If you are like us and Earth Day and spring have you re-evaluating what you can do to create a more earth-friendly home, now’s a great time to take a closer look at your tabletop. Sustainable choices are everywhere today, from natural and small-batch products to goods made from recycled materials to antique and vintage items taking center stage, there are lots of ways to do more for your next spring soirée to “green” up your tablescape.
“Celebrating sustainability is also a way of honoring craftsmanship, history and the stories behind the pieces we bring into our homes,” says Abigail Fox, co-founder of 365 Collective by Abigail Fox + Serendipity, our own luxury lifestyle brand based in Greenwich, CT. “At 365 Collective, we feel sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a value we build into every aspect of our brand.”
While one person may opt for natural materials, another might be drawn to antiques and vintage items like a toast rack or decanter that can be used and reused through generations. Some might prefer a more minimalist aesthetic while others prefer layered and timeless elements. But no matter your design choices, we’ve rounded up a few great ways to get a look that is entirely you while also being sustainable.
Reuse and Repurpose
Vintage and antique items are a great way to go green. Mix them with more contemporary pieces or layer them with other classic elements, depending on your taste. “I love using vintage china and pottery in tablescapes,” agrees Emily Fuhrman, founder of Sage & Ginger, a full-service interior design firm based in New Canaan, CT. She has vintage Japanese tea sets and vintage china she likes to incorporate into her tabletop. A vintage bowl or ice bucket at the center of the table with a linear design of alternating cups, creamers and sugar vessels down the table draws your eye and invites you to sit down. “If some cups are smaller than others, prop them up on a lucite block,” advises Fuhrman. “If you alternate two or three designs, it adds even more interest. I would just stay on theme so china is with china, pottery is with pottery. You can mix metal vessels in with both.”
Emily Meszkat, principal designer of her eponymous design studio in Rye, NY, frequently repurposes a bud vase or old mason jar in her tablescape designs. “I love creating sustainability in tabletop design by leaning into pieces that already have a story—whether that’s vintage glassware I’ve found while thrifting or silverware passed down from my grandmother,” she says.
Fox has a collection of antique oyster plates her parents gifted her over the years, one by one. Each is different, and beautiful on their own, and together they tell a love story that bridges generations. “I love bringing them out—they’re always a conversation starter,” says Fox. “Each one has lived a life before it ever reaches your table, and that layered history brings a depth and authenticity you just can’t replicate. The idea of passing things down through generations transcends any specific style—it’s really about emotion, tradition and connection.”
If you like vintage pieces but don’t want your tablescape to look too stodgy, mix and match eras, advises Fuhrman. “Pair something old—a vintage decanter or antique china—with more modern silhouettes or clean-lined textiles,” she adds. “It’s that contrast that makes it feel collected rather than dated. And don’t be afraid to use things in unexpected ways—old bottles as candle holders or mismatched glasses for a casual night.”
“I’m a big fan of Blue Pheasant, especially because their pieces feel timeless but still current—and they’re sustainably made, which is a win. A favorite of mine is the Samuel Amber Tumbler. It has a beautiful amber tone that brings warmth to the table and just enough vintage charm without feeling overly traditional. I’d mix it with my grandmother’s silver and a simple linen runner for a look that’s casual but thoughtful. It’s perfect for cocktails or iced tea, and the amber glass adds that little pop of color that makes the whole setting feel intentional.”
Go Natural
Selecting sustainably made items made of natural materials creates an aesthetic that is warm, soothing and decidedly modern. Fox loves incorporating natural wood and stoneware in her tabletop design. She suggests a centerpiece of seasonal branches, fresh herbs or foraged greenery to bring the outside in.
Fuhrman says she loves to use natural preserved moss as a centerpiece. “What I think looks great (and is very easy), is to use preserved moss in tea cups, mugs, serving bowls, a creamer/sugar holder and ice buckets,” says Fuhrman. “You fill the vessel with newspaper or bubble wrap and then use the preserved moss as a topper. It’s as if you have a “muffin top” of preserved moss on your vessel.”
Sustainable hand-carved wood bowls like the selection from Peterman are unique and organic on the table, advises Meszkat. “I love layering them into a tabletop as a grounding element—they add warmth and texture, and they look amazing filled with fruit, seasonal florals, or even used to hold cloth napkins or flatware. They bring that sense of natural elegance while aligning with a more sustainable approach to entertaining.”
“We make a conscious effort to utilize every part of the logs we source,” says Michele Jurado of Peterman’s line of wood serving bowls and boards made of upcycled logs. Her husband, Spencer Peterman, has cultivated strong relationships with local tree services in the community who frequently contact them when they need to remove trees from residential properties. “We take great pride in the fact that our entire process is local and inherently sustainable.”
At home, Michele and Spencer love to entertain on their screened-in porch, invariably using Peterman’s bowls for serving, like the 15-inch spalted maple bowl or the driftwood oak bowl, paired with fresh cut flowers from their garden. “We have an old side table where we often feature our handled boards, perfect for charcuterie,” she adds. Her favorite is the 24-inch cherry serving board with handle.
Choose Products with Purpose
When you find a brand that values sustainability—make that the focal point of your tablescape.
Cutting boards to display appetizers or fresh breads and cheeses, handmade stone pottery or hand-blow glass bowls can be mixed and matched to create a look that celebrates nature rather than competing with it. “These details bring a sense of warmth and soul to the table, while grounding the setting in the present moment,” adds Fox.
An artisan product made in a way that protects the planet makes for a wonderful conversation around the dinner table as well as an artistic detail that elevates your tablescape. Fox loves the handcrafted Montenegro pitcher from Indaba or the teak serving set from Be Home US. Be Home sources these teak serving utensils from protected groves in Thailand that are replanted with each harvest to create durable and distinct home goods. For an intimate dinner, set natural water buffalo horn spoons at each place setting. Designed by skilled artisans for Be Home, these large spoons are crafted in small batches with ethically sourced water buffalo horn, made by hand with respect to ancient traditions of Vietnam.
“A piece I’m loving right now is the Geometric Marble Hexagon Board,” adds Meszkat. “It’s a little more sculptural and unique than a typical serving piece, and it brings a sense of quiet luxury to the table.” Use it for cheeses, a bread display or as a base for candles and greenery, she suggests. “It always elevates the whole setup without feeling overdone.”
