Whatever your holiday traditions look like, chances are you’ll spend quality time with your loved ones, gathered around your Christmas dining table. From a festive party feast or Boxing Day brunch to a showstopping roast dinner, every occasion deserves the perfect Christmas table setting. So, complement every delicious mouthful using our five festive tips to create a beautiful Christmas table with stunning style and comfort.

- Start with the table

- Consider your seating

- Create a Christmas centrepiece 

- Think light and bright

- Add festive flourishes

How to Set a Christmas Table

1. Start with the table

The festive season offers up a brilliant excuse to refresh your dining table. You might have a few new additions to your Christmas company this year, or even a new house to celebrate in – so make sure you start with the right table to suit the occasion. 

A smaller room might benefit from a 4 seater table when planning your Christmas dinner table, so as not to overcrowd things. 6 seater dining tables are a great choice for festive table styling, offering space for family and extra guests. Then there are extendable tables. These are an excellent investment for the future, being flexible enough to change with you, your family and your home. As well as accommodating extra seating when you need it, they also give you more surface space for more dishes and holiday décor.

Whatever size you choose, pick out a style that suits your home and taste. A wood tabletop lets you lean into the simplicity of industrial or Scandi chic, whereas something ceramic, like our Calenzano collection, will bring modern luxury into your dining space. Don’t be afraid to mix materials -  a marble-effect top and brass stand, even a stunning oak and sculptural glass - to bring added drama to your table just in time for Christmas.

2. Consider your seating

As Christmas creeps around the corner, you might find yourself realising your dining chairs aren’t quite up to scratch. Whether they’re fading, fraying or there just aren’t enough, there’s no better time to swap out the old and bring in the new. 

Updating your dining chairs is a less drastic change than investing in a whole new table, but it’s just as important. So, start by considering chairs that will look good and work hard during long, luxurious Christmas dinners. Velvet chairs make a beautiful choice for the holidays, and add a touch of drama through the rest of the year too, ranging from luxurious styles like our Heath Collection, to the modern minimalist chic of our Asher designs. Chunky chenilles, smooth weaves and rich leathers offer their own design personalities too, so consider fabric carefully when making your choice.

Mixing and matching dining chairs is also a great way to elevate your festive dining table. Pair a simple, smaller profile style like our Clover dining chairs along the sides of your Christmas table, with statement dining armchairs at either end. You can even curate a unique palette for your space by combining different coloured chairs in various styles, placed around the table for an eclectic yet considered look.

3. Create a Christmas centrepiece 

Before you begin creating your elaborate Christmas table centrepiece, make sure your guests each have the space they need. Don’t forget, elaborate dinners call for extra space for plates, cutlery, glasses, servingware and bottles, so keep these in mind. Now, onto the focal point…

If you have a smaller surface to work with, creating a centrepiece that sits above your Christmas table will make better use of your space. A display of different candlesticks, or a small circular wreath would work beautifully here. For larger, longer tables, choose garlands or pine sprigs that weave around your dinnerware and other ornaments. Add some sparkling string lights or flickering faux candles and voila – your Christmas centrepiece is ready to spread some festive cheer.

4. Think light and bright

Speaking of lighting, spruce up your overhead lights to set the perfect ambience for your Christmas table. Keep ‘elevated simplicity’ in mind – a style that will complement, rather than compete with, your festive table décor. 

A statement pendant or bar light hung above your table will anchor the room and become part of your festive styling. The soft metallic finishes of our Mila Brushed Brass Halo Pendant, natural textures of Addison in linen, or Riley’s dozen dramatic orbs work beautifully here, catching the light and creating a subtle glow that enhances the mood without drawing focus away from the table setting below. Choose warm bulbs to keep the atmosphere intimate and inviting as the evening unfolds.

You could even weave a garland around the pendant, or hang baubles from its bottom edge, to echo the styling of your Christmas table underneath. Just make sure whatever décor you choose is heat resistant! 

5. Add festive flourishes

Small festive flourishes are the finishing touches that make all the difference to your Christmas dining table. This doesn’t have to mean a brand new dinner set you’ll only use for the holidays. Instead, think décorative accents that enhance your existing place-settings with some added seasonal flare.

For an elegant, sparkling scheme, choose polished brass candlesticks, mirrored trays and glittering napkins that will reflect candlelight and add a touch of magic to the occasion. Or, for a moody and sophisticated look, turn to a jewel-toned palette of forest green, deep navy or rich crimson. Add these deeper shades to your Christmas table with napkins, sculptural glassware and even sprigs of foliage. 

With a few thoughtful choices and a little festive creativity, your Christmas table can become the heart of every celebration this season. From seating and lighting to the finishing details, each element works together to create a space that feels stylish and comfortable, making every shared moment feel truly special.