The “4 and 5 Rule” Is the Foolproof Styling Trick for Entertaining Like a Pro

Setting a table isn’t as easy as it looks. There are layers to the art of the tablescape, but the best part of the creative process is that the sky’s the limit. It’s a moment to let your imagination run wild and go for any design you want.

Of course, certain methods and hacks make styling a table much easier. I turned to a handful of design experts for all the ways to make your setup stand out for this holiday season and beyond. From proper spacing, to the “four and five” rule that New York-based culinary influencer and designer Stephanie Nass (aka Chefanie) swears by, you’ll be impressing your guests in no time!

Let There Be Candlelight

Prioritize your lighting scheme. “I recommend lots of lights,” says Tom Magill, senior home stylist at Anthropologie. “Whether it’s battery-powered string lights woven through your centerpiece or lots of unscented votive candles strewn down the table, nothing makes a table more inviting than a warm, sparkling glow at the center.” You could also opt for a few pretty cordless table lamps for a modern, restaurant-worthy touch, too.

Or, go for the soft finishing touch of taper candles. “Candlelight is a must,” Serena & Lily visual merchandiser Joseph Billings adds. “Use found brass candle holders, which give a unique collected look.”

Remember the “Four and Five” Rule

Unsure of where to put all the flatware? “Use the four and five rule to remember where things go, according to etiquette,” Nass says. “On the left (four letters), put the forks and roll. Then, on the right (five letters), put the spoon, knife, and drink (all five letters).”

Use and Reuse Your Centerpiece

There are endless centerpiece and place card options, but the key is to not be wasteful. Whether it’s herbs or fruit, go with items you can use again. “We’re not fans of using fresh produce as centerpiece decor because people end up throwing things away,” says Amanda Hawkins, content strategy director of Misfits Market — an online grocery site on a mission to end food waste. “However, if you’re set on the idea, use shelf-stable produce like hardy herbs that can be used in other recipes afterwards.”

You can also create a color palette with certain fresh produce. “Incorporate whole fruits like apples, pears, or citrus on the table itself for a pop of color that doubles as edible decor,” Hawkins continues. “What’s more, our rescued produce items often have interesting color variations and arrive in unique shapes and sizes that can add visual interest to your table. Then, once something like fresh citrus has been used as decor, peel it and candy the peels for an edible gift or a sweet-sour treat to have on hand.”

Abide by the “One-Inch Rule”

Spacing is key — otherwise a table can seem too crowded. “We’re always trying to add extra seats to every dining setup,” influencer Lexi Poer mentions. “So a useful tip to know is the ‘one-inch rule,’ which is, at the very least, you want to leave one inch between the outermost point of each place setting, one inch between the edge of the plate and utensils, and one inch between the plate and the bottom of the glasses.”

Work Upward

Not everything has to be on the table, either. “If you really want to wow your guests, try this tablescaping hack: creating a ‘floating’ centerpiece,” Poer recommends. “Use clear fishing line or thin wire to suspend lightweight decorative elements at varying heights above the table. Simply string a clear fishing line between points above your table (it can be attached to a chandelier or temporary hooks), and then hang ornaments, dried flowers, preserved leaves, fairy lights, or a more personal touch like homemade paper snowflakes.”

Use Distinct Dinnerware

Finally, allow your personality to show on your table. “Collect special tableware: Buy the best, most interesting china, linens, glassware, candles, and flatware that you can,” Nass advises. “Like an outfit, each component matters, but ultimately the effect of the whole table should be greater than the sum of its parts.”

Only bring out pieces that are genuinely a must, though. “I always let the meal dictate the components of my table setting and only incorporate pieces that I’m actually going to need during the meal,” Magill explains. “No fussy chargers or extraneous flatware needed! I also love using my everyday neutral dinnerware and layering in a festive accent like Anthropologie’s Holiday in the City plates.”

Further Reading

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture