Baby Shower Table Decorations: Ideas and How to Set the Table
Baby Shower Table Decorations
Hosting the shower for your sister or best friend? Small details make a big difference, and they don't have to cost much. A baby shower table comes together around three choices: one palette, a layered place setting and a single focal point. Settle those and every plate, napkin and banner has a place to go.
The short answer
Choose one palette, either pink, blue or a neutral of cream, tan and gold, and carry it through the plates, napkins, cups and banner from our Baby Shower collection. Layer a 10-inch plate with a smaller dessert plate at each seat, run a table runner down the center, and keep the centerpiece low so guests can talk across the table. Put the banner behind the dessert or gift table rather than the guest table, and send guests home with a small treat box.
Set the table in 5 steps
- Choose one palette: pink, blue or neutral.
- Run a table runner down the center of each table.
- Set a 10-inch plate at each seat with a dessert plate on top.
- Tuck a napkin under the plate or to its left, and set a cup at the top right.
- Add a low centerpiece and a treat box at each seat, then hang the banner behind the dessert table.
Choose a palette first
The palette decides everything else on the table. Pink and blue are the classic choices when the parents are sharing the news, and the neutral palette works for any baby, for a surprise, or for a shower that wants to feel a little more grown up.
Soft and classic
Baby pink with stripes, polka dots and a cheerful welcome plate. Sweet without tipping into bright bubblegum.
Shop the pink paletteCalm and traditional
Baby blue stripes and dots with cream and a touch of gold. Clean and fresh, and easy to pair with white flowers.
Shop the blue paletteWarm and modern
Cream, tan and gold with teddy bears and a smiling sun. Works for a boy, a girl or a surprise, and photographs beautifully.
Shop the neutral paletteSet each place
Start every setting with a 10-inch striped plate, then set a smaller printed plate on top. A teddy bear or welcome baby plate over a striped base gives each seat a layered look without extra pieces. If the menu is mostly finger food, the dessert plate alone is often enough.
Add a dinner napkin folded under the plate or tucked beside it, and a cup at the top right of each setting. Mixing one pattern with one stripe, such as polka dot napkins with striped plates, keeps the table lively while the palette holds it together.
How much to buy, by guest count
| Guests | 10-inch platespacks of 8 | Dessert platespacks of 8 | Dinner napkinspacks of 24 | Cupspacks of 8 | Table runnerseach | Treat boxespacks of 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 packs | 2 packs | 1 pack | 2 packs | 2 | 2 packs |
| 20 | 3 packs | 3 packs | 2 packs | 3 packs | 3 | 3 packs |
| 30 | 5 packs | 5 packs | 3 packs | 5 packs | 3 to 4 | 4 packs |
Plate and cup counts include about 10 percent extra. Napkins are planned at 2 per guest. Each 10-foot runner covers one 6 to 9 foot table, which seats about 8 to 10. For other table sizes, see our table runner size guide.
Dress the center of the table
A paper table runner down the center gives the table a finished line and protects it from spills. Keep the centerpiece below eye level so guests can see each other: a few bud vases of white or blush flowers, a small stack of wooden baby blocks, or a cake stand of cupcakes all work.
Leave room for serving pieces if food will sit on the guest table. A good rule is to keep the center third of the table for the runner and centerpiece and the outer edges for place settings.
- One paper table runner per 6 to 9 foot table
- Low flowers or greenery in small vases
- A few accents in the palette, such as baby blocks or a framed ultrasound photo
- Candles only if the shower is in the evening, and flameless if children are coming
Build a focal point around the table
The guest table does not need a banner of its own. Hang the banner on the wall behind the dessert table or gift table, where the mom-to-be opens gifts and where most photos are taken. Center it over the table, about 12 to 18 inches above the tabletop or just above the cake, and make it about two-thirds as wide as the table. A felt banner reading Oh Baby with tissue bunting layered below it adds depth and reads clearly from across the room. If there is no dessert table, use a blank wall behind the guest of honor's chair.
For favors, small pink or blue block treat boxes filled with candy or a cookie can sit at each place setting. They double as a table accent until guests take them home.
Pieces for the shower table
Every piece below is from our Baby Shower collection, designed in the My Mind's Eye studio to mix across the pink, blue and neutral palettes.
Baby Shower Table FAQs
How many plates and napkins do I need for a baby shower?
Plan one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one cup per guest, plus about 10 percent extra, and two napkins per guest. Our plates, cups and treat boxes come 8 to a pack and dinner napkins 24 to a pack, so 20 guests need 3 packs of each plate, 3 packs of cups and 2 packs of napkins. If you are serving only dessert and finger food, the dessert plate alone is usually enough.
What are gender neutral baby shower table colors?
Cream, tan and gold are the easiest neutral palette, often with soft sage or a warm sunny yellow. Teddy bears, suns and simple stripes keep the table feeling like a baby shower without pointing to pink or blue.
Should the baby shower table have a centerpiece?
Yes, but keep it low. Bud vases, a cake stand of cupcakes or a small stack of baby blocks give the table a focal point without blocking conversation. Save tall arrangements and balloons for the dessert or gift table.
Where should the baby shower banner go?
Hang it on the wall behind the dessert table or gift table, where the mom-to-be opens gifts and where most photos are taken. Center it over the table, about 12 to 18 inches above the tabletop or just above the cake, and make it about two-thirds as wide as the table. Layer tissue bunting below it for depth. If there is no dessert table, use a blank wall behind the guest of honor's chair. Skip the guest table, since seated guests cannot see a banner there.
How far ahead should I set up the baby shower table?
Set the runner, plates, napkins, cups and banner the night before. Add fresh flowers and food the morning of the shower, and bring out ice and cold drinks right before guests arrive. At a rented venue, plan 60 to 90 minutes to set up.
What is the difference between the guest table and the dessert table?
The guest table is for eating and talking, so keep it low and simple: place settings, a runner and a short centerpiece. The dessert table is the showpiece, with the cake, treats, banner and taller decor, and it is where most photos happen.
How do I decorate for a surprise or gender reveal shower?
Use the neutral palette of cream, tan and gold so nothing gives the news away early. Save a pop of pink or blue for the reveal moment, such as the inside of the cake or a burst of confetti.
How do I decorate a baby shower table on a budget?
Spend on the pieces guests touch: plates, napkins and cups in one palette. A paper table runner, grocery store flowers in small jars and one banner behind the dessert table finish the look for far less than a full balloon installation.
Plan the rest of the shower
Plates, napkins, cups, banners and favors from the My Mind's Eye studio, made to mix so a shower table comes together without guesswork. Pick one palette, pair one print with one stripe, and the table looks like you hired a stylist.
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