[…] There are so many candle recipes out there but this simple one is cheap & easy which is what I like when decorating for the different seasons. I am adding this little hack to my favorite ways to create a beautiful table for free! […]
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 & imagine wonderful parties & holidays around their own fancy tablescape, or is it just me? Then I see they want $20 per charger & my budget is more Dollar Tree-ish.
Then I realized there is no reason why my table cant be set super fancy for way way less! All I need is a little creativity & DIY magic, so today I thought I would share how I create beautiful tablescapes for free or very cheap by shopping my home & DIY-ing what I 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!
Table Runner Ideas
Table runners & table cloths can be pretty pricey & 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 its a good deal & use it all year long for table settings & also gifts!
When I want to add a little something extra to the table runner I go get a pretty scarf out of my closet & 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 & 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
I can tell yall my biggest secret to setting a fancy table? Usually my plates & cups are from… the Dollar Tree! It’s true & here is the reason: When we are having family gatherings & parties 9/10 times something is going to break & if I pull out my expensive dinner ware & 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 & 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 them 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!
Silverware
Have you ever spotted the fact that my pretty gold silverware is actually faux? Probably not because you honestly cant tell that my plastic silverware isn’t real until you pick it up. It is what I used when I am bored with my regular silverware situation. The best part of using this silverware is no cleanup, I simply toss them at the end of the night. Full disclosure I plan on buying this set of gold silverware for fall because I have been pining over it for a year & sometimes you gotta treat yourself! I also love this matte black set from Target (here is the faux version) & will be treating myself to it shortly… don’t tell Justin (he doesn’t need to know everything yall)!
Napkins & 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 & a hot glue gun! I am always coming up with DIY napkin ring ideas to fit each table settings theme, occasion, & holiday! Basically I big puffy heart love a pretty napkin ring & the fact that I can make complete sets for $3-$6 is a win win.
Here are some of the ones I DIY-ed so far:
- 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 & pair great with everything but if I want to add a little pattern my table setting I will just grab scrap fabric & 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 & 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.
If you want to DIY a little something extra for your centerpiece I made 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 & it be your wow factor!
Basically tablescapes are my jam yall! I love setting them up & getting creative with a beautiful table setting, & I like to do it for FREE or next to nothing! But honestly yall 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!