Any owner strives to give his home comfort and warmth, to bring freshness and novelty into it. Guided by this good intention, we buy new furniture, rearrange or repair.
But what to do if you don’t have the finances for new furnishings or you can’t find the right furniture for the interior of your home? The way out of this situation is to decorate furniture with your own hands.
To begin with, you can practice on an old table, which is still strong, but has lost its original appearance. This solution will be an excellent option for decorating tables for themed events, as well as a way to give a second life to things with which pleasant memories are associated.
Painting
One of the most common ways to decorate an old table is to paint it.
Before starting work, you need to prepare its surface:
- The previous finish can be removed using a special paint remover.
- If there is rust on the legs or fittings, it should be moistened with a special solution, and after fifteen minutes wiped with a scraper. If there is no remedy, use vinegar or cola.
- Use sandpaper to sand the wood.
- Remove dust.
- Soak with antiseptic.
- Apply primer.
- To eliminate chips, cracks and irregularities, use acrylic wood putty.
- For further work, prepare alkyd enamel, acrylic paint, varnish or aerosol composition. You can’t do without painting tools: brushes, sponges, rollers and sprayers.
- You can give a table a more elegant look by decorating not its entire surface, but only part of it. In this case, the work will be made easier by using a stencil or masking tape.
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Dinner for Family and Friends: Simplified Rules for Everyday Serving for Dinner and More
Setting the table according to all the basic rules of etiquette and serving is possible at home, but doing this every day or when guests arrive unexpectedly is a task far from real life. However, you can adapt the basics of your table setting for everyday use and enjoy a beautiful dinner table every day.
A simple table setting for a homemade dinner
The traditional dinner setting involves the presence of several types of plates for each participant in the meal. Below all of them is a large and flat serving plate. It not only decorates the composition, but also protects the surface from splashes and drops, so you can use the tablecloth with it on an ongoing basis. If it is difficult to keep plates of such a large format at hand, ordinary hot plates can replace them.
Next is a small flat plate for snacks. In the classic version, it is intended for salads and canapés, but in everyday life it can become the main plate, especially if you do not want to overeat.
Beautiful table setting in a marine style
A deep plate for the first dish or a cup for broth is placed on top. It is convenient to use when serving pasta with sauce to protect the table from accidental drops. The bread or pie plate, which is placed on the left in traditional serving, can be abandoned in a simplified home serving.
There is no point in laying out your entire arsenal of cutlery for dinner. A sufficient minimum for every day: on the right is a knife with the blade facing the plate, on the left is a fork with the teeth up. When guests arrive, you can add a dessert fork and spoon for tea and coffee. They are placed above the plate parallel to the edge of the table. If you are using a bread plate, you can place a butter knife on it.
How to simply and beautifully set the table according to etiquette
Glasses are placed diagonally to the right. They should be arranged according to height, starting with the tallest and most voluminous wine glass or water glass. The last one is the lowest glass for strong alcohol or a shot glass. If there are going to be a lot of drinks, the glasses are placed on the table in two rows according to the same principle of decreasing height. The table setting for dinner is clearly shown in the picture above.
It may seem difficult only at first. Over time, the serving plan will be remembered and preparing a beautiful table for dinner will not take much time.
How to assemble a set of dishes in a rustic style
painting
A plain cover is not the most elegant way to decorate a table.
If you want to add ethnic or rustic notes to the interior, and also please children with images of cartoon or fairy-tale characters, you can use artistic painting.
Images and patterns are applied with a brush and acrylic paint. This can be done manually or using outlines drawn with tracing paper, or through a stencil.
Serving fruit on the holiday table
Before you start serving the table with fruit, you need to prepare small, sharp knives for slicing. It would be a good idea to stock up on tools that allow you to cut out shaped elements.
Next, when decorating a fruit plate, we adhere to certain rules:
- Using bananas and apples, first spray them with lemon juice. This will preserve their original appearance and prevent darkening.
- A fruit plate will look more interesting if you decorate it with chocolate chips, powdered sugar or lemon or orange zest.
- To decorate the plate, use nuts, mint leaves or flower petals.
- Fruit should be served in a beautiful dish.
- Very often, skewers are used to decorate a fruit plate.
An important point is the fact that only fresh fruits should be used for slicing. In this case, the dish will look beautiful for a long time.
You can place fruit slices on a plate in different forms. The most commonly used silhouettes are the firebird, butterfly, and tower. The children's dish is laid out in the shape of some fairy-tale hero. For an anniversary, you can mark a significant date with fruits. Table setting at home, photos of which are presented below, will tell you options for decorating fruit slices.
Related article: Setting the table with taste: selection of dishes, cutlery and accessories [stylish sets]
On video: 5 life hacks on how to cut fruit beautifully.
Adhesive tape
This method of decorating a kitchen table is very common because it is easy to implement, inexpensive and accessible.
In this case, you don’t have to bother with paints and brushes; all you need is to choose a suitable film, sold in rolls, and cover the table with it.
The film material imitates any coating - from rare wood to marble. It can depict drawings and patterns to suit every taste. Working with such material is easy and pleasant!
