How to Do Table Place Settings Properly

Setting a table properly can make the difference between a sophisticated meal and one that appears to be haphazardly thrown together. The basic place setting is relatively simple: you place a fork on the left side of a plate, a knife facing inward on the right side of the plate and a spoon on the other side of the knife. Place settings involving more utensils can be tricky and confusing, however. Avoid confusion or embarrassing mistakes by learning how to set a table properly. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Lay down the tablecloth, a table runner and place mats (if applicable).

2

Place one plate on the table for each person. Ideally the plates should be approximately 2 feet apart. This will give your guests room to move comfortably.

3

Place the knife and fork for the main course nearest the plate. Work your way out from there. For example, if you will be serving a salad before the main course, put the salad fork outside the main course fork on the left side of the plate. If you will be serving an appetizer before the salad, place the appetizer fork outside the salad fork. Do the same with the knives and spoons on the right side of the plate.

4

Lay any dessert utensils above the plate, horizontally rather than vertically. The fork's tines should point to the right, while the knife or spoon should point to the left.

5

Arrange the glass or glasses at the upper right corner of the place setting. The water glass should be nearest the center, the white wine glass next and the red wine glass at the outside.

6

Place a bread plate with a butter knife laid horizontally across its top in the upper left corner of the place setting.

7

Lay a folded napkin to the left of the plate, outside the farthest utensil on that side.

8

Set the appetizer plate on top of the main plate. Set the soup bowl on top of the appetizer plate.