Passover Seder Tablescape
I’m excited to share with your Passover tablescape that was designed around the seder, however it’s fabulous for the entire Pesach! Make sure you also check out this gorgeous DIY seder plate, not (yet) featured in this post. This post contains affiliate links.
Last year, I decided to create a Pesach themed table in a theme that is quite popular: the splitting of the sea, or kriyat yam suf. However, I wanted to make it a bit more classy, and so I’m excited to share with you a beautiful Passover tablescape!
Before I begin: my qualifications are NOT professional party planner. My qualifications are artist, crafter, designer, and savvy shopper. The final tablescape is reflective of that.
I share these kinds of ideas because I personally get a bit frustrated with how ambitious some of the tablescaping ideas out there are.
I want to share a simple, attainable idea that doesn’t break the bank, can work with standard/neutral settings, and whose elements can really get lots of use.
If your budget is endless and you want something that looks like a professional planner stopped by, I’m the wrong address.
That being said, I hope you love this beautiful Passover tablescape idea that is perfect for the seder – or the entire holiday!
Sadly, I did not get the greatest photos (and I do hope to redo it and reshoot this year so that I can do better – and include my modifications) but hopefully you have some vision.
Splitting the Sea Beachy Passover Tablescape
My main goal was to set a scene of the splitting sea on a flat tablecloth (not scrunched up cloth like some people do.
I decided to play up the theme, not with props, but with regular table accessories.
What I’ve seen people do a lot is to scrunch up blue fabric on the sides of a brown base to make a seawall on each side. They then add loads of props – mainly the people crossing the sea. While I think that is adorable, I knew it wouldn’t work for me, as the table tends to get very busy and full with the things we need on it.
Instead I set a scene of blue parted with cream and sandy beige. I played up the beach theme with accessories and decor – the things we’d have on the table anyway.
Full list of products used
When I share a tutorial, I share a quick list of links to materials – and I figured I’d do the same here for those of you who like it already and want to dive right in. However, you can keep scrolling for all the details expanded upon and embellished so that you can pick and choose and read more first.
Not everything is an exact match because some things are seasonal items, but I’ve linked as best as I could, and mentioned when it’s not the exact product.
Linens
- Tablecloth (similar)
- Runner
- Burlap on top of runner (similar)
- Napkins
Settings
- Plates
- Cutlery (note – this is just a cheap set that I bought and don’t necessarily recommend – any works!)
- Glasses (similar – much prettier!)
- 6 oz glasses for 4 cups (similar)
Centerpieces
Seder Accessories
- Seder bowls – tutorial
- Elijah’s cup – tutorial
- Haggadahs – Maxwell House & PJ Library
- Seder Plate – find more ideas for modern seder plates
- Matzah Plate – similar (not pictured – purchased for this year) – fun fact: a matzah is about 7 inches, so any 9 inch square plate with raised edges can work!
- Matzah Box (not pictured – purchased for this year)
Recommended
- Placecards (splitting the sea is on theme but watercolor matzah is nicer and what I’ll be using this year)
- Trivets (not pictured – purchasing or making this year)
Step by Step
Setting the Stage
Every good Passover tablescape starts with a tablecloth that’ll set the mood and a runner to ground things. For this one, it actually creates the whole splitting the sea theme!
A navy blue tablecloth (similar) is reminiscent of the sea, and a creamy colored runner splits it with natural tones.
The runner felt too white and fresh, so I added a run of decorative light mesh burlap (similar) on top it and it really added so much texture! It’s also more of a sandy color, making it more beachy. And it’s an open enough mesh and a light and airy enough color that it still looks classy and not too burlapy.
A centerpiece really grounds the table, and while a single vase might not be the most all-encompassing, it’s practical. Once everyone is seated around the table, most centerpieces block conversation. We therefore remove it almost right away. And while you can do lower centerpieces, I personally like the height.
You can cluster three vases in place of the one – it’ll look gorgeous, and I considered it as well.
In the end, I chose a simple colored glass vase with pampas grass. The vase is reminiscent of sea glass and the navy stands out beautifully on the light runner.
The pampas is like the reeds at water, and really sets the mood. It also sheds like CRAZY!! Open your pampas in a big empty room (one you just cleaned?) and shake off all the loose stuff. Vacuum up as much as you can. You may still experience some shedding, but that should take care of most of it.
The cool thing is that this makes for a beautiful little piece of decor to sit in your home year-round, too.
The table settings
Remember when I said practical? My dishes – both year-round and Passover – are simple square white dishes. I find square plates to be space-effective and the white palette is easy to incorporate into anything.
