Table Top Cover Ideas: Stylish Dining & Festive Occasions Design Choices

When considering ideas to cover a table top, focus on balancing practicality with aesthetic appeal. Options for table top coverings include:

• Tablecloths
• Runners
• Placemats
• Centerpieces

Tablecloths provide full coverage while runners add elegance and can accentuate a table’s length and shape. Placemats can help define individual table settings and protect surfaces, while centerpieces add a welcome decorative touch that can bring everything together.

We supply custom printed tablecloths to help you personalize your look, tailoring designs to match decor, branding, or the style of the occasion. Whether for everyday use or a specific event, our high-quality products enable you to choose the size, shape, color, patterns, and bespoke content for the perfect dining experience.

How To Cover A Table For Style

Ideas to cover a table top in a stylish way include:

• Choosing a quality tablecloth.
• Adding a complementary or contrasting runner that matches the occasion.
• Adding elegant dinnerware like plates, glasses, and cutlery.
• Incorporating a centerpiece like flowers, candles, or a decorative bowl.
• Distributing placemats to define individual settings.

You can round everything off by ensuring the lighting enhances the ambiance in your dining space.

Let’s look closely at 8 creative ideas to cover table tops, aiming for the right blend of style with practicality. We will look at everything from circular tables to rectangular ones, exploring different sizes to help you prepare for any space or occasion.

Whether the emphasis is on elegant custom tablecloths, versatile placemats, or centerpieces, discover how you can enhance your dining experience with tailored solutions that balance your needs. These ideas will ensure your table settings have great visual appeal and meet your functional needs, whether for everyday meals or special gatherings.

Small Circular Tables

Dress a small round table with a crisp, fitted tablecloth in a neutral color like navy or dark gray. Add some delicate lace or embroidered placemats in contemporary tones for each place setting, making sure not to overcrowd the table. The centerpiece could be a compact arrangement of fresh flowers in a vase to add sophistication without being too overbearing.

With this tasteful setup, you will maintain elegance while respecting the table’s modest proportions.

Large Circular Tables

For a stylish, creative setup on a larger round table, start with a table cover in a rich, elegant color. Consider adding a wide, contrasting runner down the center for visual interest. Apply round placemats in a complementary shade to differentiate the place settings, and add a statement centerpiece like a large floral arrangement or a decorative bowl. You could even incorporate a few tall candles in elegant holders for extra sophistication.

This table top covering idea balances the table’s large proportions for a harmonious look.

Small Square Tables

Sometimes simpler works better for table top covering ideas. For a small square table, opt for a neutral shade to create a clean base with the tablecloth. Add a narrow, complementary table runner and avoid placemats for a more pared-back, minimalist aesthetic. Choose a low-profile floral arrangement in contrasting colors for the centerpiece, adding a freshness to the setup that will stand out in the viewer’s eyes. You might even add a few tea light candles to create a warm but subtle glow.

With this approach, you maintain elegance and enhance the table’s compact proportions.

Large Square Tables

For a larger square table, we suggest starting with a textured tablecloth in a neutral or traditional tone for an elegant foundation. If you want a runner, choose a wide one in a contrasting color to draw the eye, and deploy coordinating placemats and elegant cutlery to define each place setting. For your centerpiece, add a sophisticated floral arrangement or decorative bowls to add vibrancy to the setting, and include elegant napkin holders to tie everything together.

This is how to cover a table for elegance and practicality to enhance the table’s proportions whilst maximizing the visual appeal.

Small Oval Tables

For a small oval table, apply a fitted tablecloth in a soft pastel color for a cozy and inviting aesthetic. You could apply a narrow, elegant runner along the table’s length to add some texture. Round placemats will work best, complementing the tablecloth with added sophistication. And the centerpiece could be a refined trio of candles in varying heights to suit the table’s shape. Include delicate napkin rings and complementary napkins for an extra hint of class.

With this idea to cover your table top, you will ensure elegance while emphasizing the table’s compact proportions for a charming and functional dining space.

Large Oval Tables

For a large oval table, start with a luxurious tablecloth in white or another traditional color to complement the theme of the occasion. Use an elegant, wide runner along the table’s center to add depth and interest. Combine this with an elongated centerpiece like a garland of greenery interspersed with candles and flowers to provide visual continuity. Individual settings could be defined with coordinated placemats, and you could add ornate napkin rings and matching napkins to complete the look.

With this table top cover idea, you balance elegance and practicality for a stunning presentation at a banquet or other grand event.

Small Rectangle Tables

To dress a small rectangular table with style and creativity, choose a tailored tablecloth in a neutral color for a clean base. If you want to add a table runner, choose one that is narrow in a contrasting color to add visual interest. Simple, chic placemats will help define each place setting in a subtle way, and we recommend a low, elongated centerpiece like a line of tea light candles or small succulents as the centerpiece. Finish with coordinating napkins and elegant flatware for a polished look.

