Whether you’re planning games nights with friends, drinks with your festive guests, or the main event itself, you’ll want to make sure your home is fit for the occasion with our ideas for decorating a Christmas table.
But what exactly should you decorate? To make things easier, we’ve put together our Christmas table decor ideas, offering plenty of inspiration to help make your home look as inviting as possible over the festive season.
Christmas table decoration ideas
Whether you have a separate dining room, or a kitchen/diner, there’s no doubt that gathering around the table and eating delicious food is a huge part of Christmas celebrations.
Sharing this special meal is a wonderful time to enjoy family and friends, but it’s also a great excuse to create a seasonal tablescape that sets the scene for the main event. If you’re stuck for ideas, here is some Christmas table inspiration, from luxe white and silver to understated elegance.
Scandi chic Christmas table inspiration
Parquet dining table | @thelightshesees
If your style is less is more, then you’ll want to take cues from Devon-based lifestyle photographer Lisa Northam, who shares snippets of her life on her Instagram @thelightshesees. Lisa styled our popular Parquet dining table and we love how she has created a look that evokes the Christmas spirit without going overboard.
If you’re working with a small dining table, style the surrounding areas rather than the table itself. Lay a garland over your mantelpiece, get crafty and make beautiful Scandi paper stars, or weave festive fairy lights over your surfaces for minimalist festive style.
Decorate your Christmas dinner table with jewel tones
Highgate dining set | @mo_morshuis
If you want to go for a festive look that’s slightly different, then take tips from interiors influencer @mo_morshuis who has decorated her Highgate dining set with rich wintery colours for Christmas. The purple runner sets the tones, while the sequin details add a lovely bit of seasonal sparkle to the dining table.
Style your table with classic red and gold
Dorset dining table | Marlene chairs
When you think of Christmas decor, you can’t beat the classic red and gold combination. For a classic look with minimal fuss, use subtle touches of the colour palette. Gold cutlery adds a bit of glitz that ties in with an understated aesthetic accented with natural greenery and red berries.
Set your Christmas table with a luxurious white and silver design
St. Ives dining table | Curve back chairs | @mrs_roobottom_home
Interiors influencer, Samantha Roobottom, transformed her dining table into a frosty winter wonderland, with decadent silver candelabras, snow-dusted pine cones and foliage that tie in perfectly with the tree. Carry on the wintery theme with crisp white linens and crockery that make a lovely backdrop to your Christmas meal.
Position your Christmas table centrepiece
Highgate dining set | @mo_morshuis
When decorating your dining table, the first thing to think about is your centrepiece. As the hub of all your meals over the Christmas period, you want to make it shine.
If you lack table space, your centrepiece might be the only area of the table with a nod to the festive season. For simple and space-saving decorations, opt for simple pillar candles or candlesticks. Let these shine alone, or wrap them in a leafy wreath for traditional Christmas styling.
You can always swap your centrepiece in and out, leaving your glamorous garlands for evening drinks and opting for simple and classic country cottage styling at breakfast.
Perfect your place settings
Parquet dining table | @thelightshesees
There’s nothing better than a cohesive decor scheme, and details in your place settings can tie it all together. Go all out, decorating everything down to the napkin rings and glass charms, or opt for more simplistic styling with a simple festive gesture on the napkin or plate such as a sprig of silver-spayed leaves.
If you’re feeling thrifty this year, why not create your table decorations? Forage holly and berries from your local woodlands and tie them together with string to create an affordable display.
Style your seating to match your Christmas table style
When decorating your place settings, why leave it to just the table? Whether using a festive chair cover, a simple festive ribbon, or a handmade wreath, spruce up your typical dining chairs with something extra this festive season.
Don’t forget the details
Parquet dining table | @thelightshesees
As with all interior styling, decorating your dining table for Christmas is all in the details. Why not take the time to make this year’s Christmas dining experience more bespoke?
We love the idea of creating a physical Christmas menu for your nearest and dearest. Not only is it a nice touch, but it’s also something you can keep and remember for years to come. Or buy or create your own reusable Christmas crackers for a sustainable and personalised take on this seasonal favourite. There are a lot of tutorials online so you can easily find something that suits your crafting ability!
Style your side table to complement your Christmas dinner table
Don’t forget about your smaller tables when adding a touch of festive cheer to your home. Nests of tables, side tables and coffee tables come into their own as multipurpose furniture heroes over the festive period.
They’re perfect for nibbles and drinks when entertaining guests or as a handy extra serving surface during your Christmas dinner. Dress yours with festive trinkets for maximum cheer, or let your Christmas treats and cocktails take centre stage.
You should now be ready to dress up your dining room for the holiday season. Head to the Oak Furnitureland website to discover our range of dining furniture and more. And don’t forget to show us your festive styling by tagging us on Instagram using #OakFurnitureland.
