We Indians love opulence and drama in all possible themes. Whether it’s our movies or our novels, we pursue everything grand and larger than life. But when it comes to enjoying a meal with people, we prefer a relaxing environment with a setting that’s pleasing to the eye. A meal is a moment when we open our hearts to our loved ones, no matter where we are. It serves as a uniting medium for generations to meet and exchange stories and experiences. Why settle for a drab table when the conversation is so engaging? So make every meal a wonderful experience by setting a table. Whatever you’re serving, let table decorations add glory to every kitchen. Add drama to the table with small trinkets.

1. Write a plan!

Before you take out all your cutlery and crockery, give your table 5 minutes. Take a look at your dining room table and understand how it can act as the epicenter of the meal you are hosting. Create a mental plan to make sure each person is comfortable with it. If you’re hosting a soiree, make sure you have enough table space to place everything you want, without having to move things around on each plate.

2. A subtle centerpiece

Every table deserves a story! Plan your table arrangement around a brilliantly curated centerpiece. Give your table a talking point by placing a centerpiece in the middle. If you have a huge dining table, you can always opt for two pieces. For a small-sized table, you can opt for a longer-than-usual centerpiece to save on surface area. You can play with flowers, candles, lanterns, jars and much more. For an authentic Indian-style setup, use tea lights and brass fittings wrapped in strips of colorful fabric. You can also place a long strip of mirror in place of a table runner and cover it with tea lights and wooden animal figures.

3. History of crockery and cutlery

The placement of cutlery and crockery plays a very important role. This not only encourages table etiquette, but also helps you maintain a clean setup. Cultivate the habit of using separate plates for main courses and bread or chapatti to ensure the bread doesn’t get soggy. Tuck table napkins throughout your setup to eliminate the chance of accidental spills. Dress up these napkins with eye-catching holders. You can also tie these napkins with dry bamboo grass or ribbons. When it comes to spoons and forks, always make sure each plate is accompanied by an appropriate number. If you are serving Indian cuisine, you should place a couple of spoons next to a plate. In case of continental, place a set of forks, spoons and a knife. The type of crockery and cutlery you choose will make a world of difference to your table setting. You can use authentic copper and brass plates and utensils for an authentic Indian touch, or you can choose very colorful ceramic plates to give your dinner a bohemian personality. When it comes to cutlery and utensils, the options are endless.

4. Shiny little trinkets

To keep a theme on a table, you can introduce small trinkets. These trinkets need to blend into the whole set, but they also need to maintain distinct identities. You might have metal birds holding salt and pepper shakers or a thin stone slab with napkins placed under a glass goldfish.

5. Non-matching table configuration

Sometimes the beauty is in not trying too hard! You can create a relaxed yet elegant table very easily by mixing and matching a large number of colors and design styles. This splash of color will show your individualism and also create a fun and relaxed meal.

6. For those Formal Dinners

Some dinner parties are very formal, for example, calling your boss or your spouse’s boss for dinner or having your mother-in-law eat at her new home for the first time. We recommend that you keep the table settings in those moments simple, timeless and elegant. On the one hand, it will show you off as a sophisticated host or a hostess who has great taste and also, if she keeps things simple, she can accomplish more without adding even more stress for this important occasion. We suggest going with elegant white napkins, high-end tableware in classic pastel colors, and some simple flowers for the centerpiece.

If you want to get your family together every night, try dressing up your dining table. As humans, we yearn for something new every day. So why not treat your eyes to small delights every day in the form of creatively made dining tables? It can also act as a bonding exercise if you include your children, siblings, mother, or any loved one in the decorating process.