How to Set the Summer Table

Whether thinking about informal family get-togethers or formal dinners, here’s how to set the summer table the Meri Meri way

When it comes to entertaining at home, few things impress guest as much as a beautifully set table. Whatever the occasion, mastering the art of table presentation helps create a warm atmosphere, delight your guests and keep the conversation flowing. Here’s how...

Start with a theme, pattern or color scheme

A theme will give you focus and everything else, from decorations and tableware to gifts, flowers and favors, can be worked around that. A great starting place is the Meri Meri x Molly Mahon collection, featuring striking block prints. The latest collection features stylish trays, placemats, melamine plates and coasters.

‘A color scheme is helpful and a good starting point,’ says Sania Pell, Interior Stylist and Creative Director, who works her magic when tablescaping on the Meri Meri shoots. ‘This could be bright and clashing, or calmer and tonal. Use tablecloths as your base. A kids’ birthday party may be a brighter event than a baby shower or teen party.’ For more ideas on party trends for this summer see our Top 10 Party Trends for 2025.

SHOP MERI MERI x MOLLY MAHON

SHOP ALL COLORS

What are the traditional rules regarding flatware and glassware?

At a traditional formal table setting, knives go on the right side of the plate, blades facing in. Start with the dinner knife closest to the plate, then the fish knife (if you're using one), and finally the soup spoon on the outside. Forks go on the left – dinner fork nearest the plate, then the salad fork. Fork tines usually face up.

Dessert spoons (or a spoon and fork combo) sit above the plate, laid horizontally –the spoon handle points right, the fork (if there is one) points left.

Glasses go in the top right corner. The water glass sits slightly above the knives, with wine glasses just below and to the right – usually red wine goes closer to the plate, white wine slightly above or beside it, depending on what you’re serving.

And don’t forget the bread plate – it lives in the top left corner with a small butter knife resting across it.

However, no need to stick to formalities! ‘Rules are made to be broken! I rarely follow a formal place setting.’ says Pell. ‘To make a table less formal and feel more modern, you could keep the cutlery together to the right side of the plate.’ And what about napkins? ‘Fabric napkins can be opened out and used as place mats or rolled with the cutlery sitting on top and both cutlery and napkins tied together with a bow,’ says Pell. Our wooden cutlery is perfect for setting at kids’ tables!

SHOP TABLEWARE

SHOP CUTLERY

Is it ok to mix up paper plates and crockery tableware?

Of course! Not only does it save on washing up but mixing elegant glassware and stylish paper cups or reusable cups can add an element of fun. ‘Layering paper plates and paper cups with glassware works well. Real glasses can be mixed in with paper cups too and why not a few flowers placed in either, treating them as a vase,’ says Pell. ‘Mixing silver, china, crystal and special serving dishes is back in style. Placemats, water glasses, wine glasses are all now featuring – it’s so much fun,’ adds Meredithe Stuart-Smith, Meri Meri Founder & President.

Looking for stylish glassware? Learn more about Estelle Colored Glass.

SHOP PLATES, CUPS & NAPKINS

SHOP REUSABLE TABLEWARE

How about other decorations like flowers, centerpieces and candles?

One of the easiest ways to wow your guests? Candles woven down the center of the table. ‘I love ordering fresh flowers and greenery from a local florist and mixing them in with candles,’ says Stuart-Smith. Pell is on the same page: ‘Small vases of flowers add a pop of color and make everything feel more alive.’ Her top tip? Try Japanese flower frogs, also known as kensan (used in ikebana). They help create more modern-looking arrangements and let you use shallow bowls or low dishes – perfect for experimenting and keeping things interesting.

SHOP CENTERPIECES

SHOP CANDLES

And for the kids’ table?

‘Kids’ tables need to be fun and entertaining, Meri Meri coloring-in tablecloths are a wonderful way to keep children entertained, especially with a few surprise balls thrown in,’ says Pell. She adds: ‘Little hidden messages, charades, jokes or fun tasks could be written and placed under plates and hidden within the table to keep children occupied.’ A failsafe way to keep little hands occupied is with one of our fun color-in table cloths.

SHOP TABLECLOTHS

SHOP CRACKERS & SURPRISE BALLS

Any finishing touches?

Cake stands are helpful for displaying fruit, sweet treats or even cheeses. ‘Place cards add a personal touch and ensure everyone knows where they are sitting,’ says Stuart-Smith. ‘I also love putting a bag of specialty chocolates at each place setting.

SHOP CAKE STANDS

SHOP TABLECLOTHS & LINENS

Any fun ways to add extra wow-factor to your table?

‘Stripes are always a winner, they can be both sophisticated and fun,’ says Pell. ‘Use them as your tablecloth or in your napkins, cups, party hats, decorations or altogether for a real wow factor!’ Finally, don’t forget to print out our party planning checklist.

SHOP PARTY STRIPES

SHOP COMPLETE PARTY SETS