The holidays are here! We think nothing evokes the spirit of the season like some cozy seasonal decorations — not only that, but it is also hosting season, so you better check your shopping and to-do lists (twice if you need to). Luckily, making spirits bright is as easy as adorning the place where guests and loved ones gather to eat, drink, and be merry: the dining room. Decorate your eating space to perfection this holiday with our beautifying tips for your dining table shape.
A Brief Guide to Dining Table Linens
- Tablecloths – A cloth used to cover a table. Some are ornamental while others are designed to protect the table from scratches and stains. Popular fabrics for tablecloths include cotton, polyester, vinyl, and burlap.
- Table Runners – Narrow lengths of cloth that are laid down the center of the table. A table runner is usually used as a decorative accent that coordinates with the other table dressings, and it can be placed on a bare table or layered on top of a tablecloth.
- Placemats – A covering designating an individual place setting. Placemats are made from different materials depending on their purpose, whether it’s to decorate or protect the table.
- Napkins – A linen used at a meal to clean the mouth and fingers while eating. Traditionally, napkin rings were used at family dinners so that cloth napkins could be reused, with each person using a distinct napkin ring. If the napkin was still clean, it was placed back in the ring at the end of the meal so it could be used again by the same person. But today, napkin rings are generally used for decoration.
Round and Square Tables
Round and square dining tables are space-efficient options for small homes — not to mention that they are deemed suitable for small families or single residents. Square dining tables are designed for two to four people. When not in use, you can discretely slide a square table into a corner of the room, or it can sit flush against a wall to establish a charming spot for brunch for two or solo meals. On the other hand, a round dining table is a great way to maximize your space without taking up too much room, as the circular shape can offer room for four to six people without the sprawling length of a rectangular table.
For decorating these smaller dining tables, think minimal. Some ideas include having one piece of fabric covering the table, whether you choose to run a table runner down the center or use a tablecloth (be sure to check the dimensions and for which table shape they are designed). Alternatively, you may decide to use beautiful placemats instead of a larger cloth — but be sure that the edges don’t overlap, in which case, you may want to choose circular placements. For each place setting, we recommend placing any cloth napkins and/or silverware on each plate to give guests more elbow room (although technically, table manners discourage resting on the table surface during meals).
In addition, if you are partial to centerpieces, we recommend affixing one décor item, whether it’s a ceramic piece, a floral arrangement, a rustic lantern, or decorative glassware.
Oval and Rectangular Tables
Oval and rectangular dining tables provide a significant amount of space for households comprised of five or more people—or for the occasional large dinner party. Rectangular dining tables present the unique opportunity to have a dining bench (or two) that you can use to accommodate more hungry patrons or to slide under the table when not in use. By contrast, oval dining tables bring the best of both rectangular and round dining tables; smooth lines and curves evoke an eclectic and welcoming atmosphere while the two long sides still showcase a traditional dining feel.
There is more room to exercise your creativity with an oval or rectangular dining table. But to avoid overwhelming your dining setup, we recommend using only two types of table dressings, whether you pair a table runner with placemats or a tablecloth with placemats or a table runner with a tablecloth. Unless you have plenty of food on the table, it might be a fun idea to weave decorations along the center of the table; some ideas include garlands, string lights, a row of tea lights, or themed décor accents (e.g., Christmas ornaments).
Regardless of whether you weave décor elements along the table runner, we think a centerpiece will be a charming addition — its size should be in correlation to how crowded your table is without it. In short, try to create balance so that your table is still functional.
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