How to properly set a dinner table

The dinner table is the setting for so many of life’s significant moments. Family meals, intimate parties with closest friends, weddings—dinner plays a major role in them all, and a beautifully set table can make these moments even more special. From heating up leftovers on a Tuesday night to hosting a formal banquet with multiple courses, it’s important to know how to properly set a table for any occasion. 

Whether you’re hosting your first dinner party and are brand new to table-setting etiquette or you’re a seasoned debutante wanting to brush up on the different formality levels and their distinctions, read on for our guide on how to set a table for dinner, and then send an elegant dinner party invitation to match your event’s tone.  

Why table setting matters

If you enjoy hosting dinner parties or any type of food-centric event (so, the best kind), then learning how to set a table is an important skill set to hone. Aside from the simple fact that a properly set table is nice to look at and elevates your meal, it also signals to your guests that you put thoughtful effort and care into your planning. 

Even if you prefer more lowkey gatherings, setting any dinner table with the proper silverware and placements lets guests know that you cherish their company and their opinions mean something to you. 

Learning how to properly set a dinner table for every level of formality will also help you establish the right tone for a range of party styles and occasions. With this etiquette under your belt, you’ll be ready to host any event that comes your way. 

Basic table setting

The most basic table setting is what you would use for everyday dining: a weekday dinner with your spouse, a casual pizza night with a few friends, or just enjoying a nice meal at home by yourself. You can still make the most casual of occasions feel more special by setting your table properly with all the basics. 

Basic table setting instructions

1. Place a simple placemat on the table in front of each seat.
2. Put an everyday dinner plate in the middle of the placemat.
3. Fold a paper napkin to the left of the plate.
4. Put the dinner fork on top of the napkin.
5. To the right of your plate, place a dinner knife with the blade facing inward toward the plate.
6. If the meal requires a spoon, place it to the right of the knife. Otherwise, leave it out. 
7. Place a water glass on the top right corner of the placemat, diagonally above the plate. 

As a rule of thumb for any dining formality level, you’ll want to align your utensils so that the bottom ends are flush with the bottom of your plate, and generally, set utensils about half an inch away from each other, as table space allows. 

Casual table setting

A slight step up from the basic table setting, a casual table setting style can be used for small dinner parties with friends, informal holiday celebrations with family, romantic date nights at home, and more. With just a few elevated tweaks, a casual table setting adds a touch of sophistication to your meal, without requiring all the trimmings of more formal dining. 

Note that with casual dining, you’ll still only want to set out the flatware and dishes for the courses you’re planning to serve. No need to set out a soup bowl if soup’s not on the menu!

Casual table setting instructions

1. Lay your placemat on the table.
2. Set a dinner plate in the center of the placemat.
3. Fold a cloth napkin to the left of the plate.
4. Set a dinner fork on top of the napkin.
5. Place a knife to the right of your dinner plate, blade facing inward.
6. On top of your dinner plate, place a smaller salad plate if there’s a salad course.
7. On top of your salad plate, place a soup bowl if there’s a soup course.
8. Put a soup spoon to the right of your knife.
9. Set your water glass at the top right corner of your placemat.
10. Place a wine glass to the right—and slightly above—the water glass.

Formal table setting

If you’re hosting an elegant dinner party, banquet, charity gala, or other upscale event typically consisting of three courses, learning how to properly set a formal table will impress your guests and establish an elevated tone right from the start. 

A formal table setting has a few more elements than casual dining, including a charger, or presentation plate that sits underneath smaller plates and bowls—so as to never have an empty place setting as the used dishes are removed. You’ll also likely have a tablecloth at a formal dining table, so placemats aren’t necessarily needed. 

Formal table setting instructions

1. Place a charger plate in the middle of your place setting.
2. Lay a folded cloth napkin to the left of your charger. Alternatively, you may place your napkin atop the plate, either folded or rolled in a decorative napkin ring (if no soup bowl is present).
3. Set a soup bowl or salad plate (whichever is your first course) in the middle of your charger. A salad plate may also be placed to the left of your forks.
4. Set a dinner fork to the left of the charger, on top of the napkin if your napkin is not on top of your plate, and a salad fork to the left of the dinner fork.
5. Place a dinner knife, blade facing inward, to the right of the charger.
6. Place the soup spoon to the right of the knife.
7. Set a bread plate on the top left of the place setting, above your napkin, with a butter knife laid horizontally toward the left with the blade facing down.
8. Above the charger, place a dessert spoon with the handle facing right, and an optional dessert fork right below it with the handle facing left.
9. Place a water glass on the top right of the place setting, above the knife.
10. Set a white wine glass to the right and slightly below the water glass, and a red wine glass to the right and slightly above, forming a triangle.
11. If you have place cards for assigned seating, place them directly above the dessert spoon.

Five-course table setting

It’s time to get out that fine china that you’ve been saving for a truly showstopping occasion. This table setting is reserved for the most formal of events—when you want to pull out all the bells and whistles to impress VIP guests or set the tone for a white tie or black tie ball. 

A five-course meal typically consists of a soup, a salad, a fish course, a main course, and then dessert. And if you’re putting this much effort into the menu, why not put just as much care into presenting it on the proper five-course table setting as well? 

Five-course table setting instructions

1. Start with all the elements of a formal table set-up, and then add the following additional elements.
2. Place a Champagne flute to the right of the red wine glass, above the white wine glass.
3. Place a fish fork to the left of the plate—between the salad fork and the dinner fork.
4. Place a fish knife to the right of the plate—between the dinner knife and soup spoon.
5. If you’re serving coffee or tea with or after the meal, place a saucer and mug slightly below and to the left of the bread plate, above your forks.
6. If you’re serving sherry or another dessert wine, place the sherry glass to the left of and slightly below the red wine glass.

Set the scene for any celebration

Now that you know how to set a table setting for casual and formal events alike, you’re ready to start planning your next soirée. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday with an elegant dinner, hosting a decadent tea party for a precious baby shower, or inviting colleagues to join a sophisticated appreciation event, Paperless Post has invitations you can customize and send your way via email, text, or link, track RSVPs in real-time with our Analytics view, and manage your guest list with ease. From the table setting to the thank you cards, Paperless Post has you covered every step of the way. 

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