Table setting rules at home – decor ideas for holidays, banquets, weddings and for every day

The content of the article

• What is table setting
• Types of Serving
• Table Setting Rules
• Tablecloth
• Types of plates
• Cutlery for table setting
• Wine glasses
• Napkins
• Table setting at home
• For dinner
• Dining table
• For guests
• For the holiday
• Beautiful table setting
• Classic
• Banquet
• Wedding
• Table setting for two
• Round table setting
• For birthday
• Festive sweet table setting
• Table Setting Ideas

The ancient art of decorating a gala feast, arranging tableware for a dinner party or family celebration, the ability to cover it beautifully, and serving it festively is called table setting. It is based on a set of established rules, customs, among which the order of laying out cutlery and serving dishes, recommendations for choosing jewelry, stylish decor elements to create an exquisite appearance. How to decorate a table for guests or husband?

What is table setting

The correct arrangement of plates, salad bowls and dishes, as well as the layout of cutlery, napkins and other trifles necessary during a meal – all this is serving. It also includes the choice of tablecloths, napkins and other decorative elements. Serving can be of three types: preliminary, banquet and Bistro. How they differ and what are the features of the procedure – all this is interesting to learn not only to regulars of restaurants, but also to ordinary housewives, because then their celebrations will be decorated interestingly.

Types of Serving

The first variety is the simplest. The served table with it involves a partial arrangement of dishes and appliances for serving dishes that are first on the menu. Moreover, in the process of changing dishes, the entire set of dishes is replaced. Pre-serving includes:

• table-knife;
• a plug;
• a teaspoon;
• pie plate;
• objects placed in the center (flowers, candlestick, porcelain figurines);
• a glass for red wine;
• wine glass;
• salt shaker, pepper shaker;
• fabric napkin without a pattern.

Banquet serving is a one-time arrangement of plates, cutlery and decorative elements. Devices that use this type of serving:

• snack equipment (knife, fork);
• soup spoon;
• pepper shaker;
• bread plate;
• fish appliances;
• plate for pies or other pastries;
• dessert spoon;
• deep plate;
• butter knife;
• saucer (oval or round);
• glassware;
• fabric or silk napkins (rectangular or square).

“Bistro” is a simple type of arrangement for informal, unofficial occasions, a modern everyday option for lunch or breakfast. It is used in restaurants, hotels, hostels, self-catering and barbecue canteens, establishments where they serve their own staff. Devices, their location depend on the specific menu, the style of the institution, the average cost of the dish. Cover the countertop with white cloths, serve paper napkins.

Table Setting Rules

The design of the table, especially the festive, both in restaurants and cafes, and at home, should be carried out in accordance with generally accepted standards. Proper setting of the festive table sets the tone for the holiday. If you make a mistake when choosing dishes, you can spoil a gala dinner on the occasion of an event or an important business lunch. According to etiquette, certain napkins, glasses should be used – the choice depends on the type of meal (festive, for receiving guests, a romantic date).

Tablecloth

The overall tone of the event can be set by the tablecloth. For a solemn meal, it should be snow-white, for simpler meals a cream color or ivory color is allowed. Regardless of the event, the matter should be impeccably clean and smooth. Delicate decorative elements are allowed: lace, silk ribbons, perforation. Traditionally, the edges should hang 25-30 cm from the edge of the countertop. In French and Italian restaurants, touching the edges of the floor is allowed. The material of the tablecloth should be natural: silk or cotton.

Types of plates

There are approximately 35 types of serving plates, but only around 5-6 are used universally. Etiquette rules stipulate that the plates must be from the same set or, at least, made in the same style. The number and type of plates served depends on which dishes will be served and how many people are participating in the gala dinner. The main dishes used in restaurants:

• soup;
• a plate or bowl of mustard;
• herring;
• large and small flat plates;
• dishes for meat;
• dessert shallow and deep;
• patty.

Cutlery for table setting

To the right of the plate is a soup spoon, immediately after it on the outer edge is a fork and a knife for a snack (meat), the last put a teaspoon or coffee spoon. Devices for the main dish are placed right next to the plate, and the dessert spoon is behind the plate. A small butter knife is located on a patty plate. Devices should be polished with boiling water or special products to shine. In some restaurants, a special napkin is placed under the devices.

Wine glasses

Classics are two glasses: for wine and champagne. The remaining varieties for alcoholic beverages are agreed in advance; if necessary, add dishes for strong alcohol (glasses, glasses for whiskey, liquor). Glasses are arranged in this order: for red wine, for white wine, for champagne, and then dishes for strong alcohol in the order it was served. In addition, a separate glass (wine glass) is provided for drinking water or juice, it is placed on the left.

Napkins

If there is a problem of budget table decoration, serving napkins will help to solve it. Napkins are one of the most important accessories on the gala dinner table. There are two main types for serving – fabric and paper:

• Napkins made of fabric larger in size, square, made of linen fabric. Designed for lap or decoration.
• Paper napkins are used directly during meals, and they should be in the center of the countertop – so that it is convenient to use them. In addition, they should be available to every person sitting at the table. Napkins are placed in a napkin holder or in the form of figures as a decoration. Paper napkins at official receptions and celebrations should be plain, without a pattern.

Table setting at home

You can beautifully arrange dishes for lunch or dinner at home. To do this, you need to buy a tablecloth, a set of cutlery and dishes. For the home-made serving option, it is not necessary to have everything; you should only proceed from your own needs and preferences in food. To set the table for one person requires:

• tablecloth, napkins (paper or fabric);
• deep and flat plates;
• tablespoon, teaspoon, dessert spoon and fork;
• table-knife;
• a tea pair (a socket for jam), a glass for wine;
• glass for water.

