The Collectable Tablescapes Series illustrates several ways to avoid a cluttered look. 
is all about using your collections, as many or as few pieces as you like, for your centerpiece. It is often hard to decide which items make for the most interesting and beautiful arrangement. The tables are often abundant. It is the nature of collecting. There are ways, however, to keep the table from looking cluttered.
First, the collection itself has a unifying look just by virtue of its design. The pieces
are often created by a designer who put together the color, texture and forms in a pleasing way – or nature has created the color palette - or some other feature is repeated and ties the pieces together. Their use in a dining table centerpiece is an inherent organizing feature of a 
and pulls the visual look of the table setting together.
The use of Negative Space in dining room table décor
Outside of the collectibles in the centerpiece, the rest of the table setting should complement your collection and the table as a whole should reflect good design principles. This is where your personal taste comes into play. The place settings should reflect the colors and/or patterns of the centerpiece and can be as simple or busy as you like. The more pattern or color repetition you choose to include in your settings, the more you may need to think about de-cluttering or editing. What elements of your collectible are you repeating in the place settings? If there are several, consider removing one - or stick with your idea - but either way think about adding some negative space.
The idea of negative space is important in all art. It is those spaces that have little or no color or pattern against the elements next to them. Negative space helps group items together and gives the viewer’s eyes a place to rest. In dining room table design this translates into allowing space between the groups of objects on the table. For example, space between the visual edge of the centerpiece and the place settings, the space between the place settings (also allows for elbow room between guests), the space at the corners of a square or rectangular table and the space between the table and the chairs. Pulling chairs back away from the table a bit may create more negative space, especially if the chair backs are tall.
A white tablecloth will provide negative space between the centerpiece collection and the design of the dishware. Alternatively, plain dishware, glassware and flatware would keep all the color, contrast and visual weight in the center of the table and create more negative space. The White Table (in the Collectables Tablescape Series) option reflects this choice.
Ideas for keeping a dining room table centerpiece and its place settings looking uncluttered:
- Use picture frames (without the glass) to corral the pieces.
See My Collectables Collection. - Place small items on tray(s).
See Wood or Woodland Animals - Use a table runner, whether purchased or made from a length of cloth.
See Finial D'Abres. - Place items in an imaginary rectangle, or circle if you have a round table.
See Seashells. - Use the Rule of 3 (or 5 or 7) – this helps group items. Our brains like to group and categorize things. This also allows for negative space which allows your eyes to have a rest.
See Leprechauns - Use platforms to showcase items. This separates them from table level, and brings them closer to eye level.
See Children's Museum. - Place the pieces in a straight line down the middle of the table. This is simple and clean.
See Egg Cups. - Use a framed door mirror in the center of the table to hold all your items. This also creates a nice ambiance when used with light dimmers or candles.
See Tapestry. - The White Table option can simplify the look of any table setting. This is especially true if the collection is just a random grouping of items which, may or may not, have something that ties them together. For example, this situation would likely be true if you invited your guests to bring a piece of their story for your centerpiece as in the Guest Table option.
See My Collectables Collection. - Some tablecloths have built in runners. The cloth has a center design stitched into the fabric.
See Angels. - Sometimes, you just need to leave it abundant.
See Cornucopia
Also:
- Is there enough space between place settings, do you have just the utensils you need for the menu, same with glassware, and serving pieces (if they are to be on the table), etc.?
- Do you have a side board, console table or other surface in the room that can handle platters and side dishes?
- A beautiful cart or small table set next to the host can provide extra space for serving dishes, wine and/or the water carafe.
- I like to set up a buffet table and let guests serve themselves. Buffets can be designed to visually coordinate with the dining table and large pieces from your collection will find a comfortable home.