12 Must Know Tips For Stunning Tablescapes

Tables are the heart of our homes, where we gather for meals, dine with our family and friends, and are the true anchor of any festive day. With these simple easy-to-follow tips your tablescape will be an effortless success throughout all the seasons and many days to come. Plus, learn these affordable tips to wow your guests, on a family friendly budget, too!

This post is sponsored by my dear friends at Decocrated- My favorite home decor subscription box that send beautiful pieces right to your front door every single season. Many of their pieces are in each of the photos! Head to Decocrated.com and use code CHELSEY10 to get $10 off your first purchase.

1. Always Use Fresh Greenery

Adding fresh greens to your napkins, bowls, baskets and more bring life to your table. Our favorites are Eucalyptus, or even Baby’s Breath! You don’t have to spend a ton to elevate your table like expensive bouquets, we find some of the best greenery in the filler section of grocery florals. Check out Whole Foods for $5 bunches to fill your spread. 

2. Don’t Skip The Sweets

Whether you’re serving up a hot pie, a beautiful cake, or even just some apples in a basket, NEVER skip the sweets. Get creative with candy dishes and more, but something inviting makes every table complete. It’s will draw everyone in to make the most of the moments we spend together, and really set the mood! – A sweet one that is. 

3. Add Height For Interest

When your table feels bare, or missing that special element, check to make sure you have elements with height! Stack trays and more for a layered look, rich in depth! Get creative with your pieces, what can you stack and combine?

PRO TIP: Avoid blocking conversations by moving your centerpiece to the corner of the table and let it flow outward from there. Grab this tray in the 2019 Decocrated Winter Box.

4. Use Artwork

Artwork like signage elevates your tablescapes. Pull pieces from around the home like this one above, or find perfect pieces from thrift stores and more! In a pinch? Frame some 5×7 prints that match the color scheme for your table to add an elegant touch. 

5. Invest In Staples

Invest in staples that will stand the test of time, and seamlessly transition you through seasons. We recommend using neutrals that work well with any color scheme. Think napkins, runners, plates, chargers, and trays like this one from the Decocrated 2019 Winter Box. You can rearrange them effortlessly and no one will be the wiser! Don’t believe us? Scroll back up and see for yourself!

6. Make It Easy Grab

Be the best hostess by leaving must haves within arms reach. Straws, cups, napkins and more. You’ll save yourself a ton of time while hosting, plus it really pulls the table together. Don’t forget, set the table with ready-grab snacks too! This will really set the table as your anchor to draw everyone together and keep conversation flowing. 

7. Always Incorporate Linens

Never skimp on the linens, be it table runners, napkins, or even a pillow! Take a peek in the corner at the pillow from the Decocrated box (always a great source for quality fabric items that warm up every space). The rule should follow you throughout your entire home, you can never have too many cozy items, but don’t forget the tables! Use these to make your dining room especially inviting.

8. Ribbons & Ties Go Far

Use inexpensive ribbons and strings to pull together a wow-worthy table for any holiday or season. This is our favorite for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Incorporate the whole look by using the same textile throughout the table. Don’t only wrap your napkins, wrap faux presents like above, tie bread baskets and more with the same strings! For $2.99 and under, you have the perfect accessory. 

9. Set Your Table & Keep It Set

Keep your table set, even days you’re not having guests! Keeping silverware and plates ready to go not only sets the mood, extends your decor, but also makes the home feel elevated and upscale. Yes, regardless of your home size or value, keeping your tablescape will bring out the fancy for everyone! Have fun with simple napkin folds to take you through the season, just wash up and place back that night (or tomorrow morning if the kids keep you busy because they’re going wild and don’t want to sleep.) 

PRO TIP: If you have little ones, remember, involving them in cleaning and setting the table is fun! Don’t worry about it getting messed up, have fun teaching them how to learn wonderful things like where spoons or forks go, how to fold for their fine motor skills. Make it a fun family routine. 

10. Repurpose Misc. Items

Dig into your china cabinet for this one! Repurpose old items like antique baby cups, teacups and more for a unique look. Random keepsakes give your settings more life, and are great conversation pieces. Use them for garnishing stations, to hold seasonal items like cinnamon sticks, and more!

