Interesting Facts & Tips on Restaurant Table Linens

Many people don't think twice about the napkins and tablecloths on their tables when they visit their favorite eateries. However, most successful restaurateurs know that the success of a restaurant has a great deal to do with making a good first impression, and restaurant table linens can make all the difference. Whether you are looking for elegance and style or economical versatility, knowing a few interesting facts and tips on restaurant table linens can help you achieve your desired result.

Rentals

Many restaurant owners and managers wrongly assume that in order to have regular access to table linens, you have to absorb the cost of the linens' purchase as well as assume cleaning responsibilities. On the contrary, you do not have to purchase a single tablecloth or napkin to accommodate guests in elegance, nor do you have to invest in a washer and dryer to clean them. Many restaurant services and suppliers rent out table linens in several different sizes. You can set up weekly linen exchanges to accommodate all of your tables on a daily basis, or order specific amounts of linens on an as-needed basis for special occasions.

Varieties of Colors

White table linens have been traditionally used for elegant occasions, such as weddings, bridal showers, christenings and funeral luncheons, for years. Correspondingly, when many people think of restaurant table linens, they assume that white is the only available color. However, table linens are available in a wide variety of colors, including red, blue, pink, purple, green or orange, allowing restaurateurs to choose hues that complement their restaurants' decor. Colored table linens are also ideal for banquet situations, as you can color-coordinate your tables with the events' decorations.

Texture and Quality

Like bed linens, not all restaurant table linens are made from the same materials or use the same thread count. Typical restaurant linens are made of a thread count of approximately 1,000 threads per square inch with cotton or polyester threading. Higher thread counts actually require a thinner, finer thread, which may ultimately lead to weaker linens that don't last very long but provide a softer feel to the touch. More durable table linens are made of anywhere from 180 to 400 thread counts but have a stiff and firmer texture.

Layering and Folding

When it comes to decorating a restaurant, your bare tables can act as ideal canvases on which to display a number of creative and colorful dining area designs. Place a white or colored tablecloth over your table and add another slightly smaller cloth of a different color over it to create a layered bi-colored look. Linen napkins of any color can be strategically folded to create attractive table toppers. Use a standard-sized linen napkin to create origami-like pyramids, diagonally shaped cutlery pockets, reindeer, rabbit ears or pineapple shapes to adorn your table settings.