Setting a beautiful table doesn’t have to be a fight or flight situation. Clear everything off of it and follow these tips to have a table setting so stylish that your friends won’t believe you did it yourself.

Don’t Try To Be Perfect

Don’t be afraid to mix. If you aren’t setting a table for a wedding, then mixing color, prints and textures comes off as charming, not messy. If you’re doing a certain color, then don’t be afraid to use various shades in the same color family. If you’re playing with prints, add stripes with polka dots or vertical stripes with horizontal. This is about you’re personal style. If you would rather mix a cat pattern with your stripes, do it. It’s quirky, fun and will sure,y be a topic of conversation.

Setting The Mood

There are certain things that you have to pay attention to and make sure that you include. A tablecloth is a big one. You’re tablecloth should unify everything on the table. If you’re adding flowers or candles, a runner won’t hurt either. It will keep your lines of the table clean. It’s easiest for mere mortals like myself to choose the pattern and color of my tablecloth around my dishes, seeing how I’m not a millionaire and there’s no way in fuck I’m running out to buy new dishes just to impress you. Also, only use two glasses per table setting. Unless you’re planning a full blown wine tasting, a glass for wine and a glass for water will do just fine.

Keep Your Eye On Height

If you’re planning on using a centerpiece, it shouldn’t be so high that your guests can’t see over it. Useing tight bunches of flowers in one or two colors is always foolproof. Also, remember to not throw anything on the table that carries too much scent. It will compete with the food. This goes for both candles and flowers. Roses are always a nice light scent to use. Potted herbs work great with a dinner because they can bring out the aroma of the food, rather than diminish it. If you don’t want to use flowers, try a basket of bread or breadsticks. That way you are doing double duty by adding interest to the table with something everyone can use with their meal.

Don’t Forget To Finish

Put out a pitcher of flat water and a pitcher of sparkling water, a bowl of sea salt and a pepper grinder, and a few small dishes of olive oil. You want to keep everything within arms reach of your guests, plus, who wants to be getting up every three seconds and missing out on the conversation.

Usually, get togethers can be stressful for the host and hostess. Don’t fall for that nonsense. It’s a time to reconnect with people that you love. I personally think that a comfortable dinner table is a great dinner table. The less fuss and muss involved, the happier you’ll be and the better time you’ll have. Happy entertaining!

xo Stephanie