Christmas is a time for being merry and bright and this extends to your dining table, too. While true minimalists may still embrace snowy tones through the festive period, we can't help but get excited about those hosting moments that call for joyful decorations, rich colours and a welcome bit of frill and fuss.
Here, we look back at some of our favourite Christmas tables captured in the pages of House & Garden, from florist Sean Pritchard's maximalist cottage to author Skye McAlpine's opulent Venetian palazzo, with accompanying cutlery, crockery and more to inspire this season's tablescaping.
- Technicolour tables at Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell's cottage
- Rich, warm reds at Amanda Brooks' farmhouse
- Artfully undone festive decoration at Sean Pritchard's cottage
- Sculptural settings at Skye McAlpine's Venice palazzo
- Opulent oranges at Pascale Smets' house
- Clashing colours by our decoration team
Technicolour tables at Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell's cottage
Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell's table setting shows how disparate elements can come together to create a cohesive look. If you find something you love, throw out the rule book and use it, regardless of scheme or even good taste! You'll find this can lead to quite a charming tablescape. Christmas is a time to celebrate and enjoy so why not make use of those gaudy glasses that have been sitting in the back of your cupboard.
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Rich, warm reds at Amanda Brooks' farmhouse
Bountiful reds are always a good choice for a Christmas table as they create a feeling of real warmth. They needn't all be same shade as multiple tones will offer depth, resulting in a layered look. Opt for plain placemats with patterned plates that change throughout the meal's courses for a moveable feast for the eyes and stomach.
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Artfully undone festive decoration at Sean Pritchard's cottage
Paper decorations and plant cuttings scattered abundantly across surfaces give this dining room an appealing, bohemian look. Sticking primarily to a cheery red and blue colour scheme along with matching glassware, plates and napkins maintains a cohesive overall effect. A harmonious balance of matching and mismatching is the key here.
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Sculptural settings at Skye McAlpine's Venice palazzo
In Skye McAlpine's house in Venice, she has set her Christmas breakfast table with Tavola plates, saucers and napkins on top of a smart gingham tablecloth.
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Opulent oranges at Pascale Smets' house
With the dramatic backdrop of a patterned tablecloth, orange glassware and decorations will really sing. Plain, classic ceramics like Soho Home's 'Hillcrest platter' form a good foil for clashing patterned fabrics and tableware, while gold and brass elements add a touch of glimmer.
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To keep your settings colourful long into the dark evening, opt for rich reds and vibrant yellows. Instead of using a tablecloth, House & Garden's decoration team used long strips of ribbon to create a custom tablecloth. On top, they added chunky candles and crockery in brilliant hues.
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For more table setting inspiration, head to our guides on the best plate sets, glasses (including the best wine glasses) and cutlery. If you are looking to add some flair to what you already own, we've rounded up lovely napkins and tablecloths that have transformative powers, helping to reinvent your everyday table.
