How to Dress Up Your Table in the Winter

There are few things more satisfying than sitting down for a delicious meal that will please your taste buds at a table decorated to please your eyes. A well-made tablescape will make dinner time with the family and entertaining guests that much more special. Since you already know how to pick out a quality dining room table, let’s talk about dressing it up. 

RULE NUMBER ONE: There are no rules! Your tablescape should match your unique style. There are simply tips for anyone who doesn’t know how to get started.

1. Less is More

You want your tablescape to add to the meal, not take away from it. If it gets in the way of people eating or seeing one another across the table, then it might be too much. Big, grand displays can be pretty, but there is an elegance to just featuring the basics. Electrolux has a wonderful blog about setting a beautiful table. 

2. Choosing Linens or Table Runner

This is the first step to creating a tablescape. It will set the tone for the rest of your design. Focus on what color you want to be the center of your tablescape. A cool midnight blue? Maybe a spearmint green? Or an elegant white? It’s up to your style, but we recommend getting one that is machine washable for easy clean up!

3. Greenery 

Part of the reason you want your linens to be machine washable is because of what you will put on top of it. Greenery is a great way to warm up your home during the cold winter months. You can use real or fake greenery, or if you want to meet somewhere in the middle ask your florist for dried flowers. Dried flowers last longer and are beautiful this time of the year (maybe buy real flowers and have that look for a while, then dry your flowers for a new look!).

4. Place Settings 

There are endless possibilities for what could be the base of your place settings. You can get creative and use small wood slabs, repurposed newspaper, or store-bought place mats. There a lots of rules to properly setting a table, we found this guide from Canadel to be helpful.

5. Candles 

We all know how winters in Wisconsin can be, so adding light and warmth wherever you can is sometimes needed. Use candlesticks or votives to add some sparkle. Or if you want some light, but don’t want real fires considering using battery-powered twinkle lights! 

6. Some Extra Sparkle 

In order to really make your tablescape unique add a little extra spunk. For the holidays, add some ornaments or acorns. For Valentine’s Day, use some candy chocolates or felt hearts. When Easter comes around, you can use colorful plastic eggs. The ideas are endless! Check out our Pinterest board to see more inspiration.