How to Use Round Placemats With a Tablecloth

Place round placemats over a tablecloth if you wish.

While tradition dictates that you should use either a tablecloth or placemats and not both items together, you have the freedom to set a table in whatever way you choose in your home. Perhaps your dining table is worn or stained and you wish to conceal it with a tablecloth. If you use a plain tablecloth and then place patterned or decorative round placemats over the tablecloth, you can create a festive table for a special meal.

Things You'll Need

• Plain tablecloth
• Round placemats

Instructions

1. Select a tablecloth without any pattern to use on the table--a white tablecloth is the common choice for a formal table, but any tablecloth color will work to create the dining table you desire. Make sure the tablecloth hangs about 6 inches over each table edge for optimal sizing.

2. Choose round placemats that fit with the theme of your dining table. For example, if you are setting a dining table for a birthday celebration, choose festive placemats in bright and bold colors. If you are setting a dining table for a baby shower, select round placemats in pink or blue, depending upon the gender of the expected baby.

3. Place a round placemat at each place setting. Set a plate on each round placemat and add a dinner napkin, cutlery and drinking glasses around each plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the round placemats to add a splash of color to the plain tablecloth. Match the placemats with the dinnerware and the napkins for a dining table that coordinates attractively.

• Choose round placemats that are large enough to fit the entire place setting--plate, napkin, cutlery and glasses.

References

• Reader's Digest: Set a Spectacular Thanksgiving Table
• Dr Dave and Dr. Dee: Tablecloth and Placemats