Whether you’re looking to impress your relatives, up to your Instagram game or simply hoping to master a personal challenge, styling your Christmas table to look like a professional’s is something many interiors buffs will be looking to emulate this Yule.
And with this handy guide, you can.
Teaming up with Australian interiors experts, Heidi Albertiri and Lorena Gaxiola, FEMAIL has created the ultimate guide to creating and decorating a stylist-worthy Christmas table.
Read on for all the festive inspiration you need…
If you’re starting to think about styling your Christmas table now (stock image) – one week exactly from D day – it never hurts to freshen up your canvas – wash soft furnishings
According to Heidi, who works as a stylist for countless glossy publications, if you’re starting to think about styling your Christmas table now – one week exactly from D day – it never hurts to freshen up your canvas:
‘I always start to have a bit of a cleanout, it’s nice to have a clean canvas to start with and work from there,’ Heidi told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I start by tending to my plants that have been neglected, I freshen up my soft furnishings if they need it, replace cushion covers and clear space for my table and Christmas tree.’
Next, the expert will think about colour schemes and what will complement your home:
‘We’ve been really drawn to muted tones this year for Christmas, mustards, naturals and dirty pinks are definitely on our radar this year,’ she explained.
Then, it’s time to start thinking about the table itself.
For Heidi, the first thing to think about is a tablecloth:
‘A good linen tablecloth (and yes, tablecloths are back in) is your first port of call,’ she said.
Add glassware, candles and decorative elements, which fit with whatever look you’re going for:
‘While in the US people might decorate with winter motfits like poinsettias and pine trees, in Australia it can look unusual when the sun is shining,’ Lorena Gaxiola told FEMIAL.
‘In this case, I decorate with small, simple, green and floral arrangements – as well as clear ornaments.’
‘We’ve been really drawn to muted tones this year for Christmas, mustards, naturals and dirty pinks are definitely on our radar this year,’ interior stylist, Heidi Albertiri, explained
To truly set your festive spread apart and take your Instagram game to the next level, both experts recommend personalising your table décor (stock image)
While this is all very well and good, to truly set your festive spread apart and take your Instagram game to the next level, both experts recommend personalising your table décor:
‘I love making little bunches of herbs for my guests to take home with them and they double as a table setting,’ said Heidi.
‘Personalising the table with objects, colours or items also helps guests to connect and have something to engage with in conversation,’ added Lorena.
‘People love the extra thought that can put the icing on the cake,’ Heidi said.
‘Whether it’s herbs or a muslin bag of cherries or a jar of my homemade rocky road, I always give my guests something to leave with.’
‘Whether it’s herbs or a muslin bag of cherries or a jar of my homemade rocky road, I always give my guests something to leave with,’ Lorena said (stock image)
Next, you need to get your hands on some new items to freshen up your table – while you might keep your dinner ware, new napkins and accessories (stock image) always work
Zara Home has some excellent festive options to help make your table stylist-worthy – such as this gold plate (AUD $21.95) and golden glasses ($9.95-$12.95)
Next, you need to get your hands on some new items to freshen up your table:
‘You’ll likely be able to keep your staples, like your dinnerware,’ said Heidi.
‘But maybe change up your napkins and tableware to match your new colour themes.’
Lorena recommends mixing up metallic objects for a cool, modern finish:
‘It’s okay to use your grandma’s old cutlery with new and modern styles,’ she said.
‘Try a vintage market this week to see if there’s anything there that will set your table alight.’
Mix up metallic objects for a cool, modern finish – and embrace smells from wreaths, fresh Christmas trees and Christmas candles for all-out festive feels
Think about your location – for Lorena Gaxiola, because we are in Australia, pine cones and poinsettias designed for cooler climes don’t always work – however, greenery and clear ornaments really set one another off
When it comes to the shops to frequent before Christmas Day itself, Heidi loves Heaven in Earth for ‘beautiful and classic decorations’, Papier D’Amour for Christmas crackers and decorations and Bespoke Press for other accessories.
Other stores including Zara Home offer sumptuous decorations, cutlery and crockery in gold, silver and rose gold shades – perfect for the trend-focused millennial decorator.
Meanwhile, Lorena loves Marimekko for ‘fun decorative paper napkins’, and even IKEA for fabrics that could make tablecloths.
‘Clear ornaments work really well with greenery floral arrangements,’ Lorena said.
‘Make it personal, prepare in advance and have your flowers ready, so you can enjoy a Christmas morning with family or friends,’ Heidi said
Finally, both experts advocate thinking about the finer details – such as smells and overall festive feels.
‘There is nothing like the smell of a fresh pine tree when you come home,’ Heidi said. ‘Having a Christmas candle burning near the table is also a heavenly idea.’
‘Make it personal, prepare in advance and have your flowers ready, so you can enjoy a Christmas morning with family or friends,’ Heidi said.
There will be plenty to focus on with the cooking on the day (pictured) so it can help to have your flowers and decorations prepared in advance
Fish is a popular choice at Australian Christmas spreads (pictured)
For those looking for some festive inspiration for their table this week, FEMAIL recommends Zara Home’s glorious gold and silver tablecloths and table runners.
The Spanish brand also has a range of divine oversized gold and metallic plates.
Elsewhere, William Sonoma has truly tuned into the Christmassy feels, with celebratory boards for cheese and desserts.
The store also has plenty of fun accessories, including Santa Claus aprons and oven gloves – so the cook can get into the spirit too.