How To Set A Table For Free

SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE FOR PRACTICALLY NOTHING BY USING MY FAVORITE BUDGET SAVVY TRICKS

Do you know what I love more than absolutely gorgeous décor?

Absolutely gorgeous décor that’s free or almost free!

Anyone else ever drool over the pretty table settings in magazines and imagine wonderful parties and holidays around their own fancy tablescape, or is it just me?

Then I notice they are using chargers that cost $20 a piece and my budget is more Dollar Tree-ish…

But there is no reason why my table cant be set super fancy for way less!

All I need is a little creativity and DIY magic, so today I thought I would share how to create beautiful tablescapes for free or very cheap by shopping your home and DIY-ing what you don’t have using Dollar Tree supplies.

Want to build your own farmhouse style table? Here is how I built this one & a matching bench for $150!

Cheap Magazine Worthy Table Ideas

Table Runner Ideas

Table runners and table cloths can be pretty pricey, plus I usually buy them too short because I never learn my lesson…

Instead of spending $30 on one, use wrapping paper.

This is one of my favorite table setting tricks because you can use wrapping paper you already have or buy a whole roll at the Dollar Tree for a buck.

I also buy this brown craft paper in bulk because it’s a good deal and can be used all year long for table settings, plus it’s the perfect neutral gift wrap.

When I want to add a little something extra to the table runner I use a pretty scarf out of my closet and layer it on top.

Burlap or a patterned throw blanket is also really pretty for layering over craft paper.

Charger Plates

Charger plates add something extra special to a table setting but they can be surprisingly expensive. Pottery Barn left me swooning over these galvanized ones but a plate that goes under a plate is not something I frequently splurge on so I DIY-ed , my own version for $6 for a complete set!

Instead of charger plates you could make this fun DIY picket fence placemat!

I made a whole set of these out of nothing but paint sticks and hot glue.

How cute would these be for a garden or spring themed table setting.

Another option is to make DIY rope placemats out of Dollar Tree rope.

These were a knockoff project too because I wanted something that looked similar to these awesome placemats!

Plates & Glasses

Here is my biggest secret to setting a fancy table:

Usually my plates and cups are from… the Dollar Tree!

It’s true and here is the reason, when we are having family gatherings and parties 9/10 times something is going to break.

If I pull out expensive dinner ware and hear it shattering to the floor I might have a come apart in the laundry room.

However, if one of my $1 plates or cups gets smashed into a million tiny pieces it’s no big deal, just a little clean up and the party goes on!

That doesn’t mean I never splurge on beautiful glasses or nice plates but they definitely don’t get pulled out for every tablescape.

One great thing about using plain white plates as your large dinner plate is that you can dress it up with budget savvy smaller plates that match the theme of season.

You can even DIY your own with Dollar Tree salad plates like I did here.

Hint: Buying at least one set of white plates is a must. White will go with any décor or theme.

Napkins and Napkin Rings

If you have been hanging out at this little blog for anytime at all you know amazing things can be accomplished with Dollar Tree shower curtain rings and a hot glue gun.

I am always coming up with DIY napkin ring ideas to fit each table settings theme, occasion, and holiday!

Basically I big puffy heart love a pretty napkin ring and the fact that I can make complete sets for $3-$6 is a win win.

Here are some of the napkin rings I have DIYed:

• Faux Pottery Barn Floral Napkin Rings
• Moss Napkin Rings
• Fall Pumpkin Napkin Rings
• Christmas Napkin Rings

If you follow us on Instagram you know I also just used a little spray paint to create some faux rust napkin rings out of cheap Dollar Tree rings.

Plain white napkins are pretty cheap and pair great with everything but if I want to add a little pattern my table setting I just grab scrap fabric and use it.

There is never a shortage of buffalo check fabric in this house.

Fancy Place Setting

Usually the napkin ring is my “plate feature” but sometimes I don’t have anything to fit the theme or I am out of shower curtain rings to make new ones.

In these instances you can use practically anything.

Sometimes I borrow apples from our fruit bowl, use old books, grab some wild flowers from the field and tie them with twine.

Literally anything can be a fun feature to add some life to your tablescape.

The best part is all of those ideas are completely free.

Centerpieces

Centerpieces are the main show of a beautifully set dinning room table, but that doesn’t mean they have to cost any money.

I constantly shop my house for jars or vases to put leaves or wild flowers in.

Recently I made this large charcuterie board out of scrap wood which serves as a beautiful base to so many centerpiece options.

If you want to DIY a little something extra for your centerpiece you can make this large picket fence completely out of paint sticks.

You could even let your dessert be the centerpiece.

Pop it on a pretty cake plate or DIY your own and it be your wow factor!

Basically tablescapes are my jam, I love setting them up and getting creative with a beautiful table setting.

But honestly y’all it’s not how pretty the table is, it’s the memories that are made around it that are most important, but if a pretty table also makes your heart happy like me, then go for it!

What are some of your favorite budget savvy ways to set a gorgeous table?

Shop My Favorite Tablescape Finds Here:

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