25 Dining Table Centerpiece Ideas for Everyday Elegance
Photo: Victoria Pearson
Do not underestimate the value of a thoughtful dining table centerpiece. “Your centerpiece anchors your table, creating a focal point within the room, and it can also set the tone for the meal,” says Michelle Morgan Harrison, the founder of Morgan Harrison Home in New Canaan, Connecticut. There’s no need to save a centerpiece for a special occasion like a dinner party or birthday celebration, either. You can easily dress up your dining table with floral arrangements, trays, or vessels any day of the week. Below, find expert advice from trusted designers and our 25 favorite table centerpiece ideas that will elevate your dining room in an instant.
What to put in the middle of a dining table?
When styling a dining table, many interior designers are happy to take a classic approach. “I like to keep it simple with one large bowl or do a series of candlesticks or vases at varying heights,” Harrison says. These types of items will look right at home year-round.
Be sure to include some greenery if possible too. “If fresh flowers aren’t your thing, opt for branches, a collection of leaves, or even succulents for a more architectural moment,” Harrison adds.
For longevity, consider going with potted plants since fresh flowers in a glass vase are beautiful, but not so long-lasting. “Groups of potted florals are more durable than cut flowers and are often overlooked for the dining table,” says Courtnay Tartt Elias, the founder of Creative Tonic Design in Houston.
That said, don’t be afraid to think a bit outside the box when it comes to table decor ideas. “My go-to centerpieces are usually found objects from vintage shops,” says Chauncey Boothby, the founder of Chauncey Boothby Interiors in Rowayton, Connecticut. “I’ve even used a woven wastepaper basket to hold a large mass of branches; you just have to use your imagination and find a vessel that will suit your needs.”
How to make your dining table look nice
To ensure that your dinner table looks nice, keep accessories to somewhat of a minimum. “A simple centerpiece for every day keeps the area looking thoughtful and can be added to for different seasons or events,” Elias says.
In addition to choosing a centerpiece, be thoughtful about your table runner or tablecloth, place mats, chargers, flatware and napkins. “Ensuring that your table linens are thoughtfully chosen for the event is another way to keep the space looking elegant and composed,” Elias says.
Finish off the tablescape with some other accents, such as candle holders or a candelabra or an assortment of votives filled with tea lights.
How to pick a dining table centerpiece
Evaluate both your dining table size and its surroundings when selecting a centerpiece.
“Modern spaces can generally benefit from minimalistic designs, while traditional settings may call for something more ornate,” Harrison says. Practically speaking, don’t incorporate anything ultra-tall. “It’s best to choose low or clear elements that won’t obstruct conversation for your family and friends throughout the meal,” the designer adds.
Now, onto the ideas.
Display a collection
Showcase a collection of objects, such as favorite Wedgwood jars and vessels, as Alexandra Kaehler did on this dining table. “I loved that the greens tied into the greens in the drapery, as well as the yard beyond,” says the founder of Alexandra Kaehler Design in Winnetka, Illinois. She also appreciates that the vessels are low in height, making it easy for guests to see one another across the table.
Cluster small vases
Peter Dunham, the founder of Peter Dunham & Associates in Los Angeles, artfully arranged a grouping of small white vessels by Miguel Torres Ceramics in the center of the table. “I often use a series of small- or medium-size vases on a dining table versus one large centerpiece,” he explains. “I find it keeps things casual and friendly.” He also appreciates how these pieces fit into the home’s larger design scheme. “This house is about material and craftsmanship, so it was natural to incorporate these hand-thrown pots into an artisanal mix,” Dunham says.
Style some fruit
Who says fruit can’t double as dining table decor? DIY a centerpiece of this nature—it’s easier than you might think, explains Gray Walker, the founder of Gray Walker Interiors in Charlotte. “Cover a cylindrical pot with sheet moss using a glue gun, place a silver tray on top, and start stacking an arrangement of fruit, small pumpkins, and multicolored corn,” she advises. “Make sure to grab grapes—they are great for drooping!” Walker says that oftentimes, the fruit and moss will last for weeks, meaning that there’s no need to save this type of setup for a special occasion.
