A Guide to Dinner Party Table Settings That Revive the Lost Art of Hosting
-
Edited by Katie Falette
Content Marketing Manager
- November 4, 2025
- 29 min read
- Events
Source: Peerspace
There’s no gathering place quite as powerful—or, frankly, ancient—as the dinner table. And statistics show that dinner parties are back and better than ever, with younger generations breathing new life into this time-honored tradition. Bookings for dinner parties on Peerspace have grown 14% in 2025 compared to 2024. And according to a 2025 survey by TalkerResearch, a whopping 72% of Americans prefer a night in with friends rather than a night out.
The best dinner parties are connective, creative and unforgettable—which is why we put together this all-inclusive guide for experienced hosts and first-timers alike. From tablescapes to menu curation, and whether you’re hosting at home or in a unique rented space, the right environment sets the tone for a memorable evening. We’re here to help you make it happen. Let’s dig in.
Meet the experts:
To help you create a dinner your friends won’t stop talking about for years, we chatted with three of the foremost experts in the field, including:

Jake Sacks, Peerspace guest and co-founder of New York City’s 3rd Space, an exclusive dinner series for young entrepreneurs and creatives

Caitlyn Liu, the lead spatial designer at 3rd Space, who creates the ambiance and tablescapes that make each dinner party sing

Carlee Gettman, co-founder of Tblscape, a dinner party rental company that supplies hosts with tableware, linens, and decor—sustainably
The essential elements of a table setting

“The table is the glue of the event,” says Gettman, who started hosting dinner parties of her own when COVID made going out more complicated—which eventually inspired her to start her company.
That’s why setting the table is arguably the most important part of planning an incredible dinner party. A well-set table, says Gettman, is part of “what makes your guests think that you’ve been thinking about them before they even got there.”
“When the tablescape feels intentional and thoughtful, guests are going to bring a different attitude and vibe to the dinner.”
— Carlee Gettman | Tblscape![]()
Most of us don’t put intensive thought into setting our table for every meal. For your can’t-miss dinner party, here are some of the essential elements and above-and-beyond extras to consider:
- Table linens & placemats not only protect your table, but offer a critical element of physical touch and texture.
- Plates & chargers can make each place setting feel both personal and ready for an abundant dinner.
- Cutlery or flatware delivers dinner from the plate to the palate, and so it should feel good and well-weighted in the hand.
- Glassware, when well-thought-out and elegant, elevates the experience of the beverages that accompany the meal.
- Napkins & napkin holders can add another dimension of texture and decor to a well-planned tablescape.
- Crockery or specialty serving dishes offer the cuisine you’re serving the respect it deserves—and makes it even more appealing to guests.
- Centerpieces can be a creative way to keep your tablescape on-theme and seasonal—and they don’t have to be expensive. (More on that later.)
- Decor can range from classics (like flowers in vases) to more creative options like greenery, fruit, and more.
- Seating cards take guests’ guesswork out of where to sit—and offer another chance to make it your own. (At 3rd Space, for example, it’s a just-taken polaroid of each guest.)
- Printed menus take your dinner party to a higher level and allow guests to start craving what’s next.
- Lighting is a critical element—Liu says it’s “the number-one descriptor of the tablescape, especially at nighttime.” Think candles and warm table lamps.
- Finishing touches like the perfect playlist and a well-planned beverage accompaniment pull the whole thing together and make dinner into an event.
Creating your dinner party table setting step-by-step
If that list feels overwhelming, don’t worry: You can take planning the perfect dinner party one step at a time.
1. Define your vision

