Festive tablescaping ideas for Christmas

While the Christmas tree often takes centre stage when decorating your new home, the Christmas dinner table is just as important and equally as magical.

It’s the one place everyone gathers round and spends plenty of quality time together on Christmas and Boxing Day, so we’re sharing our top three festive tablescaping ideas to make sure your set-up looks the part.

And because we know everybody doesn’t have the same taste, we’ve listed something for everyone, from big and bold to more subtle statements.

Idea 1: Think cosy Christmas cottage

Bring elements of the outdoors in by creating nature-inspired ornaments, using holly, pinecones and evergreen leaves, all intertwined with warm white fairy lights.

Use a natural burlap table runner or tablecloth to add to the rustic feel, and dig out any beloved glassware or vintage china that will instantly add to the homely vibe. Use a piece of rustic string tied in a bow around your napkins with a sprig of mistletoe to add a simple yet highly effective touch.

Holly, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and ribbon all placed together in the middle of the table make an effortless and attractive centrepiece, while tiny tealights or tall, slender candles will add depth and warmth for hours on end.

Festive feel: Simplicity, rustic and cosy togetherness.

Idea 2: Aim for the ‘bow’ factor and the ‘wow’ factor

Bows are a big festive trend; in fact, the bigger the bow, the better! The beauty of using bows to brighten up your Christmas dinner table is that they work beautifully alongside all of the other festive decorations.

Stylish in all shapes and colours, bows can be popped on napkin rings and dinner plates, around candles, candlesticks and cutlery, wine glass stems and table centrepieces, even elegantly draped on the backs of chairs.

Depending on how much time you have, you can make your own bows for that added personal touch, or you may prefer to buy a batch of ready-made bows, which means you only have to think about where to place them. Bright, patterned, glittery, traditional, velvet or shiny, bows never look out of place on any Christmas tablescape.

Festive feel: Classy, coordinated and nostalgic

Idea 3: Go all out to the max!

Kitschmas decorating is the new way to do Christmas decorating and it’s all about making a big impact! Think maximalist and over-the-top decorating and you can’t go far wrong.

Applying this maximalist way of thinking to your festive tablescape is extremely easy and fun, thanks to the fact that mixed textures, colour clashing, iridescent finishes and novelty decorations and tableware are all allowed!

Style your table with statement crackers, oversized bows instead of napkin rings, neon tinsel and even disco balls. Everything doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy either; odd tables, cutlery, plates, glasses, and random decorations all work perfectly well in the wonderfully crazy world of Kitschmas. Don’t forget to fill the space that’s above you, too – brightly coloured paper stars or chain ceiling decorations will maximise the impact of your overall table setting.

Festive feel: Fun, excitement and happiness

Whether you’ve just moved into your home or have been there for many years, there’s no reason not to put your dinner table at the heart and soul of your decorating this Christmas – velvet bows, neon tinsel, sprigs of holly, tiny tealights, sparkling fairy lights and more – this is the year to try something new.

We’d love to see your final tablescape designs, so make you tag us on our Instagram and Facebook. Happy decorating!