Ever find yourself staring at your dining area and wondering how to style a dining table when you’re not using it?

If you answered yes, you’ve come to the right place!

In this post, I’m sharing 10 simple yet stylish ideas for decorating your dining table when it’s not being used, complete with real-life photos for inspiration.

From timeless centerpieces to realistic styling tips, keep reading to discover what to put in the middle of your dining table.

Plus, I’m sharing 4 practical tips for choosing dining table centerpieces so you can learn how to style a dining table that is both functional AND beautiful!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you. I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

Related: 10 Easy Seasonal Tablescape Ideas for Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter

10 Easy Ways To Style Your Dining Table When It’s Not In Use

1. Leave the dining table bare
2. Use a tablecloth
3. Use a table runner
4. Add placemats
5. Display a floral arrangement
6. Group candles or candle holders together
7. Arrange fruits on a cake stand or in a bowl
8. Place a woven bowl or wooden tray
9. Stack everyday dinnerware
10. Put a real or faux potted plant

Leave the dining table bare

Who says your dining table needs to be decorated at all times?

Sometimes, the simplest way to style your dining table is to leave it bare, especially if you have a beautiful surface like a sleek glass dining table (like mine!), a rustic wooden table, or a luxe marble tabletop.

I’m a fan of a bare dining table because it brings a sense of calm and minimalism to the space, especially in smaller rooms or in an open-plan setting like our apartment.

Keeping our glass dining table clean and clutter-free adds an airy, modern touch to the space.

Plus, I love that the table reflects natural light beautifully.

Use a tablecloth

On the other hand, using a tablecloth is a simple yet effective way to completely transform the feel of your dining space.

It’s perfect for adding softness, texture, and a sense of warmth, especially if you’re are looking for a cozy, layered look.

Bonus: they’re great for protecting your table surface from spills and scratches while still keeping things stylish.

Style Tip: Keep things interesting by using a patterned tablecloth. Whether it’s blue and white chinoiserie prints for a spring table setting or a chevron print for a summer tablescape, a beautiful print or pattern can act as the focal point of your dining area.

Use a table runner

If you want to decorate your dining table without covering it up completely, a table runner is the perfect solution.

Not only is a table runner more affordable than a full tablecloth, but it’s great for showcasing your dining table’s beautiful surface while still bringing in a pop of color or a touch of texture.

Style Tip: Drape the table runner down the center of the table for a classic look. For something a little different, use two shorter runners and lay them horizontally across the width of the table. This simple trick gives your dining table a fresh, unexpected twist!

Add placemats

Placemats can protect your table from spills and scratches, but also double as decor.

You can layer them over a tablecloth or use them directly on your dining table to get a peek of your tabletop.

I love mixing it up with different colors, patterns, and textures depending on the mood or season.

Woven placemats bring in an earthy, natural vibe, while linen or cotton ones feel soft and relaxed.

For something a bit more fun, patterned placemats can really liven up the table, especially if the rest of your setup is quite neutral.

For a more practical everyday setup, choose placemats that are easy to wipe down, especially if you’re using your dining table for regular meals.

This saves time because you don’t have to keep replacing them after every use.

Display a floral arrangement

I can see why people love placing floral arrangements in the middle of a dining table.

In addition to making the dining area feel fresh and inviting, it instantly brings life to a dining table!

You can go big and bold with a dramatic centerpiece like I did, or keep it simple with a few stems in a smaller vase.

The best part? You can use either real or faux flowers, depending on what works best for your lifestyle.

For a low-maintenance option, I personally opted for dried hydrangeas.

They look beautiful and realistic, but they don’t require any watering or upkeep (which is perfect if you don’t have the time to care for fresh flowers every week!)

Plus, they last for months, and their neutral tones blend seamlessly with almost any table setting.

Style tip: Make sure the vase size suits your dining table. A tiny vase on a large dining table can look out of place, while an oversized one on a small table might overwhelm the space. Scale matters, so choose something that feels balanced and proportionate to the table.

Group candle holders together

Candles instantly elevate a dining table by adding warmth and a cozy ambiance.

I love using candles to style a dining table because they are affordable, come in endless colors and styles, and can easily be swapped out depending on the season.