Epoxy resin
An original decorative idea would be to cover the table with epoxy resin. When exposed to open air, the liquid substance hardens and turns into transparent plastic.
Wood cracks filled with resin look very unusual, and with the addition of luminescent powder to the liquid resin, they will glow in the dark.
Seashells, flowers, leaves and coins are also added to the liquid - in a frozen state, all this looks incredibly beautiful. Objects and plants seem to be covered with ice or amber.
Mosaic
By looking at the photo of table decor using mosaics, you can see how elegant and expensive the furniture looks after simple steps with acrylic, glass or ceramic elements.
This method is suitable not only for decorating palaces, temples and galleries, but also for coffee tables. You can use colored stones, cut CDs, broken tiles or dishes.
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After the material is prepared, draw a beautiful pattern with chalk and attach the mosaic pieces with glue or liquid nails.
Popular decoration methods
Tables often play the role of an accent in the interior. Sometimes it’s enough just to decorate them, and the look of the room changes. There are many ways and techniques available to do this yourself.
How to assemble a simple transforming table with your own hands, tips for craftsmen
Artistic painting
With the help of paints you can not only decorate an old table, but also turn it into an original piece. The method is ideal for people who know how to handle a brush. However, those who do not have the skill can decorate using templates, stencils, rollers, and brushes of different widths. It is best to apply patterns on a coffee table, because the finished work will be visible.
The design can be small or cover the entire surface, and can be done in any style using various techniques. To paint tables, it is recommended to use oil, latex or acrylic paints. Preparatory work is done with an acrylic-based primer, and final work is done with varnish. It can be colorless or colored, matte or glossy. The surface is treated in several layers with intermediate drying. The choice of tool depends on the complexity of the drawing. Small details are painted with brushes, large areas with rollers or spray.
Decoupage
The name of the technique is of French origin and means “to cut.” The essence of the method is gluing paper fragments and then varnishing them. Suitable table decorations include newspapers, sheet music, photographs, pieces of wallpaper, book and magazine pages. But it is more convenient to work with napkins - special for decoupage or ordinary multi-layer ones. This method is ideal for decorating dressing tables and coffee tables in Provence and shabby chic styles.
Before gluing, you should separate the top layer with the pattern and cut out the desired fragment from it. Then prepare the surface: clean the wooden tabletop, sand it with a machine or sandpaper until it is perfectly smooth. If the furniture is made of a different material, it will need to be washed and degreased. Next, cover with acrylic paint and let dry.
Lubricate the selected place with PVA glue, carefully place a napkin on it, avoiding folds. Smooth out, expelling air bubbles, leave to dry. Having finished working with one fragment, move on to the next. When all the table decor is completed, all that remains is to dry it and fix it with varnish.
Clean the wooden surface
Cover with paint
Cut out the necessary fragments
Glue the cut parts
Secure with varnish Finished table
Stickers
If you need to quickly and effortlessly update your furniture, then self-adhesive film is a great table decor idea. The main thing is to choose an effective material. Today it’s easy, because the range of films is large. Can be used:
- imitation of natural textures (stone, metal, wood, leather);
- transparent or non-transparent film;
- plain or with a pattern;
- shiny and matte;
- with 3D effect;
- fluorescent.
Advantages of silicone transparent table pads, their manufacturers
Thanks to the wide range of films, you can decorate any furniture: desk, dining table, coffee table. Before gluing the decor, you need to clean and prime the surface. If this is not done, then all the irregularities will appear under the film.
Then you need to measure the tabletop and cut out the material with a margin of a couple of centimeters around the edges. It is necessary to paste slowly, slightly pulling, separating the paper layer in small sections (about 5 cm). To prevent blistering, the film should be immediately smoothed with a cloth, expelling air bubbles. After finishing the work, trim off the excess, cover the ends with sides or special adhesive tape.
Clean and prime the surface
Cut the material to the size of the tabletop
Apply the film, expelling air bubbles
Trim off excess
Close the ends
Craquelure
The technique of aging surfaces (crackle) is used as an independent decoration or in combination with decoupage and painting. The work requires craquelure varnish (one- or two-phase). The method of making such decor with your own hands depends on the characteristics of the product:
- Single-phase (one-step) varnish is applied to a previously painted and dried countertop. If you need to show the base of the table (glass or metal), then it is only cleaned and degreased. The product is applied in a thick layer and left to dry. When drying, the top layer stretches and cracks. The finished surface is coated with furniture varnish.
- Two-phase varnish is used to obtain the finest cracks characteristic of ancient images. First, shellac composition (lightened or unlightened) is applied in 2-3 layers with intermediate drying, then craquelure. The cracks are rubbed over with artistic oil paint (bitumen varnish, pastel), and the finished result is sealed with shellac varnish in 4 layers.
When working with craquelure varnish, you need to take into account that cracks form in the direction of movement of the brush.
In addition to these means, table decoration can be done with beveled varnish, craquelure paint or eggshells. The last option is especially labor-intensive and will suit the most diligent. Each of the decorative techniques is interesting in its own way and provides an opportunity for self-expression. This technique can be used to decorate a desk or coffee table in a vintage style.
