For example, artist and designer Luke Edward Hall’s al fresco dining scenes are full of clashing stripes – from his turquoise and yellow tablecloth to the just-picked tulips in a paint-splattered vase. These sit joyously alongside sunshine-coloured glasses and patterned plates.

While influencer and broadcaster Laura Jackson flicks between minimalist white tablecloths and matching, neutral-coloured dishes and rich, jewel tones with an abundance of candles at varying heights. Jackson has even collaborated with Habitat in the past to film her tablescaping talents and has invited her followers to get creative at dinner time with her hashtag #makeamealofit.

“A good rule of thumb is to keep things tonal when tablescaping; if you choose a colour, try to tie it into the napkins, crockery, candles and flowers,” Whitney Hawkings, founder and CEO of Flowerbx says. “Pink is a failsafe choice for any summer table and always makes alfresco dining feel celebratory, natural and fresh. Mix scented summer flowers like peonies and garden roses, and add rosé for an unforgettable summer soiree.”

Are you convinced, yet? If so, and you’re keen to try tablescaping for yourself, I’ve put together some of my favourite tablescaping examples for inspiration and some must-buy table accessories to get you started.

Tablescaping inspiration

Here are some of my favourite accounts and examples of dreamy tabletop set-ups.

Tablescaping: what is it, how do I do it and is it worth the hype?