For a solemn serving or everyday dinners with your family, you need a tablecloth. The choice of such accessories is great, but this circumstance is confusing. Sometimes the hostess does not know which tablecloth is suitable in a particular case, what materials it should be from and which form is most convenient in a particular case.
Tablecloth Appointment
A tablecloth is a textile product (however, there are other varieties) that cover the countertop. There are options that protect the surface of the table from damage, others are used for beauty, and others are used to comply with all the rules of etiquette serving gala dinners.
By purchasing a tablecloth on the table, you can achieve the lack of comfort in the kitchen, make the interior more harmonious and homely. Even the most unpretentious kitchen table will become a decoration of the room, if you choose the appropriate robe for him.
Tablecloths are often used to protect the surface of countertops. Typically, wooden substrates with a varnished base are covered with textiles. So you can extend the life of your favorite furniture and give the necessary look.
The tablecloth can be used as a masking element. If chips appeared on the furniture, scratches, but the owners do not plan to change it, then coating the surface with a nice tablecloth can be a good alternative.
Often a tablecloth is used for ease of eating. If the table is made of solid, varnished or metallic materials, then the plates slide, when serving the dishes ring. The textile product improves sound insulation and reduces slipping.
Variety of shapes
When choosing a coating, you need to focus on the shape of the countertops. So, the tablecloth on the oval table should be round or rectangular.
If you choose textiles to decorate a square or rectangular table, then the shape of the coating should be appropriate.
But round furniture gives a wider variety in choice. The tablecloth on the round table does not have to be the same shape. It is allowed to use a square coating. The combination of tablecloths of two different shapes looks especially solemn and unusual. So, at first it fits round, and on top - square, but slightly smaller so that the corners do not reach the edge of the lower tablecloth. For children's birthday parties or fun events, tablecloths of two different colors can be used.
For everyday convenience, it is better to use tablecloth covers that are sewn to individual table sizes. Craftswomen can make such an accessory themselves. To do this, measure the base and transfer the pattern to the fabric. To bend, add about 20 cm, stitching an elastic band in it.
To make the tablecloth look aesthetically pleasing, you can sew on a skirt. If the table is square or rectangular, it is recommended to make tucks in the corners. A tablecloth on a round table or on an oval table will look more beautiful in the presence of freely falling folds.
Determined with product sizes
The tablecloth on the table should correspond to its size. There are certain etiquette rules, according to which its free ends should hang down by 15-20 cm. It will be ugly and impractical if the cover drops to the seat level or even lower. So, if the table is in the shape of a square, where the sides are 1.5 × 1.5 m, then it is necessary to select textiles 2 × 2 m.
Often, a sliding table is installed in the kitchen. This design is convenient for family meals as well as for receiving guests. For such sets, you need to pick up two tablecloths of different sizes. The first will be used in everyday life and should be smaller. The second is intended for special occasions and corresponds to the size of the sliding base.
Full set
If we consider the rules of etiquette, then a complete set of "clothes" for the table is as follows:
- Naperon. The upper main tablecloth on which the dishes are placed.
- Muleton. Podkaternik, used under the main coating and is designed to absorb sound from dishes.
- Runner. Decorative track. Made from a dense piece of fabric. It plays an aesthetic role.
- Sets. Individual napkins designed for each guest for an individual set of dishes.
In everyday life, rarely does anyone use the full kit. However, in solemn occasions when you need a tablecloth on a large table, it makes sense to look at all kinds of tablecloths.
Varieties of tablecloths
To select a tablecloth on the table is necessary not only taking into account the size and shape of this piece of furniture. An important fact is the purpose for which the coating will be used. For festive dinners, it is better to purchase plain fabric made from natural fibers. The most solemn option is Kamchatka with a snow-white shade. Matter is characterized by a special pattern created by the original interweaving of satin threads.
The tablecloth on the kitchen table should be made of practical fabric. It is better to select non-marking matter with a bright print. On such a coating, traces and dirt are less noticeable. Also, a daily tablecloth will be most practical if the material consists of natural threads with the addition of synthetic fibers.
Attention to the fabric
The tablecloth on the kitchen table is presented in a wide variety. The accessory is sewn from a variety of materials, and it is difficult for an ordinary consumer who does not understand such subtleties to make the right choice. Therefore, it is worthwhile to understand this issue in more detail.
