Styling the dining table for Christmas is just as much fun as decorating the tree or adorning the fireplace mantel. I love my Christmas table decor to have a theme or a nod to a trend and I am always looking to get inspiration for new tablescape ideas and ways to decorate my Christmas table over the festive season.

Within this post, I’ve rounded up nine table decor and place-setting schemes that I think will be popular this Christmas.

Earthy Browns and Burgundy

Plummy browns, latte hues and rich burgundies are currently popular shades within interior design and they will be transferred over the dining table this Christmas. These luxurious tones work well at this time of year as they are elegant and sophisticated and can be used on their own or mixed together, adding depth to the decorations. If you do not want to invest in a new table or serveware in these shades, add some tan-coloured taper candles on the table, or tie napkins or cutlery together in rich and velvety chocolate brown ribbon.

Powerful Pattern

Create a jaw-dropping Christmas table decor scheme by mixing and matching lots of patterns together. This maximalist look is opulent and traditional and creates a comfy, cosy setting. It can easily be created by layering different textiles; if you don’t have suitable tablecloths, purchasing a couple of metres of inexpensive fabrics will work just fine for the big day. Tall candelabras and colourful plates complete the look.

Two Tones

If lots of colour and pattern is too much for you, try the ‘two-tone’ Christmas table. The key here is to only use two complementary shades throughout your whole scheme and one metallic - this could be green and white, pink and red or yellow and blue, topped off with one metallic for the cutlery, candleholders or serving pots. The two-tone table creates a calming, cohesive Christmas setting that feels polished and considered.

Personalised place settings

An easy way to elevate your Christmas dinner table is to make sure that there is a place name at each setting, making your table more formal (in a fun way!) Rather than place cards, use small craft tags or chalkboard paint on squares of wood and tie them with twine or jute around napkins. You could also attach a hand-written tag to a tree bauble and place it centrally on a plate - or in a tumbler glass - that guests could then take home as a token of the day.

Over-table decor

If you have a high enough ceiling, why not suspend a wreath or a decorated branch over the table to create a dramatic focal point from above? This works well if you have beams in your ceiling (or something strong that you can screw a hook in) to securely hang the floating arrangement.

Focal Backdrop

If you don’t own a lot of special Christmas glass or serveware, take the focus off the Christmas table by creating a dramatic backdrop. A heady garland works well, but even a string of bells, lights or pinned ornaments creates a festive focal point and draws eyes away from the table.

Rainbow Christmas

If traditional Christmas decor is not your thing and you want something more fun and modern, why not create an ombre effect with a rainbow Christmas table? If you are crafty, you could use leftover paint to colour candle holders you already own (or you picked up in charity shops or boot sales). Mix and match coloured glassware and plates and iron on colourful ric rac trim onto standard white napkins to get the look.

Style The Seating

A nice idea is to style the seating around the Christmas table. Bunch together some faux flowers into a posy, or cut some conifer tree and tie it into a V-shaped bunch, before securing to the back of the chair with ribbon. You could also incorporate some baubles or hanging tree decorations (but make sure that they are shatterproof for when guests pull out their seats).

Colourful and Kitsch Christmas

I’m all for Christmas decor reflecting people’s different tastes and styles. If colourful and bright is your thing, embrace it! Layer your table in bright colours, but keep it Christmas in theme by including table and serveware adorned (or shaped in) items traditionally linked to Christmas: trees, bows and stars all work well.