I used to love hosting a big fancy dress party for Halloween, but these days a Halloween dinner party is more my speed. However, most of the Halloween tableware for sale in stores seems aimed at kids, with friendly ghosts and pumpkin paper plates. Instead I prefer to create something more grown-up with a Halloween table that is both spooky AND stylish.
Most of the key ingredients such as table linens, dinner sets and glasses you’ll be able to make use of year round, but the real fun comes in building colour and texture with candles, moody flower arrangements and quirky decorative pieces.
Check out the amazing examples below plus my five-step guide to creating a spooky and stylish Halloween table and I swear you’ll never buy another black and orange paper plate again.
1) Tableware
Begin with a black or dark grey table cloth. Add a runner, place mats and napkins in a similar shade, crumpled and rumpled to add texture. These dark tones will provide the backdrop for the rest of your scheme. Stack your dinner and side plates and finish with copper or gold cutlery to add a touch of gothic glamour.
The Range / (similar) / John Lewis & Partners
2) Glassware
Next add your glasses. Choose chunky or goblet-shaped wine glasses to evoke a gothic vibe, tall champagne flutes for something a bit more elegant or mason jars for a fun way to serve your bubbling potions (cocktails). Include vases to add height to the centre of the table.
John Lewis & Partners / The Range / John Lewis & Partners
3) Candles
So now the basics are covered, the fun can really begin. No Halloween table would be complete without candles. Tall tapered candles will add height and elegance. White will work well, but also consider grey, dark plum or deep red to mix things up a bit. For a truly gothic touch how about a candelabra or two?!
The Range / Etsy / John Lewis & Partners
4) Flowers and foliage
Time to fill those vases. Flowers and foliage are a great way to add colour and texture to your table, while still keeping things sophisticated. Invest in some good quality artificial stems and you’ll be able to use them year after year. Peonies, dahlias or hydrangeas will work well. Use darker tones such as plum, red or olive. For a truly organic woodland vibe why not have some moss running up the centre of your table?
5) Quirky objects
Finally add character with some quirky and creepy decorative pieces. Your local charity shop or thrift store is a great place to start. Use black or metallic spray paint to turn porcelain animals or figures into classy accent pieces. Etsy also has some great resources, including apothecary labels you can print at home and add to spray painted bottles or jars.
Etsy / Etsy / Maisons du Monde
Now that your Halloween table is complete you just need to decide what to serve. My favourite option is to go retro with fondue. It’s such a fun, shared experience dipping lots of delicious bits and pieces into your very own bubbling cauldron of cheese!
So that’s it, a spooky and stylish Halloween table and not a pumpkin in sight! What do you think? Any ideas for alternative approaches to Halloween decor? And if you love Halloween like I do why not check out Halloween inspired decor ideas you’ll love all year.
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For more Halloween decor inspiration check out my Board on Pinterest.
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