Simple Dining Table Decor Ideas & My Favorite Budget Dinnerware

The Mother’s Day table decor is out, and mom’s time to relax is officially here. Juuuuust kidding. Like that actually happens. 😉

My mom always says, “A girl never wants to decorate her home the way her mother did.” And if that isn’t the honest truth…

Maybe that’s why I went so hardcore modern farmhouse decorating our first house. My mom has always been the traditional decorator and growing up, I remember she had Blue Willow print chinoiserie everything all around the house. (She still does.)

So the moment I got my own place, my little rebel heart said to shiplap every wall, paint and distress any furniture in my path; if it’s elegant and traditional, I don’t want it.

And then I had a change of heart when I hit my 30s. Gosh. Why is mom always right?

When I was antique shopping the other day, I stumbled upon a Blue Willow vase and immediately knew it needed to come home with me.

It felt right to create a modern traditional Chinoiserie Mother’s Day tablescape in honor of her, so I used some of my favorite budget-friendly dinnerware and serving pieces from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.

I threw in a few modern rustic touches because after all, I can’t be exactly like my mom (even though I look like her twin). If you don’t believe me, see for yourself…

These white rattan chargers add great texture and make place settings feel special. I used them at Christmas and felt they needed a Mother’s Day reappearance.

The speckled exposed clay plates and bowls are hands down my favorite dinnerware pieces I’ve ever owned and look so much more expensive than they really are.

I love how this woven gray fringe runner juxtaposes the formal vase to make the table feel a little more casual.

And this matte black flatware brings in a modern vibe.

We’ve had this classic drinking glass set for a while too that have proven to be very sturdy.

We’re usually a buffet crowd and not so much a pass the dishes around the table crowd, but these servingware pieces are too pretty to hide.

This classic porcelain baking dish is my go-to for serving every casserole and dessert. This footed bowl is handy for serving salad but usually sits on our kitchen countertop 24/7 holding fruit.

And this serving platter is versatile for everything.

As soon as I was finished taking pictures, my household completely gobbled up the food. But I’ll recreate this tablescape for our actual Mother’s Day celebration when I plan to give the found Blue Willow vase to my mom.

(P.S. Do you spy a little Lola down there just waiting for table scraps to be dropped?)

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas! You deserve a day of no cooking, only eating. And maybe a pretty vase of flowers on a dining room table surrounded by all the ones you love after such a challenging year. Cheers to you!

You can find all of my favorite budget-friendly dinnerware and servingware from Walmart here: