How to Set a Table with China

Setting a beautiful table makes a grand statement to your dinner guests.

Formal dinner parties are a wonderful way to show off your beautiful china and tableware. The look of the table and place settings are crucial to the atmosphere. However, remembering the proper placement of each piece in a formal place setting can be a daunting task.

Instructions

1. Place the dinner plates for all settings on the table. Ensure each person will have enough room to eat without bumping the next diner.

2. Place the soup bowl and plate in the center of each service plate.

3. Place the forks to the left of the plate. The dinner fork is closest, with the salad fork on the outside. You can present the dessert fork when dessert is served or place it at the top of the plate with the tines facing right.

4. Set the bread plate above the forks. Place the butter knife across the top of the bread plate.

5. Place the dinner knife on the right side of the plate. The sharp edge of the knife should be facing the plate. Put the teaspoon next to the dinner knife. Place the soup spoon to the right of the teaspoon.

6. Place the water goblet above the dinner knife. If you will be serving wine, place the red wine glass to the right of the goblet. The white wine glass goes to the right of the red wine glass.

7. Adjust the silverware so it is evenly spaced from the dinner plate and each other. Place the napkin to the left of the forks.

Tips & Warnings

• The effort you place in setting the table makes a statement to your guests. Ensuring that the spacing is even makes a big difference in the appearance of finished place settings.

References

• Place Setting Guide -- Formal Dinner
• Formal Table Setting Etiquette