With a long spring weekend, comes the perfect opportunity to host your friends and loved ones. The evenings are longer, mornings are brighter, and meadows of blooming tulips are proof that we are but a hop, skip and a jump away from al fresco dining and balmy summer barbecues, but first… Easter.
Laying the table for Easter celebrations is the ultimate chance to showcase your creativity and prove to your guests you're in your hosting era. From layering with pastel-hued textiles to experimenting with mix 'n' match crockery and creating ambience with candles, there is quite the science behind the art of tablescaping.
Luckily, we called on the interior design experts and hosting aficionados who shared their favourite tips on how to tablescape like a professional.
What is tablescaping?
"Tablescaping refers to the curated arrangement or decoration of a table. Think table linens, centre pieces, dinnerware, glassware, candles, and decorative elements to create a visually appealing and cohesive look that compliments a theme or occasion," explains Kunal Trehan, Interior Designer & Founder of Touched Interiors.
© ShutterstockHow to create the perfect Easter tablescape
On an Easter table, interior expert Polly Fenwick suggests spring should be your main theme, with a focus on "bringing the outside in and creating wild, floral tablescapes" to capture the freshness of the season. Keep scrolling to read how the experts are setting up their tables this spring.
1. Plan your colour palette
Kunal of Touched Interiors recommends a soft, pastel colour palette that is reminiscent of springtime. Hunt for linens and décor pieces in pale pink and blue, mint green, lavender and yellow.
© Lazhko Svetlana2. Add spring flowers
"Foraging outside for spring cuttings, flowers, and moss is a great way of getting your centrepiece. I like to buy small daffodil plants and pot them in a ceramic bowl and place moss around; it’s a gorgeous, natural and inexpensive way to make a lovely Easter table," adds Polly.
© Shutterstock3. Balanced budgeting
Creating a gorgeous tablescape doesn't have to be expensive. Polly recommends starting with a high-quality base, such as a printed tablecloth and layering with items you already own to create an ambience.
© Polly Fenwick"So many everyday items can be used to decorate a table; a simple bunch of supermarket flowers can fill up to nine bud vases. Pop tea lights or candles in decorative glasses to give some unusual light on the table," she suggests.
"Mix affordable pieces with more luxurious items," adds Dhilnawaaz Khan Trotman, Founder of DKT Design Studio. "Allocate a higher budget for dishes and glassware, as these are often long-term investments, while keeping linens and candles more budget-friendly. This balance ensures an elegant look without breaking the bank."
4. Apply the 60:30:10 rule
Dhilnawaaz swears by the 60:30:10 rule to maintain visual balance when decorating your table. Use 60% of a dominant colour, 30% of a secondary colour, and 10% of an accent colour throughout the tablescape. "This rule brings harmony and prevents the design from feeling overwhelming," she explains.
© Shutterstock5. Add a touch of Easter charm
For a healthy dose of Easter fun, Kunal suggests scattering small decorative nests, faux bunnies, or ceramic chicks around the centrepiece. "You can also incorporate Easter-themed figurines, such as ceramic rabbits, lambs or glassware bunnies that can be filled with mini eggs, to add charm to the table."
Interior expert's pick: "Sainsbury's and other retailers online have the most adorable glass bunnies that can be filled with mini eggs which will finish the look to perfection for your easter inspired tablescape," says Kunal.
6. Become an expert in layering
Layering in textures is the key to achieving aesthetic harmony, according to tablescaping pro Dhilnawaaz. "Texture adds depth and visual interest. Experiment with a variety of textures in your table design, such as textured linens, ceramic dishes, and metallic accents, to create a rich and inviting setting."
7. Less is more
"Don’t forget you will also be filling up your table with food and things can easily get overcrowded," says Polly. "Less sometimes is more! And it’s the little details that count the most."
Interior expert's pick: "Some of my favourite affordable homeware products are H&M’s porcelain mini plate collections. They come in the most gorgeous pastel green and pinks with a gold trim and it’s the perfect accompaniment to an easter tablescape," says Kunal.
