.Guest Blogger: 4 Festive Ideas to Decorate Your Holiday Dining Room Table

Guest Blogger #274, Entry #800, November 29, 2011

Although your family dinners may be delightful daily get-togethers, you may find that your dining room table is lacking a little decorative spice. Although the dining room table serves a primarily functional use, this does not necessarily mean that it is exempt from exciting decorating possibilities. From holiday centerpieces to silverware to dishes to napkins, there are plenty of inventive ways to add some character to your dining room table.

Image via: Design Decor Idea

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Tablecloths and Placemats

The most natural place to start would be with tablecloths and placemats. Although these items are commonly overlooked, they can often add quite a bit of character to your dining room table. It is important to consider the exact type of look you want for your dining room table. Tablecloths with lace are a great way to lend a formal feel to your table, whereas those which are more quilt-like can promote a more casual look. The same goes for placemats. White mats with intricate designs have a Victorian sheen, while sewn placemats with vibrant colors are more reserved.

Centerpieces

Once you have decided on a tablecloth or placemat scheme, the next accessory to consider is an engaging centerpiece. Invariably, flowers in vases seem to be the most common decoration for the middle of a table. However, you options do not have to be limited merely to flowers. Browse for small works of art, like sculptures, which can enliven your eating surface. Candles are also an interesting option, and can do more than just touch up your table’s looks. Having a candlelit dinner every now and then can be a nice treat and the perfect way to unwind after a long day. One of the best things to do when considering centerpieces is to keep the season in mind. For instance, an arrangement of small pumpkins and corn along with a cornucopia of fruits can be a festive way to decorate your table during Thanksgiving. Similarly, mistletoe or holly leaves can do the trick at Christmastime.

Plates and Dishes

The next item in your table decorations comes in perhaps the widest variety. Dishes come in almost every shape and style imaginable. Square plates can promote a very contemporary look, and picking up a set in bold colors can really make your table scheme stand out. If you are striving for a classic look, basic round, white plates can promote a sleek and elegant feel. Again, when shopping for dishes, think seasonal. Many china sets are hand painted with festive decorations such as Christmas trees, turkeys, and the like. Having these types of dishes on hand allows you to keep your decorations new and fresh as the year progresses.

Image via: Love To Know

Silverware and Napkins

Silverware and napkins generally follow the same guidelines as other table decor. However, since these items usually complement one another, it is prudent to consider how they will interact on your table. Light pastels or white napkins have timeless appeal when paired with glowing silverware.

Image via: About Design Interior

This article was written by Jürgen Heidenreich, a guest author from Germany. Jürgen runs a German website about seating furniture, which features lots of information on all types of sofas, including extra large sofas (in German: Big Sofa XXL) and corner sleeper sofas (Ecksofa mit Bettfunktion).

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.