A well-appointed table—from linens and china to glassware and centerpieces—strengthens a chic setting. But the beautiful accessories are useless if you don’t know how to set a table properly. A Google search might even confuse you further, since arrangements will vary depending on what you’re looking for, whether it’s Thanksgiving table setting ideas or a casual dinner party table to enhance a wine night.
To help clarify, we’ve distilled this dizzying array of flatware, wineglasses, and plates of every size to the essentials for four different occasions: a formal table setting, a casual soirée, an everyday dinner, and a themed event. Then, you can add a dose of creativity by mixing and matching plates, using colorful glassware, or adorning the tablescape with elaborately folded napkins. “Think about the story you want to tell,” encourages Sara Raak, founder of Totable Tablescapes. “Life happens around the dinner table, and creating the perfect atmosphere can encourage beautiful conversation and community.”
- How to set a table for formal events
- How to set a table for a casual meal
- How to set a table for an everyday dinner
- How to set a table for a themed dinner
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do napkins go once a table is set?
- What do you need to set a table?
- How do you incorporate centerpieces on a table?
- How many forks should you use to set a table?
How to set a table for formal events
When hosting formal events, which entail a multi-course meal, elegance is of the utmost importance. Supporting pieces, such as chargers, napkin rings, and place cards play a critical role in ensuring a table will shine. On that note, however, don’t be afraid to add touches of personality to a more elevated gathering. “I prefer to use vintage water glasses to add some dimension and whimsy to the table,” says Leah Ashley, of Living with Leah. “My go-to [glasses] are a mismatched set of vintage amber water glasses that I’ve collected over the years,” adds the Austin-based interior stylist and vintage decor expert. Ashley also enjoys using vintage china on her formal tables. “There’s no better way to spruce up a table setting than by adding interesting plates,” she notes.
To further enhance a formal table, add a centerpiece. “Make sure not to block the view of your guests sitting across from each other,” Purvi Padia, the founder of House of Revelry, adds. A grand arrangement can quickly obstruct conversation or block sight lines, so I often favor a statement vase with an oversized arrangement at one end, paired with candlesticks, and then I keep the rest of the table more minimal,” she says. On that note, there’s no need to be super literal about your centerpiece. “It doesn’t have to live in the center,” Padia adds. “It can anchor one end, run the length of the table, or appear in sculptural clusters throughout.”
Wherever you choose to place your candles and flowers, the following steps will guide you as you set a table for any formal event, large or small.
• A tablecloth
• Chargers, possibly in multiple sizes
• Dinner plates, salad plates, and bread plates
• Dinner forks, salad forks, knives, spoons, and dessert spoons
• Place cards
• Wine glasses
• Water glasses
• Napkins
• Napkin rings
It’s common to see a tablecloth on formal table settings, but it’s not always necessary—just look at Ashley's gorgeous (and bare!) table above. Start by considering whether your tablescape could benefit from its inclusion. Crisp white adds pomp, but most solid colors or sophisticated patterns work.
Start with a charger in the center of a place setting. “Chargers instantly set the tone of the table,” Ashley says. “Personally, I like to use two chargers [one just smaller than the other] to create texture and added interest.”
Place the dinner plate in the middle of the charger, followed by the salad plate on top of that. “For space saving reasons, I like to place the bread plate on top of the salad plate as well,” Ashley notes. More traditionally, the bread plate would be placed in the upper left hand corner of the table setting. The butter knife can be laid horizontally on the bread plate. If you’re serving soup, the soup bowl will go on top of the salad plate.
A dinner fork is placed directly to the left of each plate, with the salad fork to its left.
The knife goes directly to the right of the plate, followed by the spoon at its right. If you’re serving soup, the soup spoon will go to the right of that. The dessert spoon rests horizontally above the plates. Add a place card above the dessert spoon. Write the guest’s name on both sides so the invitee can find their seat, and the guests on the other side of the table will know who is sitting across from them. Taylor suggests going the handwritten route when it comes to place cards.
Place the wine glasses and water glass in the upper right hand section, with the water glass placed closest to the knife and spoon and the wine glasses behind it. A red wine glass rests on the far right corner, with the white wine glass to the left of it, slightly lower, so that they form a triangle to the water glass, with the red wine glass being the top point. You can choose to add a coffee cup and saucer below the wine glasses, but Ashley generally steers away from this when setting a formal table to reduce the appearance of clutter.