Linen tablecloth
Linen is the most famous and popular material for sewing tablecloths. It has been used for a very long time, matter is considered a symbol of wealth and nobility. Flax looks prestigious and expensive on the table, gives the atmosphere a festive look. However, such material is rather capricious in leaving. After washing, it shrinks. It is very easy to wrinkle, it is difficult to iron. Therefore, a linen tablecloth is suitable for use in special occasions, and in everyday life is impractical.
Cotton version
A cotton tablecloth is considered a classic of the genre. Often used to decorate the table and can have a wide variety of shades. However, the care is somewhat finicky. With repeated washing, it gives significant shrinkage, the brightness of colors is lost. Therefore, for everyday use, a cotton tablecloth is not recommended. Suitable for holiday lunches and dinners.
Tablecloths made of synthetic materials
Very popular are the coatings on the table made of mixed fabrics. In such matter, in addition to natural fibers, synthetic threads are present. This gives the product strength. As a result, the consumer receives a tablecloth that is suitable for daily use and easy to clean. She does not sit down after repeated washing, does not wrinkle and irons without effort. With active use, the appearance does not suffer, and the coating always looks aesthetically pleasing.
Alternative option
With the development of industry, tablecloths are being replaced by coatings from other materials. Polyester makes very practical products. They are easy enough to operate. They do not need washing and ironing. Any dirt is removed with a damp cloth.
A PVC tablecloth is often used for everyday use. The basis of such coatings can be woven and non-woven. They are more rigid than the usual tablecloths made of fabric, but have a large margin of safety and are practical for use in the kitchen.
At the peak of popularity are Teflon options. You can safely put a hot frying pan on a table with such a coating. The tablecloth does not let water through, so it protects the countertop well.
Silicone tablecloth: reliability and comfort
The silicone tablecloth on the table looks elegant and attractive. Often, such a coating is compared with thin lace, and only upon closer examination can we guess that this is not sewing, but synthetic material.
Silicone tablecloth is practical, suitable for large families with children and pets. Such a material is able to withstand everyday stress and at the same time does not lose its operational properties.
Silicone coatings look especially impressive on glass or wooden countertops. The tablecloth is able to give the room a feeling of airiness and weightlessness. Often, designers use silicone tablecloths to dilute the interior with bulky or dark kitchen sets.
Advantages of silicone tablecloths:
- Withstand high temperatures.
- They have good sound insulation.
- Are practical.
- Presentable.
- Can be with a picture or fully transparent.
Tablecloths are actively being introduced into the life of modern housewives, fully appreciating their convenience, versatility and attractive appearance.
Pick color
The tablecloth is not only designed for practical purposes, but also performs a decorative function. Therefore, its color is crucial. At the same time, the color scheme of the kitchen and utensils to be used should be taken into account.
If the service is colorful and you want to highlight it, then the best choice is a plain tablecloth. The photo shows how dishes in such a frame look beautiful. If serving involves a monophonic set, then a bright and colorful tablecloth will emphasize the nobility of plates and cups.
Do not forget about the technique based on the game of contrasts. In this case, two tablecloths are used that have colors located on opposite sides of the color wheel.
If there are doubts when choosing the color of the tablecloth, then you can follow the advice. The color of the cover on the table may match the shade of the curtains, the upholstery of the furniture and the used napkins.
The choice depends on the overall style.
The tablecloth should support the overall style of the house. Provence involves the use of vintage things. Therefore, you should choose products with a floral print, lace or checkered.
Solid cotton or linen fabric is ideal for lovers of the Mediterranean style. In this case, all tablecloths in warm pastel shades are suitable: milk, pistachio, sand, cream.
Thick material in dark colors is appropriate for the English design of the kitchen. To emphasize the aristocratic nobility of the interior, a barely noticeable floral print is allowed around the tablecloth perimeter.
Empire or baroque style involves the use of damask fabrics in pastel colors. A tablecloth on a rectangular table will look better if the fabric has a rich pattern. At the same time, the fabric embroidered with gold or silver thread looks especially luxurious. Fringes are allowed.
For a country style, you can use tablecloths with a large pattern, embroidery on a light background. A practical brown hue with a geometric pattern is also appropriate.
To give expressiveness and coziness to the dining area, you can use a tablecloth with floral prints and rich natural patterns.