How to Create a Beautiful {Easy and Cheap} Red White and Blue Tablescape
Independence Day is coming up fast, which means an opportunity to pull out the red white and blue again! It’s my favorite time of year to get together with family and friends and celebrate the birth of this fantastic country.
Usually, our entire family (all 20+ of us!) spend the holiday at my mother and father-in-law’s home, swimming, stuffing ourselves with pie, burgers, playing corn hole and enjoying the day together. Even though we don’t spend the day at our home, it’s always fun for me to put together a table we can all enjoy before the big day, so you know I was excited to be invited to participate in a Red White and Blue Tablescape Blog Hop, hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate.
If you’re anything like me, you probably love the look of a beautiful, 4th of July Patriotic tablescape, but don’t want to spend a whole lot of money or time putting one together. I feel the same way and thought I’d share a few ideas with you that I use, such as shopping my own home, hitting the dollar store and throwing together a few easy DIYs, such as these adorable cutlery pouches with printable labels. If you like them, download the tags for free by clicking here.
How to Create a Beautiful {Easy and Cheap} Red White and Blue Tablescape
Decide on a Color Scheme
This is an easy one for a patriotic table in America – red white and blue – but in your corner of the world, it might be different. Here, I stuck with traditional colors and patterns but used muted tones and natural fabrics to tone everything down. Having too much of a good thing is possible! I left the table natural, which I often do, and went with an everyday burlap table runner, which kept my cheap inexpensive accents from looking too kitschy.
Shop both your home and the dollar store for items that can be reused and repurposed
Balloon weights and star garden stakes from the dollar store work perfectly together to create an indoor fireworks place card.
Pair everyday dinnerware with decorative salad plates or colorful napkins to fit your theme
If you follow me at all, you’ll know that I often use our basic white stoneware for tablescapes – I LOVE looking back at all the different ways I’ve been able to use them!
In this case, I decided to change up my chargers and gave gold, dollar tree chargers a quick Kate Spade-inspired makeover with spray paint and acrylic paint dots. The dots add another dimension to the all-white place setting.
The napkins are cotton tea towels found in the Target dollar aisle – don’t be afraid to mix and match and to use things different than intended.
Use food as decor
You’ll serve food at your party, so, why not use that food as decor – it’s inexpensive, practical and gorgeous!
A simple punch made of ginger ale and frozen berries served in a mason jar jug adds color and texture.
Cupcakes in red polka-dotted liners and rocket ice pops in shaved ice are perfect desserts and table accents!
Are you serving food that isn’t in your color scheme? Try serving your hot dogs, fries, and corn on the cob in red check wax paper to rectify that situation instantly!
Mix and match patterns for a fun, eclectic look
Stripes, dots, stars all go together to create a fun, eclectic look. To make this work, be sure your colors are cohesive.
In short:
- Decide on a color scheme
- Shop both your home and the dollar store for items that can be reused and repurposed
- Use everyday dinnerware, but add salad plates or colorful napkins to fit your theme
- Use food as decor
- Mix and match patterns for a fun, eclectic look
That’s it! I’d love to know your favorite tips for entertaining. Do you use disposable supplies (perfectly acceptable!) or do you throw a few things together and hope that it turns out (like I do!)
Don'[t foreget to download the Red White and Blue Labels for free by clicking here! Have a great July 4th!.
I’m all about easy and inexpensive so here are a few more ideas for you!
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- Red, White and Blue Sangria
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- Patriotic Swag Wreath
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- Vintage 4th of July Porch
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- Red, White and Blue Triffle
Monday
Home is Where the Boat Is | Red Cottage Chronicles | Belle Bleu Interiors | A Casa di Bianca
Tuesday
Corner of Plaid & Paisley | Everyday Living | Life and Linda | Knock it Off Kim
Wednesday
At Home with Jemma | The Painted Apron | Living With Thanksgiving | Our Crafty Mom
Thursday
PMQ For Two | Debbee’s Buzz | Camelot Art Creations | Celebrate & Decorate
Friday
Around My Table | Blue Sky at Home | My French Twist | Me and My Captain
Kim, your tips are inspiring and useful. Where did you find the red check wax paper? I rarely take the time to browse the isles.
I also like to decorate with food that will be used. At this stage of life I don’t have room for storing anymore holiday decorations and dishes.
Have a happy holiday with family. Your celebration sounds wonderful.
Your table is so creative, and I love that you’ve done it in such a thrifty way! I agree, food makes great decor and is so visually appealing! Your 4th sounds just perfect, have fun!
Your table sure looks like the party has begun!! Your food photos have me drooling!! You have certainly created a fun table very resourcefully.
I hope you have a wonderful 4th with your family!!
Kim, you have given us some wonderful tips. Your table looks so pretty and festive! My children would love it! The food looks yummy! I hope that you and your family have a Happy 4th of July!!! Shannon@ Belle Bleu Interiors
Yum Yum! I want to sit at your table and eat as well as enjoy your festive look. Kim, you are so talented with this tablescape. Very resourceful.
Kari@meandmycaptain
Kim,
What a darling table and the food looks so wonderful too! Everything is so festive, happy and brings back a bit of nostalgia too.
Jemma
Hi Kim, what a cute table! I especially enjoyed seeing all the patriotic foods and beverages sure to please all.
Love all your festive details and table for celebrating the red, white & blue! The Target Dollar Spot is one of favorite places to shop for seasonal goodies, you never know what you’ll run across. The flatware paper sleeves with your ‘1776’ stickers are super cute too!
Kim you did a great job – one of my favorites. I’m always drawn to simple stripes and polka dots, and I love how that runner adds a rustic flavor. You are very talented!
Hi Kim, what a fun and festive table for a 4th of July celebration! Food plays double duty as decor and of course, the obvious! Thank you for the great tips. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you. Have a Happy Independence Day!
How fun your table is Kim! You are right about those balloon weights looking like exploding firecrackers! Your blue hydrangea blossoms make a perfect centerpiece! Your delicious food has me hungry even though it is just 11 in the morning! YUM! Thank you so much for joining us for another hop! Happy 4th!
Kim, I’d be delighted to dine at your patriotic table. The decor is spot on, and the food has me wanting to pull up a chair NOW. Thanks for sharing and Happy 4th of July!
Girl! What a cute little gathering. I love the idea of decorating with food in appropriate colours, and those rocket pops sure do the trick! Happy 4th.
Thanks for the tips and aren’t dollar stores wonderful! I also like to use food as decor on my tables and you have a great mix here. Enjoy the holiday!
You totally knocked it out of the park Kim! I love everything right down to the delicious menu you are serving! Great job!
What a festive tablescape for the 4th!!
The menu is perfect!
Kim, great tips and ideas. Burlap is a natural background for so many design ideas. Love the dish towels as napkins. You are so right about using food as decor. Your dinner looks delicious!
Perfect tips and beautiful arrangement, Kim! Happy 4th of July!
That is some incredibly beautiful work! I am so inspired and got some great ideas. Thanks a lot for sharing.