34 Best Table Decor and Serveware Ideas for Entertaining

When it comes to tabletop and serveware, making a statement is easier than you think. There are plenty of beautiful dishes, utensils and drinkware that can elevate your space with a flash of color, a glint of metal or element of glass. You've already got your white everyday dishes that match anything, so it's easy to add a little something extra when you're hosting a dinner party or family gathering. From serving trays and cake stands to gravy boats and pitchers, these tabletop ideas are as great for gifting as they are for making a gorgeous entertaining spread of your own. Next time you walk into a potluck, impress your host with one of these contributions. Seriously, who doesn't need another cheese board?

So whether you're shopping for yourself or someone you love, don't overlook the power of great table decor. See below for our favorite tabletop and serveware items to use for the holidays and beyond.

1. Serving Trays

Food52
Food52

These aluminum trays are lightweight with an enamel finish on the inside, for a retro yet elegant look.

Copper and Brass Louise Trays, $50–$120 at food52.com

2. Chip and Dip Bowl

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn

Keep things simple and sturdy with a porcelain chip and dip bowl.

Great White Porcelain Chip & Dip Server, $60 at potterybarn.com

3. Drink Coasters

Terrain
Terrain

Skip the usual coasters for something more elevated with this brass set.

Brass Round Coaster Set, $35 shopterrain.com

4. Napkins

Anthropologie
Anthropologie

Cloth napkins are an easy way to dress up any dinner table setting.

Jolene Napkins, Set of 4, $24 at anthropologie.com

5. Wine Glasses

Sur La Table
Sur La Table

A fresh set of quality wine glasses is an ideal choice for any serious party host.

Schott Zwiesel Pure Stemless Red Wine Glasses, $10 each at surlatable.com

6. Cheese Board

Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods

This board does it all, including store cheese knives and stow away in compact spaces.

Compact Swivel Cheese Board with Knives, $42 at uncommongoods.com

7. Large Serving Bowl

CB2
CB2

A big bowl is as useful for popcorn on a quiet movie night as it is for a main salad at a dinner party.

Crisp Matte Black Serving Bowl, $18 at cb2.com

8. Dutch Oven

Le Creuset
Le Creuset

Choose the vessel that anyone would love to bring from oven to table, the Le Creuset Dutch Oven.

Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven, $150 at lecreuset.com

9. Soup Bowls

Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel

Whether it's for a carefully made tortilla soup or your morning cereal, these bowls will do it all.

Set of 4 Hue Blue Bowls, $19 at crateandbarrel.com

10. Large Cutting Board

Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel

A charcuterie setup is only as good as the cutting board it rests on (right?). Either way, the Boos Block is one of the best boards out there.

John Boos 24"x18" Maple Cutting Board, $110 at crateandbarrel.com

11. Cake Stand

Anthropologie
Anthropologie

A hummingbird cake deserves a platform equally as pretty to show it off.

Sarah Cake Stand, $38 at anthropologie.com

12. Butter Dish

Sur La Table
Sur La Table

A butter dish is more essential that anyone realizes, especially if bread is a centerpiece at all your dinner parties.

Le Creuset Heritage Butter Dish, $42 at amazon.com

13. Wine Chiller

Nordstrom
Nordstrom

Keep wine cool without taking up too much table real estate.

Vinglacé Wine Chiller, $90 at nordstrom.com

14. Tea Pot

Anthropologie
Anthropologie

Keep tea warm while serving guests with this BergHOFF set.

BergHOFF Dorado Glass Teapot, $80 at anthropologie.com

15. Dessert Coupes

Food52
Food52

A fancy mousse only gets better in a fancy set of serving glasses.

Gold-Detailed Dessert Coupes (Set of 4), $48 at food52.com

16. Dinnerware Set

Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's

If you're lacking a proper dining set, Lenox is a great way to go.

Lenox Radiance Dinnerware, $28-$270 at bloomingdales.com

17. Pitcher

Food52
Food52

Never leave your guests wanting more water with a great large pitcher to keep around at all times.

Handcrafted Vintage-Inspired Copper & Brass Pitcher, $98 at food52.com

18. Oyster Plate

Food52
Food52

For the oyster fanatic, this tray will set the party apart.

Porcelain Oyster Plate, $112 at food52.com

19. Saucepan

Amazon
Amazon

For a fondue or heated appetizer, this Dansk saucepan uses its own lid as a trivet to rest on.

Dansk Kobenstyle White Saucepan, $62 at amazon.com

20. Wine Bottle Coaster

Food52
Food52

Protect the table with a copper coaster that will fit everything from Chardonnay to Champagne.

Copper Coin-Edge Bottle Coaster, $46 at food52.com

21. Salt & Pepper Grinder

Amazon
Amazon

Get a set of salt and pepper shakers to keep around always.

Menu Bottle Grinder Set, $80 at amazon.com

22. Beverage Dispenser Set

Amazon
Amazon

Make entertaining a crowd easy with two drink dispensers on hand.

Hamburg Glass Beverage Dispensers with Metal Stand, $77 at amazon.com

23. Ladle

Williams Sonoma
Williams Sonoma

Everything from soup to holiday punch deserves a great ladle for serving.

Copper Ladle, $32 at williams-sonoma.com

24. Serving Utensils

Food52
Food52

A cohesive serving utensil set goes a long way for dining decor.

Italian Serveware, Linea (7-Piece Serving Set), $48 at food52.com

25. Aperitif Glasses

Anthropologie
Anthropologie

Sip sherry, sweet wines or port in these petite glasses.

Harlow Aperitif Glasses, Set of 4, $48 at anthropologie.com

26. Cheese Knives

Anthropologie
Anthropologie

Proper cheese knives will make accessing and sharing gouda, cheddar and brie a breeze.

Laguiole Cheese Knives, Set of 3, $36 at anthropologie.com

27. Ice Bucket

Macy's
Macy's

Keep bottles on hand with an accessible and durable ice bucket.

Round Ice Bucket Cooler, $215 at macys.com

28. Olive Oil Dispenser

Williams Sonoma
Williams Sonoma

Make that extra drizzle easily accessible while you're cooking, as well as for your dinner guests.

Antica Oil Dispenser, 24-oz., $13 at williams-sonoma.com

29. Trivet

Le Creuset
Le Creuset

The most essential piece for serving a crowd and protecting your dining surfaces.

Le Creuset Deluxe Round Trivet $75 at lecreuset.com

30. Mugs

Williams Sonoma
Williams Sonoma

Treat guests to coffee after dinner with a good set of mugs (biscotti not included).

Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Matte Coupe Mugs, Set of 4, $6 at williams-sonoma.com

31. Gravy Boat

Amazon
Amazon

Every holiday household needs a good gravy boat, and this one will last for years.

Mason Cash “In the Forest” Gravy Boat, $24 at amazon.com

32. Place Card Holders

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn

For the serious party host, add a touch of place card markers to keep arguing relatives strategically separated.

White Marble Place Card Holder, Set Of 4, $16 at potterybarn.com

33. Cast Iron Skillet

Smithey
Smithey

Level up to an heirloom-worthy cast iron skillet from Smithey.

No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet, $200 at smithey.com

34. Bread Basket

CB2
CB2

Pass the rolls and freshly cut slices around the table easily with a light and large bread basket.

Lorena Long Oval Black Bread Basket, $25 at cb2.com