Winning Game Night Party Table Setting Ideas and Inspiration

It’s tablescape day for my dinner club and this month is all about game night. I have some winning game night party table setting ideas and inspiration to share with you.

I have been wanting to create a game night tablescape for a long time.

A rectangular table set for a meal is decorated with playing cards, poker chips, and black and white striped plates. A chessboard is placed at the center along with bowls of mixed nuts. Wooden chairs surround the table, and the setting is on a brick floor.


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About a year ago, I found a huge deck of playing cards, and thought they would be the cutest placemats.

Those were the inspiration for this game night table setting.

I always like to start any design project with an inspiration piece, even my tablescapes.

Let me tell you all about the details of this table decor.

A wooden table is set for four with plates on playing card-themed placemats and napkins featuring red and black designs. The table is decorated with dice, poker chips, chess pieces, and playing cards. A tiered stand and a checkerboard holding candies and beads are at the center.

dinner club

If you’re new here, let me tell you about my dinner club.

About three years ago, 5 of my blogger friends and I started a virtual dinner club.

Every other month we have a theme and we each create a table scape to go along with our theme.

We share our table ideas and inspiration on the last Thursday of the month.

We also create a menu to go along with our theme and we take turns with different courses of the dinner.

There is typically an appetizer, cocktail, main course, side dish, and a dessert and we share the recipes on the last Saturday of the month.

However, this month is a bit different, since it is a game night get together.

We have a cocktail, 3 appetizers and a dessert for you this month.

I have such a good time getting creative with our themes and seeing all of the ideas everyone comes up with.

Themed tablescapes is one of my favorite things to create, and I look forward to sharing these with you every month.

If you have missed our past tablescapes, you can see a few of my favorites by clicking on the photo.

woodsy theme place setting with brown paper plaid tablerunner twig placemat brown transferware dinner plate with brown transferware salad plate on top white linen napkin with 2 feathers on top silverware in a tray lined with green moss to the left of the place setting amber vases with pine branches for centerpiece amber bottles with tapers for centerpiece antlers acorns and horse applesfor table
Create a Woodsy Tablescape for Fall
PIe buffet table for Thanksgiving cornucopia with pumpkins centerpiece wooden and woven cake plates/risers large pies and mini pies on cake stands
Pie Buffet Table for Thanksgiving
overhead view of vintage clipboard with white dinner plate and white salad plate stacked on top linen napkin and library card on top
Book Theme Brunch Tablescape
new year's tablescape and place setting with a white dinner plate layered with a clear dinner plate and a vintage clock face betwwen them small vintage clocks all around the plate for decoration white linen napkin tied with black white striped ribbbon and fork and knife tucked in champagne flute to right of plate vintage books stacked with clocks on top of them and silver tinsel garland wound throughout the clocks
New Year’s Tablescape with a Timely Twist

place settings for a game night

A large ace of clubs card is placed on a wooden table. Nearby, there's a box marked "ACE," a set of dominoes, and a rack of Scrabble tiles spelling "MICHELE." A few other cards are partially visible in the background.
A plate on a table is decorated with playing card napkins folded into squares and topped with game chips. Next to the plate is a fork, and under it is a placemat featuring a large number '9' and a spade symbol. The table also has various game pieces scattered around.
A table set for a game-themed meal features a black-and-white striped plate with a napkin depicting playing cards and checkers pieces. A fork rests to the left of the plate. Dice, game chips, a Scrabble letter holder, and a partial chessboard are visible in the background.

As I mentioned earlier, I found a jumbo size set of playing cards last year.

One of the large cards was the foundation for each place setting.

Since the print on the playing cards are black or red, I decided to stick with those colors for all of my table decor.

I have a set of black and white enamelware plates that I thrifted years ago. There are 4 white plates with black trim and 4 solid black plates.

Since I was setting a table for 6, I used three of each color.

Those were perfect for this table scape color scheme.

