Formal table settings require more than china plates, napkins, and silverware placed in the correct location. While most of your style will be reflected in the table, seating and table, decorations for a formal dinner party can be fun and bring a bit of festivity to any occasion.

Since most of your ambience begins with the dining room set, focusing on it is a top priority. Add custom slipcovers to existent chairs as an anchor for the remainder of your table decorations. Chair slipcovers are excellent ways to update a dining room for new seasons or to provide the basis for special events, such as christenings or birthday celebrations.

Using A Dining Room Set As The Anchor For Festive Events

Begin planning your special event by establishing a color pattern with dining room seats. In days of old, the only choice one had was to pick a specific pattern or color and stick with it until the dining room set fell apart. This is no longer the case. If you entertain more than once a year for a variety of events that have specific themes, you can simply purchase a variety of chair slipcovers to match individual events. Custom slipcovers are easy to change, are washable, and inexpensive to purchase, so you can splurge and have chair slipcovers to match your every whim. Chair slipcovers are perfect for Parsons, low back, Queen Anne, and Chippendale designs, and are equally perfect for seats with and without arms. Custom slipcovers feature a straight skirt with a split-kick pleat in the center of the chair and two ties in the back. If this is your style, you also need to choose between a full length skirt or a short skirt. Longer slipcover skirts are very elegant and have the advantage of disguising scuffed, unattractive chair legs. Shorter slipcover skirts, on the other hand, are ideal if you wish to show off stylish chair legs.

After you have decided to indulge in purchasing more than one set of chair slipcovers, your next assignment is to select the colors and patterns you want. Some varieties are woven with a glamorous and elegant blanched almond background and embellished with a shimmering floral design. When made with upholstery-grade damask fabric, it will add a beautiful, modern aesthetic to any dining experience. It is excellent for often used areas, is machine washable, and ideal for christening celebrations and formal birthday parties. Another excellent suggestion for formal occasions are selections that feature a rich repeating pattern of tone-on-tone burgundy chevrons with one-eighth inch tricolor stitched dots. The fabric is pleasant to the touch yet extremely durable for constant usage. It is machine washable and a perfect anchor for winter-themed events.

Decoration Ideas And Elegant Table Setting For Formal Occasions

Setting a proper table is important for formal dinner parties because you are also adding to the overall feel of the dinner. Begin setting your table by laying the silence cloth or pad down and covering it with the tablecloth. Next, center place mats approximately half an inch from the table’s edge and directly in front of each chair. If the mats are large enough, the flatware is placed on the mat. Place a plate in front of each chair with the edge being one inch from the edge of the table. Lay your flatware parallel to each side of the plate with the dinner fork and salad fork, respectively, on the left side and the knife and spoon, respectively, on the right side. Place the bread plate with the butter knife above the forks and place wine and water glasses above the knife and spoon. You are now ready to add your decorations to the table.

If you are having a formal engagement, there should always be a centerpiece when you are setting the table. Centerpieces should reflect the mood and theme of the event. If you have a color theme, incorporate it into your centerpiece. The key to formal dinner centerpieces is to not go overboard with the size. One charming idea for a yuletide centerpiece is to attach a long ribbon to a variety of small, wrapped gifts. Arrange the ribbon and gifts along the center of the table, keeping the ribbon lose and placing a small gift in front of each place setting.

Creating Festive Dining Experiences

Creating charming and festive formal dining events can be easily managed when one follows a few simple tips. Know how to set your table, make centerpieces manageable, and include chair slipcovers with your decorating ideas. They are inexpensive and come in a wide variety of complementary colors and patterns. When one event is finished, simply remove the slipcover and store it for your next entertaining affair.