Adding some DIY centerpieces to your spread can take your occasion up a notch. Your guests will appreciate that you put effort into the party and that you’ll have a picture-ready table that sets the tone for the whole party.
However, all the to-dos on a party planning checklist can be overwhelming. While centerpieces are not always a priority, they must not be completely forgotten, especially for occasions that include a sit-down meal. The art of the centerpiece may be forgotten, but there are quick fixes that look pretty beautiful that can change that.
Here are some easy centerpiece ideas that go beyond a simple vase with water and some flowers:
Blooms under goblets topped with votive candles
There’s no reason to keep hiding your mismatched stemware at the back of your kitchen cabinets. Place these glasswares upside down the table, tuck large blooms underneath, and top it off with colorful votives. It’s a great idea to keep the color of the candles matching with the flowers to make it pretty!
Blooms in beans
For a casual wedding, you can use tall glasses, dried pink beans and a cheap bunch of supermarket flowers. Fill each glass with a two to three-inch layer of beans, then add some tablespoons of water. Trim each flower stems to fit inside each of the tall glasses, then arrange the vases down the center of the table. After the party, you get new glasses for everyday use.
Kisses on a bowl
What centerpiece would be simple, easy, attractive, and exciting for the guests? A bowl filled with candy! Depending on the occasion and color theme for the party, fill a large footed bowl with Hershey’s kisses in the color of your choice: red (which is great for a Valentine’s or Christmas party), blue, pink or the classic silver.
Swirl lollipops in a bucket
Make your Fourth of July party sweet with a lollipop centerpiece. Get a white pail and fill it with dry sand, then let the blue and red pinwheel lollipops stand steadily on top. After the party, let guests pick the lollipops to take home as a party favor.
Water lilies
Thinking about how you can make a centerpiece made of flowers without needing a vase? Use fake water lilies and place them on top of a turquoise table runner placed at the center of the table. Complete the look with white candles if the party is an evening affair.
Citrus centerpiece
For a festive summer centerpiece, pair smooth lemons with smaller, textured nuts in their shells for a compelling composition. Insert some faux olive leaves for a green effect. Show it off in a glass fruit bowl with a pedestal.
Daisy toppers on apples
Bring a splash of red on your spring luncheon table with bright red apples topped with daisies attached to the apple stems. Display them on a cake stand. You may want to use real apples and real daisies if you want to.
Eucalyptus planter
Line up these eucalyptus planter boxes at the center of the table for a rustic, farmhouse, or minimalist party. These plants don’t look fake, and they can make a great home décor for your home after everyone’s gone.
Rustic mason jars in wooden trays
If you don’t want to DIY a centerpiece for a rustic soiree, you can simply buy beautiful, ready-made rustic centerpieces. Use this one with creamy yellow blooms or this farmhouse table décor for your Thanksgiving party.
Decorative lanterns
Use beautiful decorative lanterns as centerpieces and add a candle to set a romantic mood. Drape and wrap around floral garland to complete the look. This is great for weddings and special occasions when you like to create an upscale, romantic, yet simple tablescape.
Succulent geometric terrarium
Who doesn’t love succulents? These hardy plants make a great decoration inside the home and especially on dining tables. Line up this trio of faux succulents in geometric glass terrariums to add a chic and modern touch to your table setting. The gold detailing and geometric shapes will make the fake plants pop. You may want to lay down an olive artificial vine at the center of the table to complement the cacti.
Flowers and sand
Flowers and sand in glass make a simply gorgeous centerpiece. You can easily use fresh flowers if you like. Simply use a wide-mouthed glass vase, fill it half with sand, then top it with flower heads. Pair it with clear votive candles for a romantic touch.
Wooden lantern
A wooden lantern can add a classic elegance to your dinner table. The beaded details and top knob finials in this lantern make it interesting. Add candles on this lantern, and all is set! Keep this lantern and paint it for next year’s event to make a whole new look!
Sparkling mason jar
Mason jars are popular and versatile decorative items – and they’re super functional, too. Get some aqua mason jars and add some glue and glitter to make them sparkle. Place real or fake flowers for you to have a centerpiece that’s cheap but looks high-end.
Paper lanterns
Paper is inexpensive. But when you add some pretty floral cutouts to it and roll it in a tube shape, glue it together and insert an LED candle inside, it makes a beautiful lantern. You can let your imagination run wild by choosing specific colors that match your style.
Beach-inspired mason jar
For a beach-themed or summery soiree, a DIY centerpiece made of mason jars and beach glass is perfect. Gather some beach glass or faux shells and glue them on mason jars. Then, top it off with a ribbon or twine bow. You can put flowers or LED candles inside the jar, depending on the time of the party. Put flowers if it’s a brunch, lunch, or afternoon party, but put candles if it’s an evening celebration.
Garland greenery with gold taper candles
Line up a green, leafy garland as your table runner on a plain white tablecloth, and pair it with gold candle holders with taper candles. It makes a simple yet elegant table setting that doesn’t require you to break the bank.
Enchanted rose
Are you a fan of Beauty and the Beast? If so, the enchanted rose has always intrigued you. Add it as a décor to your party with this rose in a dome with fairy lights. It will surely add a romantic touch to your dinner table.
Colorful honeycomb balls
Honeycombs are back in style. While they are typically hung from the ceiling as a party decoration, but you can be more creative than that. Buy a set of honeycomb balls and make a pile of them at the center of your table.
Charcuterie centerpiece
Suppose you’re a practical party host who doesn’t want to bother with decorative centerpieces that may get in the way of conversation and handling of food to one another. In that case, a charcuterie centerpiece is best for you. Since you’re already having a party, use the appetizer as part of the décor. Start with two long wooden trays and make an appealing display of cheese, meats, grapes, nuts, crackers, and dried apricots. Completely fill the trays for the best effect.