Don't set a basic dining table, or forget about the basics. While we encourage creativity and individuality when creating a tablescape, it's important to remember the standard protocol.

And while dining etiquette is still just as valuable as good table manners, some more traditional expectations have fallen by the wayside, including knowing how to set a table properly.

Emily Post's great-great-grandaughter Lizzie Post shares how to properly set a table for casual dinners, informal events and formal gatherings ...

Invest in a set that can be used sparingly whenever you have guests over. A sleek centerpiece: If you have a big dining table, you can decorate it with a creative centerpiece, complementing it ...

You also have the option of removing it immediately after guests sit down — the idea is to dazzle them with a beautifully set table when they enter the dining room, and to hold their places at ...

Table settings will vary depending on the type of event and the food being served. Set up silverware and glassware so guests can work from the outside in and top to bottom. A floral centerpiece is ...

See 14 standout table designs from Dering Hall designers, and read their advice on setting a chic table this season.

The interior designer Young Huh offers a step-by-step guide to entertaining outdoors with playfulness and style.

A dining table is rarely just a place for eating. iStock As a big-ticket item, a dining table can set the style for a room. However, the options can be daunting.

Portside Wood Outdoor Round Dining Table and Chairs Set ($1,917, originally $2,097) We adore the elevated yet rustic look of the Portside Round Dining Table and Chairs Set.