Table Linens are the canvas upon which the art of dining is painted. Historically used to protect expensive wooden tables and catch spills, linens today are the primary texture element that defines the formality and mood of a meal.

From the crisp snap of a starched Irish linen napkin to the rustic drape of a cotton runner, selecting the right fabric is as important as choosing the china.

A tablecloth must fit the table physics. The most critical measurement is The Drop (the amount of fabric that hangs over the edge).

• Casual Dining: A drop of 20–25 cm (8–10 inches). It should just brush the lap of the diner.
• Formal Dining: A drop of 40 cm (15 inches) to floor-length. The longer the drop, the more formal the event.
• The Silence Cloth (Molleton): A thick felt pad placed *under* the tablecloth. It serves three purposes: protects the wood from heat, prevents the tablecloth from sliding, and muffles the noise of plates and glasses being put down (silence is luxury).

In high-end dining, napkin size indicates the meal's nature.

• Dinner Napkin: Large squares, typically 55 x 55 cm (22 inches). Used for multi-course formal meals.
• Luncheon Napkin: Smaller squares, approx. 45 x 45 cm (18 inches). Used for breakfast or lunch.
• Cocktail Napkin: Small squares (15 cm) used under glasses to catch condensation.

• Tablecloth: Traditional, formal, unifies the table. Covers the entire surface.
• Placemats: Modern, architectural. Shows off the beauty of the table surface (wood/marble). Defines individual territory. *Note: Never use placemats on top of a tablecloth in formal dining.*

To achieve the “restaurant crispness,” linens must be starched.

• Light Starch: Gives body to the fabric.
• Heavy Starch: Allows napkins to be folded into complex architectural shapes (like the Bishop's Hat), though it makes them less absorbent for wiping the mouth.

— See Also:

• Setting the Table with Trays
• Formal vs. Casual Table Setting Guide