Good meals are usually shared with good company. Another way of impressing guests other than serving delectable meals while keeping the ball rolling is to set up a table that will surely pique their interest.

Table setting will not only showcase your design skills but also set the mood for the meal or occasion

Table management ensures the elements are laid out correctly. The layout will change depending on the type of silver used. In general, there are two different types of settings: informal and formal.

But whether informal or formal, proper table setting helps set the mood for the meal as well as the people.

Informal setting

An informal table setting with labels on the elements

One notable view of an informal setting is that fewer utensils are utilized on the table.

This type of setting is dictated by the person’s preference and will also be adjusted depending on the type of meal served.

Informal setting is commonly used in high street restaurants and especially in private settings within the household.

Some example of an informal table setting according to poloandtweed.com, a site that provides specialist service in domestic staff recruitment and domestic staff training, are as follows:

• Napkins are folded or placed in a wine glass; sometimes placed in napkin rings or placed on top of the dinner plate

• A single knife and bread plate is placed to the left of the small fork

• There are two forks on the table and is commonly placed to the left of the plate. The larger fork is used for the main course while the smaller fork is used for the first course

• A large knife is immediately placed to the right of the plate, with the sharp edge facing inward

• Spoons go to the right side of the knife. The soup spoon is placed on the outside right of the dinner knife. Meanwhile, the teaspoon will go to left of the dinner knife

• Glasses are always placed at the top right of the dinner plate — just above the knife and spoons

Formal setting

An example of a formal table

While it is based on the informal setting, accuracy and precision is paramount in a formal table setting.

This type of setting is used for meals that involve multiple courses both in private homes and restaurants.

Attention to detail and every element on the table are crucial since the final layout must assume perfection in a formal table setting.

Table cloths must be free from creases and hung evenly on each side of the table. The average table cloth should drop around 12 to 18 inches—low enough to cover the table but high enough not to end up in the guest’s lap.

Other several elements according to poloandtweed.com are the following:

• Napkin—placed on top of the service plate. It can also be put on the left of the forks or under the forks if there is limited space on the table.

• Service plate—a large plate often placed on the table prior to the arrival of the meal. It acts as a placeholder for the plate holding the first course which will be brought to the table. The service plate will remain in place for the future courses until the main course is finally served

• Butter plate—placed on the left of next to the small fork

• Butter knife—a small knife positioned diagonally on the top of the butter plate with its handle on the right and

the sharp edge facing downwards

• Large fork—placed on the left side of the plate while other and smaller forks will be put to its right to encourage working the way in through utensils and courses

• Large knife—similar to an informal setting the knife is placed to the right of the dinner plate

• Glasses—also similar to an informal setting as it is placed on the top right of the setting, above the knife and spoon

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