Dining Table Decor Ideas That Aren't Just for Occasions

While it's always enjoyable to craft the perfect holiday or birthday tablescape, there are plenty of ways to keep your dining table looking beautiful on a day-to-day basis, too. We're sharing 35 ideas for everyday dining table decor, and many of these are extremely affordable. Why not make every meal feel like a special occasion?

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Bring in Fresh Flowers

Victoria Bell Design

Fresh flowers instantly brighten up any area of the home and your dining table is no exception. Whether you can trim clippings from your own backyard garden or make a ritual out of visiting the farmer's market every weekend, you'll thank yourself later when you can enjoy beautiful blooms every time you sit down to eat.
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Scatter Some Candlesticks

Studio Peake

Candles add instant ambiance to any dining table and elevate the every day. If you don't have a collection of candle holders already,go to the thrift store. You'll stumble upon many beautiful styles that can be grouped together to create a stunning display.
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Group Together Vases

Louis Duncan-He

Collect small vases? Give them the VIP treatment by displaying them all together on the dining table. Even when they're not filled with flowers or branches, they still make an artful statement.
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Mix and Match Decorative Items

Desiree Burns Interiors

Who says you have to pick just one object to feature on your dining table? If you love candles, vases, ceramic dishes, and more, create a little vignette using several of your favorite finds.

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Try a DIY Project

Cathie Hong Interiors

You can also try your hand at DIYing your own centerpiece. Grab some taper candles and flowers and create a one-of-a-kind display for all to admire.

Quick Tip

This is a prime example of shopping your own backyard! Clip some flowers from your garden to get this look.
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Place Fruit in a Nice Bowl

Cathie Hong Interiors

There's no reason your dining table decor can't also be practical. Fresh fruits and vegetables add color and texture to any table—corral some of yours in a nice bowl or basket for storage that doubles as art.
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Get Funky

Cathie Hong Interiors

If traditional candle holders don't speak to your decor style, go ahead and get funky with some curved pieces. These add a welcome eclectic touch to the dining table.
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Decant When Possible

Erin Williamson Design

Decant your salt and pepper into timeless brass holders that will add flair to your dining table. No more staring at that boring grocery store packaging!

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Make It Mini

Erin Williamson Design

Who doesn't love miniatures? Set out some tiny vases alongside a larger one to add some extra charm to an otherwise simple setup.
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Choose Chic Candles

Gray Space Interiors

We see a lot of taper candles displayed on dining tables, but pillar candles look excellent, too. Choose candles in a color that will really pop—in this dining space, black complements the sideboard and dining chairs perfectly.
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Bring Some Nature Indoors

Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions

A bowl of moss helps to bring the outdoors inside but requires very little maintenance. It also adds textural intrigue and color to any table.
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Showcase a Fave Plant

Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions

Plant lovers, we know you can't get enough of scattering green friends all throughout the house. Place a favorite plant (a pothos, perhaps?) in a table-sized pot and enjoy watching it grow over time.

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Try a Tablecloth

House Nine

We don't see tablecloths used as often these days but don't underestimate how much of an impact they can make. This checkered tablecloth is delightfully classic and warms up this minimalistic dining space.

Quick Tip

Vintage linens can be quite beautiful. Take a look in the linen section the next time you visit a thrift store or flea market and see what types of pieces you can find and repurpose in your home.
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Grab Your Green Friends

Arbor & Co

The more plants, the merrier! Cluster some smaller green friends or succulents together on the dining table and you have an instant centerpiece.
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Lay Out a Table Runner

Designing Vibes

If you don't wish to cover up your dining surface with a tablecloth but are looking for a simple way to jazz up the table, try a runner. You can even DIY your own if you have extra fabric on hand from a sewing or reupholstery project.
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Sew Together Placemats

Aratari at Home

You can also position placemats in the center of the dining table to create a makeshift runner—or sew a bunch together to make something more permanent.

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Shop Your Own Yard

Jessica Brigham

This piece of driftwood complements the earthy, plant-inspired decor in this dining space. Sometimes, the best accessories can be sourced outdoors.
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Get Earthy

Design: Joshua Smith / Photo: Lance Gerber

Stones and geodes also add intrigue to a dining room table. Combine them with other natural elements, like succulents or cacti, for an eye-catching, earthy mix.
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Introduce Air Plants

Design: Living With Lolo / Photo: Life Created

A bowl full of air plants adds color to this neutral dining room and is appropriate all year long.
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Be a Bit Boho-inspired

Design: Living With Lolo / Photo: Life Created

Love boho style? Bring some pampas grass into your dining room. It will add instant height and texture to the table.

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Stay Modern

Design: Living With Lolo / Photo: Life Created

In this modern home, tall empty vases look sophisticated atop this round table surrounded by curved chairs.
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Repurpose This Household Item

@sunfilled_home / Instagram

Lazy Susans are more than just practical, they can be decorative, too. Use one as an alternative to your standard tray and fill it with accent pieces as well as go-to spices and seasonings.
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Think Tall

@devon_grace_interiors / Instagram

Fill a tall pedestal with decorative beads and place it in the center of your dining table for an artful yet simple centerpiece.
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Go Farmhouse

@smc.living / Instagram

A woven basket is a great decorative piece to set out on a farmhouse-inspired table. Pair it with a checkered table runner and some ceramic vessels and you're golden.

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Keep It Simple

@mads_massaro / Instagram

A single palm leaf in a vase makes a stylish yet laid-back statement on this dining table. Sometimes, less is truly more.

Quick Tip

There are many realistic-looking fake palm leaves on the market these days; you don't need to repurchase a live one every week to get this look.
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Say Yay to Trays

@aflickofpaint / Instagram

A scalloped tray like this one is super cute and can easily be scooped up and cleared when food arrives on the table, making it a win-win.
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Bust Out a Pedestal

One Coast Design

Add height to your table with trivets and pedestals. This way, everyone can still admire your decor as plates are being passed.
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Try This Twist on a Vase

Shani Core Interiors

Look inside your pantry and see what items you can repurpose as decor. Julep cups, for example, can double as vases when you entertain—there's no need to purchase something brand new.

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Create a Unique Display

Design: Living With Lolo / Photo: Life Created

Note that you don't need to set out pairs of items to create a special display; that singular candle holder can still shine among other objects.

Quick Tip

The next time you're at the thrift store and spot a singular candle stick that speaks to you, grab it and use it to form a vignette like the one shown here.
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Invest in a Vessel

Joshua Smith Interiors

A vessel like this one can be repurposed season after season. Use it to house evergreens in the winter and then place gourds inside when fall arrives.
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Take the Cake

@domeklusi / Instagram

Keep a cake stand on hand and fill it with your favorite sweet treats or simply use it as a decorative item—you can place candles and other small items on top. It's a win-win.
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Make Flowers Last

@thistle_house / Instagram

A dried flower arrangement like this one requires zero maintenance while still making your dining table look beautiful. Choose an assortment of colors that complement your decor and furniture, whether that means opting for something neutral or bold.

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Give Your Wreath New Life

@interior_by_maria / Instagram

Wreaths aren't just for hanging on the front door. Place one around a cluster of candles so that it turns into a makeshift centerpiece.
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Cast a Moody Glow

@khwaahishen_ / Instagram

Table lanterns can add a moody glow to indoor setups, too. Display a couple on your dining table and dim those harsh overhead lights.
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Put Your Pinkies Up

@herheim_design / Instagram

Teatime, anyone? Keeping a teapot and some cups on your dining table will add some country charm to your home even if you actually use them for coffee!.