How to make a Good Tablescape (and what is a tablescape?)

Pinterest is filled with pretty holiday tables and decor. I have flipped through magazines and Pinterest seeing the beautiful holiday table images and thought “but HOW do you do that?”. Only to then flip to a new page or image thinking it was beyond my ability. If this is you, I am here today because beautiful tablescapes are NOT rocket science and are NOT reserved for magazine worthy homes. Over the years I’ve honed the art of the tablescape pretty well and I want to show you EXACTLY how I’m putting together my tables SO YOU CAN TOO.

Thanksgiving Tablescape with Centerpiece Taper Candles and Place Settings

First of all, if the word tablescape is new to you you are probably asking – what is a tablescape? Simply put a tablescape is a table decorated in a theme with dishware, glassware and other objects.

This year I invite you to join me monthly on Instagram where I will be teaching a live monthly workshop where we put a tablescape together layer by layer. You will learn the exact pieces I use, which ones are a table staple and how to mix and match china and glassware. I will share the best linens to use and how to build a centerpiece that WOW’s. Each month’s tablescape will also be here on the blog so you can have a step-by-step breakdown to work from at your own pace.

Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece

A few notes on tablescapes:

I do not buy new items each month. I shop my house based on whatever theme and color pallette I am working on. No matter if you are a seasoned decorator or just beginning your decor journey you will have items you can use. My collection has changed and evolved over the years, don’t feel like you can’t achieve stunning results because you don’t have the exact things I have.
Most of the items I am using aren’t specific ‘decor’. I used to think that a centerpiece was an item – a vase, floral arrangement or some sort of large table specific thing. I’ve come to realize that my tables are more beautiful, full and interesting when I used ‘normal’ things in a new way.
I incorporate the same principles when putting together my tablescapes as I do when I decorate the rest of my house. I focus on texture, nature and lighting. Once you memorize that trifecta you will never again wonder ‘what is missing’ when you look at a room or table again.
Lastly, if you re new to creative tablescapes know that this is a skill you will develop over time the more you work on it. My early tables weren’t elaborate and certainly weren’t always beautiful. I loved sharing those tables with my family and friends JUST as much as I enjoy sharing it now. Enjoy the process and keep pushing yourself!

January Table Setting Dining Room Texture

Why set a tablescape?

Research shows that dining rooms are the most unused spaces in most homes. In both of my houses the dining room has been a ‘pass through’ space. When I create tablescapes I am forcing myself to acknowledge and make use of the room. It also becomes a spot that my family gravitates towards to enjoy, in fact when I don’t set the dining room table Chris will often ask me when I’m going to set it back up! The rooms feels more purposeful with a tablescape in place.
When my dining room table is empty guess what happens? It gets taken over with little bits of clutter. Before I know it the table is filled with little toys, random gloves, books, mail and anything else that is picked up and set down en route to it’s permanent home. When I set a tablescape my family naturally respects it and it becomes home to less clutter.
The more tables I set the better I become at setting a table! Pushing myself creatively on a regular basis makes me dig deeper and find new ways to play with pattern and texture.
Our dining room is directly inside the house. By setting our dining room table I set the tone of our home for whatever season or holiday we are in.
When we have a fancy table set we are more likely to use it! Sometimes we get the itch to be fancy for no one but ourselves, it’s an easy way for us to do something different as a family. When the tablescape has been up for a bit and I’m about to pull it down it’s so easy to pull off a few place settings and eat our normal dinner at the fancy table. It’s also a great practice for the kids to get used to the feel of eating from nice dishes, glassware and practice those table manners that seem to fall by the wayside with our everyday dinners.