For dinner

Procedure:

• The tablecloth must be spread on the table, put a flat plate, deep on top of it.
• To the right and left you need to put appliances for the main dish, followed by snack bars.
• Place a teaspoon or coffee spoon in front of the plate..
• Top right is a tea pair or a glass of wine.
• Optionally, you can decorate the table with cloth napkins, flowers in vases or candles.

Dining table

Recommendations on how to properly set the table for lunch for one person do not differ from those for serving for dinner. With the exception that for dinner, the table is decorated with nothing but napkins or flowers. In addition, instead of a white tablecloth for dinner, you can use special plastic or silicone substrates – they are more practical, easily washed from food, spilled drinks.

For guests

During lunch, serving for guests takes place in a similar way, only the number of appliances and plates on the table changes. Decorations are almost never used, the tablecloth can be replaced with decorative coasters for hot dishes. If dinner is provided for guests, then light snacks and alcohol (wine, liquor) should be served, replace the coasters with a white tablecloth.

For the holiday

Making your own dinner for the holiday is a laborious task, because many dishes are served at the celebrations, a large number of people are present. For the holiday, the table is decorated with vases with flowers, fruits. At home, you can not follow the rules regarding the arrangement of plates and devices, but only use a tablecloth, napkins and make sure that each guest feels comfortable.

Beautiful table setting

As decoration, use vases with flowers, satin or silk ribbons, porcelain figurines of angels, napkin rings. The creation of a festive atmosphere is facilitated by: balloons, serpentine, elegant tablecloths. Decorations for serving are selected in accordance with the holiday – weddings, anniversaries or romantic dinners. The main decorative elements – a tablecloth and fabric napkins.

Classic

Traditionally, for a regular lunch or dinner, the tabletop is decorated with flowers or napkin rings. In classic serving, the main condition is the impeccable cleanliness of the tablecloth, napkins and utensils, dishes for spices. To beautifully set the table, but at the same time avoid excessive solemnity, you can choose napkins of bright saturated colors – this move will help brighten up a boring meal.

Banquet

Decorating a table for a mass banquet is not an easy task. In this case, they try to perform all the decorative elements in one style or color. They are selected in accordance with the type of banquet: anniversary, corporate event or other event. More often they use bright napkins, natural or artificial flowers. First of all, take into account the wishes of people ordering a gala dinner.

Wedding

When serving a wedding dinner, the emphasis is on places for newlyweds, which are decorated with symbols of love (hearts, roses, posters with wishes, figurines of swans). Places for the bride and groom are marked with separate glasses (decorated or tied with ribbons). A wedding banquet is served with white dishes with a gold or silver border. The tablecloth spreads only snow-white, symbolizing the purity of feelings of the newlyweds.

Table setting for two

To create a romantic atmosphere, when serving dinner for two it is customary to use candles, a basket in which fruit, alcohol (wine or champagne) are beautifully stacked. Tablecloth choose scarlet or white. The dishes are placed opposite each other, but so that you can reach the sitting opposite without effort with your hand. For two, do not cover a lot of dishes and cutlery, the emphasis here is on romance.

Round table setting

The main problem when making a meal on a round countertop is a small space, therefore they serve the meal only with the necessary cutlery, deep and flat plates, a knife, a fork for the main dish, a glass for wine. The rest is served as needed. In the center they put a vase with a bouquet of flowers, a dessert or a bottle of wine, decorated with a red or black napkin.

For birthday

Table setting for a birthday implies an emphasis on the solemnity of the event. This will help the serving of dishes, a competent selection of decorations, including decorating desserts. How to set the table beautifully? It all depends on the personality of the birthday:

1. Children’s birthday table can be decorated using various toys, cardboard or paper cartoon characters..
2. For a young girl or woman aged, traditional flowers are decorated with fresh flowers, original desserts, vases with exotic fruits, napkins, sockets, stylish dishes made of multi-colored glass..
3. Men are customary to decorate a festive lunch or dinner concisely, using beautiful contrasting napkins and tablecloths, while the appliances are classic, white dishes.

Festive sweet table setting

For an event with a lot of sweets or a holiday that includes only the presence of desserts, decorative elements are not accepted. In the course are multi-tiered plates, pyramids, special stands for cake pops or muffins. It is better if everything is matched in the same color scheme. If you use additional festive decoration, then the design will turn out to be pockmarked, overly pretentious and tasteless.

Table Setting Ideas

To surprise your family and guests at festivities or during regular meals, the following serving options can be offered:

1. Spring. The tabletop is covered with a tablecloth; fresh flowers and herbs are used as decorations. A linen napkin is placed on a plate, and a flower is placed on top. If desired, you can use a green tablecloth and jewelry in the form of insects (May bugs, ladybugs). Fresh salad leaves are served at the beginning of the meal..
2. Tea decoration. Tea pairs are placed on a tablecloth of any color, decorated with bright napkins. You can use spectacular scallops for cookies and small desserts (marshmallows, sweets, muffins). In the center of the composition is a large kettle, around it are rosettes with jam, honey.
3. Breakfast in the country. The tablecloth is either not used at all, or linen in a natural gray color. Ceramic dishes, enameled bowls with flowers in water are used as decorations.
4. Hen-party. The tablecloth is used fresh, bright colors (pink, coral, blue). Dishes are placed in a minimal amount (glasses, wine glasses, champagne or martini glasses), the main area is occupied by desserts, snacks, drinks. You can decorate the surface using flowers, decorative beads.
5. Children’s holiday. Use brightly colored oilcloths, plain or with the image of cartoon characters or animals, the whole surface of the countertop is occupied by sweets: sweets, cakes, fruits, cakes.