A white salad plate with black striped border was layered on top of the enamelware plates.

I have a thing for picking up fun cocktail napkins and have a ridiculous amount of them stocked up.

I happened to have a package with cards, dice, and poker chips on them, which went so well with my game themed table.

Scrabble tiles and trays used as place cards were the perfect addition to these place settings.

A cluttered table displays a mix of games and dinnerware: a chessboard with pieces, playing cards, Scrabble tiles spelling "RACHEL," dice, poker chips, and a fork. A plate with a swirl design holds scattered playing cards, all atop a large 5 of clubs card.
A tabletop scene features a plate with black and white spiral patterns, holding a folded cloth with card suits design. Around it are chess pieces, poker chips, playing cards, and a Scrabble tile holder displaying the name "ANNE." A fork is laid on a placemat with a club suit design.
A wooden Scrabble letter holder spells out "MICHELE" with Scrabble tiles. Surrounding items include playing cards, poker chips, dice, a striped plate, and scattered gaming paraphernalia on a wooden table.


table centerpiece for a game theme party

A glass cloche with a knob handle covering a cluster of playing cards, including the eight of hearts and seven of clubs, placed on a white pedestal. The background features a blurred indoor setting with books and other table items.
A glass container filled with black dominoes with white dots sits on a wooden table surrounded by various game pieces, including chess pieces and playing cards. A board game is partially visible in the background.
A clear glass jar filled with white dominoes featuring black dots sits on a Ludo game board. The scene is set indoors, with a wicker chair and glass-paneled doors visible in the background.
A glass container filled with poker chips in red, black, and white is placed on a table. In the foreground, there is a chessboard with a few chess pieces, including a black king and white pawn. White wicker chairs and a window are visible in the background.

For my centerpiece, I raided my closet filled with games.

I had lots of card decks, poker chips, dominos, dice and a cool wooden chess set.

I decided to use some glass jars and vases in different sizes that I already had and filled each one with different game pieces.

For the past few months, I had been keeping an eye out at thrift stores for other things I could incorporate into my game night table centerpiece.

Close-up of a chessboard with four glass pieces placed on it. A clear glass is filled with various chess pieces and set on the board. Dice and poker chips are scattered around the board. The setup appears to be on a table.
A Parcheesi board game set up on a wooden table. The board features designated home areas in red, green, yellow, and blue, with pathways leading to a central safe area. Chess pieces and chips are scattered around the table, indicating a mixed gameplay session.
A wooden table is strewn with various game pieces including playing cards, dice, chess pieces, and a cribbage board game box. The cards and dice are scattered around casually, creating a playful and lively atmosphere. The focus is on the cribbage board game box in the center.



I ran across 2 vintage wooden game boards for $3.00 each that I thought would be so cute on this table.

I also found a very old Cribbage set for $1.00, a glass chess set for $3.00 and a bag of black and white plastic chess pieces for .50 cents.

The 2 wooden game boards and wooden chess set were spaced out down the center of the table, along with a small white pedestal to add height to another element of this table. We’ll talk about that in a minute.

A wooden table set for a game night is adorned with various game pieces and decorations. There are jars filled with poker chips, playing cards, dice, and chess pieces. A Scrabble stand spells out "RACHEL". Board games and playing cards are spread across the table.
A wooden table displays two glass jars, one filled with dominoes and the other with playing cards. Scattered cards, poker chips, and dice adorn the table. Place settings with white plates are visible in the background, and wicker chairs surround the setup.
A wooden table is set up for a game night with chessboards, poker chips in glass jars, and scattered playing cards. Plates with dice-themed designs are placed at each seat. The background features wicker chairs and a partially visible doorway.



Next, I placed my glass vases down the center of the table until I had a nice looking balance of heights and sizes.

A couple of the vases were on top of the game boards and a few were just placed on the table.

I filled each vessel with a different type of game piece. There were ivory dominoes, black dominoes, playing cards, poker chips, and black and white chess pieces. Each in a different vase.

