DIY Network

How to Set a Place Setting Learn the proper way to set a place setting. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-113

Guest Karen Bussen joins host Stephanie Lydecker and demonstrates the proper way to set a place setting. She gives pointers to remember when having guests for dinner, and she also shares some style tips for the table.

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	Karen shares tips on setting the perfect table for your guests.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Materials:

dinner plates
forks
knives
spoons
glassware
anything else creative to throw on the table like a centerpiece

How to Set a Place Setting

• The most important thing to remember when setting a table for guests is that they have everything they need. Whether it is lobster crackers, extra napkins for a summer picnic or a soup spoon and two knives for a formal affair, consider your guests' comfort and you will be a perfect host.

• Forks go on the left, knives on the right, with the blades facing inward, toward the plate (figure A). The soup spoon goes on the outside of the knife.

• If you are serving multiple courses, set your silverware from the outside in, with the main course fork and knife closest to the plate. A dessert spoon and fork may be set at the top of the place setting (for tines to the right, spoon bowl to the left) or dessert silver can also be served on the dessert plate itself.

• Glasses go at the top right of the setting, over the silver, with the water glass closest to the plate and wine glasses from the outside in (figure B).

• Place salt and pepper in the center of the table. Also, with the dessert, arrange your dessert/coffee tableware on a sideboard or pretty tray in advance for easy transfer to the table after the main course.

• Coffee cups and spoons are best brought to the table later with the coffee dessert tray. Mugs are fine for brunch or a casual supper, cups and saucers are great for a more formal meal.

• Napkins can rest in the center of the place setting on a placemat or tablecloth, a decorative charger (also known as a service plate), or for a more creative touch, they can be folded and placed in a glass or resting to the left of the forks. Another idea is to lay them on top of the plate and place a decorative river rock, etc. on top of the napkin (figure C).

• Don't worry about matching every single plate and piece of glassware. Mixing and matching these are a great way to personalize your dinner.

• Figure out how many guests can actually fit at your table. Allow at last 1-1/2 feet per guest for elbow and chair room.

• Invest in some simple white or off-white plates. Simple white mixes well with almost any kind of china and food always looks good on white.

• When it comes to placemats--think different. Use leaves, pretty paper, even fun dish towels to make great foundations for fun table settings. Also, add a fun centerpiece depending on the theme, just keep the centerpiece low so you can talk and pass food over it, if necessary.

• Use plastic or wicker trays as "mats" to make for easy cleaning. These are also great for buffet style dining, if guests will be seated on couches or side chairs. Line them with pretty paper or a napkin, and accent with flea market bought plates and glasses. Use dishtowels as placemats and napkins, simple plates, recycled jars as glasses (like pickles, peanut butter, etc.)

• Use a stone or a leaf and write a guests name on it in marker. For a more funky setting, use a leaf placemat with colorful plates. You can put a small salsa bowl and few chips at each place setting.

• Use geometry! Table runners to bisect the table, square or rectangular white plates set at right angles. Each guest can have a small bowl of edamame or another snack. Stick a chopstick in the napkin ring to add an Asian flare or a flower for fun (figure D).

Tip: You can put a cotton tablecloth out the night before and give it a little spritz with water and by the next day the wrinkles will be gone.

GUESTS :

Karen Bussen
Author, Simple Stunning Weddings
E-mail: Karen@karenbussen.com
Website: www.karenbussen.com