Looking for ideas for decorating a table top? I’m sharing my five favorites!
I love creating a pretty table so thought it would be fun to share my favorite tabletop accessories – the ones that I grab time and time again when I want to make a killer tablescape! These are my five favorites… (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
1. Woven Chargers
The simple addition of woven chargers to a table can take it from kinda pretty to knock-out beautiful! The chargers that I go back to time and time again when decorating a table top are woven chargers. I love the contrast between the hard surfaces of plates and the warm chunky texture of the chargers:
You can find woven chargers similar to mine {HERE} and {HERE}.
I also have {these lighter woven chargers} that I use on our kitchen table – love them!:
Kitchen Eat-In Sources: Capiz pendant | Geometric gray rug | Rattan chargers | Large blush abstract framed art | Blue floral framed art | Pink floral framed art | Slipcovered dining chairs (similar) | Table runner no longer available
2. A Large Bowl Makes the Perfect Centerpiece!
A large bowl in the center of the table is one of the easiest of centerpieces but I love it because it always seems to work no matter what the season or what you put in it. It can be as simple as some fresh peaches from the grocery store for a fall tablescape:
or fresh flowers (I place a waterproof glass bowl inside):
Sadly, my exact wood bowl is no longer available 🙁 but {this bowl} that I currently have filled with succulents would work well as a centerpiece too (to use with the succulents, I lined the bowl with plastic before planting):
And these are a few other beautiful options:
3. A Pair of Glass Hurricane Vases
Other centerpiece favorites for decorating a table top are the two glass hurricanes that I use as a pair on many of my holiday tables. They are the perfect height and width for holding any type of blooms or branches you place in them:
While these babies aren’t exactly cheap (you can find them {here}), I love and use mine constantly so they’re been worth every penny!
4. A Patterned Table Runner
I love the color and wood grain of our dining room table but also love the added softness of table linens so a table runner is the perfect compromise! My table is a bit of an odd length so I’ve made all of my table runners myself and let me tell you, if I’m capable of doing it then so are you because my sewing skills are pretty nonexistent. It’s as simple as cutting your fabric and folding it under and sewing the edges. And if you don’t sew, using {this fusible bonding tape} and an iron works every bit as well!
My favorites for decorating a table top are my buffalo check table runner (I bought my fabric locally and made it but {this runner} is similar)
and my striped table runner made with {this ticking stripe fabric} and embellished with macramé fringe on the ends – you can find my tutorial for my macrame table runner {here}:
If you love striped table runners but are looking for a store-bought option {this table runner} is a great choice!
5. Napkins that You Have Fun With
I love, love, love patterned fabric napkins and while it’d be fun to have new ones for every season, that’s just not realistic so instead I change things up by using the same ole napkins but in different ways. For one of my tablescapes this past spring I created a triple fold with my napkins and tucked the silverware inside the folds:
On some tablescapes (especially if it’s outdoors) I roll my silverware in napkins and tie them with a pretty ribbon. This is also a great way to do things when you’re hosting a buffet so your guests can just grab a rolled bundle in the buffet line.
Or you can fold them in a triangle like I did with these cute check napkins and slip a cute napkin ring over them like I did when decorating a table top for Christmas (you can find similar wood bead napkin rings{here}):
And sometimes I get a little more creative with my napkins, such as in this Easter tablescape where I folded them in the shape of bunnies (you can see more Easter table decor ideas in {this post}).
These are some of my favorite napkins that would help create a beautiful table:
So that wraps up my five favorite ideas for decorating a table top! Want more ideas for prettying up your dining tables, check out my other posts on table decor {HERE}.
XO,
Jennifer Griffin says
Beautiful tables, Kris. We have several of the same favorites… I can’t tell you how many times I pull out those woven placemat/chargers!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Jennifer! Me too – I try not to use them all the time so I’m not always showing the same stuff but invariably end up using them because they always make my table look better!
Kelley Nan says
Kris, your ideas are always killer and so innovative. I am so inspired by all you do and your tables are some of my absolute favorite. Thank you so much for including me in your series today. Tables are my fav and I am thrilled to have been able to join you!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! You seriously are the perfect co-host for our little table party – love yours!
Pam Cates says
Love love love your dining room and table.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Pam!
Garden, Home and Party says
Kris,
What a fun post. I love the Ikea placemats at that price point. You’ve done a great job with your dining room overall and your table in particular. It’s so great to be able to use some anchor pieces over and over with different items in them. I love it! The Juliska hurricanes are wonderful and I’ve always admired them with tall branches and flowers in them.
I’m off to visit the other talented ladies in this series.
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Yep, those IKEA ones are some seriously good bang for the buck! Thanks so much as always for your sweet words Karen!
Nataliya says
Kris, what size are your Juliska hurricane vases? 11″ or 15″?
Thank you!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Nataliya – I don’t remember and I’m not home right now to measure but the ones that I linked to in my post are the same size as mine – I double checked the size when I wrote the post before creating the link!
Pam @ Simple Details says
Nope, not tired of that wood bowl! 🙂 I can’t believe I don’t have any woven chargers, they add such great texture to all of your beautiful tables! And, that fringe on your table runner ~ very clever and looks so high end!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Pam! Yes, you need some woven chargers in your life – I can’t live without mine!
[email protected] says
Great picks Kris. I just recently bought new chargers for our kitchen. They are similar to the PB ones and are from World Market. Great price, especially on sale. I’ve had my eye on that wood bowl, and now may be the time to grab it.
Kris Jarrett says
Good to know that they have similar ones at WM too (I love their tabletop accessories!)
Bree says
Kris!! So fun seeing all of your react table scapes together in one spot!!! I love them all and always leave your Blog feeling so inspired!! Thank you for another great post! Xoxo
Kris Jarrett says
Bree, you’re just so sweet – love you friend!
Jenny says
Everything is just scrumptious to the eye! Thank you, thank you for being so thoughtful around $. Your conscientious picks allow those of us with wildly expensive taste and wildly modest wallets to make some decorating dreams a reality. Hug. jenny
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Jenny! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post (and my picks!). Hope you enjoyed your weekend!
Gretchen Thomas says
Loved your “Top 5” and your beautiful tables! Your place card pumpkins and apples are darling! I especially love the different ways you present your napkins. What a thoughtful detail!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Mama Nan – you’re the sweetest!
Lisa says
Kris, I love your table. The wooden bowl has really caught my eye. If you don’t mind, where would I find one very similar to it? It would fit just perfectly in my own home.