10 Do’s and Don’ts for Creating a Party Table Setting

When putting together a party, you often have to think about table decor. Your table setting can range from something like a few paper plates, to a full-on formal dishware setup. It really depends on your event! I’ve gotten supplies for table settings everywhere from Anthropologie, to Z Gallerie, to Target, to the Dollar Tree. There are many options. I put together a few examples of table settings and, in the process, came up with a few “do’s” and “dont’s”.

Do Mix Shapes/Sizes

It’s perfectly okay to have a place setting with all circular plates. But, you do want to make sure you’re varying the size of your dishes. That way you can see the beauty of each level. Alternatively, it’s very eye catching to vary the shapes of your plates. It’s fun to throw a square in there, or sometimes, you’ll find a unique shape, which is super beautiful. It may seem awkward at first, but play with it! The more you move pieces around and try new things, the more settings you will create. Then you can pick the perfect one. I suggest taking pictures on your phone so you can see what you did, in case you forget.

Don’t Overdo it

This is easy to say and hard to do. I love to overdo it. Lol. My suggestion is to set your place they way you initially think and then start taking away. Remove one layer, take away a small element. You don’t need to have six plates. (Unless you’re having one heck of a formal six course dinner, in which case, you should invite me!) It’s easy to find a ton of fun stuff, on theme, to go with your place setting. But, sometimes, we have to make the hard decisions to not use something in our table setting. Don’t just pile it all on.

Do Mix Textures/Patterns

Something that makes your place setting stand out and shine is a mix of textures. You can have some smooth plates, some with bumps, or stripes. The variance will keep things interesting. Also, with patterns, it can be really fun to mix them up. Something to keep in mind is using a small pattern with a big pattern. Again, you want to have variance. You can see in the example below that the blue and green plate is very dense, whereas the stripe underneath it is  more open, with more negative space. This way it doesn’t feel to busy. You can even bring texture in through your place mat!

Don’t Make it Too Busy

If you pick a lot of plates/tableware that have heavy patterns, it can sometimes be too much. I know what you are thinking. Dang it Lauren, you just told me to mix patterns. And, I did. But, here’s what I want you to do: big with small, complex with simple, and straight edges with curves. Those are some simple ways to help you mix patterns in your table setting without making it too busy. You can see in the example below that it has a lot of lines. The patterns are too close in size and style. It looks heavy and hard for your eyes to decide where to look. In the example right up above, you can see curved pattern with stripes and white with color, creating variety that is visually interesting.

Do Bring in Unique Elements

The best part of the place setting can be a little element of surprise like a place card, or item on the plate, or party favor. It’s all in the way you display it. A cute little pine cone on a winter themed place setting, or a name of your guest on fancy paper. Using a party favor is a perfect reminder of your event for the guest. You can see in the example below that I used a “breathe” rock. This table setting would be great for a garden dinner party, or a spa themed event. You just want to make sure that the items you use make sense.

Don’t Be Scared!

When I’m putting together a table setting, there is a lot of trying new things. You could go simple like the example below if you really want to, but don’t be scared. Try new patterns, shapes, textures. Play around with it. A good place to do this is TJ Maxx – Home Goods. They usually have some cheaper single plates. You could get a few and start playing with different combinations. Or, if you don’t want to purchase them, you could do it on the floor in the middle of the store. Lol. Just saying.

Do Think About Your Theme

Theme of course! You want to use your place settings as a spot to enhance your theme. It you are having a Halloween themed party, you could add a little pumpkin, or feather. If your party has a 90’s theme, you could use a paper fortune teller. Anything you can think of that is small, fun, and matches the vibe of your party. But, if your party is a summer cookout, adding a crystal bowl to your table setting may not be the best idea. So, really think through your theme. Below is a place setting for an outdoor party, or a barbecue! It’s a combination of plastic and paper plates. That cute blue star plate is paper. Yep. Paper. (Also, it’s from the mother ship, Target).

Don’t Forget About Your Venue

You really want to take into account the venue you are using for your event. If it’s a backyard barbecue, then the example below is fine. You could use paper and plastic plates. But, if your venue is a hotel ballroom, you’re going to want to use something more formal. Such as, real plates, textures and cloth napkins. Just put your table setting in context.

Do Make Sure You Pick Useful Pieces

What I mean by make sure you pick useful pieces is to think about what you’re serving. If your party food is pizza, finger foods, sandwiches and candy, you don’t need a bowl. So, don’t put it in your place setting. Don’t add elements just for the sake of them matching your plates. If you don’t need it, don’t use it.

Don’t Add Too Many Colors

I love color. It’s no surprise. I would say in a table setting, stick to four or fewer. Probably fewer. I tend to go with one or two colors plus a metal (gold/silver). Choose one or two colors and then a neutral. Gold, Silver, Navy, Black, White, Grey, Tan/Cream are all considered neutrals. These colors blend well with a lot of different colors and don’t cause too much distraction. If you add in more colors than three, it can be a lot to look at. It creates too much for the eye. People won’t know where to focus. It can make your table setting a big blob or blur. See the example below with black, red, pink, blue, teal and white.

A few tips for you there! The most important thing is to be creative and have fun. Unless you’re being paid to plan a party, no one is judging you! You can download this checklist to help you out when planning your table settings. It even has a little spot for a shopping list. By exchanging an email for this checklist, you’ll also get awesome blog updates and other freebies! Thanks for joining the party! If you have any other tips for table settings, comment below! That way we can create an awesome resource for everyone out there partying.

Finally, check out more awesome table setting ideas on EventOTB’s Table Setting Pinterest Board!