Designers Reveal the Chicest 2026 Table Decor Trends to Know For Your Most Stylish New Year Dinner Parties
Your guide to the latest colors, patterns, and decorative flourishes guaranteed to level up your hosting game in the year ahead
Hosting revolves around the dining table, and color, pattern, and texture lie at the center of the key table decor trends for 2026. Interior designers, party planners, and style experts are increasingly blurring the boundaries between styling and hosting, and I'm coming to learn that how I host is just as much about decorating the food and entertainment.
'Whether you’re hosting a casual weekend lunch or a formal dinner, creating a memorable tablescape recognises the importance of that moment,' agrees Ken Fulk. The renowned interior designer (and consummate host) has worked his magic on the London, Miami, and Las Vegas outposts of cult restaurant Carbone plus many other restaurants across San Francisco and New York. 'Guests recognise the effort, so it’s always worth beautifying their experience.'
1. Stripes on Stripes
Decorating with stripes, whether in nautical shades of blue or classic red have been an enduring staple of tablescapes in spring and summer, but more vibrant designs are coming to a table near you. 'Stripes are timeless, but seeing them in unexpected colors feels invigorating and exciting,' reflects Ken Fulk. 'It speaks to the fact that more of us are happy to go beyond what’s traditional, and this reflects a sense of newness as we head into 2026.'
For a striped tablescape that ticks the trend box, opt for vibrant candy-inspired shades, like bubblegum pink, citrus yellow, and pistachio green – try Summerill & Bishop for options in luxury linen. 'It’s all about amplifying the innate sense of joy that stripes bring into a space,' says Ken. 'Who isn’t drawn to exciting colors?'
Don’t be afraid to layer different stripes together. To make your place settings dynamic, either combine different colors, or contrast the direction of your stripes (horizontal for your tablecloth, but vertical for your napkins, for example). Do remember, though, that the result should feel charming rather than chaotic.
These playful napkins are available in six different colorways. Why not mix and match for a bold and vibrant look?
These tumblers are hand-crafted in Italy with colorful streams of glass and come in an array of different shades to suit your decor.
Create instant wow-factor with a two-tone tablecloth. Hawkins New York's Essential Striped Table Linens at Lulu & Georgia come in six colorways to suit your decor.
2. Watercolor Washing
Bold hues will continue to have their place in 2026, but less saturated tones are also emerging as a key table decor trend. This look is less about creating a rainbow vibe on your table and more about curating a display of various gentle tones, as the coral and blue tablescape (designed by Destination Occasions) shown above does so beautifully – think pretty rather than playful.
'In this project, this tablescape incorporates the pinks and oranges of the sunset and the blue tones of the sea,' explains Aimee Monihan, founder of Destination Occasions. 'The color choices reflect the hues in the surrounding nature, and choosing lighter versions of them is not only on trend but also plays off the ambiance of the local setting.'
Layer delicately tinted glassware (like this set of Isadora wine glasses from Anthropologie), hand-finished porcelain, and tonal linens at each place setting: if you buy colorful sets, you’ll have endless combinations to mix and match. Keeping your palette tight will emphasize a sense of serenity – lighter and darker shades work well together, but stick to two (or three, maximum) overall color families.
These delicately-hued napkins are handcrafted by indigenous women in India. They lend a subtle hint of color to a toned-down tablescape.
These playful pieces will transform seasoning into a stylish moment in MacKenzie Childs' statement check print.
Add delicate texture and gentle color with these glasses, which prove that fall's amber glassware trend isn't going anywhere.
3. Tartan, All the Time
Plaid place settings might be everywhere during the holiday season (2025’s Ralph Lauren tableware trend is a case in point), but this traditional pattern is now expected to pop up on tables well beyond winter. The tartan decor trend explored in the image shown here, for example, is styled for an early spring party in the grounds of the Balcarres Estate in Scotland.
'This is part of a wider move toward heritage designs, reimagined in a much more modern and elevated way,' believe David and Sarah Ross, co-founders of tableware brand Addison Ross. 'The key is to allow the pattern to take center stage, balancing it with refined finishes such as lacquered surfaces (a micro trend from the start of 2025), polished metals, and contemporary tableware.'
'When styled thoughtfully, it works beautifully all year,' the pair advise. 'In spring and summer, it’s all about lightening the look with fresh foliage and simple floral arrangements. Opt for pink or sage linens, for example, rather than deep burgundy tones, and add plenty of pale accents to add a lighter touch.'
Bring some Scottish tradition to the table with these napkins, which are twill-woven from sustainably sourced cotton and linen. There's coordinating dinnerware, too.
Made from pure linen, these tartan placemats are available in multiple different plaids.
These bold red platters in varying shapes and sizes of check pattern, will become the focal point of any tartan tablescape.
4. Ruffles, Frills and Flounces
Minimalists look away now: decorative trims are a key 2026 table decor trend. 'They’re very much having a resurgence on the table as people are loving softer, more traditional styles in interior design more generally,' believes interiors consultant, Alice Palmer, who is a key advocate of the look.
