Formal place setting with white plate on green plate, beige napkin in ring on top, and two forks to the left and a knife and spoon to the right© Delmonte1977/Getty Images ...

In 2025, the most compelling table settings hinge on contrast: oxblood with cream, lacquer with matte, contemporary plates beside heirloom flatware. “It’s less about harmony, more about ...

2. Charger plate: The charger, a bigger and usually solid-colored plate, comes first. “It’s like a picture frame for the dinnerware; it adds extra fun and flair,” Duerksen said. 3.

A festive table setting is about more than just providing some décor for your holiday dinner. It can set the mood for a party, spark conversations among guests and give you an excuse to dust off ...

“Putting out plates and setting a nice table creates a different experience for guests,” Hildreth says. “Buy china not because you eat off it, but because it’s beautiful,” Wilkinson says.

One of the hottest categories to enter at the Oregon State Fair is table setting, where 20 competitors create “tablescapes” to theme, designing a menu and place settings for two.