Valentine's Dinner Table Setting Ideas

The excuse to wine and dine your favorite person is why Valentine’s Day continues to withstand the test of time and prove the cynics wrong. The allure of romance, passion, and intimacy is always celebration-worthy, which is why this holiday can make even the most cynical person capitulate into getting a little fancy for the one they fancy. And, just like any holiday, a special occasion is as much about what you make it as well as which parts of a tradition you choose to forgo if it doesn’t spark joy. 

With no further ado, let us propose some of our favorite ideas for setting the table for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Pick the Vibe

Like all good design projects, it’s best to start with the end in mind. In the case of ideas for Valentines Day table settings and other decorative endeavors, consider the kind of mood you want to set. For example, do you want your day to be more cozy and intimate, more fun and playful, or perhaps you’re looking for creating the ultimate romantic getaway from the comfort of your dining room? 

Before you even set the table, deciding what kind of vibe you want can make the rest of your creativity flow, allowing you to select everything from the lighting to the menu and even the music. For example, if you’re going for nostalgia, find ways to recreate a meaningful date night or romantic vacation, or take inspiration from the silver screen. Meanwhile, if you think novelty is the spice of life in creating a more robust relationship, planning a candle light dinner with decor as whimsical as you are can be a lovely experience.

Set the Table

Finding the right decor for a candle light dinner still giving you first-date jitters? Here are a few more suggestions to help you out with your Valentine’s Day table setting ideas which, by the way, need not be a table. Setting up your couch, a rug near a fire, or even a gathering outside can create just as beautiful of an evening.

For the True Romantic

For the person who loves everything about love, including Valentine’s Day and finding meaning in gestures big and small, from “just because” flowers to luxurious getaways, there’s a table setting that’s calling you! Think simple and minimalist elegance, with a single, flawless rose (or other flower) in an elegant vase, with candles placed around the room and at the table to ensure a full candlelight dining experience with fine wines, and a meaningful and passionate playlist. 

Plan on a color scheme with bright but warm colors that match a timeless black dress, and that can perfectly enhance the dinner decor where candle light is already the centerpiece. While such romantic occasions are true classics, it’s how you spend them that make them special and unique.

For the Skeptic

On the other hand, we know that not everyone loves this holiday. While the reasons can be personal, much of what makes people skeptical of Valentine’s Day often boils down to a sense of desiring authenticity when it comes to expressing your love. 

If you are a Valentine’s Day naysayer or dating someone who is, this is where the emphasis is less on what “should be” the idea for a Valentine’s Day table setting, and more on what brings meaning. Just like those who would have rather gone to an “anti-Prom” than ever be voted Prom King or Queen, it’s okay to go non-traditional and find love in all the weird places. Consider tactfully blending elements of other favorite holidays or traditions, or simply getting a little zany, like adding a little bit of spooky season complete with a drink menu as a cheeky nod to the day.

For the Fun-Lover

For the one who isn’t a full blown skeptic but still enjoys putting novel spins on tried and true ideas, it’s time to embrace an evening with Valentine’s Day table setting ideas that are all about play. For such an evening, consider opportunities to release an inner foodie, such as by making new and challenging dishes together and playing with all the kitchen gadgets, or by complementing the table with a few board games or puzzles to infuse even more fun into the evening. Whether you make lop-sided sushi rolls, or make some bad rolls over a tabletop game with charcuterie nibbles, then go all-out on that quality time!

For the Outdoorsy Person

Even people who have been happy in a decades-long relationship still desire some fresh air, so it could be fun to spend your celebrations outside. There can be truly magical ways to spend even a cold, wintery evening outside in as elegant or fun as you desire. Stock up on throw blankets, build a cozy fire, and swap the fine glass stems for outdoor-worthy mugs, and you can suddenly make your candlelight dinner into one where you can roast some marshmallows while sparking plenty of your own flames.

Spark the Passion

This holiday is truly about planning your candle light dinner and decor to emphasize the person you share the table with. Ultimately, the best Valentine’s ideas, from table settings to any other part of your holiday, are ones that blend tradition with uniqueness, and familiar comfort with excitement and novelty. 

This kind of juxtaposition is why we adore a style that brings both whimsy along with elegant modernism. Being able to find playfulness anywhere is more than just a way for setting a table on Valentine’s Day, as the day is yet one more opportunity for you to continue to find new ways to fall in love with your person all year round.