Table Settings & Table Decor: 10 Beautiful Tablescapes to Inspire

Table settings and table decor is a great way to set the mood for any event. From weddings to dinner parties, they are an easy way to make your guests feel welcome and at home.

If you haven’t heard the term before, a tablescape is a broad term for the overall decor of your table, which includes its centerpiece and place settings.

A tablescape is intended to enhance a social gathering. It’s one way that you can let your guests know you care about them. This does not have to be anything fancy or costly! Flowers from the garden, as well as ordinary dishes, can make for beautiful tablescapes.

But if you’re looking to have a little fun, tablescapes are a great way you can up the ante – seasonally, for holidays or special occasions, or just because!

10 Stunning Tablescapes from ADAC’s Live and Dine Event

I recently attended a “Live and Dine” event here in Atlanta at ADAC. The event presented 10 lavish, custom-designed tablescapes by top Atlanta interior designers. And the tablescapes were stunning!

Take a look for yourself below.

Table Decor — Kristan Moore | Kristan & Co.

These tablescapes are some of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen. Do you have a favorite? For me, it was Katja Lauterbach‘s table setting.

Where to Start When Designing Table Settings

Tablescapes can be as simple or complicated as you want them to be. Feeling inspired by the photos above, but not sure where to start? You can do a few simple things to help your table setting stand out.

The Color Palette

The first step in designing a dinner table setting is to choose the color palette. Tablescapes can be more than one color, but they should always coordinate so that your eye has an easy time finding each element on the table.

Next up: Centerpieces!

You’ll want something fairly weighty and stable, especially if you’re using candles or other flammable decor pieces. Another important consideration is size – you don’t want your centerpiece to look lost in the table setting!

Tablescapes are all about balance, so be sure that the weight of each element matches its counterpart on the other side of the table before committing to a final design.

Place Settings and Linens

Finally: place settings and linens! In a tablescape, you can really let loose with your creativity. Tablescapes are one of the only opportunities to add color or pattern in abundance – so go for it!

Looking for some fun dinner plates to liven up the setting? Or some unique wine glasses to add a custom touch. Check out some local antique stores and estate sales to find some true gems at a fraction of the cost.

Bringing It All Together

Whether you’re a seasoned hostess or you can relate to the infamous Leonardo DiCaprio scene in Titanic, we have you covered with a helpful reminder of where that butter knife and those soup spoons go!

Seem a little too fancy for your liking? If it’s not something that feels like “you,” then leave it out and keep the focus on the food, friends, and memories.

Tell A Story With Your Table Decor

Tablescapes should be an extension of you and your event. Let them tell the story of what that event means to you, whether it’s a dinner party with friends or a romantic meal for two.

Your table decor can range from very formal to casual – just remember that your design should make your guests feel welcome.

And remember: Tablescapes are not just limited to dinner parties! They’re also perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or garden weddings – any occasion where you want to create an inviting atmosphere is the perfect time to set a beautiful tablescape.

I hope these table settings and decorating ideas have inspired you to make your next dinner party, or even family dinner, special.

Emma Loggins Sprinkle

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Emily Sprinkle, also known as Emma Loggins, is a designer, marketer, blogger, and speaker. She is the Editor-In-Chief for Women's Business Daily where she pulls from her experience as the CEO and Director of Strategy for Excite Creative Studios, where she specializes in web development, UI/UX design, social media marketing, and overall strategy for her clients.

Emily has also written for CNN, Autotrader, The Guardian, and is also the Editor-In-Chief for the geek lifestyle site FanBolt.com