Spruce up your dining table

• Colin and Justin's festive decorating tips
• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Spruce up your dining table

When it comes to the dining table, similar rules apply. The design duo suggests using 'charger' plates to add colour to the table and to give maximum impact to the meal that you've worked so hard to cook. Pick a colour that works well with your china, and stick to this scheme when decorating the rest of the table.

Add softness and sophistication with glowing candlelight. The Christmas candle trend means the shops are packed with candelabras, votives and tealights, all of which will help to build a stunning centrepiece for your dining table. Colin and Justin point out, however, that you cannot just plonk a candelabra in any old place or position – you have to create some drama! They say: "A tall candelabra looks fab, but is even better with lots of tiny tealights clustered below. Or, try scented candles, like Ambi Pur's Winter Dream, to surround the table with hints of baked cakes."

Create the necessary festive sparkle by runners and table linen with metallic finishes; these will reflect the light given off by the candles for a truly magical glow.

Colin and Justin's final tip? Remember eye-lines; don't create towering centrepieces, as you want to be able to see, and chat to, everyone around the dining table.

See other creative Christmas ideas, tips and tricks

Chosen by House to home