For casual dinners, I love grouping a trio of pillar candlesticks in the center of the dining table.

For special occasions, I prefer using a trio of gold tapered candlesticks for a modern and elegant tablescape.

Style tip: Don’t have candle holders? Don’t worry! You can add a cluster of pillar candles directly on the table without any holders at all. Alternatively, a large dough bowl candle can also make a bold, beautiful statement.

Arrange & display fruits on a cake stand or in a bowl

One of my favorite styling tricks? Using everyday items like fruits as decor.

It’s a practical and affordable way to style your dining table, especially if your family goes through a lot of fruits like mine does!

A bowl of lemons, a pile of red apples, or even seasonal fruits like pomegranates or figs can add color and life to a dining table.

My fruits are elevated on a cake stand because I like that the added height makes the fruit display feel like part of the design, not just an afterthought.

But, you can also use other vessels to hold your fruit like a wooden dough bowl or a handwoven basket for more texture.

Style tip: For a minimal look, stick to one type of fruit in bulk like a big bowl of oranges. But for practicality (and a hint of playfulness!), go for a rainbow medley of whatever’s in season.

Place a woven bowl or wooden tray

Placing a woven bowl or wooden tray in the middle of a dining table is one of the most simple dining room decor ideas.

The wood or woven texture brings warmth to the space, especially if your dining table is made out of glass or natural stone.

Beyond just looks, a bowl or a tray is incredibly practical. You can use it to corral everyday items like salt and pepper shakers, napkins, and coasters.

I love this setup for families or anyone who actually uses their dining table every day, as it creates a styled “zone” that’s both beautiful and functional.

Plus, woven trays or wooden bowls are often lightweight, inexpensive, and come in all shapes and sizes.

So, it’s easy to find one that suits any type of aesthetic and budget.

Stack everyday dinnerware

Stacking plates or bowls in the center of your dining table is more than a simple decor trick.

If you eat at your dining table regularly, having your go-to dinnerware within arm’s reach just makes sense.

I like to keep a neat stack of our most-used plates or bowls in the middle of the table.

It gives off a casual, lived-in feel – and honestly, it’s just so handy not having to dig through kitchen cabinets for plates.

Style tip: Layer smaller plates on top of larger plates (like salad or dessert plates on top of dinner plates) for an elevated look. You can even tuck in a folded linen napkin and add a utensil caddy on the side to complete the look.

Put a real or faux potted plant

Adding a potted plant, whether real or faux, is one of my most-used simple dining room decor ideas.

What’s great about using potted plants is that they’re not just pretty, but they are also low-maintenance.

Unlike a fresh floral arrangement that needs weekly changing, a potted plant can live on your table for months.

I’ve had my ZZ plant for over five years now, and whenever I’m stuck on what to use as a centerpiece, I just pop it on the table.

It’s completely fuss-free and instantly makes the area feel fresh and lively.

I recommend using any potted plants that don’t need much attention like a small olive tree or a ZZ plant like mine.

Just make sure the size of the plant works with your table – you don’t want something so tall it blocks conversation across the table!

Style tip: Place the potted plant in a stylish woven basket, a sculptural bowl, or a vintage ceramic vase for a stunning centerpiece.

What can I put in the middle of a dining table?

One of the most common questions I get is: what should I put in the middle of my dining table?

If you want more ideas on how to style a dining table when it’s not in use, keep scrolling to view the round-up of all my favorite practical and decorative items.

You can easily mix and match a few of these to create a simple and functional centerpiece that works for your dining table.

How To Choose Dining Table Centerpieces For Everyday

When in doubt, I always go back to these four tips to help me create an easy, everyday centerpiece that works for my home.

Think About Scale

The size of your centerpiece should make sense for the size of your table.

Before purchasing something, ask yourself: does this piece feel balanced, or is it going to look off sitting in the middle of my dining table?

Remember, a small item on a large table can feel underwhelming, while something too big can overpower the dining table.

Keep Decor Low and Unobtrusive

Opt for centerpieces that don’t block conversation or line of sight, especially if you use your dining table daily.

Low-profile arrangements like shallow bowls, short potted plants, or candles keep the table looking styled without getting in the way.

Choose Easy-to-Move Items

Go for pieces that are lightweight or easy to shift around if you need to clear the table quickly for meals, work, or kids’ activities.

