Proper Way to Set a Table With Flatware

Properly set flatware creates a balanced look at the dinner table.

Depending on the meal, the food being served, and the occasion, properly placing flatware on a table can be confusing. Some simple rules of where to place flatware can help you set a beautiful table.

Placement Basics

Place flatware in the order it will be used, from next to the plate, outward. When placing knives, turn the cutting edge of each knife inward toward the plate.

Placement Position

In all place settings, forks go to the left of the dinner plate, while knives are placed to the right. Place spoons either to the right on the outside of the knives, or at the top of the place setting above the plate.

Informal Setting

For the basic informal setting, place a large dinner fork to the left of the dinner plate and the knife to the right of the plate. If a salad will be served, place a salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. If dessert will be served, place a dessert spoon to the right of the knife.

Formal Setting

For a formal place setting, starting from the outside, place the salad fork, meat fork, and fish fork in that order. Place the fish knife closest to the plate, with the meat knife next, and the salad knife on the outside, and the soup spoon, fruit, dessert or teaspoon, and oyster fork, if necessary.

Flatware Amounts

Formal settings often require more flatware for multiple courses. According to etiquette expert Emily Post, no more than three forks, knives or spoons should be placed on the table at any given time.

Multiple Courses

If more than the initially placed flatware is required to serve additional courses, provide the flatware for each additional course when the coarse is served. Remove any used flatware when clearing the course.

References

• Emily Post: How to Set the Family Dinner Table
• Dummies.com: Making Sense of Business-Dinner Table Settings
• "Emily Post's Etiquette"; Emily Post; 1992