Decorate and care for your table with these three tabletop tips

You have sent me as a present … everything which you have received during the past five days; twelve note-books of three tablets each, seven tooth-picks; together with which came a sponge, a table-cloth, a wine-cup, a half-bushel of beans, a basket of Picenian olives, and a black jar of Laletanian wine. 
LIII. TO UMBER

Tablecloths have been around for centuries, or, to be more precise, millennia – the first known reference to tablecloths came from Roman times, when the poet Martial mentioned them.  The middle ages saw widespread use of tablecloths across all classes; while fabric varied depending on what the buyer could afford, the value placed on these items was high, and owners took real care with not only how they were cleaned, but also how they were folded and set on the table. Moving forward in time,  ‘Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management’ (affiliate link) describes how her rule regarding tablecloths applies ‘equally to mansion and cottage. However simple may be the meal, and however coarse in texture the cloth, it should be clean, free from creases, and arranged smoothly with the centre fold forming a true line the whole length of the table.’ 

'Tea Table' from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (Wikimedia Commons)

What is the use of a tablecloth though, and why this widespread importance? For myself, trying to protect a wooden table from heat and water marks is the main reason I have been researching tablecloths recently, and in this article I will share three tips to help protect your table, including using and measuring the all-important tablecloth! 
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Top  tip 1: Choose your material and measure it well!
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‘Good housekeeping’ names linen, cotton and polyester as suitable fabrics for tablecloths. When I was looking for a tablecloth I researched other materials also, and discovering French laminated/ acrylic-coated cotton tablecloths I wanted to know more – I was definitely interested in a material which was able to be wiped clean and easily cared for. I found a number of businesses which specialise in these tablecloths and I decided to go with this beautiful design on Etsy (this is not an affiliate link, I just wanted to share this lovely shop’s very handy and durable product).
 
Ordering online for a slightly larger table, and a tablecloth which was a bit more of an investment than any others I had bought so far, I really wanted to get the measurements right! Researching measurements online, I decided to go with roughly a 20cm drop (the amount the material hangs over the edge of the table), so I added 40cm to both the length and the width of the table measurement itself (the table is rectangular). You can find a very handy guide about measuring for different table types and shapes here. 
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Tablecloth photo

Top  tip 2: Use an underlay

I really wanted to make sure that the table was protected from heat damage, so I decided to use a table underlay also. I considered table protectors but the underlays seemed to be quite flexible in terms of dimensions, and suitable for the task, and this underlay (not an affiliate link, just sharing in case it is useful) which I purchased also helps keep the tablecloth in place. This is another style of table pad/ protector (affiliate link) which could be helpful for protecting your table. 
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The underlay and the tablecloth

Top  tip 3: Use a placemat

The option for protecting the table from heat which I was most familiar with growing up was using placemats, in particular the cork-backed ones (affiliate link). One of the benefits is that you can see and enjoy the wood of your table without covering it up, and they are really quite heat resistant and can be wiped clean. Cork-backed placemats come in many designs, but they aren’t always easy to find in store. Pimpernel, the North East England placemat manufacturer, which began in 1933,  were the first to add pictures of faces to placemats, and the first to create hardboard coasters.
Here are some classic designs (these are affiliate links): 
William Morris Pimpernel design
Botanic designs
Paris street scene

And if you click below, you will see my placemats, napkins and coasters which are now available in store! 

Five Flowers Cloth Napkin Set

$34.29

Revamp your dining experience with our custom cloth floral napkin set. Every pack comes with 4 soft, lightweight, and pliable napkins, each with a unique design for that personal touch. Great for special dinners or everyday use, these napkins add a dash of design and comfort to any mealtime. They are a great size for doing napkin folds for special events too! 

This napkin is from our Five Flowers Collection – mix and match with other items! 

• 100% polyester

• Soft-to-the-touch broadcloth fabric

• 20″ x 20″ (50.8 cm x 50.8 cm)

• Printed top with non-printed white bottom

• Hemmed on all sides

Age restrictions: For adults

EU Warranty: 2 years

Other compliance information: Meets the lead, phthalates, BPA, formaldehyde, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Arsenic, Organostannic, Azocolorants, -Aromatic Amine, Nonylphenol ethoxylates, Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons level requirements.

In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Purple Waffle Designs Ltd and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at [email protected]. You can also write to us at 71–75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.

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Five Flowers Placemat Set

$49.42

Show off your taste and dine in style! Every set comes with 4 high-quality, water-resistant floral placemats, all with a unique pattern for that special touch. Whether for daily dining or festive feasts, these placemats will add a dash of personal charm to your every get-together.

This napkin is from our Five Flowers collection – mix and match with other items! 

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• 100% polyester fabric broadcloth

• Comes as a set of four

• Size: 18″ × 14″ (45.7 cm × 35.5 cm)

• Customizable front

• Water-resistant

• Hemmed on all sides

• Sewn two-ply for a high-quality look

• Blank product sourced from China

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

• Age restrictions: For adults
• EU Warranty: 2 years
• Other compliance information: Meets the lead, phthalates, BPA, formaldehyde, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Arsenic, Organostannic, Azocolorants, -Aromatic Amine, Nonylphenol ethoxylates, Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons level requirements.

In compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), Purple Waffle Designs Ltd and SINDEN VENTURES LIMITED ensure that all consumer products offered are safe and meet EU standards. For any product safety related inquiries or concerns, please contact our EU representative at [email protected]. You can also write to us at 71–75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ or Markou Evgenikou 11, Mesa Geitonia, 4002, Limassol, Cyprus.

Shop

Please be aware this article does contain some affiliate links and advertising, which means if you click one of these links and decide to purchase something, Purple Waffle Designs Ltd may be paid a commission. 

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Decorate and Care for your Table with these Three Tabletop tips