Placemats are a perfect way of elevating a table’s aesthetics. They add a dash of color and decorative appeal to any kind of table. Most people tend to go with the basic placemats from the store that they can simply wipe after use. There are crucial aspects that you should consider when choosing a placemat so that you get a set that suits your table. Size is among the critical aspects worth considering.
So what is the best placemat size for your table? While, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all criteria for determining the appropriate placemat size for your table, there is a guideline that you can follow if you opt for the store-bought placemats. Knowing the average placemat size that suits the shape of your table will help you avoid a cluttered look caused by oversized mats or useless undersized placemats. Read on for detailed information about placemat sizes and shapes.
Whether you buy your placemats from the store or make them yourself, you will want them to be the standard size.
Standard placemats range between 12 to 14 inches wide and 16 to 20 inches long.
Any size within this range will not be too large to crowd your table nor too small to protect your table. The main goal is to prevent hot bowls, plates and silverware from ruining your precious dining table.
If you have a small table, you can opt for the 12 by 16 inches placemats.
If you choose to make the placemats yourself, allow for a space of 4 inches between dinner settings. The space allows your guests some elbow room when eating.
Placemats come in various sizes and shapes. Rectangles and circles are the most common shapes sold today. You can get other geometric shapes if you like.
Small placemats are used to set stylish tables. They come in different shapes but the circular ones are the most preferred. They are not large enough to hold an entire place setting. They usually just highlight the plate by providing a bold background for it.
Small round mats may not work for every meal but they usually come in handy. They can be used for a child’s place setting as well. A child’s place setting does not require as much room as that of an adult. A placemat measuring 9 by 14 inches would do, but it all depends on the size of the child’s table and the amount of food they eat.
You can use these to achieve a stylistic flair by blocking a whole section of the dining table for every diner. The only drawback to oversize placemats is that they limit the number of people that can sit on your dining table.
The most common size for rectangle placemats is 12 by 18 inches. They are perfect if your main goal is to protect your table from spilled foods and scuffs. Rectangles cover the entire surface area beneath your place setting. They also give your dishes a nice backdrop.
The highly acclaimed BETEAM Placemats must be the best rectangle placemats out there. The set contains 6 rugged, stain-resistant, anti-skid mats that you can wash and re-use as many times as possible.
These are not as common as rectangle placemats. They are the best for small eating surfaces. The most common size for square shaped placemats is 13 by 13 inches. They have a better aesthetic appeal than rectangle placemats owing to their minimalistic sharp-edged appeal.
Round mats are another popular option. The most common sizes are the 12 and 15 inches diameter. The larger the circle the easier it is to arrange a whole place setting on the mat. A small circle is the cutest thing but you won’t be able to place your cup, plate, and flatware.
According to most reviews, users recommend the popular SHACOS Round Braided Placemats which is a set of 6 mats that are ultra-durable, easy to clean and aesthetic. They are made with cotton and polypropylene which makes them wrinkle-resistant. You can use them on round, oval, rectangle or square tables.
These are best suited for round tables. They have a soft and smooth style that goes well with a cozy table space. They are usually large, thus can fully protect your table as well as accommodate a whole place setting. The most common size for oval placemats is 13 by 19 inches.
These live up to their name. They are basically just rectangle placemats with the corners cut off. The design is gorgeous and it still gives decent coverage beneath the dishes.
These are modern mats with a sleek contemporary look. They have tapered sides and an arched top. They look like a flattened cupcake wrapper.
These are the best if you are looking to add a decorative touch to your dining table. Quilted patterns often have stitched patterns that are decorative on top of the fabric. They feature a layer of batting inside them and therefore provide extra heat protection to your food.
To get the most out of your mats, both aesthetically and practically, you need to find the correct sizes and shapes according to the shape of your table. Here is a guideline;
If you have a round table, consider oval and circular placemats. They look incredible on the round table as the rounded sides match the table. Oval placemats will accommodate an entire place setting because they are wider. If space is your priority then oval mats should be your top consideration. You can as well go for the larger circular mats that measure 15 inches in diameter.
If space is not your top priority then you can go with the cute small circular mats that measure 12 inches in diameter.
Anything can look good on a rectangular table. You can use either rectangular, square or round mats. The rectangular and square mats will mirror the table’s sides beautifully. The contrast of a round mat will also have a pleasant appeal.
The size of the table will determine the size of the mats you pick for it. If your table is large, the standard 12 by 18 inches will look good on it.
For your square table, you can use a square or round placemat. The standard 13 by 13 inches square placemat would do, but it would provide minimum surface protection. If you place a 10-inch dinner plate on it, it may overlap. Alternatively, you can use 8-inch or 9-inch round placemats if you have a small or medium size square table.
