Simple Table Setting Tips that you Can Use Even at Home

As a concept, proper table setting etiquette is the practice of placing the crockery and cutlery on the table in the right manner and position. These positions are very easy to remember once you understand the concept behind it. The proper table setting is in order that the cutlery is required, from the outside. As in, the outermost dishes will be the ones that are used first, during the starters. For us to have more tips on how we can make our table setting prettier and more elegant, here are some tips:

• One of the first things that we should consider is the table linens and centerpieces. To achieve a more elegant and classy look go for linens that has a tint of gold. You would always use a cloth tablecloth and a cloth napkin for a formal dinner.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors for the table setting and napkin folding. What matters is that they all blend well together.
• A centerpiece should add design to the table and not overwhelm it. The centerpiece should be low enough that it does not interfere with people looking at each other on opposite sides of the table, and its smell should be faint.
• If you are setting a table for Christmas for example, find separate pieces of colors in red and green and then use your imagination to make a simple but elegant centerpiece.
• Now for the China, make sure that they are of good quality and that they blend well with the table and centerpiece. If starting with a salad, set the salad plate atop the dinner plate. Bread plates can sit alone to the left of the fork.
• The plates should be set centered with the chair and placed about 1 inch from the table edge.
• If you are serving different classes of wine, you should offer two wine glasses or depending on the number of wine to be served. Most commonly one for white and one for red.
• White wine glasses are smaller with a tall bowl; red wine glasses have a larger bowl and are larger than the white wine glasses. Don’t forget to always set a water glass or goblet as well.
• Now for setting silverware, the utensils are placed to the side of the plate with the fork on the left, on top of the napkin, and the knife on the right.
• Remember that the blade of the knife should be turned toward the plate. If serving a dish that requires a spoon, this should be placed to the right of the knife. If you will be serving soup or salad, an extra spoon or fork should be placed next to the dinner fork or spoon.
• The most important rule in proper table setting is “to always work from the outside going in”. Use the outside knife and fork for the first course (entrée), and then cleanly work inwards for each succeeding course.
• If you will be serving dessert, be sure to add a utensil for that. The dessert utensil can be placed horizontal above the dinner plate.

These are only some of the most common tips for proper table setting. One can still study to have more knowledge in this art. Also, be on the look out for new tips and tricks as with time, everything does change.