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6 Informal Table Setting Ideas for a Gorgeous Dinner Table on a Budget

In this post: Love entertaining but don’t want to spend a fortune? Try these informal table setting ideas to create an insanely gorgeous table on a budget.⇒

gorgeous inexpensive informal table setting

I’ve been wearing the same lipstick every day for the past, um… at least ten years. Probably longer.

Oh sure, I’ve tried to find other colors that look well on me, but somewhere along the way I finally admitted I hated them all and tossed them. Then I bought multiples of my favorite color and felt satisfied. (Seriously, at one point I had 55 of them!)

But when it comes to my table, totally different story. You see, my table looks good in lots of colors and hence it’s the one place I am totally free to indulge myself. My table doesn’t look fat in white. Or florals. Or pastels.

When I entertain, I absolutely love to change it up and create something new each time. A well-dressed table helps me express my personal style and makes my heart sing. It’s what makes my house a home and a place I love to share with my guests.

But who can afford to buy countless sets of dishes?

floral arrangement for an informal table setting

As it turns out, lots of people can and I’m going to show you how!

I’m partnering today with a new sponsor, and it’s one I will be working with a lot in the future. I’m most excited about this venture because we’re going to be saving lots of money.

And when I say we, I mean you and me! Because I’ll be sharing tips and ideas for mixing well-priced products with what you already own to produce something new and truly special. For this first post I’ll be exploring informal table setting ideas for setting a gorgeous table on a budget.

Now if you’re wondering who this new sponsor is, I’m delighted to tell you I’m working with Better Homes & Gardens, which is sold exclusively at Walmart. 

*This post was sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart, but all opinions and product-love are purely my own.

informal table setting ideas

1. Plan your concept

I start every table with a concept. I’m sure it’s left over from my days as a fashion designer when each collection had a theme, but often my concepts are inspired by a single visual element. In tablescaping, as in fashion, one fabulous print makes a great starting point. 

In this case, I chose a delicious water color fruit pattern called the Pomme Dinnerware Set. It’s lush and beautifully painted and felt right for this time of year, a time I’m firmly rooted in summer, but already thinking of transitioning to fall. 

*Money saving secret: One word. Melamine. Have you ever noticed the prettiest patterns are often printed on outdoor dinnerware? Sometimes you have to get really close to realize that’s what they are. Embrace the ease and lower cost of melamine plates. For an informal table setting, they’ll look gorgeous on your indoor table and your wallet will thank you.

colorful plates in an informal table setting

2. Select the supporting cast

With my central pattern chosen, I next select pieces that will complement it. If I’m working around a dynamic print, I often choose textures or subtle tonal prints.

Here I played with two chargers staying within the bounds of a predominantly white palette. For summer I love the white Round Rattan Chargers, which are reminiscent of the furniture you’d find at a beach house. As we get closer to the fall, I’d use the same dinnerware pattern and mix it with the light brown rattan chargers.

*Money saving tip: It matters where you shop. For the key elements on the table, such as the main pattern and the foundational pieces, find well priced items to buy. The Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart line is exactly what you need to serve that purpose.

informal table setting ideas with inexpensive table decor

3. Add a touch of glimmer

Even the most informal tables can benefit from a little touch of bling. Think silver candelabra on a picnic blanket. On the dinner table, you can get away with a bit more. I decided at the concept stage that my pop color would be gold. The Gold Ombre Hurricanes deliver an extra warm glow along with the candlelight they serve up. Likewise, the Honeycomb Stemless Glasses add a reflective note of radiance.

*Money saving trick: Use serving bowls or left over plates from your dinner set to enhance the look of your candlesticks or table centerpiece.

gold hurricanes in an informal table setting

4. Mix in one or two higher-end pieces

This one is my favorite tip of all time and the defining principle of the way I approach design and styling. If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you’ve probably heard me say this before: If you’re carrying a Chanel bag, no one is going to think your earrings are cubic zirconia. In other words, save money on 90% of the things on the table (or in your house or in your wardrobe). Then splurge on something fabulous that upgrades the entire enterprise.

It should be something classic that you can use over and over again, so that you can get your money’s worth over time. On this table, I added vintage champagne flutes, which have played a similar role on many of my tables.

full view of informal table setting

5. Add something unusual or unique

It doesn’t have to be big or expensive, but it’s always lovely to add something to your table that you can’t find in the neighborhood mall. Much like the addition of a higher-end piece, adding a rare find helps bring your table to the next level, adding further individuality.

These sweet little tulip votives are something I’ve been wanting to use for a long time, but until I set this particular table, I’d never found the right place to use them.

The charming colors of the Pomme plates mixed with the glow from the golden glassware created the perfect atmosphere for my blush pink candle holders. Don’t ask me where I got them because they’re from an artisan shop in Santorini. They’re just here to show you how including something from your travels combines so nicely with more accessible decor, adding one more aspect of your personal signature to your table.

