Table setting at home: the location of dishes and design ideas

Now in each city there is such a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes that inviting guests home has become rare. Despite this, the coziness of family dinners and home holidays in the circle of close friends will not replace any fashionable restaurant. When the hostess has a question about table setting at home, many people start to panic, because they don’t want to “fall into the mud with their face”.

In fact, there is nothing wrong with serving the table at home. It is only necessary to know the basic rules of etiquette, serving and proper serving of dishes.

In the table setting should pay particular attention to some details. We will get acquainted with them in detail.

Pay special attention to the tablecloth, even if you serve a regular, not a festive table. Eating behind a “bare” tabletop is not as pleasant as sitting at a clean, light tablecloth. Psychologists and nutritionists are confident that the correct color of this element will improve mood, eat less, and also get aesthetic pleasure.

• You should not replace the tablecloth cheap oilcloth, despite its availability and simplicity in the care.
• The color of the tablecloth is matched to the interior, or a quiet neutral color.
• Tablecloth should fit the table in size - no more, no less. Otherwise, the furniture will look ridiculous and disorderly.
• The shape of the fabric is selected based on the shape of the tabletop.

Despite the high cost of good dishes, every hostess should have at least one quality set of 6 or 12 people, a set of identical cutlery, glasses, glasses, napkin holders in stock. We must not forget that for cold, hot, appetizers, soups and desserts there are separate dishes. Pick it up in tune with the general service so that there are no ridiculous combinations.

For everyday purposes, it is enough to have monophonic dishes from one set. Much nicer when all family members, even at home dinner, are in harmony.

When serving a family lunch or dinner there is no need to get all your arsenal of the “real mistress”. Just look at the menu to determine the types of plates and appliances that are necessary for it. Decide whether there will be alcohol on the table and how many people will use it. No need to put children the same glasses as adults.

Let's get acquainted with the nuances of daily serving.

• First put decorative platethen dishes for the main course. On it is placed a deep bowl for soup.
• Decorative plate primarily serves to protect the tablecloth from pollution, since its edges protrude beyond the basic elements. If there is no decorative tableware, a large flat plate for hot dishes will do.
• be careful: even with daily serving it is better to pour soup from a tureen at the table (each on a plate) than to carry dishes from the stove, spilling it at every step.
• C hot can be exactly the same - if the hot dish is already on the table, you can apply it from a common plate. If this is not possible, ask the children or spouse to help you bring hot.

• Devices must be for everyone - the option "one knife at all" will not work. Even at home dinner, every member of the family should feel comfortable.
• Based on the rules of etiquette, the knife and a tablespoon are to the right of the plate, the fork is to the left.
• Glasses and glasses are located on the right side of the serving plate diagonally.
• With an ordinary lunch or dinner it is more profitable to use simple paper napkins. Choose their color according to the color scheme of the entire table - whites will still look advantageous.

Festive table setting is different from everyday. Laying the table on the occasion of a birthday, anniversary, New Year or for other reasons, I want to be at the height. All the rules of standard serving continue to apply here.

Only small nuances appear.

• Thus, in addition to a decorative plate, plates for hot meals, and plates for soup, a snack plate is served at a festive table setting.
• For a festive table setting, in addition to a knife, a tablespoon and a fork, a dessert fork and a small spoon for coffee or tea should be placed over the decorative plate.
• If a pie plate is placed when serving, it is necessary to put a knife on it.
• The first glass is the highest, the last is a glass for strong alcohol.
• Fabric napkins will not only add refinement to your table, but will also become the first necessity for the guest. There is a large selection of folded napkins for serving with various accessories. Also you can beautifully fold it yourself.

• Sauces, salt and pepper are located in the center of the table so that any guest can reach them without problems.
• All drinks should be on the table already open and uncorked.
• With a large number of guests, we should not forget about the rule of serving dishes: the feast begins with the presentation of snacks, canapes, sandwiches.
• Each dish, put on the table, should have a spoon. Thus, you make it clear to the guest that he can put food on his own.
• The sequence of serving plates with a person should correspond to his status and position. For a start, dishes are served to adult women, then to men, and then to children.

Knowing the basic rules of etiquette and the principles of basic serving, there is nothing easier than to lay the festive table. Here you will be helped by your imagination, taste and small tricks that you need to know.

Before you prepare dishes and set the table, think over the concept of the holiday. It will be very ridiculous if the children's birthday is decorated in monotonous tones, and the business dinner is decorated with bright napkins with clowns or flowers.

Think about the convenience of all guests.

If the table does not allow to place all the serving items in the required order and sequence, there is not enough space for arranging snacks, salads and other dishes, then use the idea of ​​the serving table. This may be a magazine version or any other, decorated in the style of a common table. Choose a tablecloth and a napkin. It is important that the decor does not seem out of place.

Elements of decor can create a festive mood:

• candlesticks;
• Natural flowers;
• accessories (including ribbons and bows).

So, when making a wedding banquet, a lot of voluminous accessories are always used - it does not look good.

Do not be afraid to use balloons or whole arches, if it's someone's birthday or anniversary.

If the festive table setting is prepared for a thematic event, whether it is New Year or Christmas, add a table with suitable decor: gingerbread with Santa Claus hats, candy canes, gingerbread houses. Each thematic event has its own set of elements, which depends only on your imagination.

There will be a lot of guests, but not enough identical dishes - and there is a way out. Plates and appliances can be combined with each other, even if they are of different shapes and colors.Determine the overall color scheme, experiment with setting the dishes at each other, complement them with napkins.

Do not use more than three colors with one serving. Bright colors will distract the eye, or even completely kill the appetite. Calm, pastel colors can merge into one inconspicuous spot.

Your main assistant will be timing. Properly planned time of serving dishes and dessert will help you not to put all the dishes on the table at the same time, as well as correctly distribute your powers.

Holidays that only adults or adults with children are present are far less hectic than children's birthday parties.

Despite the fact that here you need to think over the space as much as possible, make it not only convenient, but also safe for children, freedom of fantasy can only envy.

• Style and unity - important elements at children's birthday, so take care of the harmonious combination of the holiday, the number of boys and girls with everything around: from the choice of tablecloths, to the elements of decor.
• Refer to the details of positive colors.. On the table should not be dark fabrics or napkins. Give up the decor in a Gothic or vintage style. Use only resilient details.
• It is useless to put children china or family heirloom (old service). It’s pointless to scold kids for a broken cup if they accidentally pushed her elbow during the game.

• If both children and their parents are celebrating in the same room, cover a separate table for the children - let them also feel themselves independent.
• No need to set the table according to all rules of etiquette - A five-year-old child is unlikely to appreciate a fork for seafood, a butter knife and many glasses standing in a row. Make the table simple and tasteful, without using elements of luxury.
• Do not place all dishes on the table at the same time., even if the place allows it. Children will not be at the table all the time, the food will cool, and snacks, and canapes will scatter throughout the house.

If you are ready, then all the above secrets and tricks will help save time, nerves and money, and most importantly, give a good mood to yourself and your guests.

When you start serving based on the availability of everything you need, you will have ideas on how to hide certain shortcomings, how to combine the dishes.

For more information on setting the holiday table, see the video below.