Hosting again? Let’s get to talking tables. Setting a dinner correctly is not only an invaluable life skill but also a fantastic way to give your guests a wonderful evening that leaves them feeling enamored and impressed.
We’ve broken down the process of laying a basic, informal, and formal dining table right from linens, serveware, crockery, cutlery, and glasses. Read to know about the place-setting rules and ideas that help you set a splendid dinner table of dreams.
Basic Table
The basic table setting is a casual, no-frills necessary spread that is laid out for usual morning breakfasts or weeknight dinners. The table may be basic, but it’s put together enough to present a splendid meal.
What you’ll need:
• Table mat
• Dinner plates
• Forks, knives, and spoons
• Drinking glasses
• Napkins
Directions
• Lay the table mat and place a plate in the middle
• Place a napkin on the left side of the table, adjacent to the plate
• A fork to the left on the napkin, a knife, and a spoon to the right (make sure the knife blade is pointing towards the plate)
• The glass must be positioned above the plate, or over the knife
Informal Table
Ideal for small gatherings such as special dinners, friendly reunions, or casual brunches, the informal table setting is an elevated version of the basic table with a fancier feel.
What you’ll need:
- Table cover, table runner (optional), table mats, and napkins
- Dinner plates, quarter plates, and small plates
- Salad fork (if you’re serving salad), soup spoon (if you’re serving spoon), dinner fork, dinner spoon, dinner knife, and dessert spoon.
- Water glass, wine/cocktail glass, tea/coffee cup & saucer (optional)
- Serving bowls, plates, and spoons
Directions
- Lay the table cloth, and table mats and spread the table runner through the middle of the table (you can use a circular one for round tables)
- The serverware is placed on top of the table runner
- Place the dinner plate in the middle of the mat, with the quarter plate on top. Alternatively, you can also place the quarter plate to the left of your forks.
- The bowl goes on top of the dinner plate (or quarter plate if that’s on top of the dinner plate).
- Place the napkin to the left of the decorative plates
- Place the fork on the napkin left on the dinner plates. Put the knife on the right side of the plates and next to it place the spoon.
- A water glass with a wine/cocktail glass to its right; a tea or coffee cup to the right of the wine glass
Formal Table
This is the setting fit for birthday dinners, wedding dinners, festive feasts, or official suppers. Such scrumptious spreads require showstopping tableware, right from the entrée ensembles to the main course extravaganza.
One of the main additions to the formal setting is the introduction of a charger plate. A charger plate is essentially a presentation plate that no one eats from. While traditional table etiquette dictates that a charger plate is an integral part of a formal setting, we believe that no rule is set in stone, and one doesn’t need to go out of their way to purchase them. However, touché if you do use a charger plate.
What you’ll need:
- Table cover, table runner (optional), table mats, and napkins
- Charger plates, dinner plates, quarter plates, and small plates
- Flatware: salad fork, soup spoon, fish/oyster fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon
- Water glass, a white wine glass, and a red wine glass
- Serving bowls, plates, and spoons
- Placards (optional)
Directions
- Lay the table cloth, and table mats and spread the table runner through the middle of the table (you can use a circular one for round tables)
- The serverware is placed on top of the table runner
- Place the charger plate under the plate your first course will be served in, the quarter plate can either be placed under the bowl or go to the left of your forks.
- Place a napkin on the left side of the charger plate
- On the left side, adjacent to the charger, place the salad fork outside and the dinner fork inside. You may also put both forks on the napkin or you may even place the forks between the napkin and charger.
- Put the knife on the right side of the charger plate (blade pointing towards the charger) and next to the knife place the soup spoon.
- Just above the charger place the tablespoon. The mouth is facing the left and the handles pointing to the right.
- Place the water glass on the top right, directly above the knife. To the right of the water glass slightly upward, place the red wine glass, and just below the red wine glass and slightly downward to the right place the white wine glass.
Breaking the Rules
Now, to add a little personal touch, Spreeh recommends a few tips you could use for a dinner table that speaks to your style.
- Feel free to throw in some colorful glassware to break the monotony of colorless glass
- With tableware, mixing a few vintage pieces with old favorites is always a welcome idea to add character
- If you’re feeling up for it, think about strategically mixing and matching your fine china to serve dinner with a side of creativity