First things first: What’s your intention for your dinner party? And, even more importantly, who are your guests?
When planning her own dinner parties, “I think about my guests first,” says Gettman. Once you know who you’re inviting, the rest of the party details can naturally unfold based on the group’s preferences, shared history (or lack thereof), and vibe.
For instance, maybe you’re gathering a big group of friends from disparate circles to celebrate a personal event like your birthday or a career win. In that case, putting together conversation cards or coming up with a group activity or game could help to break the ice.
But if you’re keeping it intimate and everyone already knows each other, you have plenty of opportunities to play off inside jokes or shared experiences. And, of course, you could always choose to go with a themed dinner party.
3. Determine what type of table setting is right for your dinner party
Once you’ve figured out the guest list and basic theme of your dinner party, you can start to ideate on the finer details—including what type of table setting works best for your group. The guest list plays a big part when it comes to designing the dinner.
Gettman, for example, says she tends toward a more “maximalist and extravagant” tablescape if it’s a getting-to-know-each-other type of event; after all, an epic display can help spark or continue conversation. In a more intimate gathering, on the other hand, she favors a minimalist design style that “won’t overpower the connection you have or the conversation you’re having.”
The way the food is served might also differ: a pre-plated meal saves space, but the communal nature of a buffet offers another conversation starter. (If your home is tight on space but your guest list is expansive, exploring unique dinner party venues on Peerspace can give you more room to stretch out.)
Let’s take a closer look at some different common types of table settings—and what you can do to make them shine.
Formal table setting


If you’re looking to create an upscale experience, having everything in its right place is key. That means knowing the difference between the salad fork, the dinner fork, and—yes—the fish fork, and knowing what order they should sit alongside your decorative charger plates. Traditionally, chargers are cleared from the table once everyone sits down and places their napkins across their laps.
Fortunately, you can still create an elegant and formal-feeling dinner without including every piece of silver or serveware. Giving your guests a dress code (with ample lead time to figure out what to wear) can make a big difference. So can a curated Spotify playlist that feels effortlessly jazzy and sophisticated.
Family-style table setting
Serving a family-style dinner—where the food is placed on the table so guests can serve themselves—can be a powerful way to bring people together. That’s why Sacks insists on family style for every 3rd Space dinner: “It’s a beautiful way to bring people together,” he says. Plus, it’s often both easier for the host and cheaper.


But when it comes to your tablescape, family-style does present a few unique challenges. Whatever design elements you come up with will have to offer enough space on the table for large platters of food to be served, along with individual guests’ place settings. Liu measures the serving plates ahead of time while imagining the decorative elements that will bring life to each 3rd Space dinner.
Multi-course table setting

Offering a multi-course, plated meal can be more expensive (if you hire a caterer) or time-intensive (if you’re doing the cooking yourself), but it also gives you a lot of room to play with your tablescape. After all, if individual dishes are being served, you have more room on the table to create a grand decorative scene.
Your imagination is truly the limit when it comes to centerpieces and decorations; Gettman, for instance, has repurposed baguettes as ersatz candle-holders and arranged bunches of grapes as edible decor.
Buffet table setting
A buffet-style dinner party offers a happy medium between family-style service and a plated meal: You still have plenty of opportunity to make the most of the tablescape, and your guests still get the chance for another communal moment as they go up to get their food.
In fact, Liu mentions that several New York City dinner series she knows of now have a rule that guests have to get up for their next glass of wine or serving of food with others, which helps encourage conversation and ice-breaking—especially helpful if you’re gathering a larger group that isn’t already very familiar with one another.


Casual, informal or everyday table setting
Some good news: Although you can incorporate lots of extra elements to create an unforgettable dinner party, you don’t have to. The point of a dinner party is intimate conversation and connection, and you can make that happen even over paper plates.


