13 Impressive NYE Dinner Party Table Ideas
Up your tablescape game this New Year's Eve by borrowing from these fab, fun and festive table setting ideas
There’s no better time to host a dinner party than on New Year’s Eve, especially if you desire an intimate, low-key celebration, rather than heading out on the town or to a raging end-of-year bash. When prepping your dining area for your festive gathering, get creative and take the time to get your tablescape just right. After all, how you style your dining table will set the tone for your NYE soiree, and make it really feel like a special occasion. Here are some beautiful set-ups to gather some inspiration from before the day.
2. Citrus centrepiece
For a look that’s fresh, summery and fun, place a vibrant display of sunny citrus fruit in the centre of your New Year’s Eve table. Pile brightly coloured lemons, oranges or limes in a tall glass vase, trifle bowl or metallic urn (throw in some glittering baubles or streamers for a dash of sparkle). Or scatter fruit-bearing branches along the middle of your table for a rustic, organic vibe. It’s practical too, of course, as now you’re stocked up on garnishes for the drinks. Cheers!
For a look that’s fresh, summery and fun, place a vibrant display of sunny citrus fruit in the centre of your New Year’s Eve table. Pile brightly coloured lemons, oranges or limes in a tall glass vase, trifle bowl or metallic urn (throw in some glittering baubles or streamers for a dash of sparkle). Or scatter fruit-bearing branches along the middle of your table for a rustic, organic vibe. It’s practical too, of course, as now you’re stocked up on garnishes for the drinks. Cheers!
3. Flower power
This modern glam tablescape sets the scene for a fun New Year’s Eve dinner party, filled with lively chatter and laughter. The navy and white thick-striped table runner lends sophistication to the dining setting, while the vibrant summer blooms and coordinating hot pink napkins add an upbeat vibe and a sense of occasion.
This modern glam tablescape sets the scene for a fun New Year’s Eve dinner party, filled with lively chatter and laughter. The navy and white thick-striped table runner lends sophistication to the dining setting, while the vibrant summer blooms and coordinating hot pink napkins add an upbeat vibe and a sense of occasion.
4. Clocks ticking
Play up a countdown theme for your celebration by scattering clocks down the length of your dinner table (stick with elegant analogue timepieces like the ones pictured here, rather than digital designs). It’s a very simple set-up that will also help guests count down the minutes to midnight.
Play up a countdown theme for your celebration by scattering clocks down the length of your dinner table (stick with elegant analogue timepieces like the ones pictured here, rather than digital designs). It’s a very simple set-up that will also help guests count down the minutes to midnight.
5. Grazing centrepiece
Wow your guests with an edible centrepiece for your New Year’s Eve table. Serving up a visually striking spread of fruit and antipasti (like the one here) will mean you all have plenty of food to graze on before and after dinner, as well as for a midnight snack once you’ve welcomed in the New Year.
Wow your guests with an edible centrepiece for your New Year’s Eve table. Serving up a visually striking spread of fruit and antipasti (like the one here) will mean you all have plenty of food to graze on before and after dinner, as well as for a midnight snack once you’ve welcomed in the New Year.
6. Mix and match
Don’t have enough matching plates and dishes for each place setting? Worry not my friends. These days, the mismatched schemes are all the rage. The key to pulling off this creative look is to stick with plates and dishes in similar colours. This will ensure your table looks charmingly off-kilter rather than chaotic.
Don’t have enough matching plates and dishes for each place setting? Worry not my friends. These days, the mismatched schemes are all the rage. The key to pulling off this creative look is to stick with plates and dishes in similar colours. This will ensure your table looks charmingly off-kilter rather than chaotic.
7. Glitzy glamour
While red and green is synonymous with Christmas and pretty pastels with Easter, New Year’s Eve is all about metallic accents that shimmer and shine. After all, nothing says “It’s time to party!” like glitter, sequins and other sparkly finishes. A simple way to work glam metallics into your dining setting is to cover your table with glitter, high-shine confetti or a sequinned or metallic fabric tablecloth. Using silver or gold servingware (how fun is the top hat-shaped ice bucket!), placemats, vases and candlesticks will also infuse your dining area with a luxe look that’s worthy of an NYE celebration.
Another fun and festive idea is to incorporate mini disco balls into your scheme. Scatter the mirrored baubles across your tabletop, place them in a glass vessel to create a show-stopping centrepiece, or take a leaf out of this dining setting’s book and suspend them above your table.
While red and green is synonymous with Christmas and pretty pastels with Easter, New Year’s Eve is all about metallic accents that shimmer and shine. After all, nothing says “It’s time to party!” like glitter, sequins and other sparkly finishes. A simple way to work glam metallics into your dining setting is to cover your table with glitter, high-shine confetti or a sequinned or metallic fabric tablecloth. Using silver or gold servingware (how fun is the top hat-shaped ice bucket!), placemats, vases and candlesticks will also infuse your dining area with a luxe look that’s worthy of an NYE celebration.
