A Guide to Table Setting

Table setting used to be a very simple and common thing to know, but in todays busy world, knowing how to set a table has become an arti which one can master in.

A basic setting goes very well for your routine daily dinners with family, but when it comes to hosting a a formal dinner party, lunch with friends, formal office dinner or festive dinners, you need to know how to properly set the table as per the occasion.

Thankfully, we have collated a complete guide on how to set a table as per the occasion. Although you might think its very complicated, but the art of table setting is extremely simple once you are hands on with a few basics.

Read on and follow this guide to prepare for your next party, irrespective of the occasion.

1.  Basic

This setting is best suited when having a meal on a daily lunch or dinner basis that primarily involves you with your family at home. Basic setting also work perfectly during casual events  too, especially if you are in a hurry.

Instructions:

  • Step one is to place a table mat.
  • Place the dinner plate it at the centre of the table
  • Set your folded napkin to the left of your dinner plate. Next you need to keep the fork on above the napkin.
  • Place your knife and spoon on to the right side your plate. Keep the pointed blade of the knife closest to plate and keep the spoon adjacent to the knife.
  • Ensure that the bottoms of the cutlery is levelled in order to maintain symmetry.
  • It is recommended to keep The water glass a little bit above the plate, or at a One O’clock position to the dinner plate.

2.  Casual

A casual dinner table is very similar to a basic setting with the only difference being the addition of a salad plate, wine glass and maybe a place-card. As the name suggests, the setting also varies as per the occasion.

Instructions:

  • Place the tablemat on the table.
  • Place the dinner plate it at the centre of the table.
  • Keep the salad plate in the centre of the dinner table.
  • If prefer starters like a soup, then place the soup bowls or starters above the salad plate.
  • Fold and arrange the napkin to the left side of the plate and keep the fork above the folded napkin.
  • Place the knife and spoon on to the right side of the dinner plate. Place the knife closer to the plate with the pointed blade of the knife facing the plate and keep the spoon adjacent to the knife.
  • Ensure that the bottoms of the cutlery is levelled in order to maintain symmetry.
  • Keep the water glass on to the top right of the plate above the knife.
  • If you meal includes a White/Red wine or Champagne then place the glass slightly in the top right position of the water glass.

3.  Formal

A formal dinner setting is more elegant and classy in nature. It calls for all the exotic cutlery and dinnerware to come out of the cupboards. A formal dinner usually consists of a proper 3 course meal. It is also said that the use of presentation plates and chargers can convert a casual meal into a formal one.

Instructions:

  • Place an ironed tablecloth on the table.
  • On top of the placemat it is recommended to set a charger.
  • On top of the charger, starting layering the soup bowl by placing it at the centre.
  • Place the plate of bread to the top left at a 11 or 10 o’clock position.
  • Keep a folded napkin to the left side of the charger.
  • From the outside, to the left side of the charger, set a dinner fork & salad fork. You can also choose to keep the forks on top of the tablecloth or napkin.
  • Place the knife and spoon on to the right side of the charger. The knife should be closest to the charger with the pointed blade of the knife facing the charger and keep the spoon adjacent to the knife.
  • Ensure all bottoms are aligned and flatware is spaced out evenly.
  • Place a butter-knife horizontally above the plate of bread plate, with the blade facing the plate.
  • Place the dessert spoon above the charger directly above the knife. Also center make sure to centre the water glass.
  • To the right and around 3-4 inches downwards, place the white wine glass. Keep the red wine glass opposite to the white wine glass,
  • In case you are using a placecard, keep it on top of the dessert spoon.

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