About Table Linens

Checkered tablecloths, fine linen napkins, silk table coverings--each of these items brings to mind a certain ambiance. Whether dining at an Italian restaurant, enjoying a home-cooked meal or celebrating a wedding, table linens can help set the mood. Not only are table cloths and accessories extremely practical, they can also provide a decorative addition to any dining area. Does this Spark an idea?

Function

Table linens cover tables, protecting them from food and drink stains and scratches, and most are designed to be easy to clean. They also provide a decorative and stylish addition to a dining area, whether in a restaurant or at home. Accessory table linens such as cloth or synthetic fabric napkins serve a similar purpose, but are used by individual diners.

Types

Table linens can be classified by shape, material, and function. Generally, table cloths come in either round, rectangular, or square shapes to accommodate the three most common table forms.
The look of a particular table linen varies depending on the setting and purpose the item serves, plus the type of material the cloth is made of. For example, casual dining table linens with a simple design might be made of cotton, used as a table covering for meals or perhaps as a picnic blanket. Yet linens made of materials such as silk or lace are more likely to be reserved for more special occasions or high-end dining establishments.
Napkins and table skirts also fall into the category of table linens, but serve slightly different purposes than a tablecloth. Linen napkins are made for individual use during a meal, while a table skirt generally serves as a decorative piece to fully cover the sides of a table.

Features

A variety of colors, designs, and materials are used to produce table linens. The use of these high-quality table coverings made of silks and intricately woven fabrics can signify a special event such as a wedding or ceremony or a high-end restaurant.
While most table cloths are made to hang vertically over two edges of a table, others hang vertically along all four sides of the table. Some are more distinctive, made with gathered folds that hang over each of a table's four corners.

Considerations

When searching for new table linens, it's a good idea to consider not only the cost and materials of which they are made but also how you plan to maintain the items.
For example, restaurants might purchase easily washable table cloths that can be laundered in-house, or they could opt for those requiring professional laundry cleaning, depending on their budget and business size.

Benefits

Table linens can be affordable additions to your home's dining space while accenting the rest of the room through a complimentary color choice and texture. Additionally, most table coverings come in easy-to-maintain fabrics and help keep the underlying table stain mess-free.