The Decoration You Didn’t Know You Needed

Whether you are house cleaning on an ordinary day or setting up a holiday party, there is a decorating staple you might not have or may not have thought much about. It is a clean canvas, ready for bursts of bright colors, soft murmurs of pastels, or deep, elegant tones.

It will pull a room together in moments, and with a little help, will take a room from bland to beautiful in less than an hour, sometimes as little as 15 minutes. It’s fresh, clean, crisp, and yet works with the richest, most vibrant décor. What item could possibly do all of that? Read on to find out!

The decorating staple above is nothing more than a simple white tablecloth. There’s a reason that all party planners have these in their arsenal: they are classic and incredibly versatile, going from one look to another effortlessly.

The key to working a white tablecloth is starting with a clean room (don't be too shy to call a maid service!) using accessories. Table runners, candles, placemats, cloths, flowers, centerpieces, place settings—these can all be used to dazzling effect.

Remember to keep your other colors related so they blend together well, using the white as a base and building on it. Any color will burst against the white, but stick with one idea. For a simple, elegant look, go more monochromatic, sticking with colors very close to each other. For a more vibrant appeal, try complementary colors that go well together. If you’ve never used a color wheel, it’s a great time to take a look at one!

If you need some ideas, check out these bloggers and their chic, pulled together tables that all use a white tablecloth as a base:

• Christmas Tablescape
• White Tablecloth with Burlap Runner
• Red Overlay on White Tablecloth