Styling and Protecting your Dining Table – The Basics

The dining table is an integral part of home furnishing. As eating is a communal activity, it is necessary to keep a clean, tidy, and beautiful looking dining table. The flavor of the food is improved by the ambience surrounding it. Traditionally, the most prominent and visible part of the dining room decor is the dining table cover. What exactly is this?

In simple terms, a dining covers a piece of cloth that goes over the dining table. They can either be table cloths which covers the whole table or table runners that only cover the table partly. Let us discuss the basics of both these kinds of table covers and why should be considering them as our next purchase.

Table Cloth

While some table clothes may be used purely for ornamental purposes, they definitely also provide protection to the dining table from spill, nicks, scratches, and burns that are common when food is involved. The most common shapes correspond to the popular table shapes, and are rectangular, square, and oval in shapes. A part of the table cloth hangs slightly over the table and is a few inches to floor length long. 

Cotton is the most widely used material because of its availability and affordability, however, cloths made of polyester, PVC and nylon are also used nowadays. For a more elegant customer, the expensive options of silk, linen and even embroidered cloths can be found. How do you find the perfect look for your table? 

When the table is the central focus, it is often smart to use a minimalist or neutral solid colored table cloth. Bright and cheerful rooms work well with table cloths that have popping colours and interesting patterns. Modern chic decor likes to be paired with muted greystones or darker shades. Finally, a vintage looking room can be styled with floral printed, embroidered and knitted table cloths. Polka dots and checkered patterns add a fun design element to the room. 

Table Runners

Table Runners are supposed to be long, narrow in width and rectangular in shape. The table runner’s end hangs off the edge of the table. It can be laid along with the length of the table or across it. It can also be laid in a manner to accentuate or emphasize the seating arrangement. It is very important for a table runner to be of heat resistant material as it is often used also as a piece of protection for the table. Just like table cloths, these are available in a myriad of colours, textures, fabrics and patterns so there is no shortage of choices. 

Table runners should complement the style of the dining table and the table cloth to add on to the look that they give off. Alternatively, the table runner itself can be the piece of attraction by having a contrasting look and colour scheme to the rest of the set, this popping out and looking unique. 

Table Covers are very wide and varied subject with near infinite amounts of styling possibilities. This article has given you a quick glimpse of your options and through what perspective you should consider which table cover pieces you would like to purchase.