Nothing tells others that you are refined and sophisticated quite like knowing how to set a dinner table. If you know how to properly lay down a dinner set and all the associated items, you are telling others that you are not only knowledgeable, but that you care enough about them to provide not only a fine meal, but fine surroundings. In this article we will be outlining the steps required to set a dinner table for your family and friends.

The Basics

These basics will help you to get started to setting a great dinner table. You can just leave it there, or build on the basics depending on how formal a gathering you are planning to have.

a) The first thing you need to determine is how many people you are planning on having over. You will need to have one place setting for each person, so make sure that there are enough chairs around the table to accommodate them.

b) Now, place the dinner plate in the center of the place setting. This dinner plate will be the focal point around which all the other items will be placed.

c) The flatware (i.e.: fork, knife and spoon) will be arranged around the dinner plate in the order in which it will be used. The fork is placed to the left of the plate, while the knife and spoon are placed to the right. The knife is placed right next to the plate with the cutting edge pointed inwards. To the immediate right of the knife is the spoon.

d) The water glass now needs a home. It goes directly above the knife.

e) If you have napkins available, place them under the forks.

Informal Dinner Setting

For an informal dinner party you merely need to start with the basics, and add to them. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

a) If you are going to serve a salad, the salad fork is placed to the left of the dinner fork that you laid down during the basics.

b) If you happen to be serving soup, set the bowl directly on top of the dinner plate, and place the soup spoon to the right of the spoon you laid down during the basics.

c) Salad or bread and butter knifes go down next. They go directly to the left of the forks. If you have butter plates, they go directly above the dinner plate. Put the butter knife directly on top of the butter plate.

d) The cup and saucer go directly above the spoons. The cup handle is pointed towards the right. If you have wine or water glasses they go to the left of the coffee cup.

If You Plan on a Formal Dinner

You have now graduated to the most elaborate setting of all…the formal dinner setting. Don’t worry, we have you covered. Just build on the informal dinner setting which in turn builds on the basics. Here’s what you need to know:

a) Are you planning on serving both white and red wines? If so, you will need two wine glasses per place setting. They go next to the water glass.

b) Beverage, soup, or dessert spoons should be placed to the immediate right of the knife. Alternately, they can be brought to the table when the soup or dessert is served.

c) A centerpiece is always nice. Look around for an appropriate one, or if you are artistic you could craft your own. It goes directly in the center of the table.

Ahhh…you are finished. Well done! Pat yourself on your back and sit back and examine all your fine work. Your dinner set looks nice don’t you think? All you need to do now is cook up some great food, and serve your guests. Let the partying begin!

Want to find out more about Great Dinner Sets, then visit Debbie Saunders’s site on how to choose the best dinner set for your dining table.

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