Single-phase varnish Two-phase
Faceted varnish
Eggshell
Painting
Updating an old table with paint is an affordable way to decorate a tabletop and legs that are often in poor condition. Moreover, it is not necessary to use only one shade. Painting with different colors, stripes, and fragments gives an interesting effect.
Tips for making a computer desk with your own hands, stages of work
For desks and dining tables in an apartment, it is better to take acrylic paints: they are non-toxic, have almost no smell, and dry quickly. It is recommended to coat outdoor furniture with alkyd products. Such compositions form a durable coating and are resistant to weather disasters.
Painting process:
- remove old coating;
- eliminate defects;
- prime cracks and grooves, let dry, clean until smooth;
- coat the entire surface with primer, clean, remove dust;
- Apply paint in several layers, each time waiting for the previous coating to dry.
When the last layer stops sticking, varnish the painted surfaces. If you plan to decorate an old table with decoupage or painting, then after painting you need to decorate it. Varnishing is done last. This method is ideal for tables in minimalist and classic styles.
Remove old coating, eliminate defects
Prime cracks and gouges and clean until smooth.
Coat with primer, clean, dust off the surface
Apply paint in several layers
Varnish
Mosaic or ceramic tiles
Using a facing material is a fun way to create a memorable table decor. You can lay out the tiles according to a finished design or your own design. This surface is resistant to moisture and mechanical damage; it is an ideal option for decorating a kitchen table. Instructions:
- Prepare the surface, apply impregnation (if the table is wooden).
- Make a layout taking into account the seams and framing frames.
- Transfer the sketch to the tabletop (if necessary, mark the location of each element).
- Lay out the tiles along the long side.
- Glue each tile one by one. To do this, lubricate the back wall with special glue, let it set slightly and apply forcefully to the marked area. Mark the seams with crosses.
- Remove crosses or fasteners from the dried surface and rub the seams.
Mosaic surfaces are no less impressive. In addition to the finished material, the work uses broken or sawn into pieces tiles, dishes, corks, shells, small stones, mirrors - anything. This decor is suitable for a coffee table, dressing table, and dining furniture in the Art Nouveau style.
In addition to the methods described, you can decorate furniture with ropes, slate paint, epoxy resin, cover it with leather, or cover it with fabric. There are many design options. The main thing is to find a method that suits your taste and strength.
Prepare the surface, make a layout
Transfer the sketch to the tabletop, glue the tiles
Remove the fasteners, rub the seams
Decoupage
This table decor option is no less interesting and unusual. Using this technique, furniture is decorated with all kinds of designs, pictures, patterns and colors.
And although this process requires patience and accuracy, the end result will undoubtedly be pleasantly surprising.
- First you need to choose paper napkins with the designs you like and carefully cut out the pictures with scissors.
- Remove the bottom layer of paper.
- Place the resulting thin applications in the marked place.
- Coat the top with PVA glue, avoiding the formation of tears and folds.
- If the fragment could not be glued the first time, remove it with a sponge soaked in warm water and repeat the attempt with a similar element.
- Transparent furniture varnish is applied to the dried decoupage in two layers so that the paper decor is preserved for a long time.
Proper table setting: types and features of how to set the table
Each festive table setting, created with imagination, will look like a real masterpiece, because today it is not a familiar and boring process, but a whole art.
A beautiful table setting for a holiday, business dinner, children's party or any other type of feast will differ in design, because each theme has its own table setting rules.
So, children's holiday table setting should not only be beautiful and bright, but also comfortable for children.
You can place spoons for the children instead of forks. This way, kids can eat calmly and easily, and parents won’t worry about their safety.
It’s clear that a fork is a sharp object, and children are fidgety. Children's table setting can be decorated with children's figurines, balls, multi-colored napkins, and unusually shaped dishes.
Children's table settings are often done using plastic or paper dishes in bright colors. This makes it more fun for the children and less hassle for the mother.
Festive table setting for the New Year or Valentine's Day takes into account not only the rules of serving, but also the special atmosphere of these holidays.
Therefore, table setting for New Year's events, as well as a romantic feast setting, can be done in bright colors, for example, red with decor that symbolizes the spirit of these events.
New Year's toys, tree branches, pine cones, small gifts, original New Year's figurines - all this is a beautiful table setting for the New Year.
Rose petals on the table, red tablecloth and napkins, many flowers and floral decorative elements, hearts, etc. - such decor can be present if you are looking for ideas on how to set the table in a romantic manner.
Business table setting, of course, will be more restrained and calm in design, because although table setting should arouse an appetite and a desire to relax among those sitting at the table, table setting for partners or business people should not distract from the purpose of the meeting.
The wedding table setting is chic. Today there are so many ideas on how to set a table for a wedding that young people can combine several of their favorite options to organize a grand feast.
The wedding table setting supports the overall theme and color scheme of the wedding party.
The wedding table setting will definitely not fail if you decorate the wedding table with bright accents, for example, bouquets of multi-colored tulips, delicate wildflowers, and mysterious roses.
Photo of table decor
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