The Effortless Table Setting Hack For Looking Bougie On A Budget

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Sometimes, in life, appearances are actually what count. Beauty may be only skin deep, but setting an elegant table flips the axiom on its head – a humble meal that's exceptionally well-presented will taste better, look nicer, and wow your dinner guests more than even the finest French repast served on flimsy Chinet. Does this necessarily mean that you need to blow your proverbial wad on expensive plates to present a luxurious image at your dining table? Au contraire! We're huge fans of balling on a budget, and setting your table need not be an exception. All you need to do is stack some plates.

It sounds ridiculously elementary, but making an aesthetic plate stack of perhaps three or four dishes layered largest to smallest will elevate your table settings, both literally and visually. The stacked look calls to mind haute dining experiences where dishes are tiered atop gilded chargers, but you needn't shell out on bespoke china to make this vibe work for you. We previously covered budget dinnerware sets that can add a pop of color to your meal, and even Dollar Tree has been known to show out with turquoise dinner plates that make for beautiful table settings. All you need are plates that look expensive and elegant. Take, for example, this set of six dinner plates that calls to mind the luxury of French toile without the price tag of real porcelain. Nice, right? For even better deals, check out thrift stores for gently-used full sets from grandmothers that have passed, or scope out Facebook Marketplace for folks decluttering and looking to part with their collections. It's very realistic to score gorgeous plates for a low price, especially if you are willing to mix and match patterns.

One main "rule" to keep in mind when it comes to crafting a lovely but also functional tablescape with stacked plates is to not overdo things. Overcrowding is a beginner table setting mistake when it comes to utensils, and plate stackers are capable of falling victim to similar, detrimental levels of excess. If you stack your plates too high, not only do you risk your place settings looking ridiculous, but you also lose practical usage by risking plates slip-sliding around on one another or, worse, toppling when eaten from.

If you are mixing and matching plates, one easy way to ensure that your settings look intentional together and not like a hodgepodge is to select one unifying color and follow that thread through all your different plates. It's totally possible to lay florals, stripes, solids, and patterns all on the same table and to swap chargers and side plates within settings, as long as you stick to a colorway that unites them all. For the cleanest effect, match your napkins and the other elements of your table setting to this main color.

If you will be serving multiple courses, you should make sure you have at least one plate for each course. With that said, don't be afraid of stacking just for the joy of appearances! Consider more than just the colors of your plates, such as the weight or materials that compose your dishes. Plastic, for instance, shouldn't be mixed with stoneware — it will look mismatched and wrong. Successful plate stacking is more about careful consideration than budget, meaning that home cooks of almost any means can enjoy this hack.