When you think of the phrase “go set the table,” your instinctual reaction is probably to nostalgically recall evenings after school, chucking your backpack in the corner, still sweaty from [insert sports practice here], and your mom or dad just wrapping up dinner preparations. You grab the plates from the shelf, rip up some paper towels, and drop a handful of assorted utensils, hot from the dishwasher, straight on the table. Done.

And yes, while we do live in an age of TV dinners and SDLs (Sad Desk Lunches), both of which require minimal forethought, the Art of the Table Setting is still just that…an art. Now that more and more people—yes, young folks included—are hosting dinner parties, it’s high time that we bring the art form back, because, when executed properly, a well laid table is truly something to admire. 

Scroll down to learn how to set a casual table, a formal one, a few tips to spice either up, and to shop some of our favorite table setting essentials. 

Disclaimer: many countries and cultures will have different rules and expectations for what the “proper” table setting looks like, so stay tuned for cuisine specific articles to explain.

The basics

Anything will look professional if you have matching napkins. For bonus points, add a napkin ring or give them a little fan fold.

Eating utensils are always placed in order of use from the outside, in. 

Forks always go to the left of the plate and knives and spoons are on the right.

Place the knife with the blade facing the plate.

When selecting which utensil to use, always follow the lead of the host, even if they are wrong.

Only put out the utensils you will actually need for the meal to avoid confusion.

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Table settings are most easily detailed from left to right. The same way that we read a book.

Here’s how it goes:

Above your dinner plate on the farthest left side should be your bread plate and bread knife (on the plate).

On the right top side of your dinner plate should be your coffee cup, water glass, wine glass, and liquor glass—ordered from the inside, out.

Just above your plate is where you’ll find your dessert fork (pointed right) and spoon (pointed left). 

At plate level, from left to right, you will find your salad fork, dinner fork, then your plate (stacked: Dinner, Salad, Soup, Napkin), followed by your knife, salad knife, spoon, soup spoon, and oyster fork. 

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Check out these helpful graphics from Sugar and Charm for more inspiration!