Valentine’s Day is the most popular dinner date holiday of the year. Yet, more and more people have realized that you don’t have to spend a ton of money at a crowded restaurant to enjoy a romantic meal.
Instead, a date night at home can be much more private, cozy, and special. You’re able to tailor the evening to your exact specifications and get right into any post-dinner activities.
But while you might like the idea of an at-home Valentine’s Day celebration, you may also be finding it tough to set the mood.
Luckily for you, the easiest way to curate a dreamy Valentine’s Day dinner experience is by putting together a thoughtful tablescape: here’s how.
Design A Romantic Valentine’s Day Tablescape
No matter what kind of dining room setup you have, you can never go wrong with adding a table runner. This first step will instantly elevate your table, differentiating this special dinner from your day-to-day meals.
There are plenty of options out there, so you can go as budget-friendly or extravagant as you want. To keep things simple, visit your local dollar store or Target to buy a linen table runner in on-theme shades like white, pink, or red.
Next, don’t be afraid to break out your fancier dinnerware for the occasion. Porcelain dinnerware sets are perfect; otherwise, you can achieve a more luxurious look by simply layering different-sized plates and salad bowls in complementary colors.
If you opt to include a salad bowl, you can fold and drape a fabric napkin underneath. You can also experiment with napkin rings and place napkins either on top of your plate stack or beside your cutlery.
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Now, to make the vibe more romantic, you’ll want to add some personal touches. Instead of a place card, you may want to write a short love note and put it in front of your partner’s chair. Printed menus with your names at the top and homemade dinner courses listed below will also serve two purposes: they’re functional and act as great mementos later.
Plus, you can make your table appear more warm and inviting by adding pillows or draping throw blankets over your dinner chairs.
Last but not least, we cannot forget to add a centerpiece. Greenery is never a bad idea, especially on Valentine’s Day.
You may want to incorporate your or your partner’s favorite flowers while sticking to the classic pink, red, and white color palette. This can be kept simple with an elegant vase, or you can go bigger with an extended flower display that travels the length of your table runner.
Large candelabras or individual candlestick holders are perfect for achieving moodier lighting as well. Spread them out along your table runner, and don’t forget to dim the lights when it’s time for your Valentine’s Day celebration.