That said, creating a warm and inviting table significantly ups the ante—and with rental services like Gettman’s Tblscape, you can incorporate high-end, name-brand pieces for as little as about $60. At the very least, we recommend using real dishware, glassware, and silverware, all of which can be affordable, one-time investments that serve you for the long run.
3. Get Creative: Make Your Dinner Party Yours
The best thing about creating a dinner party is that the opportunities to express yourself go far beyond the table itself. The most memorable gatherings are immersive events where every detail has been considered—and curated according to your intention and style.
Play with the color palette

To create a comprehensive color palette, consider the color elements that are already present in the venue or location. For example, for a dinner Liu designed on the beach in the Hamptons, she matched the glassware, menus, and hydrangeas on the table to the ocean’s blue.
Consider, too, how color can play into and amplify the overall theme—and how much can be done with little. One 3rd Space dinner had a jungle-inspired theme with greenery on black tablecloths. The stark contrast between those two colors did a lot of work, creating high drama with only a few simple elements.
Get experimental with texture & materials

Each expert we interviewed said the same thing: A well-designed dinner is about more than visual elements. Liu calls event design a kind of “sensory language” that involves scent, sound, and even physical textures.
“That sensory aspect includes that a guest is going to touch or take home with them,” she says—which means menus, place cards, and party favors, as well as tablecloths or napkins. Linens with a little bit of texture to them—like a rugged canvas construction or hand-woven elements—”go a long way,” Gettman agrees.
Have fun with florals and greenery

Well-chosen flowers can take even the plainest tablescape to the next level. And it doesn’t just have to be cut flowers: consider placing greenery and foliage directly on the tablecloth, using a potted plant as a centerpiece, and varying the sizes of vases to create extra visual intrigue.
Get creative with tableware

The dishes, glasses, and serveware on your table are about so much more than transporting food and drink. They’re visual and textural elements that contribute to the experience of your dinner party.
Changing these elements up each time you have a dinner party can be both expensive and hard to keep up with, storage-wise. Not everyone can devote a whole cabinet to their dinner party collections, which is part of why Gettman dreamed up Tblscape in the first place.
Again, thrifting can be an excellent way to acquire high-quality, reusable pieces without blowing your budget—and it can add a touch of whimsy to have each guest’s place setting be a little (or a lot) mismatched.
Incorporate personal touches that feel like you

Maybe it’s an inside-joke tablescape element that your guests—and only your guests—will immediately understand. Maybe it’s a hand-written placecard or a personalized party favor you leave at each place setting for your guests. Quick ideas: a bottle of nail polish; a new mini-notebook and a pen; a small box of chocolates.
But incorporating personal touches turns your event from a dinner party into your dinner party. And they can be a fun way to expand on your theme, too. For example, if you’re hosting a cozy, autumnal party with a witchy twist, maybe you decide to lay some well-chosen tarot cards and gemstones on the table.
Add layers and visual interest

Utilizing plenty of different types of decor and tableware can help draw (and hold) the eye, as can playing with the height of different table elements, as Gettman suggests above. For example, after placing your candleholders and vases on the table, consider draping a garland or some greenery along the footprint of those elements. Your chargers, napkin holders, glassware, and flatware also play into the scene as a whole.
4. Set the table
Once you have a plan for what you want your tablescape to look like, it’s time to get down to business—and actually set the table up! Here’s how to do it, step-by-step, for the easiest time and best results.
Prepare the table

First, ensure you have a large enough table with enough chairs for your guests. Give your bare table and chairs a good cleaning. If the furniture is made of wood, use a high-quality wood cleanser like Method Daily Wood Cleanser or Old English Wood Cleaner. Give the table time to air and dry completely, and then place any tablecloths, runners, or other foundational elements of your dinner table.
Place centerpieces and decor

Next up, you’ll start building the foundational elements of your tablescape, including centerpieces, lighting (like candles or table lamps), flower vases, and decor.
Placing these items first means you won’t have to lean over each place setting to create the visual landscape of your table, though, as mentioned above, it’s key to ensure you leave enough room for guests’ plates and any plates of food or accompaniments that will be on the table. Like Liu, you might wish to measure the serveware ahead of time or set out placemats to save room for guest settings.
Position plates

Now it’s time to place your guests’ plates. Start with placemats, if you’re using them and have yet to lay them out, followed by any chargers, followed by the dinner plate, salad plate, and bread plate so that your plates are nested with one another. Many hosts place the napkin and holder on top of the stack of plates, but this would also be an ideal spot to place a party favor or gift.
Arrange flatware, glassware, and the rest of the setting

