The holiday season is here!!
And if you’re hosting anything this year, do you think your tablescaping up to scratch?
Setting the table seems pretty basic at first. BUT…could you name the factors that make or breakhow people feel and interact at the table?
Smart tablescaping is about MUCH more than the visual impression it makes. It’s not just about making your table “magazine-worthy” to wow guests. It’s also about ensuring everyone eats and drinks comfortably. From how much elbow room each guest needs to the perfect height for centerpieces, there’s a science that runs in tandem with the artistic elements of table design.
To design a gathering place where conversations flow, laughter seems to echo, and the most meaningful meals of the year are defined by comfort during long conversations, read through the elements that make a table as comfortable as it is stunning!!
Measurements That Make or Break Your Holiday Table
It’s EASY to fall into the Pinterest-perfect trap: you create beautiful centerpieces, learn intricate napkin folds, and buy all the best glassware.
But…aesthetics are for making first impressions and landing you lots of photos on Instagram later. A table that ignores practical table setup requirements can nonetheless leave guests feeling cramped and awkward.
Guests that bump into their neighbors every time they cut into their turkey, for instance, or who can’t see the guests opposite them thanks to a too-big centerpiece, are guests who will abandon the table as soon as they can. That’s not conducive for enjoying the meal and keeping the conversation going afterward!
Here are the rules that no one told you until now, AND that you’ll be VERY glad to know…
1. Minimum elbow room for every seat
Each guest should have 24-30 inches (measuring from their neighbor on one side to their neighbor on the other)to eat comfortably. This provides elbow room…cutting turkey on the plate and sipping wine will feel natural, not cramped.
For more formal dinners, aim for 30 inches to allow guests to enjoy a truly luxurious experience.
2. Drink spaces…including some for extra glassware!
Leave at least 10 inches in front of each plate for drinks and glassware. This buffer zone keeps glasses safe from collisions with utensils or plates, not to mention from hands that can knock them off the table.
The extra space isn’t just for the glassware you place when you set the table, by the way! Guests will mingle before dinner and have glasses with them…and they need somewhere comfortable (and spill-safe) to set them once they sit down to eat.
3. Multi-course planning: a layered approach
If your menu includes multiple courses, be sure account for the extra space needed and favor using layers of dinnerware whenever you can.
Remember…chargers, soup bowls, and bread plates all add to the footprint of each place setting. Make sure there’s at least 6 inches between plates and decorative elements to avoid a cluttered or chaotic table!!
4. Centerpiece heights
Keep centerpieces under 14 inches tall to maintain sightlines between guests.
BUT…there’s a workaround if you LOVE tall arrangements. Simply choose ones with slim bases or clear visibility underneath, like elegant candleholders or Lucite pedestals. The goal is to add design drama without making guests feel like they’re facing a wall.
5. Reach zone
Try to keep everything each guest needs (water pitchers, salt shakers, bread baskets) within 20 inches of their seat.
For larger tables, you can use small, stylish trays or lazy Susans to make serving items accessible to everyone without disrupting the flow of the meal.
There are some things that will only be in one place, like a turkey fresh out of the oven. But there really are creative solutions to keep everything else within reach…
6. Chair placement: distance between the table and wall
Allow at least 16-18 inches from the edge of the table to whatever the chair is up against (a wall, other furniture). This ensures chairs can slide in and out without bumping into stuff, or reminding guests just how full their tummies are!!
This is a small adjustment that can make your space feel MUCH more relaxed.
7. Layered lighting
Combine overhead lighting with soft options like candles or string lights on and around the table. Avoid overly harsh lighting…not only will it set the wrong mood, it also casts ugly shadows and glares onto your beautiful table.
Just remember: good lighting isn’t only decorative, it also ensures your guests can see their meals without straining their eyes, which is essential to comfort!!
Read more in this article about today’s lighting trends and how to use them.
