Inexpensive Table Decoration Ideas

Setting a pretty table is the mark of a good hostess, whether you are hosting a formal dinner party or just your immediate family. This is true especially during the holidays. In a poor economy, however, it sometimes can be difficult to find inexpensive table decorations. Fortunately, there are many ways you can decorate a table, even if you are on a limited budget. Does this Spark an idea?

Feminine and Flowery

Create a sunny, flower-filled table perfect for a spring or summer luncheon. Visit your local thrift store and pick out salad plates with a floral pattern. Choose a different floral pattern for each guest. Center each small floral plate on top of a plain white plate. Use a creamy-white linen tablecloth, and sprinkle rose petals down the middle of the table to create the illusion of a table runner. If you don't have rose bushes, see if you can borrow a couple of roses from a neighbor. Place a bouquet of wildflowers in the middle of the table in a floral pitcher (again, check your local thrift store), or place one small daisy, rose or carnation in a bud vase, and set out several of these bud vases down the center of the table. Add small votive candles in between the bud vases. Create name cards from floral-patterned paper, and use a pretty ribbon in the place of napkin rings. Tie the name cards to the ribbons. Continue the flower theme in your menu choices as well, by serving dishes that include edible flowers.

Natural and Rustic

Bring the outdoors in and use materials found in your own yard to create a rustic yet striking tablescape. Create a centerpiece by filling a smooth wooden bowl with pine cones, colorful dried leaves and interestingly-shaped branches. Choose branches with berries if you want to add more color, or stand some branches up in floral foam in an basket. Small potted plants are very inexpensive and have the added benefit of being re-usable. Try placing them in a row down the center of your table atop a simple linen table runner. Place creamy white dinner plates (also very inexpensive, especially if you get them at a garage sale or thrift store) on top of woven-grass placemats. Use raffia to tie bows around the napkins in place of napkin rings, and slip a sprig of lavender or rosemary underneath each raffia bow.

Elegant and Sophisticated

Choose a color palate, such as sliver, gold or white, and create a sophisticated look for your table. Spray paint is inexpensive and comes in very handy for this tablescape. Look at garage sales and your local thrift store for candle holders, birdcages, lanterns and other interesting items that will make excellent centerpieces. Then, break out that can of spray paint and give the item a fresh coat to make it new again. Add strands of tiny, battery-powered white lights to give the item even more elegance. Tapered candles are always sophisticated and can be found at dollar stores. A bit of glitter sprinkled down the table runner adds sparkle. Sequined elastic, which makes excellent napkin rings, can be found at fabric stores for just pennies.