The Art of Setting a Table, Even When Nobody's Coming Over

I think we've all got things in our cupboards that only come out when someone's coming over.

The nicer plates, the glasses we're worried about breaking, the tablecloth that's been sitting neatly folded for goodness knows how long. I'm guilty of it too.

There's something about having guests that makes us put a little more effort into things. We'll set the table properly, make sure the glasses match and perhaps even buy flowers.

Yet on an ordinary Tuesday evening, we'll happily eat dinner with the post pushed to one side of the table.

Which got me thinking. Why do we save the nicer things for everyone else?

Making an ordinary meal feel a little different

I'm not suggesting we start laying out three courses and polishing the cutlery every evening. Most days, getting everyone fed and the kitchen cleared is enough of an achievement. But I do think there's something lovely about sitting down at a table that's had a little thought put into it. It doesn't have to be elaborate.

A proper napkin instead of a piece of kitchen roll. The glasses you usually keep at the back of the cupboard. A tablecloth that hasn't seen daylight since your last family gathering. Little things that make an ordinary meal feel a bit more enjoyable. And somehow, when the table looks inviting, I find I'm less inclined to rush through dinner.

The tablecloth deserves a comeback

I love a good tablecloth. For years, they seemed a bit old-fashioned to me, something you'd only use for Sunday lunch or a special occasion. But lately I've been drawn to simple cotton and linen tablecloths, particularly stripes and checks.

They can completely change the feel of a dining table, and they're especially useful if your table has seen better days. I'm also quite happy with a few creases. In fact, I prefer it when a tablecloth doesn't look too perfectly pressed.

A little texture feels much more relaxed. And if a whole tablecloth feels like too much effort, a simple runner or a couple of fabric placemats can work just as well.

Let the plates do the talking

I've become much more interested in colourful tableware recently. There's something cheerful about a bright plate or a patterned serving dish, particularly when everything else is quite simple.

I love the idea of mixing plain white plates with something more interesting rather than buying an entire matching dinner service. And I'm not particularly bothered if everything on the table comes from the same collection.

Some of the nicest tables I've seen have been a mixture of old and new pieces, with glasses and plates gathered over the years.

If you've got a set of plates you love but rarely use, perhaps it's time to bring them into the everyday cupboard.

After all, they were made to be eaten from.

A little colour goes a long way

You don't need lots of decorations to make a table look inviting. Sometimes a coloured napkin is enough.

I'm particularly fond of navy with white, olive green with soft pink, and those lovely deep reds that seem to work with almost everything. Stripes are another favourite. They feel relaxed and work particularly well for lunches when you don't want the table looking too formal.

One thing I would avoid is trying to coordinate absolutely everything. Matching plates, napkins, glasses and serving dishes can sometimes make the whole table feel a little too arranged. A bit of contrast makes things more interesting.

Bring the food to the table

One of my favourite things about eating in North African homes is the way food is often brought to the middle of the table for everyone to share. There might be several dishes, a basket of bread and people reaching across to help themselves. It's informal, and there's something lovely about that.

It's also how I prefer to eat when we have friends or family around. But there's no reason to save that way of eating for guests. Even a simple weekday dinner can feel more sociable when the food is placed in the middle rather than everyone being handed an individual plate. And it saves going backwards and forwards to the kitchen, which is always a bonus.

Don't forget the lighting

I hadn't really thought about how much lighting affects a dining table until I started paying more attention to restaurants and cafés. Some places just get it right.

The lighting is warm enough to make you want to stay a little longer, without being so dim that you can't see what you're eating. At home, I think the same principle applies.

If you have a pendant light above your dining table, a warm bulb can make a surprising difference. Candles are lovely too, especially in the colder months, although I prefer to keep them fairly simple. I don't particularly want a huge arrangement in the middle of the table that everyone has to peer around. A couple of small candles are more than enough.

The slightly imperfect table

I think one of the reasons we don't always make an effort with everyday meals is that we imagine it needs to look a certain way. Beautifully folded napkins, perfectly arranged plates and everything lined up. But I actually prefer tables that feel a little more relaxed.

Bread in the middle, glasses that don't quite match, a serving dish that's been in the family for years.

The sort of table where people feel comfortable helping themselves and staying for another cup of tea.

Some of my favourite meals have been around tables that probably wouldn't photograph particularly well.

And I wouldn't change a thing about them.

Using the good things now

There's a phrase I've heard many times over the years: "We'll save that for best."

I understand the thinking behind it. When something is special, you want to look after it. But I'm beginning to think we should use those things a little more often. Not carelessly, and certainly not if they're genuinely irreplaceable, but enough to enjoy them.

The beautiful glasses you received as a wedding present. The tablecloth you bought on holiday. The serving plate that reminds you of home. They don't have to spend most of their lives hidden in cupboards. An ordinary dinner can be an occasion in its own right.

And perhaps that's something worth remembering the next time we're tempted to save the good plates for someone else's visit.

From The Home Edit

If you're looking for a little inspiration for your own table, we've gathered some lovely everyday pieces in The Home Edit. Think colourful linens, simple glassware and useful serving pieces that you'll want to bring out more than once or twice a year. Because the best things in our homes are usually the ones we actually use.

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