A beautifully set table is to be admired. There are so many fantastic ideas on Pinterest & Instagram. Keeping it simple & utilizing a few bits & pieces you probably have lurking around the house & in your garden means you can have a pretty table without it costing a bomb. Table setting on a budget is easy.
Flowers make pretty centerpieces but can be expensive. Many stores reduce the price of their older supply of flowers to get rid of them. You can get flowers for a couple of bucks if you only need them to last a few days. Also veggies, fruit, twigs & herbs, even potted plants make nice centerpieces.
Make one large arrangement or use bottles, little jugs, jars or even cans for vases & make several smaller arrangements. If you’re using several smaller items then center them with a large platter or just a piece of wood like I’ve used in the pic above. If you’re using candles – who doesn’t love candles, then make sure you use unscented. No one wants to breathe in lily of the valley when they’re eating their meal.
Leave the table bare or cover it the fabric. It doesn’t have to be a tablecloth. Use painters’ drop cloths (pictured) & then layer with some fabric either neutral or your favorite color. Just remember, if you are using color, then stick to one or two. Use flour sack towels as placemats or for napkins – they’re inexpensive & you can usually buy them in bulk. If you don’t want to use white, they’re really easy to dye just with a cold water dye.
Plates & cutlery don’t have to match – only you care about that. Dig around & find what you can at home. Ikea has really inexpensive plates & cutlery if you need extras or ask a friend if you can borrow a few pieces of theirs. Same goes with chairs. If you’re a couple of seats short, a friend might loan you a couple or pull up a couple of tree stumps (if you can get them inside). Nothing wrong with a fold-up chair either, just throw a blanket or a piece of fabric over it to joosh it up a little.
This is a pretty Easter brunch table setting using tulips & waxed flowers that were on sale. Have fun with what you do. For me, setting the table is the most fun part before the guests arrive & I always like to get it done the night before so I feel organized.
Cheers, Lovoni