Types of Table Napkins

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
A formally folded napkin.

Table napkins are available in different materials, colors, patterns and sizes. Selecting the appropriate table napkin depends on the level of formality of the meal. They can be purely functional or accentuate a table setting.

Advertisement

Function

Video of the Day

Table napkins are for wiping your mouth and hands while eating and drinking. They can also serve as coasters and prevent moisture from beverages from marring the surface of a table.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Types

Table napkins vary from the formal, such as a vintage linen embroidered napkin, to the purely functional, such as a square from a roll of paper towels.

Benefits

Paper napkins are inexpensive, disposable and readily available at any supermarket or convenience store. Fabric napkins are reusable and considered more luxurious than paper napkins.

Advertisement

Size

Common napkin sizes include cocktail, luncheon, dinner and formal. Cocktail-size napkins measure 10 by 10 inches, luncheon size measure 17 by 17 inches, dinner size measure 20 by 20 inches, and formal size measure 22 by 22 inches.

Advertisement

Features

Colorful table napkins are a nice addition to any event involving food or drink. Paper napkins embossed with details pertaining to the special event are common at weddings and other formal parties.

Advertisement

Warning

Fabric napkins can stain easily if not laundered immediately after a meal. Always wash napkins within a few hours of using them at a meal.

Advertisement

references & resources