4 Expert Tips To Choose Placemats

The best placemats to buy are the ones that you will use, and that will do their job of protecting your table as well as looking beautiful for each guest. You'll want to find placemats that are large enough to give a good amount of space for each person, that will be thick and durable enough to have a protective nature, and that will also look good (otherwise, what's the point?)!

Below, we'll cover each of these points in detail.

As you may imagine, the size of the placemat you'll be able to obtain will depend upon the size of your table and the number of guests you're hosting. However, placemats need to be at least a certain size for an adult to have enough eating space!

• An average placemat is sized 12x18 inches.
• Another popular size for placemats is 14x20 inches – perhaps suited best for larger tables or for meals in which several utensils or plates will be required.

However, placemats do also come in many shapes. Rectangular ones are the most common, but novelty placemats (such as branded ones for youngsters) or oval-shaped or circular ones do have their place. Metallic circular ones are particularly lovely for festivities! In these cases, you'll still want to make sure that the placemat is at least 14-18 inches across at its widest point, to ensure that your guests have enough room to eat.

You have several options for placemat materials, depending on the ease of maintenance and look you're going for:

• Fabric placemats: Because they're soft, versatile, and easy to clean (you can throw them in the wash!), fabric placemats will always be popular. Choose from lightweight versions such as cotton and linen for an ethereal feel at your table, or stick with heavier canvas or woven selections for increased durability.

• Plastic or vinyl: If you have young children or will be eating outside, vinyl or plastic placemats are fantastic. They can easily be wiped clean and come in all the colors of the rainbow.

• Cork or wood: For a distinguished look which can also be wiped clean easily, choose a wooden or cork placemat! They will stay in place on your table and definitely serve as a dramatic focal point for your dining room.

Vinyl and cork placemats are an especially good idea if you're planning on serving lots of hot food because these materials are naturally heat-resistant. Therefore, it's likely a good idea to get a few of these anyway to place under thin fabric placemats, just to protect your table.

When you're planning out what your table is going to look like, you should consider the general tone of the meals you'll be hosting. Are they going to be formal and austere? Or are they going to be mostly with family and friends and full of fun? Either way, here are some considerations to take into account:

• Adhere to the rules of classic contrast. Whatever color your plates are, go with the opposite: White plates on black mats (or light on dark), and vice versa.
• If you are serving simple foods, that may be a chance for the placemats to shine: Go for more textured, patterned, or bold ones.
• If, on the other hand, you're somewhat of a chef and your dishes need to be the table's focal point, go for minimalistic, neutral placemats.
• Consider your guest's preferences. If you have very young children eating at your table, it can always be a delight for them to see beloved cartoon characters at their place!