How to Set a Dining Table Using Black Plates

When hosting a dinner party, part of the fun is decorating the table to match your mood, the menu or the occasion. Although it is rare, some hosts choose to set their table with black plates. This can add a dramatic flair or a gloomy effect, depending on the other colors used. Bright or light shades complement black well. Remember that your other dishes are not the only items with color at the table; the shade of the food also has an effect. Light-colored foods such as chicken, rice, potatoes, rolls, cauliflower, white cake and vanilla ice cream will complement your decor. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Determine the occasion for the dinner setting. The colors you use to complement the black plates will vary depending on the occasion. For example, if the occasion is formal, silver accents and highlights will make the black seem elegant. If the occasion is a holiday such as Halloween, orange accents will make the black seem festive. Likewise, if the occasion is Christmas, red accents will make the black seem cheerful.

2

Choose your accent color. No matter the occasion, do not choose a color that is dark. Browns, dark blues and dark greens will make the table seem gloomy and may affect the presentation of the food. Choose bright colors such as yellow, light blue, red, pink, violet, orange and white.

3

Purchase your tablecloth and centerpiece. Once again, these should complement the color scheme you will have at your table, such as silver for an anniversary or graduation, orange for Halloween or red for the winter holidays. The tablecloth and centerpiece shouldn't be too dark, otherwise the plates won't stand out.

4

Arrange the plates. Put a plate in front of each chair at the table. If you are having a multicourse meal, place the appetizer plates as well. Depending on the formality of the meal, you can either place a "charger," or place-holding, plate underneath the appetizer plate, or you can place the appetizer plate directly on top of the dinner plate. If the dinner plate is black, make sure the appetizer plate is your complementary color, and vice versa. Both plates should not be the same color.

5

Set your flatware and napkins. Flatware is traditionally silver or gold in color, unless you're using plastic. Forks go on the left and spoons and knives are placed on the right, in order of their use. For example, if you're having soup as an appetizer, the spoon should be closest to the guest's hand. However if you're having salad as an appetizer and ice cream for dessert, the knife should be closest to the guest's hand. Napkins are traditionally white, although they can be purchased in whatever color best suits your decor, depending on the occasion you're celebrating. For example, orange napkins would go well with your black plates if you're decorating for Halloween. If you're folding the napkin, place it on top of the black dinner plate. If you're laying it flat, put underneath the flatware on the right side.

6

Arrange your glasses. If multiple drinks will be served, glasses should be arranged in the order they will be used, with the outermost glass to be used first. Wine glasses should be set at the tip of the knife on the right side of the guest. You can either use clear glassware or purchase glassware that has been tinted to match your complementary color --- for example, red glassware for Christmas or silver glassware for your wedding anniversary.