Easy Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Your Dining Table from Everyday to Formal Meals

Does the thought of setting a dining table stress you out a little? Are you unsure about how to correctly set a table? You're not alone! Many people ask these questions more often than you might think.

Setting a dining table can be intimidating, especially for social gatherings. It's obvious to those who know when the dishes and utensils aren't in the correct place. But don't stress! Setting a proper table doesn't have to be overwhelming.

In this easy step-by-step guide, we'll answer all your questions on how to set a table. By following these instructions, you'll gain the confidence that your table is set correctly. And the next time you attend a dinner party, you won't be the one asking which bread plate is yours.

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How to Set the Dining Table for Your Everyday Meal

What you'll need: 1 plate, 1 knife, 1 spoon, 1 fork, 1 glass, 1 napkin

Table setting example for everyday meal

Plate: Center it directly in front of the chair, one inch from the edge of the table.
Knife and spoon: The knife is placed to the right of the plate (knife edge/blade faces the plate) and the spoon is to the right of the knife.
Napkin: Place it on the left side of the plate.
Fork: Goes on top of the napkin.
Glass: Place it in the upper right corner of the plate, above the knife.

How to Set an Informal/Casual Table

What you'll need: Add 1 bread plate and knife, 1 salad plate and 1 salad fork, 1 soup bowl and 1 soup spoon, and 1 wine glass (white or red)

Table setting example for casual meal

Use the Everyday Table Setting as a starting point.
Bread plate and bread knife: Add the bread plate above the fork and rest the bread knife across the plate, with the handle pointing toward the glasses.
Salad fork: If you'll be serving salad, place the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork (salad fork is smaller).
Soup spoon: If you'll be serving soup, put the soup spoon to the right of the dinner spoon (soup spoon is wider than the dinner spoon).
Salad plate and soup bowl: The soup bowl goes on top of the salad plate, which goes on top of the dinner plate.
Wine glass: Place it to the right of the water glass, above the dinner plate.

How to Set a Formal Table Place Setting:

What you'll need: Add 1 charger plate, 1 fish fork, 1 oyster fork, 1 dessert spoon or cake fork, 1 wine glass, 1 place card

Table setting example for a formal meal

Start with the Informal Table Setting as a foundation.
Charger plate: Place it under the dinner plate. A charger plate is purely for decoration and doesn't serve a purpose during the meal. However, it adds elegance to the table.
Fish fork: Place it to the left of the salad fork (not included in the photo).
Oyster fork: This is the only fork that goes on the right side of the plate. Place it to the right of the soup spoon (not included in the photo).
Dessert spoon or cake fork: Place it horizontally above the dinner plate, between the bread plate and water glass.
Wine glass: This is a second wine glass, allowing you to serve both red and white wine. The red wine glass is placed to the right of the water glass, and the white wine glass to the right of the red wine glass.
Place card (optional): Add it above the dessert utensil. Tip: Put the guest's name on both sides for easy identification.

Now you're all set to conquer your next gathering, from everyday to formal meals. Enjoy!

~Nicole

Tips to Remember When Setting a Kitchen or Dining Table:

Utensils with 4 letters go on the left (l-e-f-t is 4 letters): f-o-r-k.
Utensils with 5 letters go on the right (r-i-g-h-t is 5 letters): k-n-i-f-e and s-p-o-o-n.
Place the utensils in the order they will be used, starting from the outside and working in.
Don't stress if you don't have all the different utensils! Just double them up. Use two dinner spoons instead of a soup and dinner spoon.
A charger isn't a must for a formal dinner setting.
Make the table your own! This guide is just a suggestion. If you're not serving anything that requires a spoon, then don't put one out.

Bookmark this easy step-by-step guide for how to set a dining table from everyday to formal meals, so you can easily reference it in the future.