Make It Multi-Functional

No clutter on the dining table, please! Pick centerpieces that double up as useful items like a fruit bowl, a lidded basket with napkins inside, or a tray that holds salt, pepper, and other daily condiments.

The post How To Style A Dining Table When Not In Use [10 Simple Ideas!] appeared first on That Isle Life.

If you’re very familiar with my home, you’d know that I shy away from bright colors. It’s not that I don’t love bright hues, but I prefer using a softer palette to decorate because it makes my home feel calm and peaceful.

It was my best friend’s birthday last month, and I was in charge of hosting an intimate dinner party for her. It’s been a while since we had people over, so I wanted to make sure I did something special.

My best friend is the complete opposite of me! I’m very feminine and love everything girly. She, on the other hand, is cool, edgy, and loves funky things.

While I was brainstorming on the theme, I came across this stunning Wonder Woman jelly cake by one of my favorite bakers. I was immediately inspired because I know my best friend LOVES Wonder Woman.

That was when I knew I hit jackpot. I’m going to host a Wonder Woman-themed birthday dinner!

Despite choosing a fictional character as my inspiration, I wanted the overall theme to still look elevated and chic. That’s how I settled on a beautiful blue and white tablescape with a pop of red and yellow to highlight the main feature – the stunning and super-creative Wonder Woman jelly cake.

In this post, I will share a step-by-step guide to style a beautiful yet budget-friendly blue and white tablescape on a glass dining table.

Related:

• How To Create A Simple & Beautiful Thanksgiving Table Setting
• 7 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes You Need To Make This Year

A step-by-step guide to style a beautiful blue and white tablescape

This blue and white tablescape is focused around a Wonder Woman theme, but this step-by-step guide can be used for any style or theme.

Start with your centerpiece

With every tablescape, I like to think about my centerpiece first. A standard dining table is usually big, so using a centerpiece helps to draw attention and make a statement.

There are many different types of centerpieces from floral arrangements and candles to fruits and even books!

For my blue and white tablescape, I focused on a combination of three things to put together a centerpiece: cake, flowers, and candles.

Cake

So, I knew immediately that the Wonder Woman cake will take center stage. However, I didn’t have time to purchase a cake stand in time for this dinner party (which I regretted because the floral arrangement blocked the cake!)

If you want to incorporate a cake into your centerpiece, always make sure to add height to it by using a pedestal cake stand. Got a tight budget? Swap a cake for other pretty desserts like cupcakes, brownies, cookies, or parfaits!

Flowers

Designer floral arrangements are usually very expensive, but there is a way to get them at a more affordable price. You can either get fresh blooms from your nearest grocery store or a florist wholesale distributor.

Since the cake had a red element to it, I bought a dozen yellow roses and a stalk of blue hydrangeas from a wholesale store. Although I had to arrange them myself, the flowers were so much cheaper and I was spoilt for choice!

Want to make the most of your budget? Here are some great options to choose from:

• Local flowers that are in season
• Naturally lush flowers like hydrangeas (I only used one stem for a small vase and it looked great!)
• Foliage like silver dollar eucalyptus

Candles and candle holders

Candles are a must-have in all of my tablescapes. They smell great and provide ambient lighting when lit.

For this particular tablescape, I used nude tapered candles and gold candle holders to balance the various colors.

Budget-friendly candle options include laying tealight candles down the center of the table or grouping varying heights of pillar candles to create a statement.

Choose complementary table linens

On regular days, I don’t use a table cloth for my glass dining table. My husband and I are messy eaters, and we love that a glass dining table is so easy to clean.

Nevertheless, I like to dress our glass dining table with pretty table linens during special occasions. Table cloth, placemats, coasters, and napkins bring warmth and texture to a glass dining table.

Table cloth

Here’s my #1 secret: I never buy expensive tablecloths. I use random or excess fabric as a table cloth! It’s so much cheaper, and there are about a million different choices!

The best part? You don’t have to worry about staining expensive linen or cotton tablecloths! After a dinner party is over, I usually soak the fabric overnight then wash and dry it the next day. This practice works like a charm!

Don’t have fabric at home? Use an old bedsheet or duvet cover instead!

