How to make a dining tablecloth alternative using a wood look paper that can be easily wiped clean, rolled up and used again and again not only for holiday table settings, but for any occasion.
My mind is constantly filled with ideas imagining items which can be used in many different ways when decorating my home. A few of them are a bit over the top. But one thing I have learned is to never dismiss a creative idea with an assumption that it won’t work just because it has never been done before. Instead I think… why not try?
My house is my lab where I experiment with many ideas. Some never make it to the blog, but the one I did over the weekend… was post worthy!
Over the weekend, we had friends over for dinner and I wanted to do a test run for how I plan to set the table for Christmas.
I am not a fan of tablecloths as they are too much work with having to launder and press them. Wipeable placemats are my go to, but it is hard finding ones that I like.
Earlier this fall, I saw this table setting created by Shannon over at Home Made Lovely. I loved it and immediately knew that I had to create something similar in my own style for my holiday dining table.
What I liked most about this table setting was that I already owned most of the items Shannon used with the exception of the dark wood table.
My dining table has light colored wood.
For Christmas, I wanted to darken the wood on the table to make it feel warm, cozy and inviting. I wished my light wood table was dark. I also knew I didn’t want to stain it dark as come the warmer months, I would want it light again… First world problems…. I know. :-)
A few weeks ago, I was searching Amazon for something unrelated to my table. This bulletin board paper came up in my search. After I read the description, I started to get excited and asked myself….. “What if? What if I cover my round dining table with the Dark Wood look paper“. Sold! For $14.99 (12′ x 4′ roll), it was worth it to me to at least try it. I could make a tablecloth alternative using the paper.
Why I Like This Paper To Use Instead of a Tablecloth
- Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll – Dark Wood It comes in many wood types, colors and textures like burlap, shiplap, brick and even painted wood.
- Cuts easily with scissors.
- Is budget-friendly.
- Does not tear.
- The durable wipe-off surface cleans easily and can be used again and again. Rolls up for easy storage.
After I cut and placed the wood look bulletin board paper on the table, I didn’t think it was going to work. The paper has a sheen when the sun is shining on it and had a few ripples, but when I stood back, I smiled. I was getting my wish for a dark wood holiday table on a temporary basis. :-)
I got more positive reaction to the wood look paper when our friends came over for dinner and thought it was real wood!
How to Create a Dining Tablecloth Alternative That Looks Like Wood
supplies needed:
- Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll – Dark Wood
- Crayon with paper peeled off
- Sharp scissors
- Low-tack Painter’s tape
Time needed: 10 minutes.
- Roll Paper Over Table
Roll the paper over the table. Center it and use low-tack Painter’s tape to hold the paper down, until you can cut it to the exact shape and size of your table.
- Cut Away Excess Paper
Here’s a trick to make working with the paper easier while getting an exact fit for the top of your table. Once you have the paper centered over the table, cut the excess paper that is around the table, leaving about 2 inches. Your final step will be to finish trimming to the exact shape of the table.
- Flip the Paper So Wrong Side is Facing Up
Turn the paper over on the table so the white underside is facing up. Center on table and use painter’s tape to hold it in place. Use the side of a crayon to mark the edge of the table. This will give you an exact fit when cutting to the table size.
- Cut Along Drawn Line
Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut along your drawn line. If your scissors are very sharp, you will be able to simply push the scissors through the paper. Cutting this way will give you a very smooth cut edge.
- Flip Paper Back Over
Turn the paper back over so the wood side is face up. Center on table and if needed, press and smooth paper out from the center to the outer edge around the table. Ensure you remove any remaining ripples. Then make rolls using painter’s tape to place under the edge to hold the paper down.
- Set Your Table
Once the paper is taped down, you can set your table and enjoy a new dark wood look or whatever paper you use – white wood, burlap and oak are a few others.
Once I had the paper cut I enjoyed setting the table keeping with my simple and nature inspired Christmas decor.
After a few days, the weight of the items I placed on the table was all that was needed to flatten the paper in the areas where it was slightly rippled from being rolled up
So polish your silver and pull up a few chairs to a new wood look table, even if you don’t own one.
I realize that many of you may never want or need to create a tablecloth alternative like this, but I hope reading this post lets you see what is possible in decorating and just about everything in life when you look at using items in a new and different ways than they were originally intended to be used.
Resources:
- Better Than Paper Bulletin Board Roll – Comes in many wood types and colors and textures like burlap, shiplap, brick and even painted wood.
