Setting a beautiful table is an art form that elevates even the simplest dinner into something special. Table setting isn’t about rigid rules and formal etiquette—it’s about creating a setting where food, company, and atmosphere come together. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set a table that impresses, whether for everyday meals or special occasions.
Ceramics and Plates: The Foundation
It all starts with the plate. Handmade stoneware ceramics give the table an organic and unique quality—no two plates are exactly alike, and that’s precisely the charm. Choose a neutral color as your base (white, sand, or light gray) and build up with accent colors in the smaller elements. Feel free to mix different series from the same color family for a relaxed, eclectic look.
Caja Company creates ceramics with vibrant glazes in lemon and pastel hues that give the table a fresh and playful look. Bloomingville offers a wide selection of stoneware in neutral tones. Find the perfect pieces for your table in our plates and cups.
Candlesticks and centerpieces
Candlesticks belong in the center of the table. Candlelight at a dinner table transforms the entire atmosphere—faces soften, colors become warmer, and the pace naturally slows down. Choose candleholders in varying heights to create movement along the center of the table. Ceramic candleholders from Kersten, such as the peacock candleholder, give the table a decorative wow factor beyond the flame itself.
Combine candleholders with low greenery—a sprig of eucalyptus or small bouquets in small bowls along the center of the table. See our candleholders, ceramic candleholders, and glass candleholders.
Pitchers, carafes, and glassware
A beautiful pitcher filled with water or juice is both functional and decorative. Stoneware ceramic pitchers match the plates and create a cohesive table setting, while glass carafes add lightness and transparency. Anna Von Lipa creates mouth-blown glass in unique designs that elevate even the simplest table.
Glasses in various sizes and colors—a water glass and a wine glass—add variety and depth to the table. Colored glasses in smoked or amber-toned glass are a popular trend that adds character to the table. Explore our pitchers and glasses.
Salt, pepper, and small details
It’s the small details that complete the table setting. A decorative salt and pepper set in ceramic or porcelain is one of those items that’s always on the table, so it should have a look you enjoy seeing. Quail makes salt and pepper sets shaped like animals—cats, dogs, and birds—that bring humor and warmth to the table.
Butter dishes, egg cups, and small bowls for olives or dips round out the table setting. Find inspiration in our salt and pepper sets and cutlery.
What is the correct order for setting the table?
The classic order starts with a placemat or napkin, followed by the dinner plate, and possibly a soup bowl on top. The cutlery is placed with The knife on the right (with the cutting edge facing the plate) and the fork on the left. The glass is placed at an angle above the knife. The bread plate is placed to the left, above the fork. For formal table settings, cutlery is placed from the outside in, in the order it is used.
Everyday vs. Formal Table Settings
For everyday meals, the goal is to keep it simple yet elegant. A nice plate, nice cutlery, and a candle are enough to elevate a Tuesday dinner. You don’t need tablecloths or placemats—a clean table with quality materials works just fine.
For a party, you can take it up a notch: placemats, cloth napkins, extra glasses (water + wine), additional cutlery, and a well-thought-out centerpiece with candlesticks and greenery. Colored napkins that match the candles or plates tie everything together. Feel free to use cups as flower vases for a casual and charming effect.
Colors and themes
A consistent color theme significantly elevates the table setting. Choose two or three colors and stick to them in all elements—plates, napkins, candles, and flowers. Popular combinations include:
- Natural: Sand, white, green — stoneware, eucalyptus, beeswax candles
- Festive: Gold, deep red, green — brass candleholders, red candles, fir
- Summery: Lemon yellow, white, turquoise — Caja Company ceramics, fresh flowers
- Minimalist: Black, white, gray — simple lines, glass candleholders, no patterns
Frequently Asked Questions About Table Settings
How much space should there be between place settings?
Allow for about 60 cm per place setting at a rectangular table. This provides enough room for a plate, cutlery, and a glass without guests sitting too close together. At a round table, you can go down to 50 cm, as there is more space in the center of the table.
Can you mix different plates?
Yes, it can look really nice, as long as there is a common theme. For example, mix different patterns within the same color palette, or mix solid-colored ceramics in different shades of the same color. Handmade ceramics are particularly well-suited for mixing, as the natural variations in the glaze tie them together.
What can you use instead of flowers as a centerpiece?
Green branches (eucalyptus, olive, rosemary), dried flowers, fruit in bowls, or a collection of candleholders in different heights. In winter, fir branches, pinecones, and candles are a classic and fragrant solution.
Give your next meal the setting it deserves. Explore our plates, candleholders, and cups to find everything you need for a beautiful table setting.
