catalogs logo
catalogs.com logo

How to create an artful table

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Knowing how to create an artful table involves creativity and practicality

Knowing how to create an artful table involves creativity and practicality

On a daily basis you may not put much, if any, thought into the appearance of your table, where the family gathers (at least occasionally) to eat. However, with the holidays approaching and you in a festive (hopefully) mood, you may want to give more consideration to the appearance of your dining room table. It is, after all, the centerpiece of most holiday parties.

Learning how to set an artful table requires a combination of practicality and creativity. First, you must understand exactly what you need to have on your table – from silverware to serving pieces – in order to deliver your meal to your guests. Then, you need to have the creativity to add artful and decorative personal touches to your table, from the napkin rings to the centerpieces.

Naturally, your family and guests are most interested in the culinary delights you are serving, but you can up the ante by showcasing food on beautiful dinnerware. Your dinner table should become an exquisite palette, upon which you showcase your cooking talents and your selection of fine wines, perfect desserts and family heirlooms.

Before you continue reading about the How to create an artful table there is a special announcement we would like to share with you. Catalogs.com has negotiated special medicare rates for our vibrant community of seniors. If you are over the age of 60, you can head over to our Seniors Health Section which is full of information about medicare. All you need is your zip code and a few minutes of your time to potentially save 100s of dollars on your medicare bills.

Get Free Catalogs When You Sign Up

Don't wait, sign up and get Free Shipping Offers, Discount Codes and lots of Savings Now!

Restaurateurs know the importance of presentation. When food is served and eaten in a room featuring mood lighting, beautiful decor, luxe dinner- and stemware, the entire experience is elevated and heightened. This actually makes food taste better.

~

For instance, a chicken breast served on a greasy white paper plate isn’t going to taste nearly as good as one presented on a colorful, quality, heavy piece of dinnerware. Our brain is tricky that way: It processes information, responds to color, shape, form, lighting and texture, sending a message to our taste buds the food is yummy.

Studies show yogurt eaten with a silver spoon rates higher in taste and is assumed to be pricier than yogurt consumed using a plastic spoon. When you serve soup in a bowl, use a heavy bowl and heavy spoon and this actually makes the person think the soup is better perhaps than it really is. Food is perceived as tastier when eaten off denser plates and with heavier cutlery.

Other secrets to creating an artful table including using round serving dishes, which emphasizes sweetness, and angular plates, which bring out the bitterness in foods such as chocolate.

Keep in mind your dinnerware does not have to match. A mixture of patterns and styles, if done skillfully, is elegant and interesting looking. Feel free to mix vintage and new dinnerware.

Consider the tablecloth. Can it stand alone or should you use a place mat as a layer? Stand back and look at the design. Do you like it? If not switch it around, changing it up until you get it just right. Consider using a table runner, which adds texture, design, pattern and sparkle to the display.

Using cloth rather than paper napkins upgrades the look. Napkins should be placed to the left of the plate.

When setting the table, remember forks go to the left of the plate and the knife and spoon are to the right. Place in order of use, working from the outside in.

Glassware is another consideration. It sits at the top right of the plate. The water glass is in front, the white wine glass is next and the red wine glass comes last.

Popular Savings Offers

Sears Tool

Shop Now
Classic Chevy Trucks by Eckler's Catalog Cover
Classic Chevy Trucks by Eckler's
Free Catalog
Sgt. Grit's Catalog Cover
Sgt. Grit's
Shop Now
Attainment Catalog Cover
Attainment
Free Catalog
giggle Catalog Cover
giggle
Free Shipping
Leather Coats Catalog Cover
Leather Coats
Shop Now
WeBeBop Catalog Cover
WeBeBop
Shop Now
Chamonix All-Natural Skin Care Products Catalog Cover
Chamonix All-Natural Skin Care Products
Shop Now
Handlesets.com Catalog Cover
Handlesets.com
Shop Now
School Specialty Physical Education Catalog Cover
School Specialty Physical Education
Free Catalog
Wisteria - Catalog Catalog Cover
Wisteria - Catalog
Free Catalog
Oneida - Anchor Hocking Catalog Cover
Oneida - Anchor Hocking
Free Shipping

Saving Tools

Follow Us

Logo

Since 1996, Catalogs.com has been considered the web's catalog shopping authority. Our trends experts have carefully reviewed thousands of catalogs and online stores and have featured only the most respected, distinctive, and trusted ones. From popular favorites to new discoveries, you'll shop and save with exclusive coupon codes!

Invitations for applications for insurance on Catalogs.com are made through QuoteLab, LLC and transparent.ly. Submission of your information constitutes permission for an agent to contact you with additional information about the cost and coverage details of health and auto insurance plans. Descriptions are for informational purposes only and subject to change. Insurance plans may not be available in all states. For a complete description, please call to determine eligibility and to request a copy of the applicable policy. Catalogs.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. By using this site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.