Place the napkin in the middle of the plate stack. “I prefer a napkin with a napkin ring over folded napkins in a formal place setting, because I believe that a chic napkin ring is like jewelry for your table,” Ashley says.
How to set a table for a casual meal
While formal dinners can be any size, from a romantic meal for two to a multi-course, multi-guest extravaganza, casual tables are ideal for parties of eight or less, explains Tracey Rezak, creative director of Cleveland-based Pomp Parties. “Just because it’s small doesn’t mean you can’t go all out on design, details, and style,” she adds. “The great thing about a casual table is its emphasis on intimacy and enjoying the people you’re with.” Best of all, a smaller group allows ample opportunity to create intricate place settings. “Because it’s an intimate affair you can spoil your guests with detail,” Rezak adds. For example, she says, place cutlery in a decorative glass or consider crafting custom menus and placing them atop each place setting. Don’t be afraid to introduce some whimsy, either. “Things don't have to be too perfect,” Taylor says. “I love small seasonal candies strewn about the table for a playful touch."
Here are the key steps to ensure that your casual place settings are arranged properly.
• A runner
• Place mats
• Dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls
• Dinner forks, salad forks, knives, and spoons
• Satin ribbon
• Wine glasses
• Water glasses
• Napkins
“Skip the formal tablecloth and choose a runner,” Rezak suggests. “A bolt of cheesecloth, velvet or an interesting cotton print helps tie the table together giving it a cohesive look,” she adds. Then, add place mats; Rezak notes that these should be simple enough not to overpower the table runner. Or, if you do want a tablecloth (or need one to cover a folding table), place the runner on top of that; you can also replace placemats with fun chargers, as in the image above.
Rest the dinner plate in the center of the table setting. If you’re serving salad, set the salad plate atop the dinner plate. “The placement is place mat, dinner plate, salad plate, then soup bowl,” Rezak notes.
Place the fork to the left of the dinner plate. If you’re serving salad, set the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. “The fun of a causal table is you can experiment with design,” Rezak says. She suggests thinking outside the box when it comes to displaying cutlery and napkins. “Flatware can be crossed and tied with a satin ribbon; napkins can be gently draped, tied, or placed under the salad plate to create texture and interest,” Rezak advises.
Add the knife to the right of the dinner plate and then set the spoon to the right of the knife.
Set the water glass in the top right corner of the placemat, above the knife. Place the wine glass (either a red or a white wine glass, depending on what you’re serving) to the right of the water glass. Rezak suggests adding color and charm to the tabletop by using pressed glass water goblets, which are available in a number of styles and sizes.
The napkin can be set on top of the plates or underneath the fork(s).
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How to set a table for an everyday dinner
When it comes to everyday dining, setting a table is a relatively simple process. Below, Staci Inspektor and Nikki Reed of Los Angeles–based table linen company Atelier Saucier share their tried-and-true advice to ensure that even weeknight dinners at home feel special. Of course, feel free to add your own finishing touches, whether in the form of patterned linens or a dose of plant life. “A single stem in a bud vase can make any meal special without feeling over-the-top or costly,” Inspektor says. “Step outside and cut a local leaf, branch, or flower for an adorable floral moment.”
The following steps will set you up for an everyday dinner that is far from ordinary.
• Place mats or a table runner
• Dinner plates
• Forks, knives, and spoons
• Water glasses
• Napkins
Lay out a place mat, if you’re using one. Inspektor likes to use a table runner too.
Place the dinner plate in the center of the table setting.
The fork is placed to the left of the plate. Place the knife to the right of the dinner plate and then set the spoon to the right of the knife.
Set the water glass in the top right corner, above the knife.
The napkin can be placed on top of the dinner plate or beneath the fork. “Mix and match for an extra pop of color, depth, and a personalized touch,” Reed says of table linens. “Don’t be intimidated to use what is available in your linen drawer, even if you don’t have full sets.
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How to set a table for a themed dinner
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Setting a table for a themed event—whether it’s a holiday or a birthday dinner—is your chance to up the ante a bit. While pros agree there is indeed a rhyme and reason to setting this kind of table, practicality is just one component of the process. “A themed table is about more than matching plates or patterned napkins,” says Beth Helmstetter, the founder and creative director of Beth Helmstetter Events. “It’s an opportunity to tell a story, one that makes guests smile before the first course is even served.” Regardless of the time of year or specific occasion, a few constants remain: “The best themes borrow from nature, seasonality, and texture,” Helmstetter says. “They balance imagination with intention and feel like an extension of the celebration itself—warm, thoughtful, and a little bit magical.”
