place Setting Add a glow to each setting with votive candles. A tiny candle floating alongside mums and sliced citrus highlights the sheen of the cloth napkin in this setting. 11 of 40 Keep it Classic Photo: Quentin Bacon A classic buffalo-check cloth sets off green glassware and terra-cotta accents in this tablescape. The tiny planter and seed pairings do double duty as both place card and favor. 12 of 40 Mix Small and Large Photo: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling: Mary Leigh Fitts Playing with scale can create an interesting and unexpected tablescape. Large leaves make a grand statement when juxtaposed with tiny shot-glass vases in this setting. 13 of 40 Get Creative with Materials Jennifer Davick; Styling: Maria Cooke Who says you can only print on paper? This menu card is actually fabric. The designer cut pieces of thin linen and ran them through an ink-jet printer for menu cards. Do this a day or more ahead of time to allow the ink to dry properly. 14 of 40 Pair Glamour with Nature Erica George Dines; Design: Katherine Cobbs Rich red, deep brown, and crisp aqua set off glowing gold accents in this setting. A gilded pinecone and an antler motif add organic elegance. 15 of 40 Mix Formal and Casual Pieces Photo by Laurey W. Glenn If you have more guests than fine china, combine your wedding china with casual dinnerware, like this pewter stoneware charger and cool blue salad plate. Silver and crystal stemware ground the pairing in traditional style. 16 of 40 Add Black for Big Impact Photo: Jennifer Davick A black and white color scheme with rich purple accents is sleek and dramatic. Use a black place mat, napkin, and charger, then lighten the look with a white dinner plate. 17 of 40 Get Creative with Natural Materials Photo by Laurey W. Glenn Found or purchased natural materials give texture to your table. Make your own custom napkin rings by spray-painting cedar roses (the opened cones of the deodar cedar tree) and gluing them to 2-inch-wide red ribbon. Tuck in a sprig of boxwood for an extra flourish. 18 of 40 Use Family Pieces Photo: Erica George Dines You can't go wrong with a white and silver combination. This place setting pairs modern pieces with family heirlooms for a casual, but classic look. 19 of 40 Layer Textures Photo: Howard Lee Puckett Varying colors and patterns aren't the only ways to make your setting pop. A mix of interesting textures also makes for a subtle and elegant look. Here, rope place mats layered with porcelain dinnerware and twine-tied utensils create a laid-back mood. 20 of 40 Keep Your Setting Neutral Jean Allsopp / Styling Alan Henderson For a table that makes a statement, set it with a single color. The food will take centerstage on this all-white table. White linens and candles pair prettily with a calla lily centerpiece. 21 of 40 Be Inspired by Your China Pattern Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Use your china as the inspiration for your florals. This plate's color palette is repeated in the lush centerpiece. 22 of 40 Think Small Small touches make a big statement. Tiny fruits and a mini-flower arrangement inspired by the ribbon's color palette bring just the right touch to this simple setting. 23 of 40 Go Bold with Complementary Colors Use a palette of complementary colors for a bold look on your table. Orange linens heighten the blue patterned dishware's impact. 24 of 40 Say it with Flowers A single yellow rose, symbolizing friendship, welcomes each guest to this table. 25 of 40 Look Outside for Table Decor Lovely maple leaves in fall colors dress up this table. Turn organic items into place cards by using a paint pen to write guests' names on them. 26 of 40 Spice Up Your Table Add a light fragrance to your tablescape by integrating herbs into your decor. Rosemary napkin rings give a natural feel to this setting. 27 of 40 Skip the Tablecloth Some dining tables are too pretty to cover up. This aged and distressed one is a beautiful, rustic backdrop for a simple setting. 28 of 40 Use Vintage Touches Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Antique-style white wooden chargers and beaded-edge dinner plates play up the table's vintage look. They're topped with vibrant bird salad plates and blue gift boxes, which serve as both place cards and party favors. 29 of 40 Incorporate Off-the-Wall Accents Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Use inexpensive wallpaper to craft design-forward placemats, then pair them with gold-edged china and simple flatware. 30 of 40 Follow Fashion Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Just as gold accessories lend an on-trend vibe to an outfit, the warm tones of brushed gold flatware and embellished glasses add finesse and sparkle to a casual table. 31 of 40 Use Color for Impact Laurey W. Glenn A neutral backdrop of white linens and dishes puts the focus on seasonal punches of orange and green. 32 of 40 Give It Some Edge Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Balance a whitewashed table with graphic hits of black and navy, such as black candles and leather chairs, slate-gray woven place mats, and navy-rimmed dinner plates. 33 of 40 Combine Time Periods Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Here, handmade stoneware chargers lend modern shape and pattern, plus a not-so-serious feel, to antique flow blue transferware plates and ironstone bowls. 34 of 40 Pile Gold on Gold Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Dress down a formal place setting of gold Wegwood dinner plates and vintage glass dessert plates by using wood Florentine trays as chargers underneath. 35 of 40 Simple Elegance Photo: Jim Franco This place card only looks high-end. Back a simple white card with patterned paper and then thread with sumptuous red velvet ribbon. When wrapped around white dinnerware, these crafts store finds are instantly elevated. 36 of 40 Layer on the Patterns Robbie Caponetto; Styling by Buffy Hargett Miller Soft tones of red and green are a great starting point. Pair them with autumnal browns in the tortoiseshell glasses and plaid tablecloth to take the look totally out of holiday territory. From there, it's all in the prints. Recreate old-school combinations that you grandma probably went for like floral china with a checkered tablecloth. Don't be afraid to mix and match—it's much more fun this way. 37 of 40 Celebratory Details Photo: Jim Franco Add instant whimsy with a sprinkle of confetti atop a mix of gold-trimmed china at each place setting. Cut a slit in the top of a Champagne cork for an instant, clever place-card holder. 38 of 40 Rustic Wonderland Photo: Jim Franco Create the perfect mix of elegant and organic by using pieces that take inspiration from nature, such as wood-handled flatware and faux-bois and mushroom plates. Runners placed crosswise down a farmhouse table give the texture of table linens without covering up the rugged beauty of the furniture—plus they double as place mats. 39 of 40 Layer with Ribbons Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Top a white tablecloth with red ribbons cleverly laid in a spokelike pattern to mimic peppermint candy. It will accent your holiday china without distracting. 40 of 40 Teal Soiree Robbie Caponetto; Styling by Buffy Hargett Miller Teal? For fall? Summer may stake a claim to the ocean hue, but strategic styling can make it an all-season star, says home goods store owner Emma Allen. She recommends pairing teal with darker tones and the right flowers. Finish off the look with a Southern statement piece. Every table needs a conversation starter, whether it's a set of plates with artisanal flair or your mama's butter dish. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit