Valentine's Day is a wonderful occasion to spend some extra effort decorating your dining table to make it extra special for your friends and family.
Whether you are hosting your sweetheart, having friends to visit, or a having a fun family dinner, here are some ideas for a Valentine's Day tablescape that will be beautiful and memorable.
Location
First, consider the location of your Valentine's Day dinner party.
For a special event like Valentine's Day, you might want to have dinner in a special location.
Consider having dinner on your back patio, rooftop, or in front of a window overlooking the garden or city.
Color Scheme
Decide on the color scheme of your Valentine's Day tablescape.
Consider how your Valentine's tablescape colors will coordinate with the color of the items that are currently in the room, such as the furniture, curtains, and wall color.
The obvious choice of colors for Valentine's Day is red, pink, and white.
Also consider using yellow, the color of friendship, for a Valentine's Day dinner with your friends.
Blue and green are popular colors to mix with red and pink.
Table Linens
Table linens are the foundation of your Valentine's Day tablescape.
Decorate your dining table with a decorative tablecloth, place mats, and/or a table runner to set the mood, whether festive or romantic.
Napkin rings on cloth napkins add extra flair during Valentine's Day.
If you want to be creative, you can make your own napkin rings with a Valentine's Day theme of hearts, cupid, or roses.
You can use plain white cloth napkins or napkins with a fun color in your color scheme.
A popular napkin location for a tablescape is located just under the top accent plate.
Don't be afraid to mix and match different patterns, as long as the overall feel of the decor is complementary.
Layering several linens on top of each other gives a collected look that feels more unique and special.
Centerpiece Options
A rose floral bouquet is a traditional centerpiece for Valentine's Day, especially if the flowers incorporate the Valentine's Day colors of your color scheme.
Potted plants are also a good centerpiece option as well as a decorative dessert, such as chocolate dipped strawberries, a clear glass vessel filled with red, pink, and white candies, or a candy topiary.
For a more romantic dinner, don't forget about using lots of candles instead of the overhead light (or keep the overhead light dimmed). Do not use scented candles since the scent will interfere with the food.
Make sure the centerpiece is not too tall that it would block the view of guests on opposite sides of the dining table.
Hugs and Kisses candy are always a fun addition to a Valentine's Day centerpiece.
You can also sprinkle the table with metallic heart shaped confetti or rose petals for a more festive atmosphere.
Dishes
Pay attention to your dishes when decorating your Valentine's Day tablescape.
Instead of using your basic dishes or paper plates, consider serving food on something more special.
Start with a unique charger plate. A bamboo or wicker charger is nice since it adds texture to your Valentine's Day table while it protects the table from hot dishes.
For a designer look, mix and match different sets of dishes to a one-of-a-kind place setting.
Use one set of dishes for the dinner plate and different sets of dishes for salad plates and accent plates.
Consider investing in a fun Valentine's Day accent plate to add to the festivities.
You can even add a small gift to the center of the top plate as an added accent.
Hanging Decorations
Consider hanging decorations from the ceiling or a chandelier to save room on your dining table.
You can hang flowers strung together or paper hearts.
Place Cards
For a Valentine's Day dinner with multiple people, consider using place cards to mark everyone's seat at the dinner table.
Consider writing a special note to each guest on their place card telling them how much they are loved and appreciated.
You can use candy as place card holders or make homemade Valentine cards that are custom for each guest.
Kids Table
If you have a separate kids table for a larger Valentine's Day dinner, make sure to give just as much thought (if not more) to the decorations of that table.
Make the kids' table feel less like a secluded table in the kitchen and more like a table that is better and more fun than the main dining table.
You can add a fun activity to the table, such as coloring the paper tablecloth or place mats.
Consider making the kids table centerpiece out of candy that they can eat after dinner.
You can sprinkle conversation hearts on the table like confetti.
