This February, put the materialist mementos aside in favour of something totally romantic and create the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner with the perfect table setting.

OK, so maybe you’re not the perfect cook, but creating the ideal tablescape will camouflage any culinary limitations you may have and show your beloved just how much you care. This month I’m going to give you some tips on how to set the scene for three different tables, all sure to fill the room with romance and seduction! 

Any polished table setting begins with a crisp white tablecloth. Remember a white under layer can take you a long way, no matter what kind of table you are setting. Invest in a high-quality tablecloth, as it provides the perfect backdrop for your fabulous tableware (and don't forget to give it a quick press to iron out the package-induced creases if it’s a new purchase).

Black and White
How about doing something a little different for your Valentine’s Day table? Everyone is so used to doing the same old red-and-white theme, why not mix it up and get a little crazy. A bold black-and-white setting is perfect—it’s modern and fun, especially when you throw in hints of shiny surfaces such as chrome and glass.

As always, fresh flowers are a must, so make sure you save some money in your shopping budget for a fabulous all-white flower arrangement. It will definitely earn you points and knock your partner’s socks off.  Make it grand and over-scaled to give you some impressive impact. Add some fun patterns to the mix with your table-runner or napkins. Try bold damasks or floral patterns again, in black and white to add some pizzazz to your table.

Turquoise and Silver
A cool palette of turquoise, silver and white is classic and a great colour combination for those willing to take a risk. But remember to keep the look minimal. Let the chemistry between your partner and yourself do the talking—not the colours.
You may add the turquoise hit of hue via flowers for your centrepiece. For this scheme a great flower choice is a hydrangea. A big cluster will provide you the perfect burst of boldness. Everything else should be kept simple. Lots of clear glass and white accents work well. To maximize the effect, dinnerware should be all white with silver touches, if need be. You also can introduce colour via chargers in silver or turquoise.

Ravishing Red
For those who can’t veer away from the traditional red of Valentine’s Day, crimson is the way to go. You can go all out with this choice of setting—the more the better! Break up the look with hints of white, or even gold. And don’t be afraid to bring fun patterns into the ravishing red mix with napkins, dishes or even funky placemats. This is a great way to keep it interesting and fresh.

Roses, the traditional Valentine’s Day stems, are the perfect element to bring in a gorgeous red and can also be used in non-traditional ways. Try using three smaller arrangements, each with a cluster of roses, and again, play with scale with the use of varied heights of vases. You can easily create this look on your own with grocery-store-bought flowers and a little imagination.

Creating the perfect table setting for a romantic dinner will set the mood for a night of romance and go far in showing your mate you appreciate them. To save some of the stress on your heart and wallet, use pieces you already have in your home and throw in a few fun additions with love. A homemade helping of your partner’s favourite food (or perhaps a catered meal!) will go a long way in making your special someone’s heart skip a beat!
Happy Valentine’s Day and happy decorating!