Mother's Day table decor ideas: How to set a table for casual get

By Rachael Gavin| 4 months ago

There was a time when setting a table was done three times a day, and a skill a lot of people knew.

These days, with our busy lives and preference for eating on the sofa by the TV, setting the table isn't as formal as it used to be. And when it is done, we often just put what we need on the table instead of adding special touches.

But whether it's a casual meal, a big occasion or a seasonal celebration, like Mother's Day, setting the table really makes a difference in making a meal or get-together feel special.

READ MORE: The gadgets you need to be a cake boss in your own kitchen

To help us set our dining tables properly and have them looking their best, 9Honey Living spoke to Danielle Tsang, product manager of Wiltshire at Facklemann Homewares.

Depending on what sort of gathering you're hosting you might only need a tablecloth or table runner, placemats, napkins, cutlery, glasses/cups and whatever you're serving the food on.

Other elements to consider according to Tsang are, "dinner plates, entrée plates, bread plates, soup bowls, a complete set of cutlery, red and white wine glasses, water glasses... and don't forget a centrepiece, such as a vase, serving platter or stand."

Some people have special cutlery and dinnerware sets that they bring out on special occasions, as well as seasonally-themed items.

READ MORE: Three flower arranging hacks you need to know to make your blooms look professionally styled

The first step is to lay down your tablecloth or table runner. If you are foregoing those in favour of a more casual look, then now is the time to set out your placemats.

If you prefer, you can start arranging your centrepiece or any decorative elements now so there's nothing to get in the way while you're decorating.

Depending on the type of gathering it is, you might have a lot of cutlery, especially if it's more formal, or just your standard knife, fork and dessert spoon.

"The traditional way to set cutlery out is with forks on the left, knives on the right, and spoons above, working from the furthest away and moving in towards the plates as the first to last course, with each set of cutlery used for a separate course," Tsang explained.

But you don't have to arrange cutlery that way, with a trend towards featuring knives and forks in a decorative way, especially for Easter and Christmas.

"You can get creative and tie in the cutlery to the seasonal décor, such as folding napkins to incorporate the cutlery. It's best to assess the number of courses you'll be serving to better determine how and where the cutlery should be presented."

In addition to cutlery, table settings often feature plates already laid out on the table, depending on how casual the set-up is.

"If using a charger plate (a larger, more decorative plate that forms the base of your dinnerware setting) this should be placed first and central in front of the seat, followed by stacking the dinner plate and then the entrée plate or soup bowl. The bread plate should always be placed to the left, above the forks," Tsang said.

When choosing dinnerware you can go for a cohesive look using one collection or mix and match pieces, as long as there is a colour, pattern or element that makes them work as a group.

"Bring playful elements to the top plate or bowl to create a focal point that ties into the event. If you're looking to incorporate a mix of patterns, remember how they will fit together in an order that makes sense to both those using the set and making it pleasing to the eye."

READ MORE: How to create a stunning Christmas table on a budget

Whether it's a casual get together just-because or a special occasion like Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas lunch or a birthday dinner, it's nice to add a few elements to make the table setting feel special.

You can go as big or as small as you want, from a some fresh flowers in a vase to decorative displays.

"Don't be afraid to get creative with all elements of the table! While you don't have to keep within the same collection [of dinnerware and napery], consider patterns and colours should be cohesive as to not overwhelm the table," Tsang said.

"It's easy to get excited about the décor, but remember if you have a cute design [on a plate] then you will lose this element once plated!"

These days you can find affordable dinnerware options at budget prices, but if you want a collection that works for all occasions white or neutral coloured pieces are a great option.

"Keeping to a neutral colour palette for core pieces makes it easy to change the theme or style without the investment of a whole new set every event. Look at changing the top plate or bowl in the set to trending or timeless colours and patterns that matches the table cloth to really make an impact," Tsang explained.

"Get creative with the glasses too, as a matching colour will really make the table pop! It's really up to the person how much they want to invest."

Tsang recommends Wiltshire's petite petal range as a budget-friendly option that works for all sorts of occasions, including Mother's Day.

While it's easy to get carried away with creating a beautiful table setting, the old saying 'less is more' is worth remembering.

Tsang names "oversetting the table" as the biggest mistake people make with table settings so it's worth keeping in mind that anything that inhibits eating, serving and chatting should be avoided.

"Bigger isn't always better and you still need the tablescape to function for the purpose of dining. Ensure that you're able to see the other guests over the centrepieces so conversations aren't difficult among guests. Over stacking the table can also make it uncomfortable for guests so make sure there's enough room to enjoy the meal and company," she said.

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Auto news: The road rule that's different in NSW than the rest of the county