Don’t underestimate the significance of a centerpiece when setting this type of table. “This is where your theme truly comes to life,” Helmstetter says. The items that you display can be sourced affordably and are oftentimes found in nature. A Thanksgiving centerpiece, Helmstetter explains, may consist of an arrangement of pears, pomegranates, and persimmons placed in bowls alongside candles. Evergreen trimmings, citrus, pinecones, and ornaments can help to make up a winter centerpiece. As always, be sure that your centerpiece does not interfere with guests’ ability to look at one another while conversing.
The following steps will ensure that your next themed event is a total hit.
• A tablecloth or runner
• Chargers (optional)
• Dinner plates, salad plates, and dessert plates
• Forks, knives, and spoons
• Napkins
• Decorative accents for flatware and napkin display and centerpiece
Whether you use a tablecloth or runner on your dinner table is up to you. When it comes to linens, Helmstetter will often let the season dictate her exact choice. “For fall or Thanksgiving, try tactile linens or custom hand-painted paper that brings a rustic, yet artisanal edge,” she says. “Winter calls for rich velvets, bouclés, or even soft faux furs layered beneath candles and glassware.” During the warmer weather months, go lighter with linen or woven textiles. “Choose one foundation fabric that speaks to the season and theme at large,” Helmstetter adds. “It’s the quickest way to make your theme feel intentional.”
You can use a charger if you wish, but at minimum, place your dinner plate with a salad or dessert plate on top. The type of servingware you use will vary depending on the gathering. “Play with materials and tones that fit your theme,” Helmstetter says, adding that sticking to a general color palette works nicely. “A little variation in shade or texture makes the table feel collected, not styled,” she explains.
After setting your fork to the left of the plate and your knife and spoon to the right, don’t be afraid to add a bit of additional detail—Helmstetter again recommends thinking seasonal. “Perhaps a sprig of rosemary tied with twine, a silk ribbon in a tone pulled from your flowers, or a tiny charm that hints at the theme,” she says.
At minimum, outfit each place setting with a water glass and wine glass. Look to your specific theme to select appropriate colors for each. “Amber goblets glow beautifully at Thanksgiving, crystal coupes feel festive at New Year’s, and pressed-glass tumblers bring charm to a garden party,” Helmstetter says.
Rest a napkin on top of, underneath, or beside each plate. “Your napkin moment is where guests feel the theme up close,” Helmstetter says. Given that themed dinners may range in formality, the approach you take with your napkin display will vary. “Fold or drape each one in a way that matches the mood, either structured and symmetrical for formal dinners, or soft and unstudied for casual gatherings,” Helmstetter advises. Once again, supplement the setup with some added details—“Perhaps a hand-painted tag or charm for birthdays, or a small seashell, citrus slice, or flower stem for warm-weather tables,” she recommends. “These little touches—tactile, thoughtful, and unexpected—turn a beautiful table into an experience that feels personal.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few lingering concerns when it comes to setting tables? Consider the following frequently asked questions.
Where do napkins go once a table is set?
Napkin placement varies depending on whether you’re setting a formal table versus one designed for casual or everyday use. When setting a formal table, place your napkin in the middle of your plate stack. In the case of a casual or everyday table, your napkin can go either in this same location or beneath the fork.
What do you need to set a table?
To properly set a table, you will need a table cloth or table runner, a place mat, dinner plates, napkins, silverware (forks, knives, and spoons), water glasses, and wine glasses. In the case of a formal dinner table, you may also wish to include a place card. Then, finish off the look with a decorative centerpiece.
How do you incorporate centerpieces on a table?
A centerpiece should go in the middle of the table, so long as it does not block guests’ view of one another. You can get creative with your centerpieces and embellish them with foliage, fruits, or vegetables for some added decorative flair.
How many forks should you use to set a table?
The amount of forks used depends on whether you’re setting a formal dinner table or one that is more casual or for everyday use. Formal tables should feature dinner forks as well as salad forks. Salad forks are optional in the case of casual and everyday tables.
