In part two of our Holiday decorating series, we’re offering some of our favorite designer tips for setting the perfect holiday table.

1. Pick a Pallet

Building off our previous post Deck the Halls, it’s important to stick to a color scheme when deciding what direction to take your tablescape. For consistency, pull out colors you’re using in the rest of the home to use as accents throughout your table setting.

Here, we’re using a fresh take on a traditional holiday pallet, and pairing vibrant reds with cool blues, turquoises, and silvers.

See some of our other favorite Holiday color pallets HERE

2. Create a Focal Point

Whether it’s a winter scene, fresh seasonal florals, or flickering candles, use the empty space in the middle of the table to create a focal point for your quests to enjoy a little charm and intrigue.

When it comes to centerpieces we like to keep the height of our focal point low so that guests can easily converse over top of the arrangement. Centerpieces should add to the scene, not steal the show.

Four our tablescape, we’ve paired fresh winter greens and warm candles to create interest and drama. We love the ambiance that flickering candles add to a setting. They create a sense of intimacy that serves as a subtle foundation for the tablescape. To complete our centerpiece, we added florals in coordinating colors to bring some life and texture to the table. Using seasonal foliage is a great way to enhance the setting, making it feel authentic.

3. Layer

Creating interest with different layers, textures, and colors is an easy way to elevate your table setting.

The amount of china and flatware you set each place with depends if you’re meal is going to be a more casual or formal affair. We’ve found this easy how-to on Real Simple to help you include the appropriate elements for your holiday meal.

For our setting, we’ve set the table for a formal, seven course meal. Starting with a decorative place mat, we then layered a colored charger that was consistent with our pallet, finished with simple silver china and topped with a bright red napkin for a pop of color.

To help guests find their seat, each setting is complete with a decorative place card, and these charming holiday reindeer holders found at Crate and Barrel.

We’re firm believers that most important part about a space is the people that share it. We hope your Holiday Tablescape serves as a festive background for the real center of attention: the people gathered around the table. Happy Holidays!