11. Layer Up In Details

Add layers to your tablescape for a dramatic look. Use multiple napkins to give your plates an elegant touch. Use multiple garlands down the table to give depth and interest, a string of lights warms up any setting. Layer sizes of decor, with larger, medium and smaller pieces. Don’t forget the finishing little (and affordable) details for each season like candy canes strewn across the runner. 

PRO TIP: Start with larger items, then add your garland, and finish by filling in spaces with your smaller pieces up front. Check around the table to be sure everything can be seen to know if your placement is just right. 

12. Use A Cohesive Color Scheme

Pick a color scheme and stick with it, this is the easiest way to guide your tables. Don’t forget to check the hues from those colors or greenery too! This is a perfect example of sticking to cool colored greenery and blues to keep a merry flow. Use at least three colors and make sure it ties in with the theme you’re going for. 

These beautiful trees are available in the Winter Decocrated Box 

How To Decorate Built In Bookshelves

The other day I walked into our Den, a gorgeous room with beams running across the ceiling, full of light and adorned with windows that remind me of a seaside home. Want to guess what we use it for? A kids room, and for the Christmas tree once a year. Since moving in two years ago, we have been designing rooms one at a time but completely neglected the Den. On either side of these large curved windows are two built in bookshelves. It really is our in-home library for storage purposes. However, I couldn’t believe that it hadn’t donned on me to do anything with these beautiful book shelves! So, in comes Decocrated.

Decocrated is an amazing home decor subscription box that send seasonal boxes of curated one of a kind seasonal decor. The pieces are hand crafted and help keep my home beautiful throughout the year. Meaning- I have lots of pieces to play around with! Let’s get to it. ((Use code CHELSEY10 for $10 off your first box.))

The Before

Obviously this little shelf had loads of potential. I have this habit of constantly moving things around until I find the perfect look I love, so the final style will probably change through the year. That’s because it sometimes takes me a moment to find the perfect balance between design and function. Plus, I tend to get new pieces all the time and really just love to play around with decor.  

1-2-3   1-2-3   

If you look at any styled area, I will repeat this until it is engraved into your brain, style is complimented by odd numbers. Ish. That means that you can group items in threes, fives, etc, for a cohesive design. That also means grouping of like-type pieces look best in threes.  This rule is flexible because like the pumpkin sitting on top of the books above, the books are grouped in three, but additional items can be placed in because the shelves are also separated into threes. 

Contrasting Pieces 

When you see beautifully designed shelves you might think, how did they know all these pieces go together? Or, I would have never thought to place those together. However, there are actually rules that can help you do just the same! The first rule, add contrast! I personally love to introduce black into my decor because it gives a space depth, and helps me mix together both antiques with modern pieces. You may choose to add a bright and vibrant color instead, but never discount a good dose of black, because it truly is timeless. 

Function Is Key

 The common mistake I see with spaces and decor is neglecting to use a space for function. It can be pretty AND be a highly functioning space as well. The last thing you want to do is create a ton of spaces that are unusable in your home. Think about the adjoining spaces, can you make it a designated usable space? Given that the nearby windows are low to the ground, I turned the space into a reading nook full of pillows to create that cozy vibe. These pillows are actually from the Decocrated Summer & Fall boxes.

You can also add baskets to your shelving to hide items we don’t want on display, but that you need for everyday use, like keys, remotes, baby toys etc. 

Diagonal Patterns

Signage This is another trick I use to make sure my shelving is organized and pleasing to the eye, and it has to do with how we look at areas. You want the eye to dance across the area, without seeing obvious patterns. Look at the greenery in this space for example, it moves from the top right, to the center middle, and down to the right again at the bottom. The black pieces flow from the top left diagonally to the bottom right.

How many patterns can you find in this built in? Use this trick with common elements such as woods, papers, metallic pieces and greenery to ensure the design flows just right.