Usually I do put regular plates and salad plates (and hope to update it this year with new photos).
This year, I’m expecting LOTS of company for the seder, so my Passover tablescape will feature simple white disposables instead.
My flatware is also a my everyday Passover flatware. It’s a super cheap set I got from Walmart, and I don’t necessarily love it. I hope to replace it one year but for now, it works. I’ll probably be using better disposable dishes this year, with lots of guests on the way.
The glasses are my regular Passover glassware, featuring smoky ribbed glasses (similar and much prettier). You can really go with anything, but colored glass is so reminiscent of the beach!
The seder glasses are also my every Passover glasses, and anything goes. I do recommend that you look for one on the smaller side of things. These are six ounces and were purchased at a discount store – these are similar (much prettier) ones you can try.
And finally, one of my favorite features of our Passover tablescape: the coral (really terracotta) napkins.
If you know anything about me, it’s that I love color. And so I needed a way to add a pop of color to this very dry tablescape. I decided on coral to go with the color scheme.
The ones I found are more of a terracotta, which is just a gorgeous natural color, and totally inspired by coral. And they are beautiful, linen-like, with raw edges, and just the right amount of character.
These napkins are quite thin and gauzy, which means you can knot them instead of using a napkin ring. I do hope to add rings to this year’s Passover stash, though.
They do require ironing, but it takes minutes to iron them. I wish you could see in real life how beautifully elegant-but-casual they looked knottedo n teh plates. Unfortunately, I did not get the best photos for this, as I was in a last minute pre-holiday rush.
The details
Finally, there are the Passover seder details to contend with!
Our first Passover was in 2020, and many things were purchased last minute on the cheap. As the years go on, we hope to evolve and expand our collection to include more pretty things.
Meanwhile, I did some DIY over the years too.
For Haggadahs, we use a mix of Maxwell House and PJ Library. It honestly doesn’t look great on the table, and I do hope to design something beautiful one year.
Our Seder plate is a simple textured glass one that totally goes with the scheme. I set it on a spare napkin only so that it shows up nicely in the photos, but it’s also a good idea in place of a Matzah cover.
I made in the past simple white seder bowls for salt water, Karpas vegetable, and charoset, which looked nice on the table too.
And believe it or not, my Elijah’s cup that I made in the past is in a sea glass theme!
Last year it was just us, but this year we’re having lots of guests, so I plan to make place cards so that we can seat everyone quickly and efficiently. I have a few that I designed, including a splitting the sea one. I do plan to use my watercolor Matzah one instead, since the color works better.
A Matzah Plate (not pictured – purchased for this year) is a must – you’ll want a place to put it so that everyone can reach for it. Fun fact: a square matzah is about 7 inches, so any 9 inch square plate with raised edges can work! If you’re big on round matzahs, I recommend having a round matzah box too.
More tips for setting a beautiful Passover tablescape
Here are some things that weren’t pictured, that would make for fabulous table accessories, both for the aesthetic and the practical functionality:
Place cards – I am a HUGE fan of place cards, and for that reason I designed a few sets in the past. Place cards are essential when you’re having lots of guests, to help everyone find their seats quickly, and avoid excessive milling around before starting. They also feel personal and help guests feel extra welcome.
My favorite for this specific Passover tablescape is this matzah design. I created a watercolor look using digital art brushes so that it’s softer, and honestly less tacky. I plan to use this style this year.
Cookbook holder for Haggadahs – One big issue people face with the seder table, especially a busy one, is the amount of space Haggadahs take up. Use cookbook holders to prop things up behind each plate. Bonus points: it’s less vulnerable to spilled grape juice!
Napkin rings – Most of the time, I do set my table with napkin rings. They are like jewelry for your table. I only didn’t in this Passover tablescape because I didn’t have a set handy, and they knotted up so nicely. Some ideas that would work with this particular seder table include:
- The coordinating Matzah print to the placecards
- These DIY copper and gemstone ones – look for stones with a beachy vibe!
- DIY leather napkin rings – again, look for leather that matches!
- Rope – tie it loosely around each napkin
- Or, go for something simple and natural looking, like these
Trivets – I have this on my BUY NEXT YEAR!!! list, so I’m putting it here for your benefit! You’ll be putting lots of hot stuff on the table, so setting it up with a pretty trivet or two can be gorgeous.
I have this one in my shopping cart, as well as this – I can’t decide. You can also try this DIY wood trivet from dollar store building bricks.
Got any Passover tablescape ideas to add to the list? Comment below!
