Casual Dinner Tablescape

ByChris Posted on

Set a casual dinner tablescape for an everyday dinner party. Simple ideas for the dining room table that are ideal for a weeknight get-together or Sunday supper.

dinner table place setting with salad serving bowl and succulents in pots.

Casual Dinner Table Design

Create a casual dinner party in the dining room with a tablescape that looks like you put some effort into it but is really quite simple.

A neutral color scheme like cream and amber gold set the scene for a fall or winter gathering while thoughtful details make guests feel special.

I think it’s a fun challenge to see what you can pull together at a moments notice to create a lovely table.

amber gold and white place setting on dinner table with succulents centerpiece and wine glass.

Place Settings

Layer everyday white dinner plates with vintage or depression glass salad plates. Coordinating water goblets add just enough color to the table.

Let your creative side kick in. You don’t have to follow the rules when you’re setting a casual table. Switch up the placement of forks, spoons, and knives if it suits the vibe!

PARTY TIP: Use a large painter’s canvas drop cloth from the home improvement store as a tablecloth!

amber glass plate with cork place card holder on top.

Place Cards

Place cards aren’t always needed but they do add a special touch to a casual table. Add detail with a cork name card holder.

You can buy new corks from the craft store or re-purpose the ones from bottles of wine you’ve opened. Just use a sharp paring knife to cut a slit on one side to hold the name card. If you need to cut a flat edge on the bottom to keep it from rolling, you also do that with a sharp knife.

succulents in a gold planter used as table centerpiece.

Centerpiece Flowers

In order to keep it casual, use greenery as a centerpiece instead of a floral arrangement. Potted succulents will exploded in size over the summer so they make a wonderful table decoration tucked into a long decorative pot.

long tablescape with woven runner and amber glass plates and glasses and succulent centerpiece.

Table Runner

Macrame runners have been popular for a while now and they add a bohemian or retro vibe. It creates texture to a monochromatic table!

Pro Tips

Keep these tips and ideas in mind when you’re setting a low key table.

  • Make the food part of the table decoration. Serve it family-style in bowls and platters and it becomes part of the décor.
  • Experiment with tablecloth ideas. Any large piece of fabric can become a tablecloth. Things like a painter’s drop cloth, a flat sheet, fabric cut off the bolt, even a beautiful shower curtain!
  • Stick with a neutral base and add pops of color with salad plates and drinkware.
  • Try a centerpiece other than flowers. Try succulents, small cactus plants, candles, and decorative lanterns.

More Tablescapes

As you can see, a casual dinner tablescape can easily be pulled together for four to six people. Shop your home, the home improvement store, and vintage shops for some great unexpected finds.

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4 Comments

    1. Thanks Leah. So fun to mix and match all these table accessories I can’t seem to stop buying! LOL

  2. Can you tell me what font was used for the place cards and how those were made? I love that font and we are trying to plan a rehearsal supper for my son. Those are perfect!!

    1. Hi Monica, the font is called Magnolia Sky and it’s a free download. Just do a quick google search and it should come up.

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