EASY ENTERTAINING

HOW TO SET A TABLE FOR A DINNER PARTY

Looking to impress your friends and family with your entertaining know how? Show them they’re worth the effort with our top hosting tips

Set the scene

Your funny stories might well be enough to make your dinner party one your friends and family will remember for months to come. However, it won't hurt to help things along with a bit of scene setting. Create a cohesive look with a theme or colour scheme. If you don't have the time to give it too much thought, coordinating dinnerware, table linens and napkins will do the trick nicely. Another scene-setting essential is lighting. Soft, warm lighting is the way to go here. If you have it, go for dimmable lighting or candles to create a relaxed atmosphere.

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Details, details

Let's face it, life’s too short to put this kind of effort in for your WFH lunch or family dinner, but when you're having guests over, it’s a great opportunity to show them they’re worth the effort. Start with good quality tableware – a versatile porcelain dinner set is a great investment. Make sure your table linen is crease free and clean. Crack out the cloth napkins, and add napkin rings if you're not an expert at decorative folding. Polish your decorative wine and speciality glasses and if you really want to go the extra mile, add some personalised touches, such as bespoke place settings.

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Ready, set, go…

When thinking about how to set a table for a dinner party, go with the flow – the flow of the meal, that is. Ensure a fuss-free dining experience by arranging your cutlery in the order they’ll be used, working from the outside in. Position your placemat in the centre of the setting with the dinner plate on top. Put the napkin on the left of the dinner plate or on top of it. Arrange the forks on the left of the dinner plate, with the knife and spoon on the right (in the order they’ll be used). Place the water glass above the knife and add wine or champagne glasses to the right of the water glass. If serving bread, add a side plate and butter knife on the left of the fork. Et voilà – you’re ready for the pre-hosting glass of wine.

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Words: Renée Peck

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