Dinner parties are back: Here’s where to shop for an Instagram-worthy tablescape

If you haven't got an indoor restaurant booking, we've got you covered...

The must-have items for tablescaping

by Bella Evennett-Watts |
Updated on

With lockdown restrictions easing from 17 May, we're all excited to drink and dine indoors with our friends, after braving the freezing cold, wet pub gardens for far too long (why does British weather hate us??)

But if you still haven’t managed to secure a reservation at your favourite glam restaurant, then like us, you’re probably planning an impromptu boujee dinner party at home, now that you can invite pals to your house.

Picture this, you’re serving Gigi Hadid’s infamous spicy vodka pasta or TikTok's viral baked feta dish, you're sipping aperol spritz with your girlies, and your dinner table is looking VERY instagrammable. This is what dreams are made of, right?

Tablescaping is the new post-lockdown trend filling our Instagram feeds - essentially, it's the art of laying your dinner table, but making it look colourful, chic and fancy AF.

And with restaurant bookings still a struggle to get hold of, we thought we'd get in on the action.

So, if the idea of transforming your dining table into a pastel hued, candle-lit oasis - fit for a spot on the grid - is your kind of thing, then we've got you covered with our pick of Instagrammable tableware.

...Just thank us later when you're crowned hostess with the mostess. 💋

Check out: The MUST-HAVE items for an Instagrammable tablescape

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections

Dried flowers have become an Instagram staple - who doesn't love a forever-lasting bouquet? Dress your table with these floral beauties for a boho look - and check out the next slide adorable vases to display these mini bunches in.

We're swooning over Anthropologie's exclusive collaboration with Hotel Magique. Think of the brunch spreads you could create with these Petit Dejeuner glasses (everything sounds so much better in French).

Missguided have recently launched their interiors collection and quite frankly, we're OBSESSED. This set of 3 glass bud vases add character and texture to any dining table, and would look perfect with dried flower cuttings.

These soft linen napkins are given us major Saint Tropez vibes - they'll help transform your Al fresco dinner table into a Mediterranean oasis. And at 16.65, it's a much cheaper alternative to the real thing.

This jug is handmade and painted in Puglia, using clay sourced from Montelupo and Sansepolcro, Italy. And if that hasn't sold you, then it's also dishwasher-safe, so you forget about washing up.

What better way to serve your cocktails - and show off your amateur bartender skills - than by using this chic drinks tray. The wipe-down surface is easy to clean and the gold circular design will even make a pint of beer look classy.

The Barnaby off white speckled side plate completes your dinner setting. Hand crafted from the famous ceramic region of Lampang, north of Thailand. Plus, they're dishwasher safe - it's a yes from us.

This infamous bobbled jug has probably already graced your Instagram feed, and for good reason. Family run company Klimchi creates glassware using traditional techniques and each piece is unique and hand-made.

Carefully carved from acacia wood and trimmed with monochromatic handles, this mezze serving set is made for piling up plates at your summer garden parties.

Small glass bowl

Who could say no to dessert in this adorable glass? We'd use it for a dollop of Eton mess, but H&M customers also say, 'Very cute- perfect for ice cream' and 'very good size for deserts'.

This glass dessert tableware with a flower-shaped design is available in green and yellow, and will make the perfect addition to any summer spread.

Who doesn't love a cheeseboard at the end of a dinner party? And when the delicious spread is served on a board this cute, it's even harder to say no to a wedge of brie.

These Clouded Agate Coasters are sliced crystals, polished to reveal naturally occurring patterns and opaque colouring. Each piece is one of a kind and they're a best seller, so be quick.

Porcelain plate

H&M have done it again. These porcelain plates with a print motif on the front look like something you'd stumble across in an antiques market, but at just £6.99, they're a brand-new bargain.

If Diptque isn't one of the MOST photographed candle brands, then we don't know what is. This best-selling scent is based on the tangy coolness of freshly picked blackcurrant berries, and gives lively, flowery accents of rose.

Handwoven of durable sisal and rattan, these Woven Rattan Placemats will last many dinner parties. Finished with a fringed edge, they add a bohemian-chic layer to any tablescape.

Champagne coupe

So, apparently, post-pandemic will be like the roaring twenties, which we're hoping is true. Perhaps with these coupes at home, we really will be one step closer to the glamour of the Great Gatsby... and ahem, Leonardo DiCaprio.

We love this blue-rimmed side plate from John Lewis' Harbour range of tableware, with hand-painted designs inspired by the seaside and the ocean. Made of stoneware, this plate is dishwasher and microwave safe.

You'll find these adorable dog salt and pepper shakers at celeb haunt Chiltern Firehouse, but why not adopt them in your own kitchen? And if pugs aren't your breed of choice, there are plenty of other cuties to choose from.

TK Maxx is an absolute treasure trove and we adore this pitcher with its multicoloured design. Whatever you fill it up with - Aperol Spritz, sangria, or lemon water - it deserves a spot on your table.

Tumbler

Ugh, we just can't get over H&M homeware. So chic and timeless, yet affordable and durable. These clear tumblers are a classic and a bargain at just £3.99 - you can't go wrong.

HAY is a Danish design brand working out of a big, colourful studio in Horsens. Inspired by mid-20th century Scandinavian design, the brand is all about pastels, sleek designs and is VERY instagrammable.

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What are the lockdown rules from 17 May?

Lockdown restrictions are easing from 17 May - amen to that!

The relaxation of rules mean that outdoor gatherings will now be limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings will be limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).

Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can also reopen, so no more soggy meals in the rain - hooray!

By law, face coverings are still mandatory in many indoor settings, such as shops and on public transport, unless you are exempt.

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