How to Improve the Appearance of an Old Dining Room Table for the Holidays

Many of the most wonderful moments shared by a family in the holiday season occur at the kitchen or dining room table. While it is always the company that is more important than the surroundings, every holiday host wants their home to look as attractive and inviting as possible. An easy way to make the heart of your home more holiday ready is to give that old table a little sprucing up. Here are some easy ways to dramatically improve the look of your old dining room table.

Give it a Good Cleaning. Years of use and weekly polishing of your dining room table may have left the finish very dull. Use a microfiber cloth to go over every inch of the wood to remove all dust particles and then polish all the surfaces with a good quality furniture polish. Use plenty of elbow grease and switch to a different brand of polish if the first one you used did not give you the cleanliness and shine you were looking for.

Use a Wax Crayon to Fill in Dings and Scratches. If the impression of the ding is not too deep, use a wax crayon of a color that closely matches the wood to fill in the gouge as much as possible. Buff the area with a clean cloth when you are finished to give the table a uniform appearance. If the wax crayon does not do the trick, or the dings and scratches are too deep and noticeable to benefit from this easy fix, visit a home improvement store and seek the advice of an employee. Wax Filler Sticks are sold in these stores that are generally very effective for repairing damaged wood.

Avert the Focus With a Stunning Centerpiece. Simply by placing a gorgeous holiday centerpiece on your table, you can easily remove the focus from your scarred piece of furniture. None of your guests will notice the age and condition of your table when they are staring at a beautiful arrangement of holiday flowers, a gorgeous trio of potted poinsettias or a collection of red and gold pillar candles sitting on a decorative mirror. Dim the lights in the room to give it even more ambiance and enjoy your holiday meal surrounded by your loved ones.

Cover the Table With a Festive Tablecloth. If your dining room table is simply too old, worn and scratched to benefit from the previous tips, cover it with a pretty tablecloth. Choose one in a solid color such as gold, burgundy or forest green for a very elegant and sophisticated look. A fun way to cover the table and add a bit of bright and happy color to the room is to use a holiday themed tablecloth. Choose a Christmas tree patterned tablecloth, a poinsettia themed cloth or one that is covered with images of holiday gifts. These types of seasonal items for the kitchen and dining room add a bit of fun and whimsy to the decor and promote a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Choose the tablecloth that best fits your family and style of celebrating and forget about the state of the table underneath.