How to Design Interior Table Mats

Table mats don't have to be rectangular.

Table mats are a cost-effective way to add your own personality to your table settings. Table mats identify places at the table, protect the table from heat damage and from spills and also act as decorative elements. The design possibilities are almost endless. Using the basic elements of design will give structure to your design process and allow free rein to your imagination and creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Scissors
• Colored pencils or Paint

Instructions

The Basics

1. Make a chart with two columns. The first column will contain the design or practical element and the second column will hold your comments about it.

2. Look at your plates and dishes and decide what style the table mats should be. They could match your china or be in contrast to it. Add "style" to the chart in the first column and write your answers down in the second column.

3. 

   Halloween themed table mats are popular.

   Write "occasion" on your chart and list all the events and type of meals for which you will use the table mats. You may want to have place mats for a particular event or theme, or perhaps just for everyday.

4. Add "function" to the chart and decide what the place mats will do: Are they just decorative or do you want them to protect the dining table or absorb spills?

Design Elements

1. Add "shape" to your chart. Place mats do not have to be rectangular. They can be square, oval, round, heart-shaped, any geometric shape or an abstract organic shape. Write down the shape or shapes you select on the chart. The table mats do not have to be all the same shape.

2. Look at your dining table and decide on the size of the table mats. Add this information to the chart. Make a full-size paper template for the place mat in the shape and size you've selected.

3. 

   Table mats can be any color.

   Review all the colors of your dining room, your china and any tablecloth you will be using. Select what colors you want the place mats to be and mark this on the chart. This will help in choosing the material for the place mats. You could choose a different color for each place mat or have them all the same, or in the same color family. Use a color wheel to help you identify pleasing color combinations.

4. Feel the textures of your favorite things in your home. Add "texture" to your list and decide what texture you want the place mat to have. This will deeply influence your choice of materials for the mats. For example, bamboo gives a rougher texture than fabric, which is not as smooth as vinyl.

5. Decide whether you want the place mats to have a pattern. This relates to all the other design elements. The pattern could come from a fabric or be within natural materials such as cork. You could also create your own pattern from the place mat materials, mixing and matching any of the design elements.

Practicalities

1. Add a line to your chart for "practicalities." Determine how long you want your place mats to last. Mats made out of paper or card do not last as long as those made out of linen.

2. Include a consideration of how you plan to keep the place mats clean. Are you prepared to dry clean them, will you launder them in the washing machine or do you want to just wipe them clean?

3. Decide whether you will put any embellishments on the table mats. These could include ribbon trim, fringe, beads or mirror tiles.

Pulling It Together

1. Draw or paint all your choices on your place mat template. Put the template on the dining table and decide whether it is what you intended. If not, adjust any of the elements.

2. 

   Table mats can be made out of bamboo.

   Review your chart for all your design and practical requirements and then select the material for your table mats. Consider fabrics, such as silk and cotton, natural materials such as bamboo or cork, and unusual materials such as paper, photos and dishcloths.

3. Purchase your material, any sewing needs and embellishments. Your design is complete.

References

• Western Illinois University: Elements and Principles of Design
• Craft and Fabric Links: Placemats Free Sewing Patterns
• Threadbanger: DIY Placements - Decor it Yourself

Resources

• Chilewich: Products Tabletop
• Color Scheme Designer