1.Begin with the chairs
The easiest way to set a table isn’t with the plates or the napkins, it’s with the chairs! Think of them as your roadmap for where everything else will go.
To keep things comfy (no elbow wars, please 🙃), leave about 6 inches of breathing room between each one.
Now, don’t forget about the space around the table. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 36 inches (about 3 feet) between the edge of the table and the nearest wall or obstacle. This gives everyone plenty of room to slide in, scoot out, and mingle without bumping into furniture.
And here’s the finishing touch: don’t push the chairs all the way in. Instead, leave them halfway pulled out. It instantly makes the room feel more welcoming, like the table is saying, “Come on in, dinner’s ready!”
2.Pressed tablecloth vs high-quality placemats.
Choose tablecloths for formal occasions, elegant dinners, or when you want full protection.
Placemats when the space is limited, or you want flexibility, creativity, and a relaxed yet stylish look, and you have a nice polished table.
There is not right or wrong, simply about matching the choice to your mood, event, and personal style. Use runners, chargers, or textured napkins to add depth. Layering makes your table feel rich and thoughtfully designed.
3.Where is the tableware going?
Placing utensil could feel intimidating like only your grandmother or the maître d’ at a Michelin-starred restaurant knows the real Bon Ton. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can create an elegant setup with just the basics you already have at home.
SIMPLICITY. One fork, one knife is all you need. If there’s another course, simply swap them out.
More than one fork just leaves people wondering, “Do I start with the big one or the little one?”
The knife goes on the right with its blade pointing toward the plate. And that little bread plate? Yep—it also belongs on the left (exactly where the knife is pointing). SPOON on the right of the knife , FORK on the left, GLASSES above the knife, DESSERT FORK on top.
Use your thumb to measure a inch of space from the edge of the table so that everything is in line.
Place a charger in the middle. Your dinner plate can pretend to be the charger if you don’t have one. It’s all about layering and presentation, not having a million dishes stacked up.
Napkins
A simple neat rectangle fold—done. Chic and effortless.
4.Invest in one set of good steak knives
A good steak knife adds a little magic when the food is ready to be savored, especially when is a beautiful steak.
You and your guests are going to feel confident effortellessy slicing the food without struggling using a dull table knife.
Laying out steak knives for your guests sends a quiet little message:
“I’ve thought of you, and I want this meal to feel memorable”.
Steak knives aren’t just for steak. They are just as handy with roast chicken, pork chops, or even a slice of cauliflower.
Investing in a good set of steak knives and it will last for years.
Once you have them in your kitchen, you are going use them all time.
So if you haven’t yet remember it’s an important tool in your kitchen.
Tip to shop the best steak knife:
Pay attention to the blade.
Serrated knives tend to stay sharp longer and handle crusty foods beautifully.
VS
Smooth-edged knives give you those clean, restaurant-style cuts but need a bit more care.
5.The glasses and asymmetry
When you place the glasses start from the water glass above the knife and place the white wine on the left side and then the red wine, creating diagonal assymetry accross the table. The whole table will look polished.
Once you’ve placed the glasses in that elegant diagonal line, step back and take a quick look at your table.
The trick is balance: the glasses should create a smooth diagonal, not wiggle around like a little snake.
It so much easier for guests to reach without bumping into one another and for the person that is pouring the wine or water.
6.Centerpiece
Think Chanel’s golden rule: less is more.
Apply this rule to your table.
💐 Small vases of nature.
FLOWERS; a handful of fresh herbs in a jar; a bowl of fruit in summer; pinecones in winter; squash during fall. Effortless, but chic.
🕯️ Candlelight.
Candles are magic. They instantly make the room glow and set the mood. Just choose them unscented.
🍲Be mindful of the space for food.
Choose something small easy to be removed. Not 300 decorations, just a few (less than 10), easy to be removed.
7.Lighting and personalized touches.
Lighting is the atmosphere of the room, that makes your table, your dinner stands out.
Lighting sets the mood.
Choose warm, soft light, giving a message to the guest of relax and enjoy. Candles, tea lights, or fairy lights woven through greenery for a little magic. If you’re dining outdoors, lanterns or string lights create instant charm.
Personal Touches
This is the part where your table really gets its sparkle.
A handwritten place card? A little printed menu? Even just a napkin folded with love?
These tiny details tell the story of your dinner. They warm things up, get people talking, and suddenly creates connection.
It’s never about the “perfect” table. It’s about creating a table that feels like you.