Another fun and festive idea is to incorporate mini disco balls into your scheme. Scatter the mirrored baubles across your tabletop, place them in a glass vessel to create a show-stopping centrepiece, or take a leaf out of this dining setting’s book and suspend them above your table.
8. Light it up
A cheap and cheerful way to elevate your dining table from everyday to party-ready is to incorporate twinkling lights into your tablescape. Take cues from this dreamy set-up and artfully arrange a string of water-safe lights in tall vases topped with bright, beautiful blooms. Alternatively, drape an LED garland or scatter large mason jars or hurricane lamps stuffed with fairy lights across your table, to create a magical look that suits the festive occasion.
A cheap and cheerful way to elevate your dining table from everyday to party-ready is to incorporate twinkling lights into your tablescape. Take cues from this dreamy set-up and artfully arrange a string of water-safe lights in tall vases topped with bright, beautiful blooms. Alternatively, drape an LED garland or scatter large mason jars or hurricane lamps stuffed with fairy lights across your table, to create a magical look that suits the festive occasion.
9. Nature lover
Floral centrepieces add instant charm and elegance to any dinner table. However, if you desire a tablescape that’s more cool and casual in style, look beyond pretty blooms and embellish your tabletop with pint-sized potted succulents instead.
Floral centrepieces add instant charm and elegance to any dinner table. However, if you desire a tablescape that’s more cool and casual in style, look beyond pretty blooms and embellish your tabletop with pint-sized potted succulents instead.
10. Beach chic
Celebrate summer as well as the New Year by choosing a coastal theme for your dinner party. Style your entertaining space with tableware in crisp white and cool blues, as well as silver or gold for an added celebratory touch. Complete the setting with oceanic accents such as shells, coral and sand-filled candle holders to enhance its breezy coastal look.
Celebrate summer as well as the New Year by choosing a coastal theme for your dinner party. Style your entertaining space with tableware in crisp white and cool blues, as well as silver or gold for an added celebratory touch. Complete the setting with oceanic accents such as shells, coral and sand-filled candle holders to enhance its breezy coastal look.
11. Healing power
A cluster of quartz crystals creates an unexpected yet fitting centrepiece for a New Year’s Eve dinner table. While the dazzling display will infuse any tablescape with bohemian flair, some crystals are also said to attract positive energy, repel negativity, act as good luck charms and exhibit healing properties. These reasons form a compelling case for why these mystical stones deserve a spot on your NYE dinner table … and maybe even a permanent place to call home once the party’s over.
A cluster of quartz crystals creates an unexpected yet fitting centrepiece for a New Year’s Eve dinner table. While the dazzling display will infuse any tablescape with bohemian flair, some crystals are also said to attract positive energy, repel negativity, act as good luck charms and exhibit healing properties. These reasons form a compelling case for why these mystical stones deserve a spot on your NYE dinner table … and maybe even a permanent place to call home once the party’s over.
12. Jewel tones
Not a fan of glitter or sequins? Tone down the razzle dazzle without dimming your dinner party’s festive vibe by decorating your table with luxe jewel tones; think sapphire, emerald, amethyst and ruby. Complete the opulent look with gold accents or elegant crystal decor, to lend some understated sparkle to your tablescape.
Not a fan of glitter or sequins? Tone down the razzle dazzle without dimming your dinner party’s festive vibe by decorating your table with luxe jewel tones; think sapphire, emerald, amethyst and ruby. Complete the opulent look with gold accents or elegant crystal decor, to lend some understated sparkle to your tablescape.
13. Take a casual approach
If your NYE dinner party will be an informal affair, forget about having a picture-perfect tablescape and instead take a more laid-back approach. Opt for a self-serve set-up – lay out a couple of key platters along the length of the table – and invite the guests to help themselves. Now all you have to do is kick back and relax until the countdown to midnight begins.
TELL US
How do you plan on styling your NYE dinner party table this year? Share your photos and tips the Comments section.
MORE
DIY Ideas for a Fab New Year’s Eve Party
Quick-to-Organise New Year’s Eve Ideas
What to Do on New Year’s Eve This Year?
If your NYE dinner party will be an informal affair, forget about having a picture-perfect tablescape and instead take a more laid-back approach. Opt for a self-serve set-up – lay out a couple of key platters along the length of the table – and invite the guests to help themselves. Now all you have to do is kick back and relax until the countdown to midnight begins.
TELL US
How do you plan on styling your NYE dinner party table this year? Share your photos and tips the Comments section.
MORE
DIY Ideas for a Fab New Year’s Eve Party
Quick-to-Organise New Year’s Eve Ideas
What to Do on New Year’s Eve This Year?
Transform your dining table from blah to ta-dah! by dressing it up with tableware and decor in contrasting patterns. This ultra-chic and cheeky animal print plate and striped placemat combo works perfectly. Notice how the textured white bowl and plate add another layer of interest to the punchy scheme.