Chloé Crane-Leroux says this elegant accessory 'comes back in every tablescape' she creates – her luxurious idea costs under $10 to recreate

As holiday mealtimes fast approach, you may be panicking about how to set your table. Luckily, H&G spoke to an expert in all things timeless and elegant to get the scoop on what's in for holiday tablescaping this year, so you don't have to worry.

We interviewed food, lifestyle, and interiors photographer Chloé Crane-Leroux to learn her tips for how to set a table. Through her Instagram account and new cookbook, The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking, she explores living a beautiful life and is considered a reigning expert on table and food aesthetics. Thankfully, her biggest tip for curating a gorgeous table is exceedingly simple: use candles.

Crane-Leroux tells Homes & Gardens exclusively: 'Having a variety of different candles and candlesticks is super important. There's an element that I love about having candles on a table that just creates the coziest vibe. I don't think I could make a table without putting candles on it. Especially for a dinner, that's so, so beautiful. I like having them all along in the middle for a beautiful vibe.' This method is not only easy but accessibly priced.

When it comes to Christmas table decor, Crane-Leroux swears by emphasizing seasonality with natural elements.

She states: 'For holiday tables, I love having a bit of pine in there. Just having that smell. In our day-to-day, we use fragrances like candles to make our home smell nice, but using those natural elements to remind people what season we're in creates this completely holiday vibe and winter vibe. Just having a long garland of pine, it's beautiful. Those little elements that remind us of nature or that we can actually just grab outside if we live in a nature-filled area, like a little branch or a little bit of mistletoe just reminds us of this holiday season.'

Rich tones and materials also emphasize the warmth of the season in the Christmas decor on her table. 'I think velvet for the holidays is so nice. I've been loving bows for tying around linen napkins. Velvet bows to me are super fun. I think having those kind of like more rich and bold colors, especially for holidays is great. Obviously, we know, like a deep green or a deep burgundy red is so, so nice.'

Even once Christmas is over, this philosophy can be applied to tablescaping in general. Crane-Lerous says: 'I try switch it up with the seasons. Whenever I am doing a table for Spring or Summer, there are a lot of florals. I think that's so beautiful. A lot of greenery and in the spring I do more pastels. In the summer I do more bright colors. In the fall I love to use branches. I love to mix fruits and flowers. That's really something that I've been exploring a lot. I've been using these like larger pedestal bowls and putting grapes with pomegranate and then sticking beautiful dahlias that are in season in. Switching up your table for every season is so important and so beautiful and kind of color coding it to like the theme of what you're going for.

However, no matter the time of year, the candles are a constant. She concludes: 'Essentially, what comes back in every tablescape that I do is candlesticks that are in the center creating this beautiful warmth and this beautiful vibe. Setting the table in an intentional way for your guests is super important, whatever theme or vibe you're going with.'

However you decorate your table this holiday season, a few candles can elevate it almost instantly. Take it from Ms. Crane-Leroux.