Six simple styling tips to wow your guests

If you want to blow your guests away with a picture-perfect table setting and restaurant-quality display of food, then follow these six simple styling tips to achieving a professional look.

1. Take dining outside 

Spring and summer are the ideal times of year for outdoor dining, but don’t be afraid to take it outdoors even in the cooler seasons. The air might be crisp, but wrap up warm, grab some blankets, and set up a cosy scene amongst the fallen leaves. If the wind’s a-blowin’, then perhaps forget it; your garnishes will be goners!

2. Set a comfy scene

The more plush and cosy your dining area appears, then the more comfortable your guests will be. Soft throws, a pile of blankets, and an armful of cushions will do the trick.

3. Mix and match to achieve an on-trend look

Go with a less-than-uniform approach to your table styling. Using an eclectic mix of patterns, textures, colours, old and new, keeps things quirky and interesting.

Vary the shape, colour and size of your table settings and props to create a rustic feel. Decorate with candles and other interesting food-friendly items of your choice. Pumpkins, pinecones, vibrant clementines or other fruit and veg always make beautiful centrepieces. If you want to jazz them up, spray paint some of them gold. Just make sure you peel the skin if you then plan to cook with them!

Add height to the table with a classic cake stand that doesn’t distract from your show-stopping centrepieces.

4. Follow a theme

You can create a cohesive look simply by following a theme – a touch of gold, tonally similar colours, and a scattering of seasonal objects. Try to contrast the colour of your centrepieces with different coloured plates and linens.

5. Put your effort into garnishes

When serving your dishes, make use of any decorative garnishes you have to hand. This will transfer a little elegance from your centrepiece to the plate.

6. Opt for edible decorations

When it comes to Christmas decorating, edible is always best. Tree decorations don’t get much cheaper or delicious than homemade gingerbread. Use the nozzle of a piping tip to punch out a hole in a Christmas-shaped cookie, bake, then hang it from the tree using some pretty string or ribbon.