Whether you're hosting a fancy dinner party or a casual get-together, a well-set table can elevate the dining experience. But how do you set a table? How do you arrange all that cutlery without feeling confused? And how do you set cutlery on the table correctly and in the right order? Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the basics of setting a table, from casual to formal dinner parties.

The Basics

Begin by placing a placemat in the centre of each dining chair. On top of the placemat or table covering, set a dinner plate in the middle. For a casual setting, you can skip the placemat. You can also add napkins, which add a touch of elegance and practicality. They can be folded in a unique pattern, or placed directly on top of the plate.

We have a napkin for every colour and situation! Poppies Napkins are our bestsellers, they have been at the forefront of paper tableware for years. They focus on three elements: quality, consistency and service. Their napkins are made using state-of-the-art production lines to ensure their product quality is consistent, coupled with the ability to produce in the most cost-effective manner.

Napkins come in different ply counts as well. 1 ply is produced using one layer of tissue, and is often found in napkin dispensers. 2 ply is the UK’s most popular choice, produced using two layers of tissue, and available in the largest array of colours. Also available for napkin dispensers, cocktail and dinner formats. 3 ply is commonly used during dinner settings and to give a more premium feeling. The 3 ply option is also available in a wide range of colours.

Casual vs Formal Placement

Here's the general rule: cutlery is arranged based on the order of use, working outwards from the plate. For a relaxed gathering, keep things simple. Place forks to the left of the plate, tines facing up. Knives go to the right of the plate with the blade facing inwards. Soup spoons (if needed) can also be placed on the right beside the knife. Dessert cutlery is placed at the top of the place setting.

For casual settings, 18/0 cutlery is recommended. 18/0 cutlery has 0% nickel content. It has a brighter shine, is durable, and is more resistant to rust and corrosion, making it the perfect choice for the catering industry. 18/0 cutlery items are better for establishments with a more casual dining experience.

If you’re preparing a table for a more sophisticated array, more arrangement is needed. 

1. Place your cutlery on the table in the order of use, starting from the outside and working inwards with each course.
2. Set the dinner fork to the left of the plate, followed by the fish fork, and salad fork.
3. Next comes knives, which should be on the right of the plate, and blade edges facing inwards.
4. Place the dinner knife to the right of the plate, followed by the fish knife, and soup spoon.
5. Finally, place the dessert fork and dessert spoon above the plate, with the fork prongs facing right and the spoon bowl facing left.

Formal placement calls for a higher quality piece of cutlery. 18/10 cutlery has 10% nickel content. It has a noticeably brighter shine, is extremely durable, and is more resistant to rust and corrosion, making it the perfect choice for the catering industry. 18/10 cutlery items have better longevity in fast-paced environments, such as in a busy kitchen.

Wine Glasses and Champagne Flutes

Glasses add a much-needed level of sophistication to the formal dining table. After you’ve set the cutlery, it’s easy to set the glasses accordingly. Place the water glass directly above the dinner knife, with the white wine glass to its right and the red wine glass just above, the top centre. If a toast is expected (most commonly at weddings, graduations or celebrations) place a champagne flute to the top right.

You can easily upgrade the meal by choosing more elegant glasses. Our selection of premium wine glasses elevates the wine taste and drinking experience for all your guests. To go the extra mile, why not try the crystal wine glasses? These glasses are made from high-quality crystal glass, which is renowned for its clarity, brilliance, and durability. They offer a unique blend of elegance, beauty, and functionality, enhancing the aroma, taste, and visual appeal of wine and other drinks.

While the order of glass placement may not seem as important, arranging glasses in a specific way ensures they are easy for guests to reach for and use throughout the meal. A well-organised table creates a sense of order and sophistication, furthering the enjoyment and formality of the occasion. If you are serving any drinks other than water, wine or champagne, additional glasses can be placed to the far right, beyond the wine glasses.

Top Tips To Remember

Placing cutlery is more than a task, it’s an art form. If you do it right, your guests and customers will remember your attention to detail and come back for years. We’ve gathered a few essential tips to really elevate your table setting.

• The first tip is to space it out. Leave about an inch of space between the plate and the cutlery for a comfortable dining experience. This ensures the cutlery doesn’t end up a jumbled mess at the side of the plate, and that the diner is able to pick up their cutlery easily without knocking into the other silverware.
• Secondly, remember to consider left-handed guests. Most table settings assume the diner is right-handed, but this is not always the case. If you have left-handed guests, consider mirroring the cutlery placement for their comfort. You would follow the exact same steps that we’ve laid out, but mirror the placement, so the knives and forks would be on opposite sides from our guide.
• Thirdly, the glass order is important. Having both red and white wine glasses allows guests to choose which drink they prefer, rather than forcing them to drink a certain wine. White wine glasses have a smaller bowl than red wine glasses and go closest to the water glass. The red wine glass should sit just behind the white wine glass. Water glasses typically sit above the knife, slightly to the right.
• Finally, bring some personality to the table with additional decor. Candlesticks are a favourite, as they bring a soft, ambient glow to the tabletop. Tealights can be used for a soft glow to add light, whereas taller candlesticks are great as a centrepiece, and to add dimension to the centre of the table.
  
  
  

Top Table Settings With Cooksmill

From casual table settings to formal place settings, Cooksmill has everything you need to ensure your table is in tip-top condition. Shop with us now to make sure you have every piece of the table setting, and to create a truly memorable dining experience. Enjoy free shipping with larger orders over £60 (excluding VAT).