The Artistic Touch: Tablescaping Design Going Beyond the Obvious
When most people think of holiday tablescaping, they imagine flickering candles, seasonal evergreen accents, and a centerpiece or two. Pinterest and Instagram are FLOODED right now with garland runners and string lights.
But as a professional interior designer can tell you, the artistry lies in the details that create surprise and delight. You can take traditional ideas and add an extra layer of sophistication, which elevates your table from “Instagrammable” to something memorable and infused with what the holidays mean to YOU.
And you STILL have time to do that this year, before the big holiday meal!! For instance, you can incorporate additional edible décor in your centerpieces, or play with light and reflections in your runner, or experiment with asymmetry. I’ve explained my favorite ideas below!!
1. Layered heights for visual impact
Add dimension to your table by layering décor of different heights.
For instance, pair tall candleholders with low floral arrangements or vases. It keeps the table visually interesting!! The contrast in height draws the eye and gives the table a sense of flow.
2. Mirrors to reflect candlelight
Lay a mirrored runner down your table’s center to reflect candlelight from ALL angles, which seemingly opens a whole new magical world. The mirrored surface amplifies light, too, and gives your table a more expansive feel, which makes this especially helpful in small spaces that you still want to feel open and inviting.
3. Forego the faux and bring the best of the outdoors in
Instead of the “permanents” mimicking evergreens (if that isn’t a little redundant!!) consider incorporating fresh (or dried) natural elements like:
- Sprigs of rosemary
- Pinecones
- Citrus slices
These natural touches evoke seasonal scents as well as an upscale look, adding a sensorial layer to the experience.
4. Symmetry vs. asymmetry…which one’s for you?
Decide if your table will follow a symmetrical layout or an asymmetrical one.
The general design rule says that symmetry usually goes with formal and traditional tablescapes, whereas asymmetrical is more modern or artistic. Both approaches can look stunning when done intentionally.
5. Edible elegance
How’s this for a new idea…
You can incorporate edible elements into your tablescape, whether something as simple as small bowls of nuts or as artistic as clusters of grapes draped over parts of each centerpiece. Edible elements add texture and encourage guests to interact with the décor in a fun way!!
6. QUIET elegance
Steer clear of clanking or noisy tableware, serving dishes, or other elements (like metal-on-metal decorations). Also be VERY sure to add felt pads under serving dishes (or incorporate soft fabric runners to dampen sounds).
And don’t forget to check all the felt pads on the bottoms of chair legs!! No one wants to be “that person” whose chair drags and rumbles loudly EVERY time they sit down or get up…
7. Photo-friendly angles
Consider how your table will photograph from various angles, too.
It’s not just about your own keepsake pictures, either. Your guests will also capture memories, so set your table with their perspectives in mind…seat by seat if you can.
Remember to avoid clutter and ensure your lighting enhances key elements like the centerpieces and place settings.
8. Stylish storage (and trays for “extras”)
Add a decorative tray to the table or on the buffet nearby for storing extra utensils and napkins. Someone WILL need an extra at some point, and this keeps everything accessible without disrupting your tablescape design!!
9. Hydration station…with a touch of taste
Include a nearby side table or bar cart with flavored water options, especially flavors like cranberry, mint, or citrus for a holiday theme.
This is a thoughtful addition that elevates your hosting game. You ensure your guests stay hydrated, you give them autonomy to get what they need without hassling the host or asking where to find it, and you can even have fun with BEAUTIFUL glass pitchers that blend in beautifully to your overall look!!
Bring your holiday table to life…
Unforgettable holiday tablescaping is about more than just selecting décor and putting it in place…
It’s about creating an experience where beauty, comfort, and connection are intertwined. These ideas can transform your table—and your holiday hosting experience—into the most delightful and memorable part of your celebration, for EVERYONE.
If you feel short on time before the holidays, just remember…you don’t have to tackle this alone. With a solution as simple as an online consultation with me, I can help you select the elements from this list that will have the BIGGEST impact on your holiday events.
Why not connect now?! Contact me with your questions and ideas!!
About the author
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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