Prediction: This Summer's Biggest Trend Will Be the Art of Tablescaping

Leading into summer, it's the perfect time to connect with loved ones and spend some quality, COVID-safe time at intimate gatherings—dinner parties, backyard brunches and at-home picnics.

And with this year highlighting just how important our homes are, it's no wonder that the art of tablescaping is well and truly trending. What is tablescaping you ask? In short, it's your next obsession. Need more information? Tablescaping is the art of dressing and decorating a table. You are probably already a tablescaping artist to some extent—the state of a person's coffee table is a good test of their skill level in this area. Do you love to rearrange your art books and candles and sculptures just so? You're already a tablescaper.  

So, as you're planning your next intimate gathering, remember that how you dress your table is as important—if not more—as how you dress yourself.  When designing your tablescape, you can select a theme to follow or take a more intuitive approach. Curate your tabletop with objects from elsewhere in your home to add a personal touch, and if you're stuck for ideas remember that fresh flowers are a perennial failsafe.

To kickstart your mood board for the summer of tablescaping, we've compiled some of our favourite references here. Keep scrolling to get inspired. 

Layered linen via @bed.threads

Okay, okay, we know it's a little lame to choose ourselves first up, but how can you go past the beautiful rich colours of our new tableware range? Made from the same 100% French flax linen as our bedding, this collection of tablecloths, napkins and placemats will add a touch of luxury to any dining space.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHD4_ezHKfn/

Vivid colour via @themakehaus_

We'd say "go bright or go home" but as you and I both know you are already definitely home and have been for some time now. Now is the time to do bright colours—pops of pastel from all around the colour wheel should be used in everything from pillar candles to fresh floral arrangements. Take inspiration from The Make Haus and add a drop of natural food dye to each of the vases. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFtak2WDbnH/

Monochromatic simplicity via @nadiafairfax

Nothing says you're full of class like an all-white tablescape done well. Let a colourful spread of fresh fruit take centrestage atop a monochromatic base, and complement the rich hues of assorted berries with one or two elegant floral arrangements. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEmn7Cpktk/

Unique tableware via @olivecooke

These hand-painted Royal Copenhagen plates are an unexpected touch among an otherwise low-key (but very stylish and mouthwatering) tablescape. If you opt for tableware that isn't plain white, you may want to keep the rest of the table relatively undone—unless you're going for full-blown maximalism, then by all means have at it. We love the breakfast set-up here at Olive Cooke's—perfectly and elegantly undone. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1mhVXl3Pi/

Ultimate spritz via @taramilktea

The fizzy, hyperreal colour palette in this incredible tablescape is a lesson in maximalism and a case for the colour pink. Evoke the vitality of summer by starting from a base of pinks and yellows, and finish with accents of bright blue. Candles are never out of place, even in the daytime.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEB99Zpg5sW/

Floral immersion via @alyce_tran

If you're short on space and hosting a small group, make an impact by purposefully overdoing it in the floral department. As we mentioned earlier, fresh flowers are a failsafe when it comes to tablescaping, and we adore the thoughtful set-up here. We count 19 vessels in this gorgeous iso birthday set-up by Alyce Tran for her sister Caroline, and those balloons are inspired touch. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_bMv3OjDcS/

Enjoyed this? Here's Our A Beginner's Guide to Hosting a Stress-Free Dinner Party.