How to Set a Table

DisclaimerOverview: There is no right or wrong way

to set a table, this is a beginner level step-by-step guide on
how to set a table for a casual dinner. Events you could use
this guide for include:include hosting a dinner with friends or
family, an elevated dinner at home, or any dinner with
multiple courses. I would not suggest setting your table this
way for a dinner with more than three courses.
For each table setting you will need:
1. A Tablecloth
2. A Dinner Plate
3. A Salad Plate
4. A Soup Bowl
5. A Bread Plate
6. A Fork
7. A Spoon
8. A Knife
9. A Water Glass
10. A Wine Glass

Step 1: The Base

You will need a tablecloth; to ensure you purchase the right size tablecloth you
can measure your table and add an extra twelve inches to each side. This
measurement will leave you with the smallest size tablecloth you can purchase. Once
you have your tablecloth, place it on the table. You can then choose to add a placemat
in front of each chair as well.
1. To ensure you purchase the right size tablecloth you can measure your table
and add an extra twelve inches to each side. This measurement will leave you with the
smallest size tablecloth you can purchase to fit your table.
 Note: You can get a bigger tablecloth but nothing smaller or you will not have
enough length to hang over the edges of your table.
2. Once you have your desired tablecloth, place it in the center of the table.
Note: You can choose to add a placemat over the tablecloth, in front of each chair to
keep your tablecloth clean.

Step 2: Dinnerware
Dinnerware consists of bowls, plates, bread dishes, saucers, etc. For a casual
dinner you will just need: a dinner plate, salad plate, and a soup bowl. If you are serving
bread as an appetizer you will bring the bread plates out of the kitchen along with the
bread when everyone has sat down. First, place your dinner plate in the center of each
placemat or directly in front of each chair; then place your salad plate on top of that. If
you are serving soup you can put the soup bowl on top of the salad plate. Do not put out
dinnerware that you are not serving a course to go with.
3. Place a large dinner plate in the center of each placemat or directly in front of
each chair leaving about two inches between the plate and the edge of the table.
4. First, place a slightly smaller salad plate on top of the dinner plate.
5. Place any size soup bowl on top of the salad plate if you are serving soup.
Note: If you are serving bread as an appetizer, you will bring the bread plates out of the
kitchen along with the bread when everyone has sat down.
Tip: Do not put out dinnerware that you are not serving a course to go with.

Step 3: Cutlery
Cutlery are the utensils you use to bring food from your plate or bowl into your
mouth, such as: forks, knives, and spoons. Before putting down your cutlery make sure
to place a clean napkin on the left side of the dinner plate, on the placemat. Then place
a fork in the middle of the napkin. On the right side of the plate place a dinner knife with
the sharp part facing the plate. On the right side of the knife you can then place your
soup spoon. 6. Before putting down your cutlery make sure to place a clean napkin on
the left side of the dinner plate, on the placemat.
7. Next, place a fork in the middle of the napkin.
8. On the right side of the plate place a dinner knife with the sharp edge facing
the plate.
9. On the right side of the knife you can then place your soup spoon.
Note: Cutlery are the utensils you use to bring food from your plate or bowl into your
mouth, such as: forks, knives, and spoons.

Step 4: Glassware
There should be two glasses per chair, one for water and another for a separate,
normally alcoholic beverage such as wine. The water glass will go above the dinner
knife so that the knife is pointing at it. If you choose to serve wine the wine glass will go
to the right, diagonally above the water glass. After you have your glassware out and
chairs pushed in; you are ready to host your dinner!
10. Place one water glass above the dinner knife so that the knife is pointing at it.
11. A wine glass will go to the right, diagonally above the water glass.
Note: There should be two glasses per chair, one for water and another for a separate,
normally alcoholic beverage such as wine.
After you have your glassware out and chairs pushed in; you are ready to host
your dinner!