3 Versatile Table Styling Items
“Where do I start? How do I know what to choose and buy?”
Table styling can look intimidating, because you don’t know where to start. There seems to be this huge gap between what we think we can do vs what we see on Pinterest or Instagram. So my hope is that I can share some tips that I have learned along the way, as I am still learning everyday.
If I could tell the confused and overwhelmed Nonna Lizzie two years ago what to buy, here’s what I would tell her:
Beige Table Runner
No matter what colour table you have, a beige / neutral table runner will go a long way. I bought mine from Ikea (two 35cm x 130 cm mats) and it’s by far the most used table linen.
It serves as a great base, for casual and formal dinners. You can place all sorts of vases, different coloured flowers and foliage on top. Then for more formal dinners, I like to place a white cotton cloth underneath.
Tip: Buy 2 runners if needed, it’s always better to have a little overhang than to have it fall short.
Neutral tones for a Sunday Apero dinner.
For more formal dinners, I added a white table cloth underneath the beige table runner. (Christmas Dinner 2020)
2. Mason Jars
One of the easiest ways to add flowers to your table is with a few mason jars, or any small glass bottles. Flowers in little jars bring a ‘whimsical’ element to the table, as it adds colour, height and dimension.
I would get at least 3-4 clear jars or bottles to start with. I found mine on Carousell, a second hand marketplace in Singapore (literally typed in ‘mason jars’ ‘glass bottle’).
Tip: When adding flowers, don’t cut them all the same height. Mix in a few different flowers or keep it simple by adding Baby’s Breath.
Adding some violet, green and white flowers to my jars. All different shapes and sizes.
Or keep it simple with just white fluffy Baby’s Breath.
3. Rattan Placemats
Rattan has been having a ‘moment’ for the last few years and I don’t think it’s going away -thank god! I bought these rattan placemats in Bali 2 years ago, and I have used them for every rooftop dinner we’ve had.
There’s lots of rattan placemats available, but I would lean towards a thicker woven weave, rather than a thin flimsy placemat. If it’s thicker it has more versatility to be both formal and casual, whereas thin rattan placemats are more for casual outdoor settings.
Tip: Don’t go too light in colour as it may be difficult to clean.
I hope these three items will kickstart your home table styling journey! For those in Singapore, I would check out Hooga, Bed Bath & Table and Ikea. Best of luck xx