How to Set a Table

An ordered table = an ordered life

If you don't know how to set a table, you won't fail out of life. But if knowing how to set a table is something you've wanted to learn or brush up on, read on. Knowing how to set a bare, blank table can transform a tabula rasa into a tabula fabulasa! Once you know what type of meal or tone you want to set for the meal, how to set a table is easy.

How to set a table

1. Having the items to set

Here's a list of the main items you may want in discovering how to set a formal table:

Plates: dinner, salad, bread, saucer, and dessert

Bowls: soup

Glasses: water, red and white wine, champagne, and all-purpose

Cups: tea and coffee

Silverware: butter knife, dinner knife, salad fork, dinner fork, dessert fork or spoon, teaspoon, and soupspoon

Napkins: cloth or paper, with rings or not

2. Knowing where everything goes

Next important in the steps of how to set a table:

What type of setting is desired — formal or informal

The menu being served — soup and salad requires less than a six-course meal

Knowing these two factors will determine which items will be used in this display of knowing how to set a table, for you may not need all the dishes or silverware listed above.

How to set a table — location, location, location

1. Dinner plates: about 2 inches from table edge

2. Soup bowls: on top of dinner plate

3. Salad plates: to the left and just above the forks

4. Bread plates: to the right and slightly above salad plate

5. Silverware: normally placed in order of courses from farthest from the plate to closest (1/2 inch from plate) and lined up at the bottom

Left side

1. Salad fork

2. Dinner fork

Right side

1. Soupspoon

2. Teaspoon

3. Knife (with serrated edge facing toward the plate)

If this is confusing, remember:  Forks on the left and knives and spoons on the right.

Dessert forks or spoons can be placed on the appropriate side of the plate, or they can be placed parallel and centered above the plate.

6. Water glasses: above dinner knife on right side, with other glasses arranged in a triangular formation nearby

7. Coffee/tea cups and saucers: right of knife and spoon

8. Napkins: on plate, left of forks, or inside drinking glass

Once the basic diagram of how a table is set is known, it's time to be creative and expressive. Select tablecloths, placemats, and centerpieces or other decorations, and learn how to set the mood or tone for your meal. Learning how to set a table has now become your table is set!

More information on table sets