Making the Kitchen Table a Focal Point of Your Kitchen
The kitchen table can become a pivotal point in any kitchen design, either on its own or through the way you decorate it. So, don’t let it become just another surface cluttered with junk.
First, consider the table itself. Some tables are built into the kitchen design, like a bar countertop or a surface that folds out from an adjacent counter. Others are freestanding pieces of furniture. Freestanding tables range from simple to beautifully crafted designs, typically made from wood or steel. Wooden tables may be crafted from local or exotic timbers, with straight planed legs or intricately turned legs. Steel tables are often welded together and may feature glass tops that add to their decorative appeal.
Well-made tables can be decorative in their own right, no matter how functional they are meant to be.
But it doesn’t matter whether your table is beautiful or not; a little creativity in decorating it can add charm and appeal to the room that a bare table simply can’t achieve. You can leave the decor as is every day, or change certain elements whenever you like.
Day-to-Day Décor for the Kitchen Table
One of the simplest ways to decorate a table any day of the week is with flowers. These can be fresh, dried, or even artificial. Don’t dismiss artificial flowers—today, there are many beautiful options available, from cheerful plastic to beaded wire or even carved wood. But fresh flowers—the real thing—can look stunning, especially when you’ve grown and picked them yourself.
However, it’s not just the flowers you need to consider. The vase is just as important, if not more so, when decorating with flowers. Think about the size, shape, and color of the container, and consider assembling a small collection of vases that you can rotate, so your table never looks exactly the same.
Clear glass vases can look amazing, and you can add character by filling the base with glass chips, marbles, or even seashells. Just be sure to clean these items whenever you change the arrangement, or they may become slimy and unappealing in a short period of time.
Another lovely way to decorate a table is with fresh fruit and vegetables. The beauty of this approach is that you can change the arrangement as you cook and eat them. Just be careful not to include fruits and vegetables that deteriorate quickly outside the refrigerator, like tomatoes, peppers, or overly ripe bananas and avocados. Lemons, onions (a mix of white and red), apples, and garlic last for a good while, and you can also add green tomatoes or bananas and avocados that aren’t quite ripe yet. If you have young children, filling the bowl with nourishing fruits will encourage them to eat healthily.
Candlesticks also make great table decor, as long as the arrangement doesn’t resemble a shrine. You can mix and match colors and shapes, or use candlesticks that are decorative in themselves.
The position of the table in the room also plays a role in how you decorate it. For example, if your kitchen table is in the center of the room, or at least away from any walls, the focus will likely be on the center of the table. If it’s against a wall, your approach might be different. In this case, you may want to create a small collection of items, such as recipe books, decorative tins, or even vinegar and olive oil bottles, which can look wonderfully decorative. Pot plants or potted herbs are another option, provided there’s enough sunlight to keep them healthy. Be creative and don’t feel bound by current trends.
Décor for a Table in Use
Whether you’re eating as a family or entertaining friends, never overlook the appearance of the table. Your approach can range from as simple as covering it with a colorful cloth to making it look stylishly sophisticated with silver cutlery, fine china, and crystal glasses. Even if you’re using the table for a casual meal, you can still make it look great and a feast for the eyes.
Traditional table settings used to follow very strict rules, but these have become less common today. However, this style can still be incredibly decorative, and even if you don’t use all the cutlery, it can add an element of elegance to your meal.
A wonderful book, Anyone Can Bake, published by the Royal Baking Powder Co. (New York City) in 1929, offers two fascinating examples of table settings: one for a formal luncheon and the other for an informal supper. The settings include plenty of knives and forks, drinking pitchers, glasses, and flowers, as well as table mats and napkins, completing the picture.
Although traditional table-setting rules are less emphasized today, a well-set table will always look decorative. For instance, forks are placed on the left, knives on the right, and spoons either next to the knives or at the top of the plate or bowl. The side plate should be on the left of the forks, or, according to royal tradition, above the tips of the forks, with glasses always positioned to the right, above the knives.
Traditional decor for any meal includes candles, flowers, and fruit. Rolls or bread can also contribute to the decor, as can salt and pepper shakers or containers for vinegar, oil, and salad dressing.
The casual table might have a pile of knives, forks, and spoons, usually separated, with plates nearby for guests to serve themselves. However, it should still look just as decorative as the tables at top restaurants.
Ultimately, when decorating the kitchen table, the goal is to create a pretty, personal arrangement that appeals to you. Remember, this isn’t décor you need to live with forever—you can change it frequently, as often as you like.
