6 tips for setting a table – A beautiful setting whets your appetite and puts you in a festive mood

Invest in dinnerware and glasses that please the eye and bring out the best in your food and drink. Favor high-quality textiles and put the finishing touches on the table setting with fresh flowers.

Artek A331 lamp
The black A331 lamp is by Artek and the Standard chairs are by Vitra.

1. Start with fresh flowers

Start designing the table setting with fresh flowers and their colors. The season calls for a bunch that looks lush and natural, as if just picked from the garden. To a large extent, flowers define the general appearance of the table while also adding a relaxed touch. To liven up the table even more, combine two vases of different heights and fill them with a cluster of flowers. A round table suits a table cloth that reaches the floor, making the table look like a festive skirt.

Iittala Gaissa
The round tray is by Hay and the tumblers are from Iittala's Gaissa collection.

2. Add gold shimmer

When you want to add a touch of glamour to the occasion, serve your welcome drinks on a golden metal tray. The atmosphere will not be over the top if you keep the glasses simple and the color scheme calm: combine brass- and gold-colored serving dishes with yellow or clear glass.

By Lassen Kubus
The white vases from By Lassen's Kubus collection are called Lolo, Lily, Nolia and Flora.

3. Make a flower arrangement

Decorate a long table with a stunning flower arrangement in the middle to make the most of the table’s shape and spread joy for everyone sitting around it. Place vases of different heights in a long line for the whole length of the table and fill them with your favorite flowers. The rich and stylish decoration does not call for a tablecloth with an elaborate pattern; instead, go for a timeless linen tablecloth.

Decorate a long table with a stunning flower arrangement in the middle.

Arabia Huvila
The charming design of Arabia's Huvila tableware is by Heini Riitahuhta.

4. Bring color with table textiles

Colorful dinnerware cheers you up and makes you happy just by looking at it. Choose table textiles based on the colors of your dinnerware. A white tablecloth accentuates the playful and airy look of the red-and-white dinnerware. Complementary colors highlight each other, so finish up the red-and-white setting with green branches and green-colored flowers.

Iittala Teema
The powder-colored Teema plates are a beautiful match to the ultramarine glasses and dishware.

5. Try tender shades of powder

Create a trendy table setting by combining tender shades of powder with a muted shade of blue. Combining darker and lighter colors and two different materials gives the setting a fresh feel. The overall look can also be easily altered by swapping the white tablecloth boldly to a black linen one.

Marimekko Oiva
Marimekko's Oiva collection is illustrated with the summery Onni pattern, designed by Fujiwo Ishimoto.

6. Decorate with a garland

Take a leaf from the patterns of the dishware and decorate the table with a winding greenery garland. Choose flowers and vases with shapes and colors similar to the decoration of the dishware. Pick a tablecloth with a color that also matches the motif of the cups and plates.

Shop the edit

Marimekko
Onni plate
Hay
Glass jug
Marimekko
Flower vase
Hay
Serving tray
By Lassen
Lolo vase
Iittala
Teema plate
By Lassen
Kubus 4 candleholder
Iittala
Kartio tumbler
Arabia
Huvila pitcher
Vitra
Standard chair
Iittala
Gaissa tumbler
Artek
A331 pendant lamp

See also:

All tableware products >

Text: Anna Aromaa / Avotakka Images: Suvi Kesäläinen and manufacturers

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