Three D.I.Y. ideas for your Easter table

Creating the perfect Easter tablescape is about more than just ‘setting the table’ – it’s about crafting a relaxed atmosphere of fun and celebration. You want a welcoming space for your family to come together and enjoy each other’s company over a long leisurely lunch.

The perfect table setting starts with layering. Think of your tablecloth or table covering as the base and then build from there with colour, decorations and tableware that enhance the look and feel. Get started with these easy D.I.Y. ideas to add colour to your table.

Hand paint a tablecloth

Tablecloths don’t have to be linen. To add a quick splash of colour to your Easter lunch, grab some white canvas drop sheets or butchers paper. If you’re using canvas, cut it to overhang the table. If you’re using butchers paper, you’ll need to join the pieces together to cover the table – use double-sided tape to stick the pieces together.

Now it's time to get artistic. For this, you’ll need brushes and acrylic paints. We’ve used bright colours to draw loopy, freehand lines across the entire tablecloth. Any width of paint brush will do for this design – just test out your lines on scrap paper before you get started.

For a more structured look, go for a plaid design using a 2.5cm paint brush to paint different coloured stripes about 5cm apart. Go lengthwise first, let the paint dry and then do the crossways stripes. Prefer dots? Do polka dots, either drawing freehand spots or using the good-ol’ potato half as a stamp.

Upstyle terracotta pots

When it comes to getting crafty with terracotta pots, you’re basically only limited by your imagination. Start by prepping the pots: clean the surface with water and then leave to dry completely. Spray with a terracotta pot sealer and then leave to dry again.

Draw your design on each pot using a pencil – do an arch motif, dots or solid lines. To mix it up, decorate either the rims, the lower part of the pot or the entire pot, and to help keep lines clean, put masking tape around the areas you want to leave clear. Use acrylic paint or spray paint to decorate, leave to dry and then slowly and carefully remove the masking tape.

Once you’ve decorated the outside of the pots, think about the insides. For your Easter table, plant the pots with potted colour, lavender, rosemary and established flowering plants, like Ganzania. A range of plants with varied heights and sizes creates an impactful floral scape.

D.I.Y. Easter bunting

Take the party setting up a notch with some easy-to-make bunting. Bunting can be made out of a variety of materials – butchers paper works if you’re inside, hessian is a more durable option and canvas drop sheets are weatherproof. Make a paper triangle template, cut it out and use it as a guide for cutting out the bunting.

For colour overload, spray paint the bunting solid colours like pink, red, orange, yellow and green. Polka dots are also a fun idea – remember, they don’t have to be perfect. Use as many colours as you like and simply dot the paint on the bunting with a brush or circular stencil.

To string your triangles together, measure out a length of twine. It needs to be long enough to hold all your triangles together and also be tied up at each end. Starting with one triangle, place the twine along the top edge and fold the fabric over to cover. Seal the fabric in place with a hot glue gun. Place another triangle beside the first one and repeat the process.

For maximum impact, make metres of bunting and string it back and forth above the table so guests sit under a canopy of colour. If you’re eating outside, string the bunting through trees and around the deck area.

More Easter ideas this way!

Find more fun Easter craft ideas at Easter - Bunnings Australia. There’s an easy bunny face design the kids can add to cups for the Easter table, too.