When you have guests for dinner, it’s always nice to make a good impression. One important aspect to entertaining is dressing a table. Unfortunately, sometimes we feel like the only way to make a table look classy and appealing is to spend a lot of money. Really, this is not necessary. Here are some tips to getting tablecloths, dinnerware, and table decorations that look great but don’t cost much.
Dishes
It can seem difficult to get a nice set of dishes for a good price. The trick is really the same as it may be for saving money on a lot of different items–don’t be in a hurry. If you are only casually looking for a set of dishes, then you can wait until you find a great deal on something you really like. Whenever you are at a store that sells dinnerware, browse through the aisles to see if there is anything on clearance. The best time to look for clearance items in house ware sections is at the end of the season. Currently, a lot of stores have their spring lines on clearance as they make way for summer.
In addition, think about some non-traditional places to shop for a set of dishes. You may be able to find a full set at a yard sale or resale store. If you buy an incomplete set, try to find a complementary set to make up the difference. You might be able to mix and match two different sets of dishes to create a beautiful and unique look.
Tablecloths
Instead of spending money on a lot of different styles of tablecloths, try purchasing one nice white tablecloth. If you would like to add some color, use a smaller square of fabric lain diagonally in the center of the table. You can really cut costs by making your own tablecloths and table runners. Even a novice seamstress can hem the edges of a tablecloth. Buy clearance fabric or material from inexpensive fabric remnant stores.
Decorations
Most people can find classy table decorations lying around their own home. Do you have a collection of candles or figurines that would look nice on the table? Maybe you have a vase or two that can be filled with marbles, candies, or flowers from your neighborhood. Check out the article, “Tips for Cheap and Easy Centerpieces,” for more ideas on what to decorate your table with.