Go bold with color
Translucent amber glass hurricanes complement the other pops of orange in this dining room that Boothby designed. She veers toward this type of table decor often. “To keep styling simple, I always suggest finding objects that will live on your table as permanent centerpieces: hurricane lanterns, such as these, paired with a beautiful vase or a simple basket or even a unique pitcher,” Boothby explains. “Add some seasonal branches from your yard or local flower shop and you have yourself a styled table.”
Turn on a lamp
Small rechargeable lamps aren’t just for restaurant tables—they can look quite stylish in your own dining room too. “They can be moved if in the way of a conversation, and I also love to use them before everyone sits down for dinner to give the table a good glow,” says Sophie Von Oertzen, the founder of Sophie Williamson Design in New Canaan, Connecticut. Keep in mind that you can tailor the exact shade you use to match your home decor aesthetic. “Even if someone isn’t a fan of a maximalist table like I am, everyone loves a cozy atmosphere, and rechargeable lamps are such a good way to up the coziness,” the designer adds.
Feature some vessels
When styling a dining room table with vessels, Shannon Davis, founder of Woven in San Francisco, likes to leave some bare and fill others with foraged branches or a flower arrangement. “We love to bring the beauty of nature and seasons onto our tables, from citrus on the branch to tomatoes on the vine,” she says.
Style vintage finds
Vintage pieces make for excellent dining table decor. Elias brought out vintage ceramic lemon topiaries from her collection and styled them alongside flowers and small silver vases. “Mixing fruit, flowers, and vintage items in tabletop decor is attractive,” she says. “It is often unexpected, which makes it fun!”
Try a classic tray
Trays aren’t just for the coffee table. Harrison wove a simple decorative tray into this dining room tabletop design. “The tray adds a special touch that is still functional,” she says. “Trays are also great because you can easily move them to the kitchen island or counter as needed and can use them for anything, from serving fresh lemonade and snacks to simply using it as a place for everyday items to go.” The designer recommends stocking up on multiple styles of trays to change things up as the seasons change, and be mindful when selecting your materials. “I love how easy breezy rattan trays can be, particularly when there are fun design details in the framing and handles,” Harrison adds.
Go quirky and personal
Carly Shafiroff, the founder of Carly Jane Design in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, styled a polar bear sculpture that her clients acquired while traveling, describing it as “the perfect, quirky, and relaxed yet interesting piece!” She explains, “We love adding fun pops of our clients’ personalities into a vignette.” Better yet, these items are instant conversation starters.
Display a bowl
Lori Moscato, the founder of Casual Elegance Designs in Raleigh, North Carolina, incorporated a gold-leaf-burled resin bowl onto this dining table and appreciates both its organic shape and shiny material. “A decorative bowl, being sculptural or artistic—either empty or filled with seasonal fruits, ornaments, or decorative objects—adds a sophisticated touch,” she says.
Group earth tones
Hanna Li, the founder of Hanna Li Interiors in Los Angeles, believes that a good dining table centerpiece “should enhance the room without overwhelming it.” The designer often gravitates toward vessels. “Earth tones in materials like stone, wood, and ceramics—whether glazed or unglazed—work well as subtle accents,” she says. “For an unexpected touch, consider sculptures, ceramic coasters, bonsais, decorative bowls, or even a selection of garden vegetables.”
Opt for a non-flower
If flowers aren’t your favorite, why not use the branches from a plant or tree as a sculptural centerpiece? Designer Jérôme Faillant-Dumas used a branch from the nearby fig trees to add a punch of color to the neutral Alvar Aalto table in his family home on a Greek isle.
Display eye-catching candlesticks
Contemporary Dining Room by Christine Markatos Design
Candlelight is the optimal exposure for a meal, so stay prepared with candlesticks that also serve as a statement-making centerpiece. In a renovated 1840s Manhattan townhouse, designer Christina Markatos brought out the original architectural elements with a set of vintage Dorothy Thorpe pretzel candelabras on the dining table.
Assemble a low-profile centerpiece
Let’s first clear up the fact that there is nothing wrong with a lazy Susan tray if it looks as sophisticated as this one atop a vintage table in the Malibu Beach bungalow of Hillary Newman. To fill the wide space of the circular tray, Newman and decorator Dorianne Passman used an equally low and subtle bowl as the table’s centerpiece. Even without the lazy Susan, the bowl would underscore the home’s Zenlike design, and not compete with the cloudlike pendant light. Minimalists, take note.