- Cedar Wreath
- Green and White Napkins
- Bubble Glass Candle Holder – Purchased a few years ago at Target. No longer available.
- Woven placemats – Similar placemats
- White dinnerware – all bought at HomeGoods
- Silverware – hand-me-downs from Ed’s parents
- Cut Crystal Stemware – hand-me-down Waterford – Alana pattern
Sarina says
What a great transformation.Would this work on a sideboard?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sarina – Thanks :-) Yes, the paper would work very nicely on a sideboard, desk or any flat surface.
Harry Smith says
Hey DIANE HENKLER,
Great post. I really enjoyed reading your article. Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas and its very easy and clear to understand. I will definitely utilize all the ideas you have given me. Keep up the good work.
Fixin15 says
This is why your blog is one of my favorites!!!! I love ideas I can really use!
kelly says
That is brilliant! Beautiful table setting as well!
boxing day sale best says
This is really stunning and beautiful, what a great idea, can’t wait to try this. Thanks for the amazing post.
Kate says
Fantastic idea – beautiful setting!
Nippon says
Easy to read and understand!! Thanks
Donnamae says
Always something new around here…love the way your brain works! Simple…festive…perfect! ;)
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Donnamae
Catpainter says
Wow,
You are an amazing problem solver!
Can’t wait to try!
PS Love your tablescapes – simple, but festive
Chris says
Brilliant. This has given me a bunch of ideas. Thanks!
Brandi Niemeier says
You did it again!! You gave me a solution to a years-long problem! THANK YOU!!
My light oak kitchen table was once beautiful… until kids. When my youngest son was 18 months old (he’s now 7), he found a black ink pen and frantically scribbled, marking all over my prized table while deeply scratching lines into the surface. After much laborious work, I got the ink off. But, the result was an oak table with the finish rubbed off in blotches, and the scratches became more obvious. I was devastated. My husband said, “Just refinish the table,” like it was an easy fix. Ha! Did I mention I have young kids? And work full time? So, I’ve just lived with it, disgusted at it each day, thinking that, maybe one day, I can refinish it.
…Now I have an easy solution until that day comes! It will have a beautiful “finish” again! And it won’t be so difficult to wait until my kids move out :-) to refinish it. THANK YOU!!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Brandi – Happy to hear that my tablecloth alternative will work for your needs. :-) The roll covers a lot, so you will have enough for a long time.
Debra says
Hi Diane,
Another great idea. i love how your mind works! I wonder if I could cover a box and use it under my Christmas tree?
I have one the size I need that is like a fake wood but I don’t like the color or the texture. I think I might just try this
Jaye Brown says
Beautiful, I am not surprised. Merry Christmas
Tracey says
Brilliant! I love it!
Di says
Hi Diane
Another reader who thinks this is a great idea. And what a great shame we can’t buy this in the UK!
Thanks for sharing.
Kim says
What a great idea! I am going to try this! I have a table similar to yours and it is sun-faded and scratched, so this would be a quick and easy solution. Thanks!
CAROLYN BIRD says
Looks great!! I’m wondering if this could be used as a back splash alternative or as wallpaper…hmmm…..
Diane Henkler says
Hi Carolyn – I think it could be used for a back splash or even wallpaper. It does have a slight sheen that looks like polished wood and texture depending on how the light hits it. If you have under the counter lighting, it may put too much light on it if you want a more matte wood look on a backsplash. Other than this, I don’t see any reason not to use it.
Regina says
I love this! You are so innovative and creative!
Amanda says
Thank you for this! I have been trying to figure out how to trim my rectangular table cloths to fit my oval table perfectly. The naked crayon method is brilliant!
Sharon H says
Oh, Diane! That’s a brilliant idea and I appreciate you sharing it. I have a gorgeous dark table so I don’t need it myself, but I’m thinking and wondering how I could use this product for something else! And then again, you never know when someone else might need it, and you could offer a solution. Love it!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sharon – I think I may cover cardboard boxes using the paper and add a brass label holder to the front of each. Stacked they will look like wood boxes and very decorative.
Sharon H says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that idea! Thanks!
Joy says
I love this idea. I think I will try it to see if I want to stain my tabletop dark. Or paint it white. It will be a good way to test out the look.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Joy – Excellent idea to use the paper as a way to see if you like the way a certain color of stain will look on your table.