Plating done right: the art of laying a good table

How a table is laid matters if you want a meal to be memorable. A careful, attractive arrangement lets people feast with their eyes before they have tasted anything. Here are a few tips for laying a table that works, on a theme, and holds together from end to end.

1. Choosing the tableware

Pick tableware that suits the style of your occasion. Porcelain plates for classic elegance, slate boards for something more modern. Make sure everything is clean and unmarked — nothing spoils a table faster than a smeared plate. [1]

2. Arranging with intent

Lay your dishes out so that they are easy to reach while still looking harmonious. Use stands of different heights for a livelier composition. Put the main dishes in the centre of the table and the sides around them. [2]

3. Harmony of colour

Set brightly coloured food against more neutral elements to create an attractive contrast. Think about colour across the whole table, with matching runners, napkins and candles. [3]

4. Varied textures

Vary the textures of both the food and the decoration to give your table some depth. Fresh herbs or flower petals can bring a note of freshness. [4]

5. Edible decoration

Work edible elements into your decoration — lemon slices, berries, mint leaves — for a table that is as good to eat as it is to look at. [5]

6. Soft light

Go for soft, low lighting that flatters the table without dazzling your guests. Candles or dim lamps create a warm atmosphere. [6]

7. Attention to detail

Overlook nothing, from the fold of the napkins to the small decorative touches. It is the little things that make the difference. Use ribbon to tie the napkins, and personalised place cards for each guest. [1]

Follow this advice and you will give your guests a meal that feels genuine, and that they remember.

SOURCES:

French pages, in French.

1- milleetunetables.com
2- zago-store.com
3- monogramme-maison.com
4- wood-collection.com
5- vessiere-cristaux.fr
6- westwing.fr