Banana leaf tablecloth and other ways to win at Diwali table setting

If you’re hosting a Diwali dinner this year, chances are your table is about to become the main event. Statement spoons may have kicked off the season’s biggest tablescaping trend, but the real magic lies in how you bring everything together. It’s about the mood, the mix, and that perfect balance between thoughtful and effortless. Whether you’re leaning towards sleek minimalism or joyful maximalism, we’ve called in three design-savvy hosts to show you how to put together a standout centrepiece to your festive celebration.

Gunjan Gupta, founder of Studio Wrap and Ikkis

Gunjan Gupta has a knack for turning everyday Indian objects into design statements. Whether it’s her Pankha placemats or the iconic Lota tiffin, her work is a masterclass in Indian-jugaad-meets-contemporary-luxury. True to her style, her table settings blend storytelling, craftsmanship, and surprise in a way that feels both traditional and refreshingly new.

“My trick is to tell a story.” Always begin with a narrative and think about how the food, guests, and objects come together as part of an experience.

Biggest mistake: Overcrowding a table or making it overly decorative and non-functional. Every object should serve a purpose in the dining experience.

Luxury-slot advice: Invest in the Lota tiffin from Ikkis, which embodies the spirit of shared experience and wonder.

Diwali palette: Natural hues inspired by Tantra art, such as deep cobalt blue, earthy reds, and tones drawn from natural dyes.

If there’s one thing you do... Mix materials! Pair an ordinary mat with a luxurious spoon. Just be wild and wacky with it. The more you play with contrast, the more alive the table feels.

—As told to Sheya Kurian

Neha Kapur, model and entrepreneur

Neha Kapur knows that the best dinner tables are the ones that feel lived in, not laboured over. Her Instagram is proof that she loves hosting, with glowing candlelight, easy elegance, and tables that always feel like a good time. She swears by her silver trays—timeless pieces that double up as serveware and decor—and often turns her table into edible still life with hanging grapes, long banana stems, or a scattering of herbs and flowers. For Kapur, the perfect table is about warmth, detail, and a touch of spontaneity.

“My trick is to begin with light.” It’s really that simple. I always make sure there’s enough light at the centre of the table and switch off all the overhead lights. Sometimes I use small, battery-charged lamps—they emit this soft, romantic glow, and most come with dimmers, which makes it easy to adjust the mood.

Luxury-slot advice: Invest in candles. I love placing different scented candles at different corners of the table—the way the fragrances mingle ever so gently is a quiet kind of luxury.

Diwali palette: Soft neutrals paired with mogra and betel-leaf green, accented by Indian rose or a pop of pink or red under candlelight.

Avoid non-functional elements. Oversized decor that blocks conversation or mismatched crockery that doesn’t suit the meal can throw off the balance of the setting.

If there’s one thing you do... Step into the garden (or take a walk in your area), pick a few branches or stems, and lay them flat between candles—it’s simple, spontaneous, and always beautiful.

What elevates a setup: Glassware. The right glass for the right drink, arranged in a square formation—white wine, red wine, water, sherry—creates rhythm and intention.

—As told to Sheree Gomes Gupta

Akshita Garud, creative director of Two Odd

Akshita Garud doesn’t just set tables, she also builds worlds. Typically, her setups are bold, playful, and a little rebellious, mixing stainless steel, mirror tops, concrete blocks, fruit chains, and banana leaves into sculptural feasts. Each table feels like an art experiment gone deliciously right, where everyday materials come together in unexpected harmony. She’s interested in reimagining traditional forms, like in the double-sided spoons she created in collaboration with metal artist Avantika Khanna.

“My trick is to use fruit in surprising ways.” Create fruit or food chains—edible sculptures that instantly make the table look unique and alive.

Anchor with the table itself. The surface or material of the table serves as the foundation.

Current favourites: Incorporate loads of stainless steel, from the plates, bowls, and glasses to the smaller accessories. As for colour, I love to try one that is not usually used for Diwali. I think a blue would be interesting, bold, and still stick to the core of Diwali.

Timeless elements: Mirrors and concrete blocks.

If there’s one thing you do... Use unconventional materials. Think banana-leaf tablecloths, mirrored trays, multipurpose objects, and playful symmetry to tell a story.

What elevates a setup: Cutlery and glassware. Reimagining traditional forms can make dining feel interactive and unexpected.

—As told to Chloe Chou