For many hosts, properly arranging flatware can feel like one of the most overwhelming and confusing parts of setting the table. The good news is, it’s truly as easy as following a template—and also, unless they happen to be etiquette experts, chances are your guests won’t notice or mind if you change it up.
The basic blueprint is actually pretty easy:
- Fork(s) to the left of the plate (with the napkin folded beneath or to the left of the fork, if not on the plate in the center)
- Knife and spoon to the right of the plate, with the spoon on the outside
- Knife blade facing in toward the plate
- Glassware to the upper right-hand corner of the plate
- Bread plate, salad plate or other accessories to the upper left-hand corner of the plate
Of course, the specifics vary depending on how formal and complex your place settings are. At the highest level, there truly is a place for every piece of diningware, from the sherry glass to the soup spoon—but again, you don’t have to go that in-depth to host a delicious and memorable dinner party.
Pose finishing touches

About half an hour to ten minutes before your guests are set to arrive, you can put the finishing touches on your table. This step includes placing any missing greenery or flowers as mentioned above, lighting candles, putting out opening bites like cheese and fruit or bread and butter, and simply giving your table one last glance-over to ensure that everything is in its right place.
Voila: You’re ready to party!
Trending dinner party table settings for 2026
Dinner parties: Timeless. Still, trends come up—and if you want to know what experts see on the horizon for 2026, we’ve got you covered.
Big, expressive choices

While there’ve been plenty of micro-trends that end up manifesting in the dinner party space—2024’s “mob wife” or “office siren” aesthetics, for example—Gettman predicts that hosts will begin to shift away from these hyper-timely fads and toward “a more playful, personal take on classic styles.”
To that end, she envisions big, stylized dinner parties including elements like:
- Stripes
- Polka dots
- Statement textures
- Bold colors
She also mentions a “clear resurgence of ’80s-inspired touches,” like big bows, puffy and plush textures, and silver accents.
“The dinner table is becoming a space for self-expression, not just trend participation.”
— Carlee Gettman | Tblscape![]()
Minimalism chic

On the other end of the spectrum, Liu suspects that 2026 will include “lots of minimalism,” such as dinner table designs featuring only a single floral element with measured spacing and plain white linens. The movement may include metallic textures like steel tables, plates, and cups juxtaposed with raw, artisanal papers and fabrics.
In short, this dinner party style is a way of “reverting back to basics, a rejection of over-maximalism” in favor of “this sort of sterile, fine art display, where the culinary design is really in the spotlight.” Less really can be more—especially since the food and the people you’re sharing it with are the main highlight, anyway.
Tips for styling outdoor table settings

If your party will be outdoors, it’s important to take the elements into account. Even a little bit of wind can knock over unweighted floral arrangements or tall candlesticks, for example; if there’s even a slight chance of rain, plan for a shelter like a tent. You’ll also want to include appropriate dress-code suggestions for the climate when you’re following up with your guests.
But as much as the outdoors can pose risks to a well-planned tablescape, they can act to enhance it, as well. If your table is under trees, Liu offers as an example, the way the shadows play over the tablescape can be part of the styling. “There are opportunities to be threatened by nature,” she says, “or work alongside it.”
Tips for styling by season
Seasonality can be a huge part of dinner party design, from decking the halls during the holidays to incorporating bright florals to herald the coming of spring.
On Peerspace, November is the most popular month for hosting dinner parties. May is the second most popular, and December is third. Seasonally, fall and summer dinner parties are most common, followed by spring, with winter being the least popular.
Still, any time of year is a great time to gather. Here are some top tips for dinner party styling by season.
Spring table settings

