7 times DIY the most beautiful table

A while ago, I had a very cozy dinner at Jet's in the garden. With her dearest friends around her, food that made your mouth water before it even hit the table and bottles of Veuve that couldn't be dragged in. It was a bit exciting, because Jet had of course already shared the restrictions for her guests, so the pressure was somewhat high. But I survived, and not only Jet, but I as a guest was also very happy. How the table was set up is perhaps just as nice. Jet had arranged it in the garden, with long white-covered tables, lanterns. So beautiful all of it. If you also have such a cozy dinner planned this weekend, in the garden or at home, I’ll list some fun ideas.

1. White is always good

There is plenty of beautiful table linen to find, and a color can be quite cheerful, but experience shows that food only really looks good on a nice white linen tablecloth and white plates. Let's say, a white tablecloth without grease stains and tomato soup. The base in white looks especially very chic, clean, and well-organized.

2. Flowers

Flowers on the table immediately make it cozy. Large bouquets are not very handy, after all, you don't want to look at a grand vase. Buy small vases, for example from the thrift store, because they really don't all have to be the same. Or, even better, collect empty jam jars, cola bottles, and other glassware to distribute the flowers. For flowers, you can either choose a wildflower bouquet, as if you picked it in the most beautiful backyard, or roses. A bit more classic, but it just depends on what atmosphere you want to convey with your dinner.

3. Candles

Candles immediately create atmosphere, whether you do it indoors or outdoors. It's nice to distribute small tea lights across the tables, but it's also a fun idea to provide the surroundings with candles. You also don't have to worry about knocking something over on the table and setting everything on fire. In the absence of candle holders, just grab the empty wine bottles from the kitchen, where you can stick beautiful long candles in. Great solution, it looks really nice.

4. Keep it simple

The rule of thumb in styling: less is more. It's really a shame to put everything on the table at once. Keep some things back, so you can still surprise the guests. If there are five courses on the menu, you really don't have to put all five plates on the table. No stacks, please. Just one plate, and switch it out all the time. Then guests won't sit down with a ‘phew phew’ feeling.

5. Color the little things

In the little things on the table, use color. For example, you might add a colorful ribbon to the fork, put a label on a wine glass (also handy to not have to wash glasses all the time), or place a piece of paper under the plate where you've just painted the edge a color. Well, you have to be willing to invest in the details. All those fun little things you can just buy at HEMA, it doesn't have to be that difficult.

6. Personal cards

During a dinner, you never speak to everyone. If it's a large group, that is. Personal cards work well. This could be name cards that you write by hand, of course with your very best pen and handwriting, or as a little note next to the plate. Write something sweet, something personal, that works well and makes an impression. Not something that rolled out of the printer, that makes it a lot more distant.

7. Bring the surroundings in

Don't forget to decorate the surroundings as well. A garland here and there, some pom-poms (yes, I'll get to the explanation), lanterns. It's the overall impression that makes people enjoy. Sounds so cliché, but it's true. You hang those lanterns in the garden and buy them at a Xenos or HEMA. Those pom-poms are the birthday garlands of now. You must have them, because you can even leave them hanging as decoration in the house all year round. They are actually balls made of tissue paper, available in every color, for example at buitendelijntjesshop.com. You hang them with a string here and there around the house, and it immediately looks cozy.

So, I am now very curious about what kind of dinner you have planned this weekend. Or rather, how beautifully your table will be set. Will you let me know? I can't wait.