Dining out in Singapore is on hold for now, but here’s how to make at-home meals special
1. Use placemats or table runners
Not only do placemats and table runners protect table surfaces against food stains, water marks, scratches and heat damage, they also add pops of visual detail and personality to your dining space. You can change the look of your table setting night to night, choosing woven textures for a casual, trendy feel, or floral printed ones for something more elevated. Leaning towards the latter are the table runners from Onlewo. Whether you go for the Singa Flore or the Peranakan Floral Tile, the brightly coloured patterns add a touch of tropical formality.
2. Set your table
Turn a humdrum weeknight meal into an occasion by simply setting the table. Meticulous place settings influence the overall appearance of the food served and arguably make the meal more appetising. Hence, tableware is incredibly important. Try laying out your table with this elegant dinner ware set from Luzerne that sports striking modern graphics. The set comes with four dinner plates, four side plates, four mugs and four bowls. Tucking into your meal never looked so pretty.
3. Brighten it up
Maybe you think place settings are a touch too formal for your household, but injecting a dose of colour in small and simple ways lightens things up. Take this vibrant set of Photo Phactory coasters resembling Peranakan tiles, or this set that’s inspired by rows of shophouses. They are traditional yet eye-catching, thanks to their vivid hue. Placed around the table, they are sure to add a pleasing pop of colour even if you’re going for an otherwise monochrome theme.
4. A pot of tea makes a difference
You don’t need a bunch of guests to serve tea in style. Gather around your household members and pull out the Lazy Pour Glass Teapot from Teaspec. Simply put tea leaves in the infuser and add hot water – you’ll get a perfectly brewed cup of tea within minutes. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you could even serve cute little pastries in tiered trays!
5. Serve to impress
For that cool restaurant or café feeling, serve your drinks on a pretty tray. An ornate one like this Cirebon Cloud Tea Tray from Forbidden Hill sports Chinese influences and comes in a gorgeous teal and indigo finish, giving off a stately vibe. If teal is not your preference, there’s also the beautiful Harmony Koi Tea Tray that comes in a forest green shade and features the koi for good fortune.
6. Don’t forget the final touches
Flower vases can be a lovely decorative centrepiece for your table. You can play around with the look by putting vases of different heights and similar shades in the centre. Alternatively, arrange bright blooms in three or four vases that have been lined in a row. You can also go minimalist and place a single stalk in a gorgeous Échasse Vase with brushed brass legs from MENU to channel a calming, serene atmosphere, or if you wish to support a cause, get a gold rimmed glass bottle vase from The Art Faculty which is designed by Li Jie, an artist with autism.
SEE ALSO: Ways to spruce up your home office
This article was originally published on 5 June 2020 and updated on 19 May 2021.
