Make a Table Centerpiece

From LoveToKnow Crafts

Learning how to make a table centerpiece is an easy way to add style to your dining area.

How to Make a Table Centerpiece

Before You Begin

When you decorate your table by creating a centerpiece, there are some things you should take into consideration:

You should look for a centerpiece that will blend with the rest of your décor or integrate with the other table elements, like place mats, napkins, and serving dishes.

If you plan on eating with the centerpiece in place, height will be important. Sit at your table, measure from the table to eye level, and deduct a few inches. That’s the maximum height of the centerpiece if you want people across the table to see who they’re chatting with.

If you want a lush and glamorous centerpiece to decorate the dining room table as part of your regular décor, keep it in scale with the size of the room and the dimensions of the table itself.

If you have a fixture over the table, like a chandelier, the arrangement shouldn’t be so tall that it creates a cluttered look.

The base of your centerpiece should take up as small of a footprint as possible if you plan on having table settings as part of the table’s arrangement. This will maximize the space and keep your table looking open and uncluttered.

Creative Ideas

Making a table centerpiece is a project where your creativity can really come through, so take your time and enjoy the process. Forget about all those lavish layouts in glossy magazines. This is your arrangement, so it should reflect your taste and style.

The suggestions here will get you started, but they are only guidelines. Once you've created one or two centerpieces and understand more about scale and creating an interesting focal point, you can forget about the rules and let yourself go.

Flower Centerpieces

You can always decide on a traditional flower arrangement with live blooms, silk, or dried flowers.

Flowers are traditional because they work. Whether you want something simple or elaborate, you can find flowers to fit the bill, from daisies to orchids and everything in between. When making a flower centerpiece:

Use an anchor, like foam or clay, to hold your flowers in place.

Design in 360 degrees if the table will be visible front and back. It’s easy to take a point of view, design with that in mind and forget the back will be the front for some of your guests.

Create an imaginary half circle or half oval resting on the lip of your pot. Design with that in mind by placing elements, like flowers and greenery, in the center at the highest point of the arrangement. Work down and out from there.

Using odd numbered elements will help too. Arrange flowers in threes and fives for a more professional and balanced look.

To raise your arrangement from competent to exceptional, use something unique or unusual, like beads, shells, stones, or ribbons in the mix. Glue them to wooden stakes or wire them in place. To create a more architectural look, add a single large candle to the center of the arrangement or arrange tapers in the greenery. (The candles are for display purposes only.)

Live Plants as Centerpieces

When time is a factor, buying a couple of nice live plants is a fast way to make a table centerpiece. Just place them in a cache pot, and cover the top with moss so the dirt doesn’t show. If they look too boxy, trim them as needed to create a complimentary shape. If you want more color or variety, slip in a few cut flowers from your garden.

Going for the Unexpected

Centerpieces don’t have to be traditional to make a table look amazing. For a different look, try making a bouquet of balloons, or skewer fresh fruit on a pineapple or melon base. For a simple presentation, line up three identical bowls filled with fresh nuts, fruit, and cheese.

For a quirky look, you can use just about anything. Fill a large brandy snifter with colorful crayons, candy, or beads, or string Christmas tree lights around a craft store grapevine frame.

The occasion, guest list, and your personality will help determine what themes and elements will work best. Since this is a creative enterprise, it helps to have a variety of materials to choose from so you can audition different ideas before you decide on a final design.

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