Luxury Christmas Table Setting Ideas

The creatives behind frosty winter tablescapes worthy of admiration, Stephenson Wright, talk about their passion for Christmas decorating and one of their favourite designs: “We absolutely love styling Christmas tables. This client entrusted us to style her dining table for a winter dinner party she was holding. We knew this was going to be fun; we had a complete free rein and table-scaping is something we love to delve into having hosted workshops in our showroom.”

“For us it’s a case of building, then adding more! For this client, Natalie chose whimsical gold birds to nestle in amongst the flowers; Juliette sourced ceramic artichokes to dot around the table and reflective eglomise place mats on gold chargers—the Posh Trading Company silver leaf range are perfect for this.”

“With the lights dimmed and candles lit it felt so inviting. We like to add a mix of tall tapered candles and tea lights for a layered glow. Flowers we keep to a minimum with simple white wax flowers, rather focusing on the soft greens of eucalyptus and winter berries. Our client had the most wonderful winter here, the apartment hosted friends and family. With a table styling update it will easily transcend into the next season.”

At times, Christmas decor can involve an overload of glitter and garish colours. For the neutralists out there, this stripped back setting by Emma Sims Hilditch is ideal. The look goes back to basics with a simple white tablecloth, candlesticks and a scattering of holly branches. These splashes of festive florals and metallic finishes make the display still feel like Christmas.

Step 1: Imitate the look by creating a neutral foundation with white dinnerware complete with festive motif, silver or white cutlery and simple linen napkins with red embroidery. A clean colour palette helps to create a calming atmosphere, preempting a smooth-running meal.

Aside from providing visual beauty, combining natural resources with antique pieces and a much-loved dinner service is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The look is perfect for those with a penchant for layered interest.

Step 1: Start by setting a solid foundation for your Christmas table with a metallic gold table cloth—you'll drawn on this colour later for your tableware. Find some tall tapers which will add refinement to the eclectic look.

Step 2: Next, bring the beauty of outdoors indoors by using a foliage centrepiece and naturally beautiful embellishments—like quartz or agate—for a cohesive colour palette. Top each plate with a beautifully wrapped gift.

Be bold this Christmas with a directional table spread replete with bold, mismatched patterns and contemporary aesthetics. The key to this look is to have it feel nonchalant and layered with unique pieces.

If you're in charge of playing host or hostess with the mostess to a large group, you'll undoubtedly be inspired by the long refined table above. On closer inspection, you'll find blended visual textures and plenty of golden tones.

Channel a truly glamorous display this season with a crystal and gold Christmas table setting. The beauty of this look is that it’s opulent enough for Christmas but not overly festive, so the pieces can be used from season to season.

Step 1: Start with a gold-trimmed tableware collection on a sleek dark wood dining table (forgoing the tablecloth for a contemporary twist). A combination of traditional and modern plates will balance the look, giving it a sense of contemporary luxury.

Step 2: Take style tips from this spread which uses decorative crystal glasses to bring sparkle to the setting and crystal candelabras with fluted pillars and curving arms to conjure thoughts of old world dining.

Step 3: Finally, the look wouldn’t be complete without its luxurious gold additions. From its cutlery and dinnerware to glassware and napkins, they’re all finished with a Midas touch, creating an instant feeling of luxury.

This look from Sophie Paterson doesn’t break the boundaries in terms of layout but it does put a contemporary spin on a handsome traditional table. Like everything else the designer puts her hand to, the look isn’t just an attractive Christmas table setting but also conveys a luxurious lifestyle.

Take your Christmas table setting in a traditional direction by using this look from luxury lifestyle brand AERIN as inspiration. The combination of traditional colours, rich patterns and classic glistening silverware make this look the one for fans of timeless Christmas decoration.

Step 1: The look demonstrates that a tightly packed setting can also pack a festive punch. Leaving little-exposed table space, this display is filled with luxurious pieces, achieving a festive treasure-trove feel.

Step 2: Seasonal additions—gold presents tied neatly with bows and AERIN's Geo Bowls brimming with holiday treats—make the setting even more magical. Thinking beyond tableware is the key to extraordinary presentation. Get creative and bring other elements to the tabletop.

Step 3: Blending red, green and gold hues will always result in a thoroughly festive feel. If you’re pushed for time or struggling to decide on a colour scheme, these shades will accelerate your Christmas table setting from standard to success.

Transform your dining room into a winter woodland (à la Helen Green Design) and let thoughts of frosty woodland influence your style choices this Christmas. This look is formal but comfortable and easy to recreate, making it the solution for super-busy city slickers desiring a touch of the countryside come December 25th.

Step 1: Achieve this styling by using a natural garland as a table runner this Christmas. The mix of brown pine cones, red flowers, and green foliage adds up to a textured feel and a woodland colour palette. Layering textures and materials is the key to creating a truly luxurious Christmas table setting.

Step 2: Emulate the look by including luxurious tabletop companions in your display. The look combines wine glasses with impressive silhouettes, coloured Limoges porcelain dinnerware and sizeable candle holders, innovatively filled with miniature pine cones.

Step 3: When tucking into a feast, it’s important to be comfortable and that’s why this Christmas table setting is accompanied by curved back chairs, each complete with a sumptuous cushion, and low centrepieces which make conversing easy.

A colour palette befitting a nighttime Christmas dinner party, black, white and gold tableware is equally sophisticated for other times of the year too. Depending on how you balance the colours the look feels different—more black and it reads "decadent"; more white or gold and it's much more festive.

Step 1: First, decide on how intense you want the main background colour to be. You might prefer a black tablecloth but, for Christmastime, that seems a little harsh. We suggest a white or gold tablecloth which you can pepper with black accents for a stylish arrangement.

Step 2: Layer the colours appropriately. For a gold charger, choose black or white dinner plates, a different colour for side plates, continuing for as many layers of plates your setting requires. Adjust accordingly—for a black charger, use white or gold dinner plates, for example.

Step 3: Add unexpected elements. Not everything on a Christmas table has to be functional. Decorative elements can be added to create interest which then double up as take-home gifts. These little bell trinkets add a festive flourish which guests can keep as a reminder of their dinner with you.