Different Ways to Make a Dining Room Table Look Nice

Making a dining room table look nice is one of the key concerns for people who enjoy entertaining guests for dinner. However, dining table decorations don't need to be extravagant or expensive. Like decorating the rest of the house, successful dining table decorating relies on choosing a theme and selecting accessories that complement that theme. Themes can range from a summer lunch to a winter holiday; the choice of decor depends on the host putting together the table. Does this Spark an idea?

In Lieu of Flowers

According to Alexis James on "She Knows," the dining room table centerpiece no longer needs to be restricted to just flowers. Tall clear glass containers filled with oranges, lemons and limes can replace the traditional bouquet on the summer table. Alternatively, fill martini glasses with sand and colorful shells from a nearby beach; set little drink umbrellas into the glasses for flair. Additionally, some food stuffs meant for consumption also make decorative additions to a table. A tort covered in brightly colored fruit or a beautifully decorated cake displayed under a glass top can form the basis of a centerpiece which can then be flanked with other fruits, decorative party favors or ribbons.

Fall Holidays

The holidays give you the chance to bring out some of the linens that you have tucked away for most of the year and allow you to embrace the vibrant colors of fall fruits. A fall-themed table might see a maple leaf-patterned tablecloth paired with an orange or gold table runner. Fine china plates with a touch of gold leaf around their rims offer the perfect place to display name cards made from parchment paper stuck into pears or mini-pumpkins. Tapered candles in pewter holders or simple white candles placed in a hurricane glass along with a few fall leaves can be used to illuminate the table.

Christmas

The right table accessories help the season of giving become a bit more festive. The Christmas tree stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of the season, and many trees are sold in miniature versions, making them viable options as centerpieces for the dining table. Decorate your miniature Christmas tree with small strings of lights and mini-presents. Dishes decorated with poinsettias or evergreen boughs add a holiday touch without being religious in tone. Set smartly wrapped packages in miniature sizes at each place setting to give your guests something to take home when the meal is through.

Asian

An Asian-style table decor embraces simplicity. The dining table decorated with Asian flair features items like pussy willow twigs in black lacquer vases, tabletop lanterns, white candles or a small Zen garden. Place a small Asian teapot next to each plate or roll up sets of chopsticks in Chinese red silk napkins and bind them with a piece of material decorated with Asian writing.