Whether at home or in a hotel, here's how to set the table for guests!

What are the rules for a perfect mise en place? When we have guests over for dinner or lunch, we make sure that everything is perfect.

Exactly as it is done in big hotels, we want to respect all the rules for a flawless table. But what do we need to put on top of the tablecloth to not make a mistake?

If we are focused on the dishes, in fact, we may forget that: cutlery, plates and glasses must be arranged according to a very precise criterion. Let's see which one.

Tableware on the table!

To arrange the dishes on the table it is necessary to respect some rules: plates and under plates must be aligned to the edge of the table leaving at least 3 cm of space.

Theorder in which the dishes should be arranged, one above the other, is as follows:

underplate,
flat plate
saucer,
soup plate.

Pay attention to the underplate: the rule is that it should never be removed from the table until the end of the meal. Its practical function is in fact to preserve the tablecloth. Not only that, the underplate also adds a precious and colorful element to the table. Choose it with care.

How to arrange cutlery and glasses?

For the choice of cutlery the situation is a bit more complex: there are different types and each should be arranged in a certain way.

Forks should be placed to the left of the plate, always beginning with the first course cutlerystarter, fish (if any), meat.

The fish fork is recognizable by its shorter and wider tines than a dinner fork. Knives, on the other hand, are located to the right of the plate, also here the rule to be followed is the order of the courses.

To the outside the knife for the appetizer and, inside, we will have the one for fish and meat. The sharp part will be facing the plate.

Again, the fish knife differs from the meal knife in the lack of serration and the shaped spatula appearance. Finally, the soup spoon will be placed.

As for glasses, however, they are to be placed in the upper right side of the plate, in order of size.

The one closest to the plate will be the wATER GLASSfollowed by the one for red wine and white wine, which is smaller, and finally the flute . Usually, in order to avoid taking too much space, the latter is placed behind the others.

How to choose the tablecloth and napkins?

Before putting it on the table, I recommend ironing the tablecloth! The line must be perfect, a crumpled tablecloth can ruin an entire mise en place, even if it is done to perfection.

Why risk it then? Remember to iron the napkins as well, which must be strictly cloth.

A table for hotel guests does not allow paper napkins. Save those for children's parties.

Be careful how you arrange the tablecloth: it must fall evenly around the entire perimeter of the table. A tablecloth that is too short gives a sense of sloppiness, but a tablecloth that is too long becomes uncomfortable and can literally be pulled off by those who stand up.

The tablecloth must, therefore,"exceed" the table by 30-40 cm. A protective cloth should always be placed under the tablecloth in order to dampen the noise of cutlery and dishes.

The napkin, however, can be folded to your liking: from the classic triangle to the most creative forms that you will give him. In all cases, it should be placed to the left of the plate, neither above nor below the cutlery. In this way you will leave the diner free to take the napkin and put it on his legs. Exactly as it is done in hotels.

Make room at the table!

Beyond how you set the table, pay attention to the fact that each guest has enough space to eat comfortably.

There is nothing worse than sitting at the table leaning against each other, touching each other's cutlery, eating by bumping elbows. We can calculate this minimum space considering about 70 cm between the center of a plate and the one next toit.

In determining the space should be considered a few things:

We can in fact have tables: round, square or rectangular. By type of meal we also mean a brunch, a breakfast rather than a main meal. In some cases, in fact, we will have less cutlery and glasses than a formal dinner and may need less space.

Are you undecided? Check out our entire selection for the perfect table setting.

With us you can't go wrong, our selection of quality tableware bring to the table elegance and functionality. In addition to the selection of tablecloths, cutlery and glasses design, you can find knives suitable for all meats and for all purposes.

And if you're also looking for after-dinner glasses for drinking bitters or cognac, you'll be spoiled for choice on our site. Give a touch of style with the coasters that we have chosen for you and your table will be the envy of the best hotels!