I have a habit of buying fabric whenever I see something I like. So, when I found this beautiful cream and blue striped fabric sitting in my wardrobe, I knew it was the perfect foundation for my Wonder Woman-themed blue and white tablescape.

Placemats and coasters

Placemats and coasters play a functional and decorative role in a tablescape. They protect the table from scratches, heat, and watermarks.

My dinner parties are hardly formal, so I haven’t invested in high-quality damask, lace, or linen placemats. My all-time favorite placemats are my woven ones, which I’ve used repeatedly since I bought them. Its natural color and texture make it a great neutral to work with.

Technically, I didn’t have to use coasters because I used long-stemmed champagne glasses. Since I wanted to add another layer of texture and a different shade of blue to tie everything in together, I decided to use my faux leather blue-grey coasters.

If you have a rustic wooden table, I highly recommend ditching the table cloth altogether and spending your money on placemats instead. Let your beautiful wood grain shine through!

Napkins

Most tablescapes wouldn’t be complete without napkins. They’re practical and enhance any table setting design.

Well, I may have committed a tablescape faux pax here because I completely forgot about the napkins! To be fair, I don’t own any napkins that will work well with this blue and white tablescape. I did, thankfully, prepare some plain paper napkins for the table.

Paper napkins may be practical but they, unfortunately, look cheap. When in doubt, invest in plain white or cream linen napkins. They look elegant and go with every type of tablescape.

Mix and match tableware

I’m a big fan of mixing and matching tableware. I know our grandmothers and mothers will probably cringe at the thought of mismatched china, but I find that using the same set for everything can look a little dull (especially if you have a fun dinner theme like mine!).

Since I used red, blue, and yellow for the centerpieces and table cloth, I kept everything else fairly neutral. You can never go wrong with white plates, which was what I used for this tablescape.

One of my favorite ways to add detail to a tablescape is by using fancy cutlery. I normally alternate between chrome and brass cutlery, but since this was a blue and white tablescape, I brought out my porcelain-inspired cutlery. It felt right since we had Asian cuisine for dinner that night!

Use food as decor

Ever heard of this saying: “You eat with your eyes first”? If your food looks unappetizing, a beautiful tablescape can’t save your dinner party!

Food presentation is equally as important as the centerpieces, table linens, and tableware. Here are 35 impressive and affordable recipes for your next dinner party.

My best friend loves Asian food, so we settled on sushi and a seafood feast. The crabs and sushi had a lovely burnt orange (almost red) hue to them, which was the perfect addition to the Wonder Woman-themed blue and white tablescape.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this unique and beautiful blue and white tablescape. Let me know if you used any of my budget-friendly tips to set up your own blue and white tablescape!

The post How To Style A Beautiful Blue And White Tablescape On A Glass Dining Table appeared first on That Isle Life.

Confession: I don’t own a china cabinet in my own home.

But, I have one in my family home, and besides our dining table, it is the largest piece of furniture in our dining space.

My mother kept her best tableware and glassware in the china cabinet.

But over time, the rest of us started dumping our mail, random trinkets, and even medication inside the china cabinet.

It was a convenient spot for all the small things that didn’t have a home in our house.

After many years of being a dumping ground, the china cabinet is looking like an eyesore.

Our china cabinet has been around for three decades, but it is still a stunning piece of furniture.

It just needed a little help to make it look fresh again, so I finally decided to restyle it and I couldn’t be happier with the final result!

Keep reading to learn how to style a china cabinet in six easy steps.

Related: How To Style A Dining Table When Not In Use [10 Simple Ideas!]

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you. I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

How to style a china cabinet

When it comes to styling, I love to scour my home first to see if there’s anything I can use before I shop for new pieces.

Whenever possible, I highly encourage you to shop within your own house first.

Remember, you can always recycle or repurpose something if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for.

I challenged myself to style our china cabinet without buying anything new because I wanted my creative juices to really flow. I’m proud to say I succeeded!

Thankfully, my late mother was a little bit of a hoarder, so I managed to find all of these gems inside our home.

Trust me, it definitely felt like I was on a scavenger hunt, and I found all the treasures!

Here are six styling tips I used to get this look:

1. Use pieces with different textures

Keeping to one texture can make the entire display look one-dimensional.

