Art of Table Setting

Though setting the table may seem a menial and routine task, setting a table properly and with care can actually be an art. A beautifully set table will bring a warm and welcoming atmosphere to the room. Proper table setting will make your friends and family feel festive and comfortable and can set the perfect tone for any meal. Does this Spark an idea?

Significance

A properly laid table will set the tone for the entire meal. This can be especially important at big family meals, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. The formality of your table setting should match the occasion. For a casual event, use your regular tableware. However, for a more formal event, be sure to use china if you have it, or your finest place settings if you don't.

Types

There are a variety of meals for which you may be setting the table. First, of course, is breakfast. To start the day, select warm, welcoming colors such as yellow and pink. Flowers in a pitcher or vase can give the table a cheerful feel. Another easy and functional option for a centerpiece on the breakfast table is a bowl of fruit. For brunch, you may want to set the table for more of a buffet-type meal. Platters and serving trays will accomplish this and can be quite attractive when the food is laid out carefully. Lunch is often a casual meal but should not be overlooked when practicing the art of setting a beautiful table. Even a simple menu of sandwiches can be laid out nicely with a striped or checkered tablecloth and colorful napkins. Dinner is by far the most popular meal for entertaining. Candles are a wonderful centerpiece and can be tall and thin or short and wide, depending on the size and layout of your table. You may even consider floating small candles in a bowl of water.

Features

There are several features that come into play when setting a beautiful table. The first is your table linen. For a very put-together look, invest in a draped tablecloth in addition to place mats. For a more casual meal, you may decide to simply use one or the other. Cloth napkins are another thoughtful touch that give any meal a more sophisticated feel. Next is the centerpiece. This can be anything from flowers or candles to fruits and nuts. If you are having a themed event, consider using a creative centerpiece that matches your theme, such as seashells or tiki figurines for a luau. If you have a long table, you may want to lay some flowers or garlands along the length of the table with candles or other decorations spaced intermittently among them.

Function

It may seem to go without saying, but it is important to lay your table with all of the appropriate dinnerware for the meal that you will be serving. For meals that involve more than one course, this will include a soup bowl, salad plate, bread plate and dinner plate. You may also need wine glasses and water glasses. If you are serving desert, be prepared with the appropriate dishes for this course as well. When it comes to silverware, it is entirely up to you whether you want to use one fork or several, but be sure that your selection is in keeping with the formality of the meal.

Considerations

Don't let a casual picnic or cookout fool you into thinking that the art of table setting is useless for the event. Even a cookout can be decorated beautifully. You can pin paper or plastic tablecloths to picnic tables. Colorful disposable plates, cups and cutlery can be coordinated for the event. You can even use small potted plants for centerpieces. Carefully coordinated place settings can be used for everything from a large party to the everyday family dinner. At any occasion, careful consideration of the place settings and attention to this unique art will give a coordinated and welcome feel to any meal.