When In Doubt  

If you ever find yourself stuck, do yourself a favor and pull all of your pieces off the shelf, or even out of a room before beginning. This is one of my biggest tips because it is important because we get caught up on what is already there. Instead, take pieces out, maybe you only need half of the items you have. You can always find new homes around the house for decor you no longer need, or maybe you find that you just need a little more! Focus on adding pieces one at a time and I guarantee you will have a better time with the design altogether. Still stuck? Send me an email and our team is happy to help you get your space to one you’ll love. Email me personally at Chelsey@themamaguide.com or find us on Instagram @TheMamaGuideOfficial .

How to Throw an Amazing Yet Easy Party – Free E-Book

What’s in a Good Party?

We throw parties to mark a momentous occasion, or for someone special to us; but really good parties mainly have the guest in mind. In days when we are all too busy, when we truly slow down and come together, our parties are our thank you to those we love. Throw a party from that perspective, you’re guests (and you!) will walk away with a memory of an experience, not just a gathering. Here are three things to keep in mind when throwing an amazing party your guests will leave raving about, plus the full 20 page E-Book outlining all my party secrets below!

Themes Are Everything

Pick a theme, but do it right. Your theme should set the tone for your decor, your invites, the food you serve and more. The difference between a chotchky themed party and a beautifully designed one, is to keep imagery or characters at a minimum. Add variety to your color scheme, keeping true to your main idea. How do we do that? Instead of everything being red and white striped in the circus party we threw, I added pops of color in subtle ways. Look at how the confetti subtly introduces new colors, stands, or food. See how the candy colors compliment the predominant red and white stripes, yet add to the theme? If you’re throwing a character or print theme, what NOT TO DO, is have every item with that one character or print. For instance, if you’re doing a purple unicorn theme, add two more complimentary colors to your napkins, cupcake frosting, maybe the balloons or streamers! Have at least three colors introduced, three is more pleasing to the eye. Also, think of elements that add to the experience of the theme. I had tickets everywhere, to really make the party carnival/circus like.

Basically, pick a focus of your theme, and add complimentary colors and patterns to add depth and avoid a dull repetitive decor theme.  

Fun For Kids & Adults

When your guests arrive, get something into their hands! Drink- check. Food- check. Favors? Yes- check! A great party is when the adults and the kids can both have fun! The biggest challenge is allowing parents to relax when we’re all chasing our littles around. Give favor boxes to younger guests when they enter the door. It helps to keep them busy while Mom & Dad unwind, grab a beverage, and say hello to everyone. Especially for shy kiddos, they’ll have something in their hands to focus on instead of being overwhelmed by a big crowd of strangers.

Bonus: Have kid safe areas where the little ones can wander and collect more goodies for their boxes, just in sight of where parents can relax. 

Separate your stations so that guests don’t overcrowd an area, and make them easy to grab! For this party I had a two snack stations, a juice/soda/water spot, an adult beverage dispenser inside the kitchen (away from little kids’ reach) and the main meal was served in another area.

Make each area special, with decor, or options to customize their needs. For drinks, add colorful straws, beverage napkins, and garnishing options. Little slice of lemon and a sprig of mint, yes please! 

Every Detail Counts

Little details make a big punch! You don’t have to spend hundreds to customize elements of your party. My favorite custom go-to for every party are custom candy bars and water bottles. Even my invites are custom designed to match the party. It’s easier and less expensive than you would think! To find out how to customize your party for that extra WoW factor, download the Complete Party Guide!

The 2019 Party Guide- Complete Edition

A lot goes into planning a party, but to make it easy I broke down all of the details, into an easy to navigate Party Guide- 2019 Edition. 

The 20 page guide has everything from 

A full schedule breakdown for when to start planning, how to schedule your planning and more. 

Want more insights for how to theme your party, and ideas on how to incorporate your theme? Check out ten party theme ideas with inspiration for how to craft your own theme! 

Where do you grab your decor, for less? All my decor secrets are inside!

Learn where to go to customize and create your very own invites, water bottles, and even candy bar party favors. 

Download your E-Book free for a limited time, and let me know what type of party you plan to throw? No idea? I have included three pages full of theme ideas, plus a full menu design to inspire you for your food choices and more! Make sure to tag me when you throw your parties to be featured on the blog and on Instagram or Facebook! Can’t wait to celebrate with you! 

Happy Party Throwing,

Xo, 

Chelsey <3