6. Don’t forget flowers

There’s no question, the crowning touch to any table is a rich display of fresh flowers. Sometimes I use several bouquets and other times a singular luxurious centerpiece, but I always add the florals last and I love when they mirror my table theme. As I typically do, for this table I took photos of the set table with me to the florist where I selected the blooms that would play off the pattern in the plates. This way, I could choose what to highlight and what to blend with, in order to amplify the key pieces in the tablescape.

informal table setting with flowers in garden urn

An informal table setting doesn’t have to be a poorly designed one, nor do you have to spend a fortune to style one that looks great. Using well priced table decor makes it possible to create beautiful tablescapes when you entertain and to change them often as the spirit moves you. 

And let’s face it. Shopping for gorgeous dinnerware patterns is infinitely more fun that buying the same lipstick 55 times!

informal table setting ideas in a summer tablescape

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Informal Table Setting Ideas Resource List

To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. 

(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

affordable informal table setting ideas

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Comments

  1. Such a charming table especially for a summer lunch! I love seeing items from Walmart being used in your designs. It is the only store for miles around and I’ve had to learn to integrate the Better Homes & Garden brand into my decor after we moved here 3 years ago. Some of the things you can find there are amazing and look wonderful coupled with thrift shop finds. My major challenge is finding storage so that having multiple sets of things is a problem. Had I known I was going to move here, I would have chosen white for my everyday dishes!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Margo, and I completely agree about the Better Homes & Garden at Walmart brand. There are some really beautiful items and the prices are amazing. I will be working with them every month, so you can look forward to seeing a lot more… 😀

      Now, as for dish storage, I’ll be doing a post on that in a bit. I get asked that question probably more than any other and I’ve promised I will get to it. Just have to finish sorting though all the stuff from my parents’ house first.

      Reply

  2. LOL! I did the same thing with lipstick and wish I had bought 55 because they discontinued it (I bought all I could find).

    I love those honeycomb glasses! The description says they’re ‘lightweight’. Does that mean they’re thin and delicate? They look thicker than ‘thin’.

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • I forgot to clarify that the lipstick WAS discontinued, which is why I bought so many of them! 🤣🤣🤣 I was buying them online from all over the world until I couldn’t find anymore. I have since found a company in NY that matches colors for you, so now I just order it from them… 🙌

      The glasses are lovely. Not exceptionally thin, but they’re not heavy either.

      Reply

  3. I love this! It’s so nice to see how affordable items can look expensive & glamorous with just a little bit of effort. Did you get everything at your Walmart store or did you shop online? Well done!

    Reply

  4. Love the summer “tablescape” as I love to change decor with seasons. Thanks for all the beautiful ideas. So nice to show affordable items and the mix with current items you already have!

    Reply

  6. love the tablescape and how you mixed it all together, the tulip candles are adorable. Love the tablecloth and the chair covers. Beautiful!

    Reply

  7. I agree about adding one expensive thing. As I have gotten older, I spend money on shoes and handbags. Most of my clothes are not expensive anymore. But have to have expensive shoes for the comfort, and beautiful handbags because I love them!

    Reply

  9. Oh Lory – this just takes my breath away! How stunning! White and gold are my very favorites, and the light touch of color just blows it out of the park! 💗 It’s so great that some of the pieces are so inexpensive – that certainly doesn’t hurt. Thanks yet again for another wonderful inspiring post. (And golly, I hope MY lipstick never goes out of production!!)

    Reply

  10. Lory, the table is beautiful and the height of summer. The last time I had a dinner party I made an arrangement that was very “light & airy” so guests could see each other across the table. Someone had the nerve to move it to the buffett!! I have made sure the centerpieces are low and it makes me sad because I love having a nice explosion of flowers on the table. I love how you have incorporated your elegant flutes with inexpensive dishes. So tastefully done.

    Reply

    • It’s a funny thing, but I never worry about what happens to the table after everyone arrives and sees it. (many photograph it too… ;-)) I figure the dishes are going to get dirty anyway. So I set it the way I like and whatever happens happens. 🙌

      Reply

  12. Lory beautiful tablescape! It’s about time Better Homes & Garden’s Walmart decor gets some attention! I have found such inexpensive decor items at Walmart. (Better Homes & Garden, Brand) Everything from bedding to dishware, etc. I also blog and even though Walmart does not sponsor me, I always make sure my followers know where I purchased my decor items especially when it’s Walmart BH&G and most are usually surprised! I love the way you incorporate your higher end pieces to the tablescape, looks absolutely wonderful! I too have a couple of lipsticks I just stick with because it’s hard finding the right shade I’m happy with! 😉

    Reply

  13. Your vintage glasses are beautiful. Do you remember where they are from? I know there is a site where you can get retired patterns.
    Thanks
    Carina

    Reply

  15. Hi beautiful setting and beautiful blog. You have an amazing style! Just a question bc I couldn’t find it in the blog post. Where did you get the tulip votives? They are absolutely stunning

    Reply

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• Modern French Country Decor •
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