Quick Guide: Table Setting 101

As the holidays approach we’ll be spending a little more time around the dining room table.  So here’s our table setting 101 quick guide …

Table for 2

The holiday season is a busy time, so if you can check one thing off the list early like setting the table your way ahead of the game! Setting the table a few days early is helpful because it can take a little more time than you may think it does. So our quick guide: Table Setting 101 is all about how to set a simple place-setting.

My simple real-life truth ~ I don’t know if this has ever happened to you but while attending an event like a wedding where the table settings are crammed together with multiple plates and glasses, it can be hard to see where your table setting ends or begins! 

Table Setting 101

So here’s how I remember what’s what … most people are right-handed. Therefore, they will naturally reach for their drink with their right hand.  So, the water and wine glasses are always set to the right of the dinner plate just above the knife.  Whala … now we all know which side the bread plate is on … to the left of your dinner plate.  So next time your at an event, be the first to claim your bread plate and watch the rest of the group sigh a sense of relief.  

Table Setting 101 w/o napkin

Table Setting 101.

Plates

• Layer a salad plate on top of your dinner plate.
• Bread and butter plate placed at the top left of the dinner plate.

Silverware

• From left to right on the left side of the dinner plate:  Salad Fork, Dinner Fork
• From left to right on the right side of the dinner plate: Knife blade facing towards the dinner plate, Soup Spoon if needed.
• At the top of the dinner plate: Dessert Spoon, Dessert Fork.  *this step is optional.
• Bread & Butter Knife: place on top of bread & butter plate.

Glassware:

• From left to right at the top right corner above your Dinner Knife: Water Glass, Wine Glass.

Napkins:

• There are endless options for napkin placement.  However, one thing is for certain cloth napkins are a really nice addition. Although cloth napkins are a bit of an upfront investment, think long-term when purchasing them.  I have napkins handed down from my Mother that still look great.

Table Setting 101 napkin

My Tips ~

I like mixing up formality & informality within a table setting.  Such as in my table for two above. First, I began with a white dinner plate from Villeroy & Boch.  Then added a Williams-Sonoma Home salad plate and a Noritake bread & butter plate.  Second, Glassware, the water glass from Crate & Barrel is actually a stemless white wine glass.  And the white wine glass is from Ridel.  Finally, I have a range of cloth napkins that I like to play with.  As you can see the terracotta napkin color warms up the place setting for a Fall Table vibe.  But you could easily add a pale pink or bright yellow napkin for a spring or summer table setting.

And as always, thanks for stopping in ~ Nancy

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