Memorial Day Table Decor Ideas…..(Casual but “Grown Up”)

This table decor uses real dishes, wine glasses, silverware and linens. Nothing disposable in this one! I picked up some of the items for this particular table at arc but found some great buys at Bed Bath and Beyond that I’ve included. Hope this gives you some more ideas for Memorial Day or any time you’re celebrating. I like buying table linens and serving pieces in basic, solid colors that I can mix and match to follow a “theme” or simply use alone for a nice, clean image. Just like clothing items, when you have the basics, you can accessorize to dress it up or down.

I just bought this red tablecloth at arc that I paid $2.49 for. It had one little stain on it that I was able to get out but it was also in a place that I knew would be covered by a plate if I couldn’t get it out. I can use this everyday or tuck it  away and pull it out for patriotic holidays, or Christmas and Valentine’s Day dinners. But it’s very seldom that I find linens at the thrift stores that don’t look “used” so you can’t always run there and find what you’re looking for. *Linens are something that I check out every time I go to a thrift store or garage sale because they can really be expensive and when I find a good deal, I snatch it up. I did find this tablecloth at Bed Bath & Beyond at what I think is a great price. It’s $12.99, comes in six sizes, (all the sizes are $12.99) and five colors. A great basic tablecloth at a reasonable price.

I usually don’t put my napkins in the glasses because they can leave fibers but it looked pretty! I have a huge supply of white napkins that I always pick up whenever they are on sale because I can mix and match with my other napkins or have plenty in the same color scheme when we’re entertaining a large group. I almost never use paper napkins when we have company….even for casual fare. So when I find them on sale, again, I snatch them up. I found four blue napkins at arc that were half off so I got all four for $3.00. Don’t buy used though if you can find something new for about the same price and quality. If these hadn’t been on sale for half off that day they would have actually cost me $1.50 each. And for less than 50 cents more I found these napkins (and placements) for $1.99 each at Bed Bath & Beyond…new. And they come in four colors that would coordinate with most other colors.

I also collect napkin rings when I find good prices…and while I didn’t use them for this place setting, if I hadn’t put the napkins in the wine glasses, I would have. Again, whenever you buy basic colors and shapes, you’ll be able to use them more often. I think these clear rings are simple yet stylish and would look great with pretty much anything. And at $1.99 each, they’re affordable.

White is my favorite color for dishes. I can buy other pieces that aren’t in the same style or colors and create any kind of mood I’m going for when mixed with my white. And even though I love my thrift stores, dinner plates aren’t something I typically buy there because I find them too expensive. I like stores that carry individual pieces rather than sets because I really don’t need any more coffee cups! Bed Bath & Beyond has a great selection of individual pieces at fairly low prices so if you break a plate or bowl, you can easily replace it without buying more than you need. Love these simple plates at $4.99 each….*most dinner plates I see at the thrift stores cost $3.99 to $4.99.

Have to talk about the serving pieces that Bed Bath and Beyond also carry. I own tons of the Fitz & Floyd pieces in different shapes (in white) and use them for almost every single occasion. They are durable, come in lots of interesting shapes, and are all dishwasher safe. And while I used two blue bowls I picked up at a garage sale, I would also use these. And you can always line your bowls with colored napkins before putting chips or crackers in them to give them some added color. This bowl is $6.99 and could be used for anything from chips to salads or vegetables. Great basic serving piece.

I have wine chillers that I use when we’re serving white wines but I didn’t feel like using silver (which is what I own) so I just cleaned out this plant pot (from the dollar store), filled it with some ice and it matched my decor and keeps the wine chilled.

And even if you don’t drink wine, I think wine glasses just add a nice touch to a table. You can fill them with water and a slice of lemon or lime and your water suddenly looks “special”. I do pick up wine glasses at the thrift stores when they are half off and cost about 79 cents and serve our grandkids their drinks in them to match the adult glasses….if they get broken, no big deal. Like this set of four that Bed Bath & Beyond sells for $9.99….nothing fancy but pretty.

What a mix on the table I have….items from Bed Bath & Beyond, garage sales, dollar store, and thrift stores. But when you buy key pieces in simple styles and basic colors, you have an endless supply of ways to adorn your table.