No matter the season, taking a cue from nature can inform both your tablescape and your menu. In spring, that might mean:
- Incorporating seasonal florals like cherry blossoms or tulips.
- Leaning toward lighter colors and gentler textures with textiles and serveware (think linens and pastel ceramics).
- A light, bright menu with plenty of seasonal produce: artichoke dip to start; a side of fresh, snappy peas; a rhubarb-based dessert.
- An accompanying cocktail or mocktail with a fresh, herbal or fruity tone, like a lemon thyme spritz or rosé sangria.
Summer table settings

Summer’s bright abundance offers lots of opportunities for a memorable dinner party. Try:
- Dining al fresco, if the weather in your area allows. Gathering outside creates an expansive ambiance and the benefit of natural lighting.
- A deep, saturated color palette: rich cerulean blues and bright corals mirror the intensity of full, sunny days.
- A menu that leans on chilled-but-delicious dishes, like watermelon salad or grilled peach burrata.
- A casual dress code to reflect the easy-going nature of the season. Maybe it’s even a combination dinner-and-pool-party!
Fall table settings

What better time to gather around a dinner table than harvest season? In late September, October, and early November, consider incorporating:
- Centerpieces that play off abundance. While an actual cornucopia might be a little on the nose, try fresh figs or persimmons, colorful ears of corn, and rust-colored candles.
- Revolve toward earthy tones. Terra cotta, plum, forest green, and even cream offer a color palette that mimics that golden fall light.
- When it comes to the menu, mix freshness with comfort. Think butternut squash soup, an overflowing charcuterie board, and hearty roasted root vegetables.
- For beverages, consider a lighter-bodied red wine like American pinot noir or French Beaujolais.
Winter table settings

When winter makes the outdoors dark and cold, a good dinner party host knows how to brighten the light inside. Whether it’s a more general winter dinner party or a specified holiday function for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a wintertime table benefits from:
- Bringing out the heavier textures. Rich reds and greens, velvet or wool runners, heavy white linens, and even metallic elements have a place at a winter table.
- Candlelight—and lots of it. In many areas, winter means it gets darker earlier, so add extra brightness to your cable with candles or table lamps.
- A hearty menu that’s inclusive for all. You can go beyond the limits of ham or turkey: baked brie, coq a vin, or pasta al forno are all great options.
- A hot beverage option, whether it’s a whiskey toddy or mulled wine. (Winter is also a great time to serve dessert wines like port!)
Tips for styling by cuisine
Along with the season, the cuisine you choose can also be a great place to find inspiration for your tablescape. Here are some tips for styling by cuisine.
Italian table settings

If there’s a culture in the world that’s synonymous with the dinner party as a concept, it’s Italian. If you’re throwing an Italian-inspired get-together, consider:
- Rustic yet elegant tableware, like earthenware or wooden serving bowls on simple linens.
- A rich but understated color palette that relies on colors like eggshell, clay, or sand. (You can let the rich Italian food speak for itself!)
- Edible decor: Bunches of grapes or bowls of citrus make beautiful, thematic centerpieces, as well as adding scent and flavor.
- Softness in both lighting and music. Think instrumental acoustics and lots of candles, so the atmosphere is the background for rollicking conversation.
French table settings

Many argue (convincingly) that French cooking is the very best in the world—and if you’re throwing a French dinner party, you’ll want your tablescape to reflect that elevation. We suggest:
- A refined, yet intimate, vibe. Consider a minimalist styling with a lot of white and a few well-chosen pops of color (like your napkins or florals, for example).
- Incorporating hors d’oeuvres into your table styling, with a breadboard and butter or tapenade a crudités platter.
- Going narrow, but deep: Instead of offering tons of courses or lots of decorations, have only a few of each—but make sure they’re of the highest quality.
- Serving Champagne! What better (or more thematic) occasion to break out the bubbles?
Greek table settings