I only used the black and red poker chips since I am staying with a black, white and red color scheme.

All of my other game pieces were white (or cream), black, red, clear glass or natural wood color.

I scattered playing cards, dice, poker chips and chess pieces randomly throughout the centerpiece to create interest and fill in empty spaces.

For only $10, I was able to add some really cute elements to make this a winning game night party table!!

A casual game scene on a wooden table with playing cards, poker chips, two dice, a board game in the background, and a partial visible dinner setting with a fork and knife. The focus is on the cards and chips, suggesting a friendly game night.
Two playing cards, an 8 of spades and a 3 of hearts, lie on a wooden table surrounded by game pieces including chess pieces, red and white checkers, and a die. A wooden game board with blue and black markings can be seen in the background.
A wooden table is scattered with playing cards, poker chips in red and white, four six-sided dice, and wooden dominoes. Cards visible include the 10 of clubs, the King of diamonds, and the 6 of hearts. An edged wooden box sits at the top right corner of the table.

fun frozen ice bucket for a game themed party

A frosted bottle of wine is chilled in a decorative ice bucket covered with playing cards and poker chips. The scene is set on a rustic table with a glass door and wicker chair in the background. Dice and additional playing cards are scattered around the table.
A chilled bottle is encased in a block of ice adorned with playing cards, poker chips, a domino, a chess piece, and a die, all set on a plate. Surrounding the plate are additional cards, dice, and poker chips. A door with glass panels is in the background.
A glass bottle with a flip-top seal sits on a white pedestal plate. Several playing cards, poker chips, and a yellow die are arranged around its base. The background features wicker furniture and a window, with a blurred view of greenery outside.

Many years ago, I would occasionally make these fun ice buckets.

I had completely forgotten about them, until a couple of years ago.

I created one for a peach themed tablescape, and another one for a New Year’s eve party.

You can get all of the specific details by checking out my post about how to make a decorative frozen ice bucket.

In the past, I have just used 2 plastic buckets to make these. You need one that is slightly smaller than the other.

However, for this particular game themed ice bucket, I used a new ice bucket kit my daughter gave me as a gift.

Either one works great, and actually you can get a larger size ice mold by making your own with inexpensive plastic buckets.

If you would rather use a kit, here is the one I used.

For this game night themed frozen ice bucket, I added a few playing cards, poker chips and chess pieces.

Be sure and make your ice bucket at least the day before, because it will take overnight to freeze completely.

Another tip is to fill your ice bucket mold only half way with water and a few of your decoration pieces.

Freeze that, then take out of the freezer and finish filling with water and more decorations.

This way, it will spread the decoration pieces out instead of them wanting to all float toward the top.

I placed the finished ice bucket on a white cake pedestal as part of the table centerpiece.

It was the perfect way to add the finishing touch to my table and create a conversation piece.

You can add a bottle of wine or just a glass bottle filled with drinking water.

And here are a couple of the ice buckets I made using the plastic containers.

decorative ice bucket with gold/silver tinsel and gold glitter numbers 2022 frozen inside the ice and bottle of prosecco inside the ice bucket
A wine bottle is encased in a cylindrical ice block containing peaches and green leaves. The ice block is set on a woven surface with green foliage in the background. A few peaches and leaves are placed around the base, enhancing the summer ambiance.

These are so fun to make and get creative with!

more game day inspired table decoration ideas and easy tips

You do not have to spend a lot of money to create a game night table setting.

Most likely, you have some sort of games at your home already.

Do an inventory of what you already have, and center your theme around that.

It is a great way to keep the cost of your table setups budget friendly and a fun way to get really creative by using things you already have. 

You can use board games for the centerpiece and scatter the game pieces all around the table.

Or use card games like Uno or dominoes like Mexican Train and sprinkle the cards or dominoes in the center of the table.

Party supply stores most likely will have paper napkins that would be cute with your theme.