Add an assemblage of objets
Dining Room by Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent
If you are as skilled as designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent at making a random assortment of things into an artful vignette, consider crafting your centerpiece scheme from a few different decorative objects. Play with textures and sizes, but keep the objects within the room’s color palette so as not to make them appear haphazard and cluttered.
Showcase earthly finds
For the minimalist who is prone to clear the tops of any surfaces, try using unfinished wood objects, raw stones, or other natural elements to punctuate the dining table. Oversize versions will draw attention to spare furniture without diverging from the unfussy design of the space. The master of dynamic minimal design, John Pawson, transformed this simple outdoor dining table with an equally clean rustic bowl.
Let sculpture shine
Modern Dining Room by Shelton, Mindel & Associates
A dining table is actually the perfect surface to display a piece of sculpture. The clean and wide space can clearly benefit from a striking artwork. Here, a curvaceous piece draws the eye in an apartment designed by architect Lee F. Mindel.
Display a matching set
This set of circa-1925 Murano-glass-and-paste tabletop decoration by Napoleone Martinuzzi seen in the eclectic Roman home of Carla Fendi is not only a conversation starter, it’s also fitting to span a long dining table.
Bring in a compact cactus
You might not think to put an entire plant in the middle of your table, but a contained and graphic cactus actually makes a stylish centerpiece. Fashion designer Anthony Thomas Mellilo anchored the concrete and plywood dining table in his Miami Beach home with a vibrant prickly pear cactus in a serene ceramic pot.
Stack some books
Books aren’t limited to the living room shelves or cocktail tables. Adding a few volumes to your tablescape will allow you to vary the height of the other objects on display. In this Hamptons dining room designed by Thomas O'Brien and Deborah Berke, a monograph is added to the mix.
Cluster potted plants
Contemporary Kitchen by David Flint Wood
For a living centerpiece that will last much longer than a vase of flowers (depending on whether you have a green thumb), try potted plants. Add herbs to bring in a lovely fragrance, or copy Brooke Shields’s Manhattan kitchen and use shapely topiaries.
Use lemons for a zesty pop of color
“Use a fresh centerpiece like this one to instantly brighten your table and add some subtle citrus fragrance to the space,” says lifestyle blogger Camille Styles. “Pile store-bought lemons high in your favorite shallow bowl, then tuck sprigs of greenery clipped from your yard into the arrangement.”
Add wax paper lanterns
“These are perfect for adding that romantic glow to your holiday table, and they’re easy to DIY, too,” says Styles. “Best of all, these lanterns fold flat for easy storage, so you can reuse them year after year!” Begin by cutting a 24-inch long piece of waxed paper, then cut that piece in half horizontally. Stencil a pattern onto one of the waxed paper pieces using acrylic paint; allow it to dry (here, Styles did snowflakes). Spray adhesive along the long top and bottom edges of the waxed paper and place four wood sticks in a line, ¼-inch apart, along both edges. Spray a second layer of adhesive all over the waxed paper and sticks, then carefully place the second sheet of waxed paper on top. Press and smooth the paper to remove wrinkles. Once the adhesive is dry, fold the waxed paper so it creases between each wooden stick, creating four panels. Use the adhesive to seal the paper into a square cylinder shape. Set it over a lit tea light or votive candle.
Create fruit runner
“Every once in a while, it’s fun to set a table that’s dripping with decadence, and this seasonal fruit runner achieves just that,” says Styles. “To re-create this look, scour the grocery store for produce in complementary rich, moody shades. Arrange the fruit atop a runner down the center of your table. For an added wow factor, cut open a few that are especially gorgeous inside, like a pomegranate.”
Group pots of herbs
“I love bringing seasonality into a menu by using fresh herbs in just about every dish and cocktail. And when the potted plants themselves look just as pretty as a bouquet of flowers, why not let them take center stage as your table centerpiece?” says Styles. “Simply plant fresh herbs in different sized terra-cotta pots, then arrange them in clusters down the length of your table.”
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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