18 comments

Paula Hendricks

Creating a Beautiful Table on a Budget

Posted on 07.29.09 by Paula Hendricks
Topics: Homefront

My friend and co-worker Rene is a wiz at working magic without spending lots of money doing it, and the following are just a few of her great ideas. Before we jump into some specific table ideas, here are just a couple of general tips:

  • Gather berries, twigs, flowers, leaves, and rocks. They are beautiful, and cost nothing. If you don’t have access to flowers, check with your local florist. Many sell fresh-cut flowers for 50 percent off on “Frugal Fridays.”
  • When looking for a good deal, shop at dollar stores, garage sales and thrift shops, Wal-Mart, and Hobby Lobby (they mark down their seasonal merchandise by as much as 90 percent). Rene recommends picking up vases, mirrors, specialty plates, greenery, candles, and candlesticks.

Once you’ve collected your decorating materials, here are a few ideas for how to use them to beautify your table. (You probably already know this, but try to always use an odd number of objects with varying heights.)

  • Fill a wide-rimmed vase with whole lemons and limes or granny smith apples.
  • Cut a hole in a tree log large enough to place a votive cup and candle inside. If you have time, paint a layer of varnish or shellac on the log to make it really shine. Then, string cranberries and wrap them around the log.
  • Place seashells down your table along with votive candles and pale blue tulle. You can also fill glass jars with sand and place a candle inside.
  • Fill a large wide-mouth vase or glass bowl with rocks, water, floating candles, flowers, or cranberries.
  • Glue a name card onto a twig, and place the twig inside a mini-flower pot. Then, let your kids decorate the pots with spray paint or stencils.
  • Wrap ribbon loosely around a grapevine for the center of your table.
  • Frame your guest’s name and/or a Bible verse in a mini picture frame. This makes an excellent place card, and is also a great take-home favor.
  • Sprinkle little die cut shapes down your table for extra flare.
  • Place candles on round or square mirrors for a stunning center piece.

Rene had several other suggestions, but I’d like to leave room for your ideas! I’m curious . . . Do you eat at your table? Decorate your table? If so, what’s your favorite look?

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  1. Wow! This takes me back! My mother was like your friend. She tied red ribbons on the chandelier over the diningroom table at Christmas...made wonderful flower arrangements from flowers in her yard/home (she grew orchids in ATL in the '50s/60's and would cut one and put it in a small brandy sniffter with a coordinating bow tied around the stem of the glass, for a gift to a friend in the hospital, or to put at a bedside for a guest, or if we had enough blooming to place at each seat at the table).
    Small (you can use large ones grouped on the table) Fall gourds grouped together make a great centerpiece....I often use a wooden bowl passed down from my family to place these in...Daddy made a spiked column to spear apples and oranges on, and I enjoy using that in the fall to sit on the table, or on the kitchen island. I also use the family dough kneading trough for fresh fruit/gourds.

    In the summer, I use a woven "watermelon" basket to sit on the kitchen table with watermelon napkins in it (I bought fabric at Walmart and made the napkins years ago). I'm always on the lookout for other watermelon things to add to my summer table.

    I use a light green washable table cloth on my kitchen table...this works well for any seasonal display...as a friend told me "Green goes with every color, that's why God made the leaves green (and so does "sky" blue!)

    Thank you for reminding me of how much joy this brings to me. I have been dealing with several "issues" in my life and family and have allowed them to steal my joy....God has blessed me with this ministry in so many ways.
    posted by Joan Adams
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 8:51 am
  2. My "trick" is to buy everything according to the same color palette. I've found that when I stick to that one rule, I only buy things (on clearance) that are sure to go with what I already have, limiting impulse buys that I will never use because they don't go with anything. I embellish with twigs, berries, pinecones, dried flowers, etc. And, always add a hint of sparkle or shine with a cool ceramic bowl or sculpture.
    posted by Meg
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 9:00 am
  3. Thanks for the great ideas! It's so fun to do these things --I'm looking forward to trying some of Rene's ideas. Another money-saver -- instead of buying decorating and home magazines for ideas, just check them out from your library. No cost, and no stacks of old magazines taking up space. And most have online ideas, too.

    Another idea -- plan get-togethers back-to-back, so
    what you use for one group will last and do double-duty for another gathering, too.
    posted by Stephani Wuthnow
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 9:23 am
  4. What good ideas! Joan - I never thought of how green goes with everything. . . that gives me some new creative ideas. Green is seen everywhere the past 10+ years so one can find green, even a shade of green that works with whatever color scheme one's home is in at this time.

    I like to add a table runner (as seen in the photo) or a square of lace, set on it's points in the center of the table for an additional detail. Use the nice plates, glassware, and tableware you have from family or your wedding gifts, don't save such things for a 'special time'.