Mediterranean cuisine occupies that rare sweet spot. It’s often considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world—and it’s also the kind of food that can definitely feel festive and indulgent. Here are our tips for styling a Greek-inspired dinner party.
- A reliance on soft whites and rich blues in tableware and design. Think whitewashed houses beside the Aegean Sea.
- Family-style service from bowls of olives to baskets of pita and mains like lamb or fish on communal platters.
- Natural, tactile texture elements like woven placemats or table runners.
- Consider a summertime party so you can rely on natural light and a fresh breeze. You could even host dinner on the beach!
Table setting styling for small spaces

One of the primary challenges for at-home hosts is working in a relatively small space with a relatively large guest list. But it’s this very lack of space, says Sacks, that can create even more intimacy at the table.
“I’ve always really, really loved the idea of fitting too many people in a space,” he explains. If a table is meant for 10, he says, he’ll push in a couple of chairs to bump it up to 12.
“Make it compact. Make it intimate. I think that’s a beautiful thing—especially for people who are strangers.”
— Jake Sachs | 3rd Space![]()
Of course, you do still want your guests to feel comfortable, if cozy. And in some cases, you may simply find you don’t have room to offer everyone a seat. In those cases, extending the party to your couch or other furniture elements can be an option worth playing with. So, says Liu, is sitting on the floor—another Japanese-inspired idea. “Chairs take up a lot of space,” she explains. If it’s physically accessible to all of your guests, constructing a low table and sitting on floor cushions or pillows can add both novelty and efficiency. It’s affordable, too: “You can get a few pieces of plywood and stack them on cinder blocks and have a table,” Liu explains.
Prepping your table settings to ease last-minute stress

Let’s be honest: Even with a step-by-step guide, hosting a dinner party can be stressful. That’s especially true if you, like many hosts, also take on the cooking.
Getting your table mostly set up (aside from those finishing touches) ahead of time can help ensure you’re freed up to focus on what counts on the day of the party. Fortunately, most tablescaping elements aren’t time-sensitive and can be laid out well ahead of time, perhaps even a day or more beforehand. Just keep in mind that, if you’re using your dining table at home, you may need to find an alternate place to eat the meals leading up to your dinner party.
Your most asked dinner party questions, answered

You’ve got dinner party questions—we’ve got dinner party answers.
Should you host a dinner party at home or somewhere else?
One of the most magical parts about a dinner party, according to Gettman, is the opportunity to host your friends in the comfort and privacy of your own home, where you’re in complete control of everything from the menu to the decor. But under some circumstances, renting a venue can open up the space—and mean a lot of elements are taken care of for you. Liu says she always scopes out what’s already available at the event space, like chairs, lighting elements, and decor options, which can help her save budget on rentals or purchases.
The average cost of a Peerspace dinner party venue rental is $135 per hour. Flex spaces are the most commonly booked venue type. Private residences rank second, followed by lounge spaces in third place. Daylight studios and restaurants are fourth. And when the event is done for the evening, you can come home to a clean, cozy, quiet house—a win-win.


Where can you rent a venue for a dinner party?
You can quickly and easily rent a dinner party venue through platforms like Peerspace, where thousands of guests have already hosted dinner parties. On Peerspace, Wednesday is the most expensive day to rent a venue, with an average booking cost of $1,002. Sunday is the least expensive day, with an average cost of $750.


