Whether you’re sitting down to a delicious dinner with the fam, or treating dinner party guests to a feast, a properly set table appropriate for the occassion is a must. Use our complete guide to help you know where to position the cutlery, how to choose the right decor, and which glasses are best.
Basic & Casual table settings
Whether you’re enjoying a basic meal with your loved ones, hosting a casual gathering with friends, or setting the mood for an easy date night at home, a simple, well-laid table makes all the difference. Turn the occassion from a quick-fix to momentous and intentional – without any fuss.
For basic table settings, all you’ll need are the basics: a dinner plate, a water or drinking glass (plus an alcoholic glass if a bottle of wine or a cocktail is being poured), a simple placemat, cutlery (just a fork, knife and dessert spoon), a dinner plate, and a napkin. No need to worry about fancy tablecloths (a plain one will do) or fancy flower arrangements.
For casual table settings, which just means more courses to eat through (i.e. salads and soups), you’ll need these extras: a salad fork and knife (it’s a smaller set), soup spoon, side or salad plate, soup bowl, and any extra glasses (champagne, wine, brandy, whisky or dessert).
The golden rule of thumb with multiple items: start from the centre, placing the main plate and cutlery down first, and working your way to the edge with the rest; always arranging the glasses at the 1 p.m. position flowing out diagonally.
Our step-by-step guide for basic table settings
- Lay the placemat on the table, centering it in front of the seat.
- Lay the dinner plate down in the centre of the placement.
- Arrange the napkin to the left of the plate on the placemat, or in the centre of the plate (personal preference here).
- Place the fork to the left of the plate (ontop of the napkin if you have it here).
- Place the knife, blade facing the plate’s outer edge, on the right side. Then, on the outer edge of the knife or placemat, lay down the dessert spoon.
- Ensure the bottom of all utensils are levelled.
- Next, place the water glass, above the placemat and utensils, top-right or about 1 p.m. from the dinner plate. If you are drinking more than water, place this glass diagonally above the water glass.
- Repeat above steps for each guest/chair at the table.
Casual table setting tips
Since the casual table setting just has more items to place, follow the above steps and add on any extra items, remembering the golden rule of thumb.
- You may use side plates, or soup bowls if that’s part of the meal. Place side plates (or salad plates, which are slightly larger) to the left, directly across from the drinking glass and ontop of the fork. For soup bowls, simply place them ontop of the dinner plate and either add a soup spoon in place of the dessert spoon, or move the dessert spoon to the top of the placemat.
- If you’re being treated to steak or other red meat for dinner, swap the knife sor a serrated steak knife.
- If you’re celebrating a special occassion on the down low, consider adding two or three candles to bring some ambiance to the table.
- You don’t have to use a tablecloth to cover the table as long as you have placemats. If you don’t have or want to use tablemats, definitely lay a plain tablecloth down to make the setting look clean and neat.
- You can use your favourite plain or bold tablecloth – use what makes you happy.
- To make date night special, consider placing an ice bucket to the side of the table (or on it’s own seperate one close by) and filling it with ice and you and your partner’s favourite bubbles or vino.
- Refrain from having too much decor or large flower arrangements on the table – this can make the environment feel super formal, or chaotic (depending on the amount of decor and flower arrangement).
Formal table settings
A formal table setting is where it gets real. It has a lot more items to arrange, and provides the host with the chance to wow their guests with their crockery, cutlery and decor tastes. Use this table setting for home dinner parties that feature multiple courses, celebrations and special occasions.
Formal settings already have a lot going on, with multiple silverware, dishes and glassware. Keep the decor low and luxe, making sure it adds to the ambiance (without making it feel chaotic), and most importantly, that your guests can see and engage each other across the table.
It may seem daunting, but remember that each arrangement builds on the previous one, making the process long but fairly straightforward.
An extensive list of what you’ll need:
- Silverware: Butter knife, salad fork and knife, oyster fork (optional), soup spoon (optional), fish fork and knife (optional), main fork and knife (steak knife if red or large meats are served), and a dessert spoon and fork (depending on the type of dessert)
- Dishes: Bread plate, salad plate, side plate, soup bowl, dinner plate, and a charger (a more formal placemat, optional)
- Glassware: Water glass, champagne flute (optional), white wine glass, red wine glass, and sherry glass (optional)
- Miscellabeous: Napkin, individual or shared salt and pepper shakers, individual bread basket, and name card with place card holder
Our step-by-step guide for formal table settings
If you don’t need all the silverware, dishes, and glassware, simply follow the next steps.
- Charger & dinner plate: Begin with the charger, laying the dinner plate ontop, followed by the salad plate and finally the soup bowl.
- Napkin & silverware: Place the napkin on the left, followed by the main fork. Place the rest of the forks to the left of the main fork in the following order: fish and finally the salad fork. Place the dinner knife (or steak knife) to the right of the plate, followed by the rest of the silverware in the following order: fish knife, salad knife, dessert spoon and fork, and finally the oyster fork.
- Glassware: Start with the water glass, at the 1 p.m. position, to the right of the dinner plate. If you’re serving bubbles, place the chammpagne flute to the right of the water glass, above the spoons. Place the wine glasses diagonally behind the water glass, with white first and red to follow. Finally, if you’re serving sherry or another drink with dessert, place the glass diagonally across the champagne flute, above and in-between the water and white wine glass.
- Miscellaneous items: Position individual salt and pepper shakers next to the bread plate or above the dinner plate; place the name card holder at the top, in the centre of the setting.
A beautifully set table doesn’t need to be overly complicated – it’s all about providing the necessary tools for your guests to enjoy the meal, and creating a welcoming atmosphere and thoughtful dining experience. Whether you’re sitting down to a casual meal, or pulling out all the stops for a multiple course dinner, knowing the basics gives you confidence to adapt, play and make every meal feel a little more special.
