Tablescapes 101
What even is a tablescape? If acrylic and canvas are the tools for a painter, then bud vases and candles are the tools for a tablescape-er. Simply put, a tablescape is a table set with intention. A quick Pinterest search can make it seem like you need an 8-person dining room table, Anthropologie tableware, and florist-designed arrangements to pull it off — but that couldn't be further from the truth. Whether you're hosting in a small apartment or styling your kitchen counter, you can create a beautiful, intentional tablescape with what you already own and a budget that actually works for you.
Here at The Sunday Table, I love hosting and creating aesthetic, intentional spaces but I also live in a two-bedroom apartment with my husband of just over one year. With this, I have found the beauty in stewarding my current season. Instead of waiting for the right time to host, making it the right time to host! In this blog, I will go over what you actually need to create a beautiful table, how to set one up, and some other helpful tips and tricks!
Tablescape Basics: The Three Elements You Actually Need
For the purposes of this blog, we will define a tablescape as the art of setting a table with place settings, centerpieces, and linens with the intention of inviting people in. The purpose of a tablescape is not the pinterest-perfect-picture but making your guests feel that they have a seat at the table. That they are invited, expected, and valued (although an Instagram Story mention does feel good). With that in our back pocket, let’s get into the basics:
The layout
The two big elements of a tablescape are the place settings and the centerpiece. I will also cover linens because that is helpful as well! Simply put, the place settings are the typical plate(s), utensils, napkins, and cup (possibly a name plate, menu, etc.) and the centerpiece could be flowers, candles, table runners, or even the food itself. In a deeper sense, the place settings let people know they have an individual and unique place at the table and the centerpiece reminds us that we are all brought together. So whether it is your small circular dining room table that seats four or at a 12-seated banquet table, you can always come back to these two simple elements!
Keep reading for a more in depth breakdown of the two:
The place settings
As I said, most place settings consist of a plate, utensils, napkins, and a cup or two. A nicer place setting might include a name plate, a napkin with napkin ring, or even a menu. I tend to keep these pretty simple, using my normal dinner plates, utensils, and glasses. However, if I am hosting more people, I will search for a set of higher-quality disposable plates that I can use, I will link some of these below.
And if your mom never taught you how to properly set the table, here is a super simple layout that you can follow! If you are having more of a fine dining experience, click here for a more in depth layout!
Now I might be contradicting myself because I did just say that place settings and centerpieces are the two key elements but I actually don’t think you always need place settings (i know…hot take). There are often times when I am hosting a larger gathering, I will just do centerpieces and have more of a buffet setup. This makes it easier for people to make their plates and find their own seats. Here at The Sunday Table, I am all about lowering the bar of entry for hosting. So, no need to wait until you have enough porcelain plates or matching utensils, just use what you have! Even if it is a stack of paper plates and a mason jar of plastic utensils.
The centerpieces
Now centerpieces are my bread and butter! Whether I am having a simple dinner party with a few friends or hosting a large themed birthday party, you are sure to find my table with some flowers and candles in the middle. This is partially because I just love it and it gives me an excuse to go to Trader Joe’s for flowers. I also love centerpieces because they aren’t exclusive! Don’t have a dining room table? Fine, then doctor up your coffee table (I’ve done it!). No coffee table? Great, your kitchen counter will work! Basically…find a surface in your house and make it something special! I have included a couple of pictures of my favorite tablescapes from anything from Christmas parties to Easter celebrations to girls nights. A couple of elements I focus on are usually some type of flowers, candles, and a linen or table runner. I will include some more on this in the “What you need” section!
Overall, for the layout I like to run some type of runner (usually cheesecloth) down the center and scatter some bud vases and candlestick holders and candlesticks or tealight candles in votives around. I usually adhere to the rule of 3s (bunch three items together) with some lone items here and there.
Not sure where to start? A simple centerpiece of 3 bud vases with fresh flowers from Trader Joe's and two taper candles is all you need to make any table feel intentional and inviting.
The linens
Linens can often make or break your tablescape. When I refer to linens, I am talking about the tablecloths, table runners, placemats, and cloth napkins. Now, I find it easiest to go with more neutral linens so that I can get creative with the centerpieces and place settings, but you can also do the opposite! Now, linens can be one of the more expensive elements of a tablescape so that is why I don’t consider them a necessary element. I fully believe you can do a tablescape without any linens at all! Especially if you already have a nice wooden or glass table. For a long time, I would go to Target or Amazon and just get the disposable tablecloths! Now, I have invested in some neutral, reusable tablecloths. I will share more about them in the next section.
