What is the correct way to lay a table for dinner? Tips with photos

Table setting is of a great importance for a good mood and creating a cozy atmosphere in the house. Scientists have proved that beautifully set table and warm company increase appetite and enjoyment of the meal.

How to lay the table for dinner? How to arrange the tools and what are the ways to decorate the table?

Let’s consider several options for placement of dishes, utensils and appliances:

As in the case of serving the table for breakfast, the first thing you need to select is the tablecloth that will fit the overall design of the interior and emphasize the beauty of dishes and utensils, which are placed on the dining table.

Setting the table for lunch

Lunch usually consists of two, three or four courses. When serving dinner table put two plates: first – fine one and then a deep soup dish. Put the plates near the edge of the table (a few centimeters) at the same distance from each other.

How to arrange the cutlery?

The cutlery is arranged near the plate. Put the knife and soup spoon on the right side, on the left side is a fork. In the case of serving dinner party, lay out two pairs of cutlery – knives and forks for snacks and warm meal. Spoon and fork should be placed with their concave side down. Cutlery for warm dishes are closer to the plate.

Festive table setting

Festive table setting for dinner is characterized in the following way: put crockery with spices ( salt, mustard, pepper, vinegar) in the center of the table. This location is most convenient for guests (easy to reach) and looks very impressive.

• Mark each place with a miniature bouquet of fresh herbs tied with a thin satin ribbon.
• Put on a small sea shell at each place.
• Look at stores for the same linen napkins, glasses, china and napkin rings.
• Illuminate every place with a small candle. Refrigerate several hours a candle before the light it so it does not melt and drip much.
• For an elegant dinner, write the menu for each guest by hand. Do not forget the stands for small card.
• Put one flower near each place. In the small bottles (which are sold in a flower shop) flowers will be fresh for several hours.

Decorate the center of the table

The table looks more elegant if its center is decorated with unusual dishes. Using these tips, it’s easy enough to do. The center should be low, so that guests can see each other across the table. Go around the table from all sides and check.

• Arrange flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs on a large platter. Try to combine small tomatoes with scarlet poppies; small white and purple eggplants with flowering herbs; pale peach with lemon and sage leaves.
• Put an old piece of cloth into the cart; fill it with ripe pears.
• Fill a wide crystal vase with walnuts in shell.
• Put small pots with low flowering plants in a wooden box.
• For winter reception – place the chestnuts in wide silver dish, pine cones and branches of conifers as well.
• Place small decorative pumpkins in a wicker basket.
• In the turquoise dish you can put  orange and red sweet peppers.
• Into the flat basket you can put various small cacti.

Glasses

Wine or water glasses are placed next to bottom plate. If you are going to serve alcohol (wine, champagne), then uncork a bottle in advance and put it on the table already opened.

Butter is served in a small flat plate. You should put a butter knife with a wide blade next to the plate.

Tureen

Grand home table serving includes serving the tureen. The soup is poured into the tureen from the pot. If necessary, it can be warmed before serving. Usually a tureen is placed in the centre of the table or near the place that occupies the hostess.

Napkins

Required attribute of the table serving is the napkin. It is folded and put on a diner plate. You can use a cloth or paper napkins. You can play on the color contrast of the napkins – it is very impressive.

Serving dinner is perfectly complemented with the floral arrangements placed in the center of the table.

The menu

It is worth to remember that the table setting is completely dependent on the menu, the order and sequence of the meals, wines. Also, it can vary depending on whether close friends, or the usual family dinner or reception is expected.

Organization of the champagne reception

If you are expecting more than eight guests, the easiest way is to arrange a buffet table or champagne reception. You can prepare everything in advance, then easily communicate with guests, only occasionally filling up stocks of food at the buffet table. If you have enough space, put drinks and food in different places, so that people are not crowded and jostled. It is best to arrange a feast on the table in terms of a logical order: main cource, vegetables, salad, bread. On the edge of the table put a stack of large plates, place the napkins and cutlery that the guests themselves could gain the food.

For simplicity, wrap each cutlery (knife and fork) in a napkin.
If you have a lot of guests, meals can be delivered in two rows. As the two rows on each side of the table will be the same, each guest can serve himself more quickly. Remember that you will need to double the number of plates and cutlery.