From way back when your parents used to host while you were in bed, you’ve probably loved the allure of a dinner party. Nothing can make you feel like quite as much of a chic and accomplished adult as having your friends round to eat. But, what you didn’t see when you were younger was all the work that your parents put into making sure those parties went off without a hitch.

The food prep, alone, is enough to keep you busy. Then there’s the fact that a good dinner party also relies on a great table setting. If you get your table decor just right, you might even find that it can cover a whole host of sins in your food as your guests gobble up that luxurious dinner party ambience.

The question is, how do you dress a table that would earn you ten points from every single guest during your very one Come Dine With Me? Keep on reading to find out.

Dinner Party Table Dressing Ideas

Tip 1: Work With Your Dining Table

A well-dressed table should be a sleek and seamless thing, meaning that it can always pay to consider your dining table itself as you start the dressing process.

The simple reality is that, if you have a battered or food-stained table, you’ll need to go all out with tablecloths, flowers, and a whole load of other distractions. By comparison, you’ll be able to get away with far less dressing on statement pieces like a marble dining set that already holds a whole load of wow factor. In this case, too much dressing may even feel like overkill, so minimal would probably be best.

Tip 2: Tailor Your Tablecloth to the Occasion

Your tablecloth of choice can end up leaving even more of an impression on your guests than your meal. After all, this is the main feature of your table, and it’s an element that’ll be present all night long.

Tailoring your tablecloth to your occasion is, therefore, key to setting the right tone. But, how can you begin choosing the right tablecloth when there are endless options out there? In reality, it’s pretty easy to choose a suitable tablecloth based on vibes alone.

Let’s say you’re hosting your sophisticated work friends – choose a sleek white or pearl tablecloth that suits their tastes. Alternatively, if you’ve got your arty group around, prints will almost always go down better.

Tip 3: Choose Contrasting Dinnerware

While complimentary dinnerware can look just fine, choosing contrasting alternatives for your place settings is an easy and quick way to ensure your table dressing has an impact.

Admittedly, you don’t need to go wild with this. If you’re aiming for a sleek, chic finish across a luxury setup, then a simple contrast like subtle rose tints against a white backdrop could do the job. Equally, if you’re aiming for fun impact, going bold with bright dinnerware and clashing colours is sure to look great. You could even have a little fun with texture to add a real sense of interest and uniqueness to a classic dinner setup.

Does food really matter at a dinner party? The answer is probably yes, but it’ll matter a whole lot less if you ensure your guests eat up your table dressings using these tips.