What you need (and what you don’t)
I am a big proponent of using what you have! Going straight to Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration can lead to you feeling like you need more than you actually do! Not to mention, it robs you of the creativity it takes to look at what you already have and how you can use it. Before I get into what I have found to be helpful, take inventory of what you have (vases, candles, platters, etc.) and get creative!
Now that you’ve taken inventory…
Here are some of my personal must-haves when it comes to creating a tablescape!
Neutral tablecloth
I have these beige, neutral tablecloths. They are a great budget-friendly option for a reusable tablecloth that can be styled for any event.
If you want something a little more high-end, I would consider this Urban Villa tablecloth. It is 100% cotton and has so many great reviews! There are also so many color options to choose from.
If the first two are a little too vanilla for you, a close friend of mine has this one. I love the gingham and the ruffles! It is also 100% cotton and the taupe color is still neutral enough to be able to style for different seasons and themes.
Cheesecloth/table runner
I have had these cheesecloth table runners for over two years now and absolutely love them! They are so simple but so effective.
This linen runner is a little classier and simpler. A great option that is a lot easier to style.
Bud vases
These vintage-style bud vases are similar to the ones I have and the ones I see most frequently styled. I do love the vintage-style, I would just scroll through your options and make sure that you really love all of them.
I don’t have these modern bud vases but after researching…I am a little obsessed and may be purchasing very soon. I just think they are so clean looking and would be so fun to style!
Fresh flowers
If you came here to find a good fake flower to keep around…you have come to the wrong place. I absolutely love fresh flowers and will use any chance to buy some and put together floral arrangements. I am planning to put out a blog soon on how I do this but for now, I always go to Trader Joe’s for my fresh flowers! They have the best wholesale options in my opinion. If you don’t have a TJ’s near you, Target sometimes has great options! Or even your local farmer’s market!
Candle holders
One of my all time favorite purchases are these glass taper candle holders! They are just so classy and fun! I particularly love the Amber color.
These short gold candlestick holders are some of my favorite hosting and decor items! These are all the same height, so I do like to use candlesticks that are varied heights when I style these.
These gold candlestick holders are a great, budget-friendly option. I will say, you do have to assemble them when they arrive and I do wish they felt a little sturdier, but overall they are a great option.
Okay…admittedly, I don’t have these but I keep seeing them and I think they may be going in the cart with the bud vases I mentioned earlier. These vintage-style glass candlestick holders are so cute and seem like they would be so much fun to style!
Taper candles
I can’t find the exact candlesticks I have but these are a great option from Amazon. One thing to note is that they are all the same size. If you get candlestick holders that are all one height, I would recommend getting candlesticks of various heights to give a little variation and depth to your tablescape. (Another option is to just burn down some of them in length to create that variation).
If real candles aren’t your thing, or if you have a lease that doesn’t allow open flames, these battery operated taper candles are a great option! I used these at an event in a venue that didn’t allow open flames and they worked great. The flickering feature makes them seem so real!
The following list are things that I absolutely do not think that you need, but could definitely help take your hosting game to the next level!
Cute serving wear like trays and platters have been a game changer for me! I have the Small and Large platters from this Pottery Barn Chambray Tile collection.
Amazon has some great, cheaper options too like these hammered ceramic serving trays.
If you are hosting a larger event and don’t have space in the budget for a large set of ceramic plates, these higher-end disposable plates are a great option! I usually wash them and reuse them 3-4 times (or until they break) before throwing them away.
I don’t have these but have been researching some options for cuter chairs for hosting. Since I host in a small apartment, I don’t always need 12-20 chairs out but sometimes I do want them for hosting. I have just been using black, plastic foldable chairs, but they are not the most aesthetic option. These Teak foldable chairs seem like the perfect solution! They would definitely be quite the initial investment but definitely something to consider if you host often!
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I hope that this gives you the confidence to start creating intentional and invitational tables no matter what stage of life you are in! Remember that hosting is so much more about who is around the table than what is on the table. Here at the Sunday Table Co, we really believe that anyone can host if you are simply willing to open up your table.
