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Regardless of whether you are hosting a large scale family celebration, or simply coming together for a regular weeknight meal, the dining room is the place where people come together to enjoy food and each other’s company. Impress your friends and family with these designer tips on setting the perfect dinner table.

Make it Symmetrical

According to Charles the Butler from the Marilyn Denis Show, a table setting should be symmetrical to please the human eye. Asymmetrical place settings look messy and unorganized to the human eye, so when setting the table, it is best to use a measuring tool in order to make each place setting exactly the same. Charles also recommends using a butler stick, which is a tool that measures 24 inches from the centre of one plate to the centre of the next plate. Using the butler stick allows you to create the ideal space for elbow room between settings.

Mix Old and New

Designer Eddie Ross from Martha Stewart Living, House Beautiful, and Food Network is a firm believer in mixing antique with chic and new. According to him, creating this mix gives the table setting a layered look, making it visually appealing for guests. Using a new tablecloth, paired with antique dinnerware and a rustic centrepiece is the easiest way to achieve the look. In the example photo above, the plates are antique with a floral pattern, which Eddie used as a colour guide, and the centrepieces are made to match the floral pattern on the plates. When setting your own table, following a colour scheme for your place settings is visually pleasing, and will impress your family and friends,

Set According to the Meal

If you are simply sitting down for your weeknight family meal, you are not going to set the table the same way you would for a wedding. Martha Stewart suggests setting your table based on the occasion, how many guests are attending, and what meal will be served. She also suggests only using the dinnerware required, and use the number of forks, spoons, knives, and glasses required only for what is being served. This will keep your place settings orderly, and will avoid unnecessary clutter on the table.

Layer Your Glassware

Designer Nate Berkus, known for his home collection at Target, his television show, The Nate Berkus Show, and the 2014 show, American Dream Builders prefers to layer the glassware for the table setting. In Nate’s opinion, using a combination of metallics and clear glasses is a great investment, as they are flexible and will pair well with any type of place setting, and with any colour scheme. To add an extra flare to your table, he also suggests choosing glasses of varying heights to draw attention to the place setting.   

Select Your Linens

Even the simplest of table settings can be turned into something elegant by adding the correct linens. According to the interior design team at Elle Decor, for sit down dinners, linens bring a certain level of sophistication to the meal and using textured, soft materials can add an extra level of interest for the guests. When setting the table with cutlery, they suggest using ribbons, twine, or metal accents to embellish the flatware on the table and create a light and airy atmosphere for the table setting.

These designer tips for setting the perfect dinner table are only a few tips to help you create the perfect setting for guests and family. For more information on how to set the perfect dinner table, visit the Falconcrest Homes Blog.