Affordable additions to elevate your everyday table top dining pieces

Today it’s all about utilizing what you have at your next dinner party. There’s nothing wrong with gathering pieces from around your home into a collection to use time and time again. With the modern, beautiful, everyday dining essentials I chose for myself to purchase, it’s so easy to enhance and elevate the look of everyday pieces. From flatware, to cups, plates, napkins, candles, and oh why not; a flower centerpiece. My everyday basics and a few special extras (flowers) will turn my dining table into a beautiful set up.

Everyday Modern Color Palette

One of my favorite color palettes to use in my home is basic neutrals with a pop of a darker tone. I don’t want an overall look that is dark or moody, but a few touches here and there is really eye catching. I purchased black flatware and black candle holders as my darker shade that I use everyday. To elevate that for my diner party, all I did was rent black chivari chairs. I didn’t like the way the chairs I owned looked with this particular set up, but you can always use what you have. It was a very easy addition and the only item I didn’t own. The rest of the colors I kept neutral, whites and creams.

Elevate what you already own

It’s simple to take the pieces you already own and add a special detail or touch to enhance the overall look. All I did was add a coaster and menu card to my place setting. You can go around your home and gather items that fit with your dinner party color palette. I had these black coaster and thought they would add a nice hint of color to my white plates. Also you can easily elevate your dinner table setting by doing a fun napkin fold. There are so many different way to style a napkin, so play around and find one you like.

For the centerpiece, I used bowls in different sizes that I already had. Some of the smaller bowls I put plums, then scattered those along the table top. I love using fruit in my table designs. It’s easy to grab while you are at the grocery store and makes for great shape and texture on the table (and you can eat it after!). The larger bowls, actually it’s my cereal / oatmeal bowl, I designed the flower arrangement. I went outside and cut down anything I saw that would look pretty on my table. Grasses and greenery should be an easy forage, but grab a bundle of flowers while at the grocery store too. You can add the flowers to a little bud vase if you don’t want to design a full on flower centerpiece.

Make a collection of what you own

When I know I’m hosting a dinner party, I’ll grab a basket and walk around to each room to see what’s there and if I can use it. Sometimes that means taking candles or decorative items from one room to incorporate into the table top design. There’s no reason why you have to go out and buy new ‘thing’ for one party. I always think “Will I use this again?”, if no then I don’t buy it. My overall style is more on the minimalist side, so I don’t want to accumulate all these items I’ll only use once. Also just because I collected something in my basket doesn’t mean I have to use it for this party. Keeping your table top design intentional rather than clutter with items just because you own it will result in a more visually pleasing design.

Keep it minimal

By keeping your overall table top design on the minimal side, it will free you up to do other tasks like cooking or for me; making a cocktail. I’ve made the most simple, yet tasty cocktail for this dinner party. Seriously if you are crunched for time, this is the cocktail you need. You can check it out (here). Overall this whole dinner party was easy to come together because I basically had everything already. All I did was add an elevated twist in the details which took no time at all.