    Yes, we do sit at the table, not as often as I'd like but that seems to be common when one is in the empty next season of life. (we've asked our friends and this seems to be the consensus)

    I have been pondering for ideas for a permanent centerpiece on my large oval dining room table. It can be seen from the entry and we have repainted all our walls and in remodeling my former colors are gone and I'm working my way to a new look that welcomes guests and family to relax, stay, visit, and enjoy. It has so far been a 2 year process of empty walls, empty rooms, etc. but it will be worth it.

    I'm on vacation but when I'm home I'm going to look through all my vases, bowls, etc. and see what 'speaks' to me for the base of my new centerpiece container from which I'll change out the contents to fit the season.

    Loved all the ideas offered so far.
    www.kniteang.blogspot.com
    posted by Denise
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:37 am
  5. Love all the ideas! I love to have tea time with my friends and family and have collected many neat things through the years from garage sales. I especially like using clear glass. I can purchase clear glass dishes from any discount store. With clear dishes I can accessorize with any color. My all time favorite color is red. It's so lively! It's like Christmas year round. I bought a ton of red cloth napkins at this years Christmas clearance sale at Wal-Mart and use them for everyday. I have been surprised at how many different colors go with red. I also collect tablecloths. They can be made easily from discount fabric. I have found that if I have pretty fabric on my table the bulk of the work is done. All I have to do is add a bit of candle light and voila my table is ready. By the way, discount curtain panels work well for table toppers. At Easter I bought a package of two panels at Ross on clearance for $5 in a real springy plaid, cut them and made a topper for my table and runner for my buffet. There is no limit to the fun that can be had with a bit of creativity!
    elainerusso.blogspot.com
    posted by Elaine Russo
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:37 am
  6. Thank you for all the ideas, Paula, Rene, and ladies!

    We eat dinner as a family at our kitchen nook table all the time (no dining room), and usually eat meals there when guests come over. Lately I have just skipped even trying to do tablecloths -- just use placemats, cloth napkins, a centerpiece (fresh flowers), sometimes candles. Very little decorating.

    But I'd like to get back to making the whole thing more decorative, homey and pleasaing to the eye (as I mentioned yesterday, I'm not a natural at this, though my mom was!). Many of the ideas above are helpful and I think I'll look around for some economical tablecloths, candles, etc. -- soon! (And maybe try some of the other ideas too.) My tween daughter is very creatve and loves to decorate!

    In His love, by His grace, for His glory,
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 12:50 pm
  7. Here's something very simple we do at our house in the fall:

    We have some silk type fall leaves we purchased and put them between the plastic and the tablecloth on our table. Usually we put them out in Sept. and leave them there till after Thanksgiving. Our table gets used for many activities since we still have children at home! This way it looks pretty and can be easily cleaned.
    true woman
    posted by Carol
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 2:06 pm
  8. I was wondering if sand scratches the glass. I have always wanted to do this and put a candle inside with sand, but didn't know if the sand would etch into the glass. What do you think?
    posted by Susan
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 3:29 pm
  9. The most beautiful decorations are not what is ON the table, but WHO is around the table. Loved ones and friends and drop in guests who love the Lord and are sharing the blessings of the day is what is most important. I have a simple little decoration on my kitchen table, and I don't even have a dining room. When we eat, there is not room for the decoration. Each week during the school year I have a "Nana's Diner" for four grandsons. We use plastic placemants from Wal Mart and serve grilled cheese sandwiches. What I hope lingers in those boys' minds is what fun Nana had with them, how serious she was about good manners, and the Bible quiz that accompanied the meal. Best of all, it gave their Mom a break! That's what makes a beautiful table. The material things will burn, but the good works from a Christian prospective will be as gold, silver, and precious stones. Ladies, ladies, how in the world can you reach the hearts of simple folk, or those who only worry about bread or milk for their families if you are bent of setting a Martha Stweart table? We need many more Marys, not Marthas. True Women are gracious and share Christ around simple tables and food with families searching for Christ.
    posted by Karyl
    on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:45 pm
  10. Thanks, Karyl, for sharing your thoughts. As with everything, balance is so important when it comes to hospitality. Personally, I am not "wired" with a creative or artistic flair, and if I tried to live up to someone else's standard it would be bondage for me. However, I can appreciate the delight that a beautiful tablescape can add to a gathering, and so my sister's example stretches me to "not seek my own good, but the good of many". It may seem like an odd application of this biblical principle but it has helped me: "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31, 33.
    posted by Allison
    on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 9:32 am
  11. Hey, Susan,

