Dining tables can be tough to style, I often get asked questions about what to put on your table when your not actually dining. I have to admit, I struggle with this sometimes too, your dining table display has to be practical. It needs to be able to be left in place while you dine, or easy enough to remove every time you do. Nobody wants to spend half an hour removing an elaborate table display before dinner! An easy way to make this as painless as possible is to put your decor onto a tray that can be lifted on and off as required.

Here’s a few trays to get you started.

 

 

 

1. Flowers, Plants or Greenery.

Of course, nothing brings more life to your dining table than a bunch of flowers, a plant or some foraged greenery. You can go for one big display, or try a few smaller vessels scattered down the centre of the table. Remember if you want to leave it there while you are eating they need to be high enough to still see your dining companions faces, or low enough to have a conversation over the top.

 

 

2. Fruit.

Fruit will bring a pop of colour and can be styled to fit any home. Choose a vessel to fit with your decor. Think tall glass cylinders with lemons, limes or apples for a modern decor. Or a timeless marble bowl / platter with pineapples for a tropical decor. If your a blue and white lover, use a beautiful blue and white bowl filled with apples.

 

 

 

3. Lanterns and Candles and Candlesticks.

If the though of replacing dying flowers and fruit all the times makes you anxious, try some lanterns and candles. There is so many fabulous types out there to choose from. Again, select something to fit in with your decor. If you have a rectangular table, 2 or 3 lanterns works well. If you have a round or square table, 1 large lantern, or an odd number of smaller ones be your best option.

 

4. A selection of beautiful plates and table ware.

Sometimes I like to have my beautiful table ware pieces on display, I hate the thought of them hiding in cupboards where nobody can see them. I was gifted a range of Spode for my birthday last year and it spent a couple of months as the centre piece on my table. You could try displaying a beautiful tea set on a tray, or a fabulous casserole dish. Pull out your favourite pieces and show them off.

 

5. Recipe Books piled high.

I have done this one accidentally, looking for dinner inspiration I have pulled out piles of books and sat at the dinner table looking for ideas. And surprise, they looked great. They added some height to other bits and pieces I had on the table.

There are so many fabulous things you could display on your table, maybe you have a large statement piece like a sculpture, or a collection of objects in different sizes and shapes. This is just a few ideas to get you started. Think of your dining table as another spot to show off your collected prized possession.

What have you got on your dining table? I’d love to see, Show me!

Hayley x