This idea to cover your table top will ensure style and practical elegance for any occasion.

Large Rectangle Tables

If you have a large rectangle table, choose a flowing tablecloth with a luxurious appearance in a neutral or bold color, depending on the occasion. We suggest a long, decorative table runner along the center for texture. This can be combined with elegant placemats or chargers to define the dining area. The centerpiece should span the length of the table, like a series of decorative vases with flowers or a refined candle arrangement. Complete the look with matching napkins, glassware, and flatware.

This table top cover idea will create a cohesive and sophisticated setting.

Let’s look at a few simple ideas to cover a table top for stylish dining:

• Tablecloths: Customize polyester tablecloths with our service to create a look that suits your dining style.
• Runners: Add a decorative touch with extra table protection. Contrasting colors or patterns work well.
• Placemats: Ideal to individualize place settings, choose materials like bamboo, cork, or fabric.
• Chargers: These can be a stylish alternative to placemats.
• Centerpieces: Popular choices include fresh flowers or candles, but you can choose anything to create a stylish focal point.
• Napkins: Cloth napkins with rings or elegant folds can elevate any meal.

What Are The Most Popular Sizes To Cover Table Tops?

There are some common table sizes that our customers frequently order covers for, each of which has its own specific considerations. Popular dimensions include:

• Round tables: Common sizes include diameters of 36 to 72 inches.
• Square tables: We find that our customers commonly seek tablecloths for square tables that are 36 to 48 inches long.
• Oval tables: Popular lengths range from 60 to 120 inches.
• Rectangle tables: Similar to oval tables, common lengths fall in the range of 60 to 120 inches, with a width of 30 to 42 inches being popular.

If you are planning for a festive occasion, you may be interested in some lively ideas to cover your table tops.

• Tablecloths: Vibrant colors or seasonal patterns help set the tone. Our custom Christmas tablecloths can be tailored to your needs, for example.
• Runners: Choose metallic or sequined designs to add a touch of elegance.
• Placemats: Look for festive-themed placemats that relate to the occasion.
• Centerpieces: Floral arrangements or themed ornaments make great focal points for festive gatherings.
• Napkins: Coordinate napkins with the overall theme for a cohesive aesthetic.

How To Cover A Table For A Contemporary Look

Here are some ideas to cover a table top for a contemporary appearance:

• Minimalist tablecloths in solid colors or subtle patterns for simplicity.
• Geometric runners with linear shapes add a modern touch.
• Monochrome placemats will help achieve a sleek appearance.
• Streamlined centerpieces, as minimalism is the order of the day. Think abstract sculptures or single-stem flowers.
• Aim to achieve clean lines and sharp edges throughout.
• Focus on neutral tones like gray, white, or black for maximum sophistication.
• Avoid overcrowding with accessories, Focus on space and clarity, with ‘less is more’ at the heart of your choices.

Table top covering ideas for outdoor environments have slightly different considerations. For example, you may need to think about how to secure your tablecloth to the table.

Here are some suggestions:

• Weather-resistance: Materials like polyester or vinyl are great for withstanding outdoor conditions.
• Runners: Choose durable runners to add a little extra style and protection to table tops.
• Organic elements: Choose decorative elements that match the natural surroundings like bamboo placemats or wooden chargers.
• Umbrella hole: You may want a tablecloth with an umbrella hole if the table is designed to accommodate a parasol.
• Sturdy centerpieces: Weighty, wind-resistance centerpieces can help anchor your setting in place.

Table runners can be great table top cover ideas, adding a good blend of style and practicality to your setup. Here are some benefits to consider:

• They are versatile, so you can layer them over tablecloths or use them alone for a more pared-back look.
• You can get them in various materials, patterns, and colors to match your decor theme.
• They offer protection against spills and surfaces whilst offering a decorative accent.

Whether for everyday use, seasonal decor, or special occasions, you can order custom linen table runners from our service to get the right look for your needs.

What Decorative Items Can I Use To Help Cover A Table?

There are many decorative items available to bring your table top covering ideas to life. Popular choices include:

• Tablecloths: Offering full coverage and a decorative base.
• Runners: A stylish accent that offers partial surface coverage.
• Placemats: These protect and enhance individual place settings.
• Centerpieces: These create stylish focal points to bring a table setting together.

You should think about colors and textures. Things like glassware, dinnerware, cutlery, and napkins are important considerations, and you can also add candles, floral arrangements, and themed decor pieces.

How Do You Maintain And Care For Your Table Covering?

Each element of your table top cover ideas will need regular maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s care instructions. It is wise to regularly shake out tablecloths and runners to remove debris, and promptly spot clean stains with mild detergent and water.

To wash tablecloths in the machine, opt for gentle cycles with cool water. Avoid things like bleach and harsh chemicals and store your fabrics in a cool, dry place to prevent mold or mildew. Ironing or steaming may be necessary to keep them looking crisp.

Ultimately, proper care will extend the life of your table coverings and preserve their appearance.