I used a mix of materials, including glass, ceramic, and rattan.

Each element brings its own unique texture and charm —glass adds a sleek, modern touch, ceramic offers a classic, artisanal feel, and rattan introduces warmth and a natural vibe.

This combination not only enhances the overall look but also adds depth and variety, making the arrangement more visually interesting.

2. Add height to give your arrangement contrast

In addition to mixing textures, it is important to add different heights to create contrast and visual balance.

Try stacking plates and layering mugs to add height, or use books as risers for an extra boost.

You can’t see it from the pictures, but I placed a few books inside my rattan tray to elevate my teapot!

3. Choose complementary colors

To achieve a cohesive look, stick to complementary colors.

Since my china cabinet is made of dark wood, I aimed for a moody aesthetic.

Instead of bright pastels, I opted for neutral tones like brown, green, amber, and ivory to tie the whole look together.

4. Give your pieces breathing space

Believe me, I know how tempting it is to display everything you own.

However, clutter makes things blend in, and not stand out.

If you have a lot of tableware to display, I suggest rotating your display once every couple of months.

5. Add a modern touch

A china cabinet can look very traditional so adding a modern touch is a great way to update it.

My china cabinet had aged brass hardware, which was starting to blend it with the dark wood.

I replaced them with new brass knobs, which added a nice pop of color to a dark piece of furniture.

6. Include things that mean something to you and your family

This is a styling tip I use for everything.

Adding sentimental things is what makes your home unique. They are what make your home YOU.

I made sure to keep my mom’s favorite serving ware because they remind me of when she used to cook hearty meals for us.

Related: How To Style A TV Console In Six Easy Steps

China cabinet decor

1. Brass Cookbook Holder with Weighted Chains // 2. Beige Bud Decorative Vase // 3. Scalloped Edge Napkin Holder // 4. Citrus Harvest Framed Wall Canvas // 5. Footed Marble Countertop Tray Warm Beige // 6. Marble and Wood Knot Decor // 7. 6ct Taper Adjustable Brass Candelabra // 8. Handwoven Brown Storage Basket // 9. LED Table Lamp with Touch Sensor // 10. Mackenzie-Childs Enamel Pedestal Platter // 11. Brass Metal Round Tray

What is a china cabinet?

What exactly is a china cabinet?

Before this, I didn’t even know the term existed! I just called it a cabinet.

A china cabinet is sometimes referred to as a china hutch, which is not entirely accurate.

According to Hunker, a china cabinet refers to a cabinet with multiple display shelves and glass panels. Its primary function is to protect and display china.

On the other hand, a hutch is a multipurpose piece of furniture.

It has a freestanding unit that sits on the bottom half like drawers or cabinets.

This is the main difference considering a china cabinet usually comes in one piece.

Although they are different, these terms are still used interchangeably today.

Related: How To Style Coffee Table Books Like A Pro (And Which Ones To Buy!)

China cabinet recommendations

China cabinets can come in different shapes, sizes, materials, and price points.

Here are some high-end and affordable options I love:

1. Fern burl storage cabinet // 2. Livia hutch // 3. Hemnes cabinet // 4. Tessa Oak storage cabinet // 5. Leona hutch // 6. Fern pine storage cabinet // 7. Modway black oak storage cabinet // 8. Curio cabinet // 9. Mason storage cabinet

Which is your favorite china cabinet? Let me know in the comments!

3 reasons to purchase a china cabinet

A china cabinet will look beautiful in any dining room.

I would love to purchase one for our apartment but we, unfortunately, have no space!

If you’re still considering a china cabinet in your home, here are some reasons to purchase one:

1. Storage

Even if you’re not an avid tableware collector, a china cabinet is a perfect place to store your everyday dining essentials.

Keeping them in a china cabinet in a dining room makes setting the table an easy and fuss-free task.

2. Decorative

A china cabinet is more than just a piece of furniture. Because of its size, it can pass off as a piece of statement decor in the house.

3. Heirloom

When choosing a china cabinet, choose one that is made of solid wood.

A sturdy china cabinet can be kept as an heirloom and passed down from generation to generation.

The post How To Style A China Cabinet In Six Easy Steps – Before and After Photos! appeared first on That Isle Life.