Size:
Not all round dining tables are the same size, so it's important to find the right placemat for your table and create a put-together look. If your round table seats four, a smaller curved placemat that measures around 5 to 10 inches wide is the best choice. However, if you have the room, a larger placement measuring 10 to 15 inches will hold both cutlery and a plate, meaning there's less chance of your table getting scratched. Either way, always ensure you have enough room to fit larger plates as well as smaller bowls and side dishes. A placemat's main aim is to save your table from getting damaged, but the wrongly-sized placemat may not achieve this.
Material and Maintenance:
Placements for round tables come in a whole host of materials. As recommended by Courtney McLeod, if you're looking for an easy-to-clean material, vinyl placemats are an ideal option. Often not expensive to buy and simple to maintain due to the wipe-clean nature of vinyl, they're also a good choice if you have children. If vinyl isn't your style, jute or rattan placemats will add a bohemian feel to your table. This makes them a perfect choice for coastal or tropical-themed dining spaces. Another popular placemat material is polyester, though polyester can be difficult to keep clean. If you're looking for something plush that can be cleaned with simple soap and water, PU leather placemats are a solid option. PU leather doesn't need to be maintained specially like real leather but will lend a more sophisticated look to your table.
Color and Style:
If you don't want your placemats to look overly different from your table, sticking to neutrals is the best way to achieve this. Beige, taupe, and even white will go with both lighter and darker tables. Rayman Boozer also recommends darker colors like black and burgundy, as these colors won't show marks as easily as lighter colors. Texture makes a big difference too -- a black PU leather placement will look classic and elegant, whereas a beige jute placemat will give off a carefree coastal vibe. If you have a whitewashed table, a pop of color would look particularly great. This could be pastel pink or bright blue. Consider matching your placements to existing décor, too. If you have green curtains, green placemats will create a cohesive look.
Pattern:
Though most placemats for round tables are plain due to the materials used, some do feature patterns or distinctive styles. A patterned placemat can set the tone for your table, too. For example, placemats with a floral pattern on will have an antique vibe when compared to striped placemats. Katie Ridder states to keep in mind whether a patterned placemat will match other colors in the future. You may love the leaf design of a set of placemats, but this design could look odd against a table with a completely different vibe. If this isn't an issue for you, patterned placemats can introduce a fun look into a dining space and lighten up a dark table for a less serious look.