    I asked Rene, and she said she's not had any bad experiences with sand scratching the glass . . .
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 10:02 am
  12. Things come and go but people will live for eternity either in heaven or hell. It is not in the things we have or can obtain that bring glory to God. It is what we are doing for others that truely bring glory to God. True women of the faith are interested in building others up in the faith not decoratiing our homes for the pleasures of others. I have a nice home with nice decorations but truely those things do not matter to God. What matters is what am I doing to help others bring more people to Christ. I think we need to think more on spiritual things then earthly things. This week one of my bus children went home to be with the Lord. I don't think it mattered to her what kind of home I lived in or how I decorated my home. I can truely say that I loved this girl even though she wasn't loved by others and through that love someone had the chance to lead her to the Lord. That to me is decorating Heaven.
    posted by debby
    on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 12:37 pm
  13. God created beauty, and since he made us in his image, he also gave us a spirit of creativity to beautify the lives of others and to reflect his glory. So many hearts can be softened in an atmosphere of simple beauty, such as Paula and the other ladies are promoting. No, it is not necessary for things to be pretty, but it helps! I'm have 10 kids, and I'm certainly on a tight budget, but I love to find thrifty ideas for decorating my home to serve my family and to enhance hospitality. Much of what I use to decorate is what we already have, things we've collected or been given over the years, including family heirlooms. It doesn't take much time or money, so I never see it as an either-or, as in "EITHER I make the house pretty OR I serve God and preach the gospel." We can do both for his glory.
    I have a blog post from last year on "Easy Autumn Decorating on a Dime."
    http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/09/easy-autumn-decorating-on-dime.html
    www.VirginiaKnowles.com
    posted by Virginia Knowles
    on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 8:47 pm
  14. Virginia,
    Your website is a blessing! I was encouraged seeing the pictures of your large family and all the love and joy the pictures convey. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
    In His love,
    posted by Leslie S.
    on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 8:26 am
  15. Thank you Virginia I feel the SAME..........it's NOT about either/ or......right or wrong.....it's all about Christ's love and SHARING it with OTHERS. I LOVE to welcome others in our home at all times from young to old, rich to poor and having our home welcoming and inviting is one of my desires. Thank you to all who have shared I have gleaned MUCH :) We have 2 teens and we try to eat together atleast 5 nights a week.......alot of times they have others to join us :) I have aquired cloth napkins over the yrs. from yardsales/ clearances/ home made and USE THEM, I think they give an added touch to ANY place setting. I also love to FOLD them in a variety of ways, I even roll them from one end to the other (diagonally) and then place them in the drinking glass EASY!! I use them overlapping diagonally on the table as a table runner ( inexpensive bandanas are cute like this too for a western or mexican theme ). I use them as a "charger" layed out as a square/diagonal under a plate to add flare and I also use them in baskets/bowls etc. It's fun to be creative and everyone likes a "napkin design" from young to old guests :) Happy Folding :) And oh yes.....I USE my china alot ....I decided even with friends / family of ALL ages what was I "waiting for " they are ALL special to me and every day that we are together is SPECIAL !!!! I didn't want to die and have my children say "mom never used these" and then they may not like them and store them in their attic ! LOL!!!!! Pressing on in His love, Trish
    posted by Trish
    on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 8:29 am
  16. I got inspired after reading this and posting my comment yesterday. I asked my 8 year old, who usually sets the table (somewhat grudgingly) to make it special and use a tablecloth and cloth napkins. She was very excited about it! We didn't use a centerpiece or any other accessories last night, but even that much made it look so much nicer. We eat at a huge laminate-top conference table that my father-in-law gave us when we moved back to Florida. It seats 10-12, so when we have company we have to set up a card table or a long folding table, too. We have coordinating cloths for these. I try to consider my sister-in-law and not use red linens when she is around, since she has a phobia associated with that color. As someone else mentioned, green goes with everything, so I use that most of all.

    Another thing we sometimes do for the table is to pick flowers from our yard -- camellias and magnolias are especially nice during their short bloom season -- and float them in crystal bowls on the table. We received a lot of nice bowls for our wedding, and this is a great way to put them to use so they aren't stuck in the cabinet all the time. You can also float a certain kind of small candles among the flowers.

    Last night, I also made a cherry/peach crisp to go along with the pretty table. The whole family was quite pleased with everything.
    VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com
    posted by VirginiaKnowles
    on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 5:40 pm
  17. Super ideas! Love it! At Christmas, I purchased some VERY beautiful Christmas ornaments for my own Christmas tree and then thought, hah, what about sharing them instead and used them to indicate places at the dinner table, and told my family they could take them home as a souvenir. My Christmas table was NOT an expensive thing - and Christmas was ......heavenly. And I think of God then, and how much he would have loved to be there (as if he wasn't :o) Keep the ideas coming - I love it. Judy (a Brit in Belgium)
    posted by Judy
    on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 12:33 pm
  18. Karyl's comment deeply touched me - how sweet it is to read that the people are the decorations round the table and how true.

    I find this such an endearing, loving statement.
    posted by judy
    on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 2:47 pm

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