If there’s one thing entertaining teaches us, it’s this: a beautiful table isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.
After being featured on WUSA9, I am sharing five of my biggest takeaways for creating tables that feel thoughtful, inviting, and entirely achievable. Whether you’re hosting your first dinner party or refreshing your entertaining style, these are the principles that make a table feel elevated without becoming overwhelming.
1 / Form Follows Function: if you are new to setting the table, focus less on adding everything at once and more on what you need for what you are actually serving. This is honestly true always. Too many things on a table that are unnecessary can over complicate and confuse guests.
2 / Table design often follows interior design rules:
The 60-30-10 Rule: Use 60% of a primary color (table linen), 30% secondary color (tabletop elements), and 10% accent color (accessories) to create a balanced palette.
Layered Lighting: Combine ambient (overhead), task (table lamps), and accent (votives + candles) lighting to avoid a flat-looking table.
Scale and Proportion: figure 2′ of table per person to avoid over crowding; centerpieces should be below 13″ or above 17″ to avoid visual blocking on the table and to allow for conversation
Rule of Three (or Odds): Group decor items, such as candles, vases, stems or accessories in odd numbers (specifically three) for a more visually appealing, less rigid arrangement. This can be true of groupings. For example 3 groupings of 2 candlesticks or 1 large vessel, 3 candle sticks and 5 votives.
Define a Focal Point: Every table needs a clear anchor to draw the eye. This can be a beautiful placesetting and simple centerpiece or a fabulous centerpiece with scaled placesettings. If you are a maximalist and more is more, work on balance between solid, geometric and organic patterns for a cohesive look.
3 / Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t. No one knows what you didn’t do.
4 / Simple can also be extravagant. Elevating a simple potted orchid, flowering plant or greenery with an heirloom container and textured moss can create a striking look without challenging your patience or budget.
5 / HAVE FUN! It isn’t that serious. The goal is to open the door to conversation and connection. Not to be the next Martha Stewart.
Cheers!
– Danielle