The top amenities searched by guests hosting dinner parties are:
- Bring Your Own Beer
- Bring Your Own Food
- Cooking Allowed
- Tables
- Kitchen
Unlike Airbnb, many Peerspaces offer these very amenities—and hosts love them, giving dinner party spaces an average rating of 4.75 stars.
What are some fun games or activities to do at dinner parties?
While dinner is (obviously) the main event, dinner party games and activities can truly up the ante—especially if you’re gathering a group that might not already be super familiar with each other. Here are some easy-to-implement ones that will break the ice and increase connection.
- Conversation cards. To get your guests talking, place cards at each setting. You can write your own or use a pre-made deck like one from Lumitory.
- Show and tell. Don’t worry—not like grade school! At 3rd Space dinners, for example, Sacks includes a “highlight” guest, like an artist or chef, who presents for a few minutes.
- Gift exchanges. If it’s a holiday party—or even if not—organizing a themed gift exchange (like wine or books) can bring your guests together.
- Charades. It’s a classic for a reason: You can’t keep your guard up when you’re desperately trying to mime “pizza delivery” to a group.
- Never have I ever or two truths and a lie. You can decide ahead of time if you want to play a PG or R-rated version!
How long should a dinner party last?
One way to tell if a dinner party is a hit? Guests are hesitant to leave. Sacks says that at each 3rd Space dinner—which starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until midnight—there are always a few people who say they’re going to leave at 10. But after connecting with the other guests, he says, almost all of them end up staying late.
If your dinner party isn’t super involved, two or three hours may be sufficient. But starting earlier in the evening can give you extra time to enjoy those who want to linger longer.
That idea is borne out in our proprietary data. On Peerspace, the most popular times to start a dinner party are between 4-7 PM.
How far in advance should you start planning a dinner party?
When it comes to planning any event, the further out you start planning, the more time you have to get set up—and with a dinner party, ample advance notice also gives your guests time to prepare for any theme or dress code, as well as to inform you of their dietary restrictions. Depending on how complex your party is and how many people are coming, somewhere between a month and two weeks ahead of time is the sweet spot. On average, Peerspace guests book dinner party venues 34 days in advance.
Who should I invite to a dinner party?
No matter how well you plan or how beautiful your tablescape, the truth is, the people make the party. And deciding who—and how many—to invite to your party is one of the very first steps in the process.
On average, Peerspace dinner party bookings include 32 attendees, including the host. But you can have an amazing dinner party with far fewer guests than that, too.
Gettman, for instance, says that eight people is the perfect number. “It’s so intimate,” she says. “Everyone’s going to get to know each other, everyone’s going to learn something about someone.” Sacks, on the other hand, sticks closer to the Peerspace average, with each 3rd Space dinner holding 30 guests. That way, the event feels both intimate and expansive—and it’s easy to mix and mingle without feeling like you’re stuck chatting with the same people all night.
What’s a reasonable budget for a dinner party?
You can have a dinner party on a shoestring budget or go all-out—it’s really up to you (and the vibe you want to set for your guests).
If you’re cooking at home, Gettman suggests budgeting about $15-$20 per person for food and ingredients, and about $100 to $150 if you’re renting or thrifting dinnerware pieces. Of course, it’s easy to bump that budget up closer to $1,000 or $1,500 if you’re buying new tableware, renting a venue, or hiring a professional caterer.
Bring your table to life: share, inspire, host!

Dinner parties are all about staying connected—and we want to stay connected with you! If you host your dinner party in a Peerspace, we can’t wait to see the tablescapes you come up with.
Share your dinner party moments with the hashtag #madeinpeerspace or submit your photos through Made in Peerspace (you’ll receive submission details by email after your event). And if you’re still planning, you can find your perfect dinner party venue in just minutes.
Finally, if you know someone who’s planning their next dinner party, feel free to share this guide with them. Hosting brings community together, and so does sharing your knowledge. We all have a seat at the table.
In this article
- The essential elements of a table setting
- Creating your dinner party table setting step-by-step
- Trending dinner party table settings for 2026
- Tips for styling outdoor table settings
- Tips for styling by season
- Tips for styling by cuisine
- Table setting styling for small spaces
- Prepping your table settings to ease last-minute stress
- Your most asked dinner party questions, answered
In this article
- The essential elements of a table setting
- Creating your dinner party table setting step-by-step
- Trending dinner party table settings for 2026
- Tips for styling outdoor table settings
- Tips for styling by season
- Tips for styling by cuisine
- Table setting styling for small spaces
- Prepping your table settings to ease last-minute stress
- Your most asked dinner party questions, answered
Get together somewhere better
Book thousands of unique spaces directly from local hosts.
Explore SpacesShare your space and start earning
Join thousands of hosts renting their space for meetings, events, and photo shoots.
List Your Space
