Decorating your dining room for the holidays is crucial to creating an inviting atmosphere.
“Think of any beautiful restaurant,” says interior designer Lindsay Thornton. “The food is important, but equally so is the setting that enhances the whole experience.”
Sprucing up your dining room for holiday guests will make them feel like their presence around your table matters, she notes.
But while years of setting the holiday table can yield cherished traditions, repeating the same approach can result in a dated feel.
We asked the designer to identify holiday decorating habits that make your dining room look like a time capsule, with advice on how to create a fresh and inviting ambiance instead.
Plastic Mass-Produced Decor
Fluorescent lights, mismatched plastic kitschy decor, and tacky tinsel have no place at a holiday table, Thornton explains. Decorate with meaningful objects or heirlooms for a timeless look.
“Incorporating thoughtful vintage pieces such as grandma’s candlesticks or crystal goblets into your holiday table decor adds personality and layers of tradition and meaning,” she says.
Cliched Color Palettes
Sticking to a cliched holiday color palette of bright green, red, and shiny gold that doesn’t complement your home’s decor will make your table read like a scene from 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Thornton says.
She recommends ditching standard red taper candles and opting for muted jewel tones such as burgundy, maroon, or forest green mixed with unlacquered brass for a traditional look that feels updated.
Busy Tablecloths
Thornton warns that a retro tablecloth with a paisley print or seasonal pattern can give your table setting an old-fashioned look. Opt for a table runner in a neutral linen fabric, or let the table breathe by skipping linens and incorporating greenery, candles, and festive ornaments that tie into your room colors.
If your holiday gathering requires overflow or kids’ tables, a tablecloth in a neutral fabric and an edited version of the main table decor will tie the room together, she suggests.
“Whenever possible, vary up your texture away from cheap shiny plastic or bright primary colors,” the designer says, choosing placemats or table linens with natural color or texture, such as rattan, wood, vintage metal finishes, or linen.
Faux Greenery
Think twice before overwhelming a dining room pendant light or chandelier with artificial greenery, such as an oversized wreath studded with plastic pomegranates and built-in lights.
“Fake greenery and all things plastic need to go,” Thornton advises. “Use real pine boughs on the table or on a sideboard to add a more natural festive feel to your space—and that heavenly scent.”
Fairy Lights Overload
Thornton cautions against relying too heavily on strings of twinkly fairy lights to create a mood. She prefers real candles to create a softer and more natural glow than LED lighting.
For a “truly magical” effect, she proposes turning off large overhead fixtures and softly lighting the dining room with nothing but candles on the table and lanterns or a dining room Christmas tree.