When hectic mornings and rushed breakfasts become the norm, my soul craves the peace of a slow and intentional brunch. It brings me so much joy to sit down for brunch, whether on a lazy weekend morning with family, to catch up with friends, or to celebrate a special occasion.
Putting together a functional and memorable brunch table setting is a great way to make the meal feel extra special and set the tone for the gathering. I’m not a design expert, and although I’ve created my fair share of table settings over the years, my ultimate goal is to decorate with soul and intention. Today I’m sharing some wonderful table-setting ideas that fit that vibe, hoping you can use them as inspiration for your next brunch.
10 Brunch Table Setting Ideas
Citrus
Before you roll your eyes and think ‘Here we go with the citrus again…’ consider this: lemon isn’t the only citrus fruit that can double as decor. The vibrant colors of oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, albeit gorgeous on their own, complete a color palette perfectly suited for a spring or summer tablescape.
Check out this post to see how I incorporated citrus fruits into my spring tablescape.
Spring Florals
(From: The TomKat Studio)
There’s so much to love about spring, from the flowers to the fashion. And while this table setting can work any time of year, I particularly like the idea of a fresh floral tablescape for a spring brunch with my closest girlfriends. Dressing up in one of these spring brunch outfits would complete the scene. Hey, a mom can dream, right?
The feature of this tablescape is, obviously, fresh flowers. Aside from that, this table setting idea is yours to customize. Pick your favorite flowers or pick what’s in bloom. Put together a lush centerpiece or create a floral table runner the length of the table. Use vases or place the flowers directly on the table. No matter how you put together your fresh floral table setting, it’s going to be beautiful!
Pastel Rainbow
(Pastel Rainbow Spring Tablescape)
This beautiful pastel rainbow tablescape is perfect for a birthday brunch, Easter gathering, or baby shower. For my pastel rainbow Easter tablescape, I used blue, green, pink, and yellow, but feel free to use any pastels you wish!
To create a colorful centerpiece, I spray-painted several bunches of baby’s breath, as well as ceramic bunnies, and then arranged the baby’s breath in clear vases along the center of the table. Sweet Easter treats, flower plates, and bunny napkins pulled it all together. Easy, affordable, and so pretty!
Fresh & Fruity
(From Une Table by Tania)
How about a summer brunch table setting with an edible centerpiece? With an array of fresh fruit, you can create a fantastic multi-purpose table setting that will wow all of your brunch attendees. Be sure to let them know the decor is part of the meal, otherwise, they might assume it’s gorgeous to be plucked and eaten!
For more edible tablescape ideas, check out my tips for creating an edible fall holiday tablescape.
Greenery
(From Better Homes & Gardens)
Eucalyptus has become insanely popular in recent years, so I wanted to try to use different types of greenery in a fall tablescape. We have a farmhouse table, so the tablescape pictured above from Better Homes & Gardens instantly caught my eye. To recreate it, keep the table bare (as in no tablecloth) to serve as a natural rustic backdrop for your greenery.
Or, with a few simple additions like white flowers, candles, and mismatched copper vases, you can arrange an elegant industrial chic table setting.
Mauve Fall Tablescape
This mauve fall theme featuring ikebana arrangements is great for making a statement with less. I’m a total minimalist at heart and love shades of mauve and burgundy, so this table setting feels much more “me” than a typical orange and frilly one.
Inspired by the rich tones of fall colors, I chose beautiful and unique flowers and placed them in this DIY Ikebana Flower Vase with Flower Frog. Then, for an extra touch of elegance, I added a few chic and whimsy elements. You can find all the details on how to create your own mauve fall tablescape here.
Dark & Moody Halloween
This dark and moody Halloween table setting is another great example of what can happen when you stray from the norm and experiment with your decor. Funny enough, it all started when I found a blue glass skeleton head at Home Goods. The finished product was a sophisticated table setting, complete with shades of mauve, blue, and gray, perfectly suited to a grown-up Halloween gathering. Get the rest of the details on how to recreate this moody table setting for your Halloween brunch here.
Vintage Whimsical Holiday
(Vintage Whimsical Holiday Tablescape)
If you often find yourself feeling nostalgic around the holidays, this is the holiday table setting for you. I found a vintage-inspired table runner that set the tone for the decor, and then incorporated several mismatched vintage items in eclectic colors (read my tips on vintage shopping here).
Focus on a few key colors, otherwise things can start to look too mismatched and overwhelming. The final result is a whimsical holiday table setting that works for brunch, lunch, dinner, or any kind of gathering during the holiday season.
Romantic
(From Pinterest)
Rather than going all-out with an extravagant tablescape, a more simple set-up like this one would be wonderful for a romantic brunch for two. On a special occasion, like an anniversary celebration or a rare intimate breakfast date at home, using minimal decor ensures the person across from you is your sole focus. Just a few candles and roses should do the trick!
Monochrome Minimalist
(From Whisper Blossom Wedding Planning Dubai)
A lot of the monochrome table setting ideas you’ll find online are created for weddings, but don’t let that dissuade you! Monochrome minimalist decor works just as well for an elegant brunch theme. The minimalist decorating style is defined as clean, simple, and functional, so a monochrome color palette suits this brunch tablescape perfectly.
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Set A Table For Brunch
Step 1: Pick A Theme
Decide on a theme to give yourself some direction regarding decorations, the menu, and personal touches. Choose a color scheme that complements your theme.
Step 2: Add Table Linens
Next, add your table linens. Whether you use a tablecloth, table runner, or placemats, your table linens serve as a backdrop for your table setting and will instantly elevate the whole set-up.
Step 3: Set The Table
Now starts the fun part! The most important thing to keep in mind as you set your table for brunch is spacing. It’s always better to have more space than you might need, than not enough. Set each place setting in a way that gives each guest space to dine comfortably.
Step 4: Add Decor
Add decorative elements like centerpieces, table runners, candles, etc. Consider how these elements might add to or detract from the brunch experience and adjust them accordingly. Your guests should be able to see one another and carry on conversations without the decor getting in the way.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Complete your brunch table setting with finishing touches that complement the occasion. Add handwritten name cards, creatively folded napkins, or thoughtful gifts to make your brunch extra special.
Elevate your next brunch with a thoughtfully curated table setting.
Bye-bye boring breakfast, hello brunch! A beautiful brunch table setting can make any occasion feel extra special. Which table setting would you love to recreate in your home?
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