Make a meal of it: This lovely new trend is the perfect daily pick me up

During the past few months most of us have never spent more time at home than ever.

Perfecting banana bread, nurturing that sourdough starter and recipe swapping have swept through the nation, but there’s another foodie trend that’s really inspired us to lay the table.

#Makeamealofit is the instagram hastag devised by influencer Laura Jackson, which encourages us to set a beautiful table once a day for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Laura says, “This is a time full of uncertainty, but setting the table punctuates the day and makes meal times memorable and positive."

We couldn't agree more!

So if you, like us, feel in need of a daily pick me up, rather than reaching for the ice-cream (or gin) simply glamming up your dinner setting can turn a basic pasta meal into a memorable night.

It doesn’t have to be fancy - even if you’re having leftovers, putting things on platters or arranging in pretty bowls with a sprinkling of herbs or drizzle of oil gives them a new lease of life.

The rules of #MakeAMealOfIt

• Rule number 1 and the most important. NOT everything has to be matchy-matchy – it’s great to have tableware that tells a story
• Think texture – fancifully shaped bowls, hand painted or speckled crockery, ribbed glass, woven natural fabrics all work wonderfully together.
• Lighting is important – a candle makes things atmospheric, and ones in different hues will change up your tablescape
• Be playful with coloured tumblers and glass – from tea light holders to dessert coupes these add pretty hues and texture to the table. Etsy has a wonderful selection of vintage glasswear.
• Use nature. Rather than cut flowers, bring your pot plants over to the table, or gather strings of herbs from the garden – these are wonderful as place settings and make the table smell wonderful
• Don’t get bogged down with the food being perfect, rough and rustic is just perfect.
• Small touches such as freshly ironed napkins, unusual vintage cutlery, name places and napkin rings can make all the difference.

This period of self-isolation is a good chance to experiment with table settings. Nothing can make you happier than a colourful and eclectic table, and laying the table once a day can really help give your day structure, giving you something to look forward to, even if you’re cooking the simplest of meals.

Many of us are already sitting on buried treasureS so now is the time to get in the loft and dust off those heirlooms. And if you’re a table-laying novice there’s never been a better moment to stock up on gorgeous, crockery, linens, glass wear and more….Here's our edit from just £2.50!

Our favourite buys to glam up your dinner setting

Clare V. for Anthropologie Maisonette Dessert Plate

£16 each, Clare V for Anthrpologie

VIEW NOW: Clare V. for Anthropologie Maisonette Dessert Plate (opens in new tab)

EAST END PRINTS Cork Backed Fruit Design Coasters, Set of 6, Multi

£10, East End Prints, John Lewis

VIEW NOW: EAST END PRINTS Cork Backed Fruit Design Coasters, Set of 6, Multi

Marks & Spencer Set of 4 Nautical Pasta Bowls

£14 (was £17.50), M&S

VIEW NOW: Marks & Spencer Set of 4 Nautical Pasta Bowls (opens in new tab)

La Redoute Interieurs Nala Napkin Rings (Set Of 4)

£5 (was £10), La Redoute

VIEW NOW: La Redoute Interieurs Nala Napkin Rings (Set Of 4)

Sous Chef Curved Cabbage Leaf Dish 25cm

£15, souschef.co.uk

VIEW NOW: Sous Chef Curved Cabbage Leaf Dish 25cm

Debenhams Lucy Tiffney - Multicoloured Botanical Print Oval Serving Plate

£20 (was £25), Lucy Tiffney at Debenhams

VIEW NOW: Debenhams Lucy Tiffney - Multicoloured Botanical Print Oval Serving Plate (opens in new tab)

Graham and Green Aloe Vera Ceramic Candle Holder

£24.95, Graham and Green

VIEW NOW: Graham and Green Aloe Vera Ceramic Candle Holder (opens in new tab)

The White Company Porto Stoneware Heart Side Plate

£15, The White Company

VIEW NOW: The White Company Porto Stoneware Heart Side Plate

Rick Stein Cork-Backed Coves of Cornwall Placemats, Set of 4, Blue/White

£30, John Lewis

VIEW NOW: Rick Stein Cork-Backed Coves of Cornwall Placemats, Set of 4, Blue/White

Habitat Atkinson Pink stoneware 12 piece dinner se

£40, Habitat

VIEW NOW: Habitat Atkinson Pink stoneware 12 piece dinner se (opens in new tab)

LSA International Gio Gem Tumbler Glasses, Set of 4, 310ml, Amber

£35, LSA at John Lewis

VIEW NOW: LSA International Gio Gem Tumbler Glasses, Set of 4, 310ml, Amber

H&M Patterned tablecloth

£12.99, H&M Conscious Home

VIEW NOW: H&M Patterned tablecloth

Set of 4 Blockprint Teaspoons

£30, Anthropologie

VIEW NOW: Set of 4 Blockprint Teaspoons (opens in new tab)

Oliver Bonas Camila Green & Gold Ceramic Bowl Small

£6.50, Oliver Bonas

VIEW NOW: Oliver Bonas Camila Green & Gold Ceramic Bowl Small (opens in new tab)

La Redoute Interieurs Cancun Printed Anti-Stain Tablecloth

£20.80 (was £26), La Redoute

VIEW NOW: La Redoute Interieurs Cancun Printed Anti-Stain Tablecloth

Truly Pom Pom Serving Platter

£20, truly.co.uk

VIEW NOW: Truly Pom Pom Serving Platter (opens in new tab)

MITTBIT Table-runner, black beige/white35x130 cm

£5, Ikea

VIEW NOW: MITTBIT Table-runner, black beige/white35x130 cm (opens in new tab)

Oliver Bonas Amara Pink Heart Bowls Set of Three

£32.50, Oliver Bonas

VIEW NOW: Oliver Bonas Amara Pink Heart Bowls Set of Three (opens in new tab)

Graham and Green Fluoro Candles

£3, Graham and Green

VIEW NOW: Graham and Green Fluoro Candles (opens in new tab)

John Lewis & Partners Round Cotton Mix Ombre Placemat, Blue/White

£10, John Lewis

VIEW NOW: John Lewis & Partners Round Cotton Mix Ombre Placemat, Blue/White (opens in new tab)

Set of 4 100% cotton gruppera napkins

£2.50, Ikea

VIEW NOW: Set of 4 100% cotton gruppera napkins (opens in new tab)

Nkuku Uma Cane T-Light

from £9.95, Nkuku

VIEW NOW: Nkuku Uma Cane T-Light (opens in new tab)