Just like round tables, an oval table will look better with round placemats. You can use either circle or oval placemats on your oval table. If the table is large, you can choose oval mats as they provide maximum surface protection and can hold a whole set. If you have a small table, then you can go for small round placemats that can only hold a plate.
Making your own placemats gives you the opportunity to get everything right according to your tastes and preferences. You will end up with the colors, shapes and textures that you like. Anyone can make placemats. It’s the simplest sewing task out there that even beginner sewists can hack.
Making Rectangular and square placemats mostly involves sewing in straight lines which anyone can breeze through.
Things you need for the project:
The type of style and patterns you settle for will mainly depend on your sewing skills. If you are a seasoned sewist, you can go for intricate placemat patterns Trusted Source 70 Placemat Patterns ideas in 2021 | place mats quilted, quilted table runners, placemats patterns www.pinterest.ca . You can use batting to make quilted mats, or scallops to create fancy edges.
If you are a beginner sewist or a minimalist by choice, you can make simple one-sided mats with rolled hems or mitered corners.
Here is a step by step guide on how to make a simple placemat:
To prevent your fabric from shrinking when you wash the mats, wash and iron it before you start sewing. It also prevents you from sewing over wrinkles and making them permanent.
Use a ruler to measure the 13 inches by 19 inches rectangles then cut them out with a sharp pair of scissors. Sewing scissors would work best. To cut straight lines, use a chalk to draw the rectangle on the fabric. You can also pin a paper pattern to the fabric.
Pair up the fabric rectangles that you have cut then pin them together. Ensure the right side or the outside of the fabric is on the inside of each of the sandwiches you create with the pins. The edges should also match perfectly.
Sew a ½-inch seam around the rectangle. Leave a gap of about 5 inches on side of the rectangle. If you want to be a little extra with the sewing, here is how to make different sewing patterns.
Insert your hand through the 5-inch gap you left then turn the mat right side out. Use your fingers to push the corners out neatly. You can use a blunt knitting needle if you have one. Iron the mat to achieve nice crisp edges on each side.
You can’t leave the 5-inch gap unstitched. It will be a messy hole on your mat. Push the open edges of the gap inside with your fingers. The holes should look like it is sewed shut. Pin it in place then set up your sewing machine with the needle very close to the mat’s edge. Sew around the outer edge to seal up the hole and get a good border.
The shape of a quilted placemat plays a huge role in determining its size. Quilted placemats come in myriad shapes including non-linear cuts. Standard Rectangular quilted placemats measure 12 by 18 inches or 13 by 19 inches.
Standard round quilted placemats measure 17 inches in diameter. Quilted placemats usually have round or scalloped edges. They are decorative with bright colors and they are normally thick enough to protect the table from hot plates and bowls.
The 3 main things you need to consider when making or buying a placemat are;
To choose the best placemat style, you need to consider the look you want to create with the entire table. You also need to consider the kind of decorating style you have embraced in your home. If you have the homey farmhouse décor style, you’ll need mats that add texture to your dining table. A plaid or checked design would do well.
If you have embraced the bohemian décor style, then anything with satin or metallic finish will do. They will accentuate your brightly colored dishes nicely.
To ensure your dishes fit the mats you choose perfectly, you can sketch out the dimensions of the mat on a wrapping paper then arrange the dishes on it before you buy the real mats.
Another thing you must consider is the kind of meals you will be serving on the mats. If you want mats for every-day use, then you should go for easy-to-clean ones that will act as table protectors. If you want mats that you’ll only pull out occasionally when you have special events like thanksgiving you can get ones that have intricate designs with a wow-effect.
Keep in mind that the highest level of formality requires pure white linen for napkins, placemats, and tablecloths. Simple colors and textures cannot overcrowd a table already packed with glasses and cutlery.
If you intend to make your own placemats, you must know the right dimensions for the standard placemat when sewing. The standard placemat for a standard dinner table measures 18 by 14 inches, which is a medium-sized rectangle of fabric. It can accommodate a plate and still leave extra room on the side.
You can either buy or make your own placemats. Making them will allow you to have exactly what you want in terms of size and design. You need to know the standard size of a placemat whether you are buying or custom making your own. You can use a placemat size chart to get an idea of the popular sizes of placemats on the market. The chart usually has different placemat dimensions or measurements in inches.
Just keep in mind that you should never buy oversized placemats that will overlap each other or placemats that are too small and impractical. Also, as much as they are a fun way to add color and texture to your table, you don’t want to end up with an overcrowded look, especially if you are going for a formal look. Here Trusted Source Tips for a Proper Table Setting - Schweitzerlinen There are three types of table settings that are most commonly used: Basic, Informal and Formal. schweitzerlinen.com are some useful tips on formal table setting that can help you make the right color and design choices.
