Table service
Whether you host dinner parties, family lunches or meals for one, give your dining table a makeover fit for a Michelin Star eatery
Christmas is fast approaching and chances are at some point during the festivities, your dining table is going to take centre stage. If yours has seen better days, now is the perfect time to start thinking about a revamp. There are plenty of ways to give your dining table a first-class makeover, no matter what your budget.
Suite dreams
Gone are the days when buying a new dining table meant buying a complete dining suite.
The wealth of choice on the market today means if only part of your dining suite needs replacing, there is something out there to suit.
So if your chairs are in really good condition, but your table has seen better days, find one that works with your existing furnishings.
And by works, don’t be afraid to pair mismatched pieces. Shop around local salvage yards or online stores to find one-off pieces.
If you’re in the market for new chairs, again mix and match. You could always go for the same style in different shades of the same colour, or completely different chairs in the same colour. Or simply buy four different chairs that you absolutely love, regardless of colour and style.
Centre of attention
Adding a seasonal centrepiece is an easy way to ramp up the style in your dining room.
Before you worry you’re going to have to get all Blue Peter and start foraging in your garden for the perfect shaped leaf or pine cone, a centrepiece can be as minimalist or over the top as your like.
It doesn’t have to be homemade either. A simple candle, a fresh bouquet of flowers or a small sculptural pieces will do the trick.
Take inspiration from your home’s existing style and add some seasonal flair, such as small baubles or fairy lights at Christmas, and freshly-picked blooms in the summer months.
Cover all
Once upon a time, a table setting wouldn’t be complete without a table cloth. But with the rise of minimalism and laidback dining, table cloths just aren’t as popular.
However, if you’ve just bought a pretty pricy dining table, you might want to do what you can to protect your new investment.
Table runners and mats will protect your table from marks made by hot dishes and can be neatly tucked away once meal time is over. If your table is used more frequently for other purposes, homework for example, an aesthetically pleasing PVC cloth will keep your table top in pristine condition and free from felt tips.
Plus, if you are hosting a swanky dinner party all you need to do is whip it off and voila, a perfectly pristine table underneath.
Small Changes new crockery, cutlery and charger plates will make a big impact without breaking the bank. The great news if you’re looking to change up your existing pieces is the wealth of choice on the market.
Cutlery is available in all manner of shades, from iridescent metals to Scandi-inspired matt black, while the crockery market has everything you could ever wish for and more. From the most pared back white china pieces to sets that contrast beautifully, there is something for all tastes.
Charger plates – which are traditionally used to dress a table for more formal occasions – are becoming increasingly popular in the home for dinner parties and supper clubs. They are ideal if you want to add that all-important finishing touch. ■ Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling. Go to lesleytaylor. co.uk for more on her work.