Dining Décor: The Pinterest Guide to Table Settings

Whether it's a festive spread or birthday banquet, for your next dinner party, take a leaf out of Pinterest's book and upgrade your dinner to a full-on dining experience, complete with a beautifully styled table. From tablecloths and napkins to candlesticks and centrepieces, here are some genius tips to curating a stunning table setting for your next dinner party gathering.

Image credit: Domino and Nouba

For your next dinner party, it all starts with the right theme. This way you can embellish your table setting to tie in with the decorations, menu and costume (if you're into that kind of thing). Heading into summer, consider a tropical look complete with palm trees, pineapples and flamingos. If you are looking for something more understated, you can't go wrong with a clean, white aesthetic or rustic, earthy vibe.

Image credit: Domino and Oh Best Day Ever

Regardless of whether your dining aesthetic is plain, white or muted, there are plenty of ways to inject colour into your setting. When adding colour think tonal, and incorporate shades that blend well together – beige or white paired with blush, mint or lemon. To make a statement, don't be shy to add a bright pop of colour through the centrepiece, napkins or crockery. If in doubt, greenery and floral is a foolproof way to make a statement without taking away from the overall look and feel.

Image credit: Pinterest, Feed Traiteur, Pinterest

Inject drama and take your table setting to new heights. Mix up the heights of your centrepiece, glasses and decorations to provide the table with an added level of luxury. Depending on your theme and budget, have fun with suspending lighting over the table for a moody feel. Alternatively, take your table florals to the floor – let them hang off the table ends for a rustic yet beautiful look. 

Image credit: Nouba, Domino

Set the tone from the start with a perfectly lit table ( we're talking lighting, not guests). Candles and fairy lights scattered throughout the centrepiece add a whimsical element to the look and feel of the table. For a more grandiose feel, chandeliers, candelabras and pendant lighting will do the trick.  

Image credit: Domino and Style Me Pretty

Florals and greenery can elevate the simplest of settings, and bring your table to life. Draw upon the theme and colour palette of your dinner party to inspire your arrangement. Do your research and pick flora varieties that are in season; that will guarantee you get the best quality flowers available. 

Image credit: Nouba, Casa de Perrin and Casa Trés Chic

Crockery and serveware are so much more than just a matching dinner set. Get creative and dare to put together a mix of elements to add character to your table setting. Don't be afraid to add colour and prints from the plates to the cutlery. Most importantly, ensure you have enough of what you need – for a three-course meal you will need multiple sets to get you through dinner. To remove the stress and hassle, make it a feasting menu and all you need to worry about is one set per person.

Image credit: Style Me Pretty, Color Theory Collective and Brit + Co

Just because you're hosting a dinner in your home, doesn't mean you can't add a bit of flair with some custom stationery. As easy as writing a menu card or whipping up your own styled-out creation on Canva, a name card and menu further add to the overall experience.

Image credit: Domino, 100 Layer Cake and Anns Liee

From flowers and potted plants to balloons and lanterns, there are so many ways you can upgrade a centrepiece arrangement. Be bold and look for different materials like hessian table runners or sequin tablecloths to bring your centrepiece to life. One way to maximise the space for your centrepiece is to incorporate the menu into the display. For the entreé start with a charcuterie board and have it run down the centre of the table. Worried that your centrepiece will get in the way of the guests? Suspend it over the table for a dramatic conversation starter.