How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

by Carlisle Homes

How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

Add wow-factor to your festive table with this step-by-step guide.


A huge part of Christmas Day celebrations centre around the table – and never more so than this year, when we get to spend quality time with our loved ones again. Create a picture-perfect table setting that evokes the magic of an Australian Christmas with these simple styling tips, inspired by an arrangement styled in one of our award-winning Carlisle display homes.

PLAY VIDEO

Choose a theme

Giving your table a theme, whether it’s a colour palette or style, will help you narrow down the options when it comes to selecting dinnerware, flatware, linen and flowers – an altogether good thing in the busy lead-up to Christmas.

Choose colours and styling that fit in with your home’s decor and the mood you wish to create at Christmas lunch or dinner. White and silver or gold are classic Christmas pairings that are easy to style around and allow you to add in other colours such as red and rich green, if you wish.

For a more casual look that works a treat inside or out, opt for a gentle neutral palette consisting of soft grey tableware and ecru linen placemats dressed up with festive gold cutlery, and finished off with native foliage.

How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

Try crafting your centrepiece from natural materials at all different heights to create a lush, layered effect. Featured here: Montpellier Grand, Smiths Lane Estate, Clyde North.

Add a centrepiece

A beautifully crafted centrepiece gives your table a focal point and helps set the mood for festive entertaining. If you have a round table, display a dense arrangement in the centre of the table. For a rectangular table, start with a larger arrangement in the middle and then a series of smaller displays along the length of the table so all your guests have something beautiful to look upon.

Current trends in tablescaping favour all things natural – and they’re a great way to draw the outside into your home. Try crafting your centrepiece from natural materials and foliage such as driftwood, preserved cotton flowers, hydrangeas, mini pampas and trailing amaranthus, all at different heights to create a lush, layered effect. Or create a delightful living runner consisting of green foliage and wattyl or eucalyptus leaves.

How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

Opt for nature-focused arrangements and showstopping details to draw focus to your setting and add to the festivity.

Introduce some sparkle

Nothing says festive quite like the twinkle of candlelight. Add grandeur with decorative candelabras or go for a more contemporary look with trios of pillar candles of varying heights or a few simple tea lights running the length of the table.

To create beautiful reflections from the candlelight, intersperse your arrangement with some simple glass baubles. 

Layer linens and tableware

Christmas is the perfect excuse to bring out your best dinnerware, flatware and table linen. Create a feeling of opulence by layering up elements in different shapes and textures. Adorn the table with crackers and little treats such as wrapped sugar biscuits and add a personal touch with a calligraphy name card on each place setting.

How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

Compliment your beautiful home with an impeccable Christmas colour palette that will elevate your existing décor. Featured here: Montpellier Grand, Smiths Lane Estate, Clyde North.

Add decorative glassware

Set out drink-specific glasses for each guest, including a champagne flute, a red- or white-wine glass and a water tumbler. When it comes to glassware style, take your cues from the tone and feel of your Christmas Day; for a more formal event, opt for fine stemware. For a laid-back Christmas lunch alfresco, consider casual, stemless styles.

Have a view of the Christmas tree

Add to the festive ambience by positioning the table where guests can look upon the Christmas tree, and ensure the lights are set to twinkle. For a cohesive look, wrap presents under the tree in paper that blends in with your table theme and decor.

How to Dress Your Festive Table in Style

Set the festive mood with flickering lights on the tree and a dining arrangement your guests will remember. 

Did you find this Home Files blog helpful?

Don't forget to bookmark it so you can revisit it later!

Looking for more styling tips to get your home ready for the festive season? Discover how to transform your lounge into a space your family and friends will love – click here.

;

Carlisle newsletter

Sign up to get the latest news from Carlisle Homes including exclusive offers, new home designs, and the latest trends and inspiration.