Ideas to Decorate a Table

The hardest part of decorating a table is narrowing down your selections. There are many different styles, shapes, sizes, materials and purposes when it comes to table decorations. Focus on each item's purpose first, as it is the most important. Once you decide whether you want a colorful centerpiece for a dinner party or an everyday decoration to keep the kitchen table from looking dull, you'll have a better idea of what accent to choose. Does this Spark an idea?

Floral Table Accent

Consider using fake or dried flowers if you want to accent a boring table with more than just a napkin holder or plain bowl. Gather together a spiky bouquet of dried lavender and sage and slide it into an earth-colored vase to add a splash of color to your coffee table. Fill a small wicker planter with silk Gerbera daisies to create a spring-themed accent for your kitchen table or slide a silk sunflower bouquet into an old pottery pitcher to give your dining table a countryside look.

Simple Table Accents

Regardless of whether you want to add a little seasonal spirit to your home or an artistic accent to your table, simple fabric runners work wonders. Use a long, rectangular, leaf-patterned runner with gold edging to give your wooden dining table a classic look; center a large, round, white lace doily on the middle of a round end table to help brighten up a room. Accent the fabric runner with an attractive pillar candle, decorative gourd, basket, bowl or figurine.

Holiday Centerpieces

Think big when it comes to creating centerpiece decorations for a holiday party. Go all out for Valentine's Day with a balloon bouquet centerpiece consisting of one large heart-shaped balloon and several heart-patterned balloons secured to a sparkling basket filled with chocolates. Bring in holiday cheer with a glittering miniature Christmas-tree centerpiece covered with sparkling bead ornaments; set the centerpiece on a round red placemat in the middle of the table to give the decoration an authentic look. Cover one large pumpkin and five small pumpkins with glitter spray to create a glittering Halloween centerpiece with a sophisticated touch; place the large pumpkin in the middle and surround it with the smaller pumpkins. Turn a miniature Christmas tree into an Easter centerpiece by hanging hand-painted plastic eggs on it as ornaments.

Party Centerpieces

An elegant dinner party doesn't mean you have to use a huge centerpiece to decorate the table. Instead, keep the room's atmosphere intimate with a small and sophisticated table accent. Add a modern look with a square glass vase filled with water, cranberries and small limes. Bring a little sparkle to the table by floating votive candles in a water-filled glass bowl. Increase the sparkle by filling the bottom of the bowl with decorative glass stones before adding the water.