A sophisticated table setting can swiftly make any meal, from your regular weekday supper to a fancy dinner party, feel like a special occasion. It’s a simple way to show your guests that you value their company, and that the meal you are sharing is important to you.
That said, the complexity of your dinner table setting will depend on the occasion and the meal, as well as your personal preferences. The more courses and options, the more utensils you’ll need to arrange—and the more table-setting know-how you’ll want to acquire.
Our recommendation? Start with the basics and then build up complexity as needed. We’ll take you through three levels of formality so you know how to set a table for any meal.
#1 Settings for Casual Occasions: Start with an Outline
If you want to present your guests with an informal table setting that's neat and classy, start here. This is the basic table layout for one-course meals, and it’s the outline upon which more complex table settings are based, such as table settings mixing china patterns.
Follow these basic table setting guidelines for a casual occasion:
- Prepare your table. In a casual table setting, you can forgo the tablecloth and use a runner instead.
- Start with the dinner plate in the center.
- The dinner fork (and any additional forks) go on the left.
- Napkins go either left of the fork or underneath it.
- The dinner knife (and any other knives), go on the right, blades turned toward the dinner plate.
- The dinner spoon (and any other spoons) go to the right of the knife.
- The water and wine glass (if needed) go in the upper right corner of the setting.
Our next two levels above the informal table setting—semi-formal and formal—both begin with this casual table shape, so it’s an excellent fundamental place setting to start with.
#2 How to Set a Table for Semi-Formal Arrangements: The Outside-In Rule
This level of formality is ideal for dinner parties or get-togethers where the vibe is somewhat casual, but you still want it to feel special. It’s primarily suited for two- and three-course meals.
The most important piece of new information for this level is the outside-in rule. Any time you’re serving multiple courses (think salad or soup before an entrée), the utensils should be laid out so that guests use the outermost ones first and work their way inward.
Starting with the basic table setting from above, you can add these steps to take things up a notch:
- Place each utensil needed for appetizers on the outside of the existing utensils. The steak knife and other knives and spoons go on the right, and forks on the left.
- The napkin should be folded to the left of the forks, or in a napkin ring and placed on the central dinner plate.
- If the soup bowl will be served first, place a soup spoon to the far right.
- A salad plate with accompanying salad fork may be placed left of the forks.
- A bread plate and butter plate may be placed above the forks, with the butter knife pointing towards the meal so that the handle is easily reached.
The dessert plate and utensils can either be brought out before dessert or set with the rest of the meal's utensils. If you choose the latter, there are two options:
- Place the dessert fork on the left, innermost towards the plate, and the dessert spoon on the right, innermost of the spoons but before the knives.
- Place both fork and spoon horizontally above the plate. The spoon goes on top with its handle facing right, and the fork goes on the bottom with its handle facing left.
Adding more complexity to a basic table setting can initially seem intimidating, but as long as you remember to follow the outside-in rule, complicated settings come together.
#3 Formal Table Setting Arrangements: Placing Everything You Need
If you’re planning a formal dinner occasion, you may be planning to serve more than three courses (at least an appetizer, entree, dessert, and more) and your formal table setting will require several more utensils and dishes. To keep everything orderly and visually pleasing, it can help to take a few additional steps to keep your table from overwhelming with options.
Here are some tips for a formal table setting:
- Never place more than three of any implement, i.e., more than three forks. With the exception of oyster forks that go on the far right, the fourth or greater utensils should be brought out with the meal. This includes dessert implements.
- You may want to use a charger plate in a formal setting. This is a larger service plate that goes underneath the plate holding the food. This plate remains while dishes are swapped out until the entree arrives, at which point the charger is removed in favor of the entree plate.
- You can set up to five glasses for the beverages that go with different courses. The water glass typically goes to the right above the knives, followed by the red wine glass or white wine glass to the right and then champagne flutes and similar on the outside right. Ideally, you should also consider when to use crystal vs glass drinkware as befits the occasion. Used glasses are removed after each course.
- Tablecloths are typically used in a formal setting. While white linen is considered the most formal, it’s not the only option. Opt for a color that complements the other pieces on your table and feels appropriate for the occasion.
- Formal table arrangements are usually symmetrical. Keep centerpieces low enough that diners seated opposite can see each other. Fresh flowers and greenery are a tasteful choice.
With these rules in mind, you can serve even the most sophisticated formal dinners with grace.
Perfect Any Table Setting with Lenox
For well over a century, hosts have turned to Lenox dishware for the perfect table setting. From White House banquets to the Met Gala to dinner at home with the ones you love, Lenox is honored to be a part of your meal. Deck your halls with delight! Collect your Christmas Ornament Sets today and sparkle all season!
For meals that are rich with heritage, sophistication and style, try setting your table with Lenox.
