A festively set table immediately makes guests feel welcome. You don't need to cover the table in decorations to achieve this. Matching tableware, conveniently placed cutlery and carefully chosen glasses are all you need to create an inviting atmosphere. Whether you are hosting a birthday party, Christmas dinner or a casual meal, start with the food you plan to serve.
Choose one starting point for your table
Choose a tableware set, a colour or an atmosphere as your starting point. If you want a calm table, use neutral colours and a few warm accents. If you prefer a classic look, incorporate the same design into the rest of the table setting.
The Bricard Bonnes tableware set in white and taupe features soft tones and organic shapes. The Bricard Fleury tableware set in blue and white brings floral motifs and wavy edges to the table. Give such distinctive tableware room to shine by keeping the rest of the decorations simple.
Match plates and bowls to the menu
A three-course dinner requires a different table setting than a shared meal with various dishes. Only lay out the items you will actually use. For soup as a starter, place a suitable bowl on the table; for the main course, choose a dinner plate. You can also bring out dessert tableware only for the final course.
Check the contents of your tableware set beforehand. A set for six people does not necessarily include six of each additional item. Count how many you need for each course.
Arrange cutlery in a logical order
In a standard table setting, forks are placed to the left of the plate and knives to the right, with the cutting edge facing the plate. A soup spoon can be placed to the right of the knife. For multiple courses, place the cutlery that will be used first on the outside. Remove unnecessary items: this creates a calmer look and makes the table easier to use.
A Kadirelli gold cutlery set for six people can add a warm accent to simple tableware. Also compare the other cutlery sets to see whether a silver-coloured or differently finished set better suits your style.
Give glasses plenty of space
Place drinking glasses to the top right of the plate, where guests can easily reach them. Do not use extra glasses simply to make the table look fuller. A water glass and a glass for the other drink being served are often enough.
The Bricard Ronda Lines drinking glasses add texture with their ribbed glass. Transparent glass is easy to combine with tableware in different colours. View the Bricard Ronda collection for matching glasses and small bowls.
Keep the centre of the table usable
Low decorations keep the view between guests unobstructed. Also leave room for water, bread and dishes. If you are serving many dishes, place some on a side table or serve smaller portions and top them up. With serving dishes and snack and tapas dishes, you can tailor the presentation to the menu.
Are you also setting up a buffet? Read the guides for choosing lemonade dispensers and cake stands with covers to coordinate capacity, size and available table space.
Prepare the table in good time
- Count the guests, plates, glasses and cutlery.
- Check that the tableware is clean and undamaged.
- Set out the serving items for each course.
- Leave plenty of space around each place setting.
- Keep dessert tableware separate if the table would otherwise become too crowded.
A pleasant atmosphere is created above all when everything is within easy reach. Choose your basics from the Tableware & Tableware Sets collection at TEKZEN and build on that foundation. For extra inspiration, you can also read which glasses suit which drink.
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