A lot of board games have lots of vibrant colors, so you could just choose a solid color paper napkin that goes with the games you are using.

Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly would be a couple of fun ones. Or maybe Candy land for a party for a young person.

You could take an old deck of cards and use a sharpie marker to write party guests names on them for place cards.

A buffet food table set up on your kitchen island or a table you won’t be using for your game night would be fun too. Just use some of the games to decorate your buffet table instead of setting a dinner table.

A game themed birthday party would be a great idea.  Choose some of the favorite games of the birthday honoree for your party decorations and inspiration.

If you are hosting a larger group and have plenty of space, you could set up different tables with different games for the centerpiece at each table. 

The sky is the limit with this fun theme.

A wooden table is strewn with playing cards, poker chips, a checkered chessboard with chess pieces, a fork, and a plate holding a ring of playing cards. Dice, a small notepad with pens, and placemats featuring the Ace of Spades are also seen.



I hope you enjoyed seeing some winning game night party table setting ideas and inspiration!

Use your imagination and set a game night themed table for your next party.

Be sure and pop over and see my friends tables and party ideas for lots of inspiration for hosting your own game night party.

And check back on Saturday for our menu filled with recipes for wonderful food for the perfect game night gathering.

blessings,

michele signature

Click on any photo to see details of the table decor.

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A table setup with a stack of colorful plates, macarons on top, and a microphone resting beside them. There's a faux candle, a bowl of grapes, and a box-shaped speaker or lighting device with a dome light in the background.
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A table is set up for a game night, featuring glass jars filled with Jenga blocks, Scrabble tiles, and poker chips. Small lit candles and an hourglass add to the ambiance. Scrabble tiles on a rack spell out "GAME NIGHT." A textured, colorful table runner enhances the setup.
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A table is decorated with large dice, scattered playing cards, and vases of colorful flowers. The background features additional decor including a clock, a large wooden cheese board, and a window with a view outside.
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A table setup for a game night party with a black and white striped plate, a fork, and various game pieces, such as Scrabble tiles spelling "RACHEL" and playing cards. The image has a text overlay that reads, "Game Night Party Table Setting Ideas" and a website URL.

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14 Comments

  1. Rachel Harper says:

    Michele
    So many creative ideas. I love the placemats and the ice bucket especially. Great job.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Rachel! Such a fun theme to create this month!

      Reply

  2. Such a fun table, Michele! I love how you started with the big playing cards as placemats and built it up from there. You really found some great finds for the table. (Is that Parcheesi I see? Love!) And I think your frozen game night ice bucket is genius! Thanks so much for including me this month. You are all so inspiring to me!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Missy! I really appreciate that and I’m so glad you joined us for dinner club this month. Your karaoke themed party was so cute!

      Reply
  3. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says:

    Those jumbo cards for placemats is a fantastic idea! I don’t think I would have even picked those up to bring home but now I want some! We had a games night when I was 40 and thinking about doing similar for 60. Those would be perfect. Along with the awesome ice bowl! Love it all. pinned

    Reply

    1. Oh, I’m so glad you found some inspiration here! I think the large playing cards would also be cute placed end to end down the center of a table, like a table runner.

      Reply

  4. Oh my gosh, Michele. This is just the cutest. The giant cards were the perfect inspo piece. I always love all of your creative ideas.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Jen! I loved your game night table, as well! Such a fun theme!

      Reply

  5. Michele, what a fun tablescape for a game night, and how cute are those placemats! Love your creativity!

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Kim! I really appreciate the kind words and I’m so glad you liked it.

      Reply

  6. So many creative ideas. It’s a great theme. What fun!

    Reply

    1. It was such a fun theme this month! Thanks so much Renae!

      Reply
  7. AnnMarie | Simply2Moms says:

    You created another beautiful tablescape Michele. Just love the ice bucket idea…I need to make one! Pinned.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much! I’m so glad you liked it. Such a fun theme this month!

      Reply

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