I love a pretty tablescape, but, because of both budget and space, I don’t own a lot of different dishes. I have one basic set of square blue plates that we’ve used for every meal for the past 12 years. By getting a little creative and mixing in some of my inexpensive outdoor servingware, I was able to turn those dark navy plates into a bright and fresh spring table setting that is perfect for an Easter brunch.
Today I’ve joined with some of my blogging friends to show you our favorite ways to create simple spring and Easter inspired tablescapes by shopping your own home! Be sure to check out all the links at the end of this post for more gorgeously budget-friendly tables!
I’ve been swooning over springy, pastel dishes in all the stores lately…pretty much the opposite of our dark, square dinner plates. But I just can’t bring myself to buy new dishes for each season, and even if I wanted to, I really don’t have room for them in our already jam packed cabinets.
Instead, I started digging around to see what I could come up with to brighten up our table for spring. I grabbed out the inexpensive teal plastic plates that we use for barbecues, as well as our outdoor flatware, and the acrylic tumblers {affiliate link} that we use for on the patio. Teal is one of my favorite colors, and feels perfect for spring, so I was off to a good start. Don’t be afraid to mix in some of your outdoor dinnerware when setting your indoor dining table.
Next, I decided to add the set of inexpensive glass salad plates {affiliate link} that purchased back in the fall. I justified the purchase for my Thanksgiving table because I knew that I could use clear glass plates for any season or holiday. To brighten up my spring table plans, I decided to employ the same trick that I used for Thanksgiving, by adding a colorful piece of scrapbook paper below each glass salad plate.
I traced the bottom center of the plates onto four different colors of gold-flecked scrapbook paper…
…then quickly cut out the circles.
I stacked my teal patio plates on top of my square, navy dishes, and then layered each scrapbook paper circle below one of the glass plates, and voila! A totally new table setting look using items I already had on hand.
Last spring, I placed seven Pellegrino bottles down the center of my kitchen table, with one tall stem of faux cherry blossoms in each, and it was love at first sight! These upcycled vases added the height I wanted for a center piece, and had the perfect pop of color. I considered switching it up and doing something different this year, but I just couldn’t do it. I wanted to see those green bottle vases and pink flowers lining my table again this year! Here are 13 other household items that can be repurposed as beautiful vases for spring.
I used to think I had to choose between a tablecloth, a table runner, and placemats, but I’ve realized that I can mix and match them for a more layered and finished table. Mixing and matching also allows you to create lots of different table looks from just a few key pieces. For spring, I combined my teal placemats with my striped table runner {affiliate links}.
I’m so happy with how my spring table came together, and the fact that I didn’t have to buy anything new to pull it off. Here’s a summary of those four tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to mix in some of your outdoor dinnerware when setting your indoor dining table
2. Add a colorful scrapbook paper below clear glass salad plates to give your table a new look for each season
3. Repurpose household items, such as bottles, to create unique and free vases for real or fake flowers
4. Mix and match tablecloths, runners, and placemats, to create lots of different table looks
With the pretty pastel colored scrapbook paper below the salad plates and the pink cherry blossoms, my table is now ready for Easter brunch!
Check out all of these other gorgeous spring tables with more budget friendly tips…
AND FOUR MORE COMING TOMORROW:
Now that you’ve got lots of inspiration to set a simple but beautiful spring table, you can head over to my other post of the morning for a collection of favorite recipes that are perfect for Easter Brunch!
Denise Greenwood says
Such a pretty table Angela! Those green bottles and pink stems are the icing on the cake! Such a statement!
Lindsay Eidahl from My Creative Days says
This is gorgeous!!!! I love it so much!!!
Craftivity Designs says
I remember your paper and clear plate tip from Thanksgiving — and it is just such a smart idea!! Love the bottles as a centerpiece.
Michelle James says
I fell in love with your gorgeous tablescape & great minds think alike on the water bottles! Isn't it fun to repurpose things. I am going to copy your glass plate idea. That's awesome!!
Michelle James says
I am swooning over your gorgeous tablescape! What a great way to update the glass plates. I'm going to borrow that idea!! Great minds think alike with the water bottles-I used them too!
Amanda says
Oh my goodness! I love how you used the Pellegrino bottles with the pink flowers! Gorgeous!!
At Home With Zan says
That is such a creative idea to use the paper on clear plates. It's hard not to want to buy every colorful plate each season. But after using our white ones over and over, I picked up a few salad plates on clearance. The flowers in the bottles are gorgeous!
Jenn @ Loveland Lodge says
Love this! The bottles are perfect with the pink branches, and love the layering you did with the plates and scrapbook paper!