Setting a gorgeous table and knowing where everything goes simplifies serving and makes dining easier for guests. The rules of setting a table exist to make everyone confident in knowing what utensil to use at the appropriate time.

Only put out what is actually going to be used – avoid cluttering the table with any unnecessary items. As host, always think through what you are serving and then provide the necessary pieces.

At all settings, forks always go on the left of the dinner plate and knives and spoons on the right. Practicality is the basis for most of the rules – most people are right-handed and therefore wield their knife with their strong hand. The bottom of the dinner plate or charger is used as a guide to line up the cutlery. A serviette may be placed in the middle of the dinner plate or to the left of the forks.

Utensils are always placed in their order of use, outside in toward the dinner plate. Glassware or drinking vessels sit at the tip of the knife on the right-hand side. The water glass or goblet is always the closest to the knife, as it remains on the table throughout the entire meal. Additional glasses stand to the right of the water glass in order of use if multiple wines are to be served.

How to set a casual table
A casual meal has a starter or salad, a main course and dessert. The salad fork is placed outside the dinner fork to be used first. The bread and butter plate goes on the left. If it is breakfast or brunch, a mug or cappuccino cup could be put on the table and sits to the right of the water glass at the tip of the knife. A casual meal would not have more than one wineglass, and a tumbler could be used for water. Dessert utensils could be brought in with that course.

The casual table
Hover your mouse over the place settings below to see what goes where.



TIP: The most common table etiquette faux pas is using the wrong bread and butter plate. Your bread and butter plate is always on your left beside your forks.

How to set a formal table on page 2.