A festively set table immediately gives guests the feeling that they are welcome. You don't need a table full of decorations to achieve this. With matching tableware, neatly placed cutlery, and carefully chosen glasses, you can create an inviting atmosphere. Whether you are organizing a birthday, Christmas dinner, or a dinner party: start with the food you are going to serve.
Choose one starting point for your table
Use a dinnerware set, a color, or a mood as your foundation. If you want a calm table, work with neutral colors and a few warm accents. If you love a classic look, let a pattern carry through into the rest of the decor.
The Bricard Bonnes dinnerware set in white and taupe features soft tones and organic shapes. The Bricard Fleury dinnerware set in blue and white, by contrast, brings floral motifs and wavy edges to the table. Give such distinctive dinnerware space by keeping the rest of the decoration simple.
Coordinate plates and bowls with the menu
A three-course dinner requires a different table setting than a shared meal with various dishes. Only lay out the items you will actually use. For a soup starter, place a matching bowl; for the main course, choose a dinner plate. You can also bring out dessert service with the final course.
Check the contents of your dinnerware set in advance. A six-person set does not necessarily include six of every extra item. Therefore, count what you need per course.
Place cutlery in a logical order
For a standard table setting, forks go to the left and knives to the right of the plate, with the blade facing the plate. A soup spoon can be placed to the right of the knife. For multiple courses, place the cutlery that will be used first on the outside. Leave out unnecessary items: this creates a sense of calm and makes the table pleasant to use.
A Kadirelli gold cutlery set for six people can provide a warm accent alongside neutral dinnerware. Compare other cutlery sets if silver-colored or another finish better matches your style.
Give glasses enough space
Place drinking glasses to the top right of the plate, in a spot where guests can easily reach them. Do not use extra glasses just to make the table look fuller. A water glass and one for the other served beverage are often sufficient.
The Bricard Ronda Lines drinking glasses add texture with their ribbed glass. Transparent glass pairs well with various colors of dinnerware. See the Bricard Ronda collection for matching glasses and bowls.
Keep the center of the table usable
Low decorations keep the view between guests unobstructed. Also, leave room for water, bread, and dishes. If you are serving many dishes, place some on a side table or work with smaller portions that you can refill. With serving bowls and snack and tapas bowls, you can tailor your presentation to the menu.
Prepare the table in time
- Count guests, plates, glasses, and place settings.
- Check that the dinnerware is clean and undamaged.
- Prepare serving pieces for each course.
- Leave enough space around each seat.
- Keep dessert service separate if the table would otherwise become too crowded.
An atmospheric table works best when everything is easily accessible. Choose your foundation from the Tableware & Dining collection at TEKZEN and build from there. For extra inspiration, you can also read which glasses pair with which drink.