For the ‘more is more’ effect, combine frilled napkins with frilled placemats (like these ruffle placemats by Damson Madder at Anthropologie) on top of a frilled tablecloth. More cautious? What’s wonderful about this trend is that incorporating just one of these can create lots of impact – a ruffled napkin can take center stage by adding personality and a sense of movement to an otherwise starched place setting.
Don’t worry about being too matchy-matchy: the look, after all, is a playful one. 'Ruffles work just as well as a flourish on plain fabrics as they do on more layered, patterned designs,' says Alice. 'Overall, they add interest in a way a simple hem just doesn’t.'
Combine two trends in one with these stripy, frill-edged placemats, which are just the right side of kitsch to feel modern and fresh.
This ruffled cloth is designed especially for round tables making it a perfect way to elevate meaningful mealtimes.
This playful napkin is available in pale blue or pastel pink to suit your preference – we're liking this cool, coastal blue for the new year.
5. Florals, But Keep it Seasonal
Florals and botanical prints are an enduring table decor trend, but what’s new for 2026 is the equal prominence of leaf beside bloom. 'They bring joy and invite guests to open their imaginations,' muses Summerill & Bishop’s creative director Seb Bishop. 'The combination cleverly awakens the senses and prompts a response from guests, which is exactly what you want to do – get people talking.'
One clever bonus of this tablescaping trend is that it can shift and grow. 'Each season has its own story with something beautiful to offer,' agrees Seb. 'Whether roses for late spring or dahlias for first frost, you can create a table for every moment in any season.' Layer floral-patterned linens atop botanical porcelain (like these Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates from Bloomingdale's), or weave fresh sprigs of foliage through flowery napkin rings.
'If you want to go one step further, combine sight and scent,' instructs Seb. 'I often like to use sprigs of silver-leafed lavender to adorn place settings in spring and summer and in winter dry and press leaves from London Plane trees to use instead of place cards.'
These delicate floral napkins are perfect for spring and summer tables – add fresh foliage for a natural touch.
Give your wine a botanical flourish with these glasses adorned with Portmeirion's classic patterns.
These plates are hand-painted by a female-owned company in Portugal.
6. Modern Eclecticism
A mix of different colors, patterns, and styles might have seemed visually confusing not so long ago, but the rulebook has been thrown out for this addition to 2026’s table decor trends. 'A beautifully dressed table elevates everyday meals into a special occasion, and the layered look is now key,' agrees interior designer Kit Kemp. 'When you allow unexpected elements to sit together, the effect becomes both eclectic and harmonious, full of charm and surprise.'
'Start with a strong base color,' Kit advises. 'Here, the confident green tablecloth sets the tone and is contrasted with the reds and yellows on our upholstered dining chairs. These colors reappear in small touches on the edges of placemats and on napkins to anchor the entire scheme.' Be experimental with other elements, too. 'Play with scale and texture,' says Kit. 'Pair these colors and bold patterns with woven baskets, for example, or delicate glassware.'
How to make sure the look stays eclectic rather than excessive? Don’t just layer additional pieces onto the table that don’t need to be there: if your decorative pieces are useful, they’ll fit right in.
Give your table instant color, pattern, and texture with these bold print napkins which bring warmth and energy.
A textural addition that brings an organic look to each place setting. We love the scalloped edge, too for a pretty twist.
A table runner is the perfect way to set your base color for your tablescape. Start with that and build your look from there.
7. Artisanal Textures
One of the most surprising table decor trends? Making place settings that are all about texture and touch rather than just aesthetics. 'We’re noticing a definite shift toward tablescapes where artistic structures, tactile layers, and organic elements really stand out,' notes Katie Webb Brundige from Intertwined Events.
'The recent announcement of Pantone’s Color of the Year really marks this, and we think Cloud Dancer defines the soft, neutral mood,' the pair explain. 'Airy neutrals work beside natural materials like dried stems and grasses to offer texture, interesting visual layers, and subtle tonal variation on the tabletop.'
If you’re starting with a rustic or distressed wooden tabletop, you’re in luck. Glazed porcelain plates and recycled glassware are the ideal building blocks for the look, and look elevated when softened with stubby linen napkins, like these over-sized napkins from Pottery Barn, and thoughtful finishing touches like placecards or personalized menus. Candles, floral displays, and other handcrafted details will make the look special and considered.
Use these glasses for wine or cocktails to give your drinks a rustic touch.
This cloth will instantly give your tablescape a relaxed textural backdrop.
A textural floral arrangement to add height, movement, and beauty to your table.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd for a formal lunch or simply setting a table for two on the weekend, there’s no reason not to make it special by tapping into 2026’s table decor trends. Need more inspiration? Learn why the smart set is lusting after vintage colored glassware or discover our pick of the best seasonal recipes to cook up a storm at your next gathering.
