A tray supper with a stable landing
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A tray can turn a quiet evening meal into a small scene, provided it has a secure place to land. Think first about stability, then about colour. A tray balanced on soft cushions is a photograph waiting for a spill rather than a useful dining arrangement.
Set a sturdy tray on a suitable stable table beside the seat and check that it does not overhang. Leave room for the whole plate and glass, and give hot dishes the protection their serving surface requires. Keep a clear route to the kitchen so you can carry everything without stepping around loose objects.
Use one cloth napkin and a small plate rather than decorating the tray with things you will have to remove. A glass with a broad stable base is easier to live with than a tall ornament of glassware in a cramped corner. Keep the layout within an easy reach from a comfortable seat.
The room can supply the atmosphere: a lamp, a favourite cushion, a little open space. Treat the tray as a working surface and clear it after the meal. A considered supper does not require formal furniture, but it does deserve somewhere secure for the food and your hands.