How to Properly Set a Table for Basic, Casual, and Formal Gatherings
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Properly setting the dining table shouldn’t be a lost art, even if life is busier than ever. After all, sitting down to a gorgeously set table is a beautiful, welcoming way to enjoy a meal with the people you love. Whether you’re having a casual night in with your family or a more formal dinner party with guests, the small details matter! Lining the dining table with a table cloth and properly setting the table is a thoughtful touch that will make any mealtime gathering feel more special.
It’s hard not to appreciate lovely plates and glassware, framed by sparkling cutlery—and, ideally, a vase of fresh flowers, votive or pillar candles, and table decor at the center of it all. Of course, there is a specific way to set the table, depending on the occasion, as well as items you need for different types of table settings. (And before you set any table, of course, be sure to wipe it down so you’re starting with—and eating on—a clean surface.) To help you get it all exactly right, whether you’re thinking ahead to this weekend’s get-together, the upcoming holidays, or family dinner night, we’ve compiled step-by-step table setting instructions for every type of dining style, from your everyday basic setting to a formal dinner.
How to Set a Basic Dinner Table
Even dinners on hectic weeknights (say, leftovers from your fridge or takeout from your favorite local restaurant) deserve a properly set table. The same goes for breakfast in the morning, if you have time. In addition to making the meal more inviting, putting a little effort into your table setting sends the message that it’s time to slow down for a minute and enjoy what’s on your plate. Give it a try!
What you need for a basic table setting:
- Placemat
- Fork
- Knife
- Spoon
- Dinner plate or bowl (depending on what you’re serving)
- Glass
- Napkin
Basic table setting steps:
1. Add a placemat to each table setting.
2. Put a dinner plate or bowl at the center of the placemat.
3. Arrange a napkin to the left of the dinner plate.
4. Add a fork to the top of each napkin.
5. Arrange a knife and spoon to the right of the dinner plate; the knife should be set closest to the dish, blade pointing in, with the spoon on the other side.
6. Finish off your table setting with a glass that’s slightly above and to the right of the plate (about 1:00 on a watch).
How to Set a Casual Dinner Table
By putting a little more effort into your table setting when guests come over, it shows that you went the extra mile to make them feel welcome. It also signals that you’re in the mood to celebrate a meal you’ve lovingly prepared for them. For a simple weekend dinner, a casual table setting is perfectly appropriate. Make it special with bud vases placed around the center of the table with flowers from your garden.
What you need for a casual place setting:
- Table runner
- Placemat
- Napkin
- Dinner plate
- Salad plate
- Bowl (if you’re serving soup)
- Knife
- Fork
- Spoon
- Water glass
- Wine glass (if wine is on the menu)
Casual place setting steps:
1. Lay a runner down the center of your table, lengthwise.
2. Add a placemat to each table setting.
3. Place the dinner plate on top of each placemat.
4. Stack the salad plate on top of your dinner plate.
5. Top your salad plate with a bowl, if you’re serving soup.
6. Arrange a napkin to the left of the dinner plate.
7. Place a fork on top of the napkin.
8. Arrange a knife and spoon to the right of the dinner plate; the knife should be set closest to the dish, blade pointing in, with the spoon on the other side.
9. Set a water glass above and slightly to the right of the plate (about 1:00 on a watch).
10. If you’re serving wine, add a wine glass to the right of and slightly above your water glass.
How to Set a Formal Dinner Table
For a sophisticated gathering like a winter holiday meal, a formal table setting is the way to go. For formal table decor, think candles in metallic or colored glass holders, sparkling holiday ornaments arranged in crystal bowls, or artful floral arrangements of branches with winter blooms. Then, finish with the tableware.
What you need for a formal place setting:
- Tablecloth
- Round placemat
- Chargers (or presentation plates)
- Cloth napkins
- Dinner plates
- Soup bowls
- Salad plates
- Bread plates
- Salad and dinner forks
- Butter and dinner knives
- Soup and dessert spoons
- Water glasses
- White wine glasses
- Red wine glasses
Formal table setting steps:
1. Dress your table with a formal tablecloth (ideally in linen, satin, or an organza fabric).
2. Add a round placemat to each setting.
3. Lay a charger on top of each placemat.
4. Top each charger with a dinner plate, a salad plate, and a soup bowl.
5. Place a cloth napkin to the left of each charger.
6. Add both forks on top of the napkin, with the dinner fork closest to the charger.
7. Arrange a dinner knife, blade pointed in, directly to the right of the charger.
8. Place a soup spoon to the right of the dinner knife.
9. Add a bread plate above each napkin, and slightly to the right of it.
10. Place a butter knife on top of the bread plate.
11. Next, arrange a dessert spoon directly above the charger, in the center.
12. Glassware goes above and slightly to the right of each knife and soup spoon; the water glass goes first (1:00 on a watch), followed by the white wine glass (slightly below the water glass), and the red red glass at a slight right angle above the white wine glass.
13. Add place cards with each guest’s name written in cursive to each table setting, centered above the dessert spoon.
Individual salt and pepper shakers can flank the place cards or you can place a salt and pepper shaker in the center of a table for a smaller dinner party. For a large dinner party at a rectangular table, add a set of salt and pepper shakers to each end of the table.
After the soup course, salad plates will replace the soup bowls, and then be cleared once the salad course is over. The main course should be served on dinner plates; ideally, chargers should be removed beforehand. But, if you love your chargers, feel free to simply place the dinner plate on top.
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