The basic rules for table setting: the choice and arrangement of dishes, cutlery, napkins. The perfect lunch: table setting rules Table setting for a festive dinner only dishes

Table setting for dinner is something that can create a small family celebration from an ordinary family meal. Etiquette these days family table is necessary not only to instill in children the skills of behavior in society - it is also a powerful technique for establishing contacts between relatives and friends. So it’s better to spend money on good dishes and take an extra five minutes to set the table for dinner.

  • napkins and tablecloth;
  • tureen, soup and snack plates;
  • plate for stand;
  • a plate for bread;
  • gravy boat and devices for spices;
  • cutlery;
  • butter dish;
  • glasses for drinks.

How to set the dinner table

The tablecloth and napkins should be chosen so that they complement each other, and at the same time do not stand out from the interior. It is best to opt for a simple plain tablecloth. A bright tablecloth with drawings will distract from the meal, besides, it will not create the necessary mood of solemnity. Fabrics will look great on the dining table pastel shades, and for more festivity, a white tablecloth is best.

The fabric should be clean and ironed, evenly distributed on the table. The tablecloth must be no less and no more required size- otherwise, either the composition will be broken, or the people at the table will feel uncomfortable.

Etiquette does not strictly discuss the decor that is desirable when setting the table for dinner. You can do without decor at all, and it will be absolutely normal - but without it you will not be able to create a truly cozy atmosphere. As a decor, you can use candles, flowers, beautifully folded napkins. The main thing is that the decor should not interfere with the meal: if there is a vase with huge bouquet, then it will interfere with communication and eating.

Fundamental rules

  1. Soup is placed in a tureen, not in a pot. The tureen should stand in such a way that you can pour soup out of it and not interfere with anyone.
  2. Cover your knees or shirt with a cloth napkin.
  3. Bread on a plate or bread box is not set in the middle of the table, but on the side.
  4. Paper napkins require special holders. Paper napkins should not be placed on plates or together with cloth napkins.
  5. On the left, put the fork with the prongs up, on the right - a tablespoon and a blunt knife. When an appetizer is served in addition to soup and bread, the appetizers for the appetizer are placed farther from the main appliances.
  6. In the center of the dining table they put something from which drinks are poured - a bottle of wine, a jug, a decanter. The bottle of wine should already be uncorked.
  7. Also, in the center they put something that everyone will need to reach out to - devices for spices, a butter dish, gravy boats. There should be a special knife next to the butter or not far from the bread.
  8. Wine glasses or glasses are located with right side and diagonally.

final note

When those sitting have talked and the conversation has exhausted itself, dessert is served. Before that, you need to remove everything unnecessary - dirty napkins, extra plates and cutlery.

At a regular family dinner, setting the table for dessert is as simple as possible - you need to get cups for tea and vases or plates with sweets, usually cookies and jam. If a pie or cake is served, everyone should be given a dessert plate. A more solemn occasion requires bowls in which dishes will be served.

Table setting for dinner may differ in some cases, this is inevitable. If a special menu will be served, or guests will be more comfortable if the dish is served this way and not otherwise, then there is nothing wrong with violating some rules of etiquette for the common good.

More value for Have a good mood and creating a cozy atmosphere in the house has a table setting. Scientists have proven that a beautifully set table and a warm company increase appetite and pleasure from eating. How to set the table for dinner? How to arrange the appliances and what are the ways to decorate the table?

Consider several options for arranging dishes, dishes and appliances:

  • As in the case , first of all you have to choose tablecloth, which will fit into overall design interior and emphasize the beauty of the dishes and dishes that are located on the dining table.

  • Lunch usually consists of two, three or four courses. When serving a dining table, they put two dishes: first - small, on it - a deep plate for soup. Plates are placed near the edge of the table (several centimeters) at the same distance from each other.


  • Devices laid out near the plate. On the right side you need to lay out a knife and a soup spoon, on the left - a fork. In the case of serving a festive dinner, two pairs of cutlery are laid out - knives and forks for snacks and hot dishes. The spoon and fork should be placed with the concave side down. Closer to the plate are hot cutlery.


  • Festive table setting for dinner is different in that they put in the center of the table small vessels with spices: salt, mustard, pepper, vinegar. This arrangement is most convenient for guests (easy to reach) and looks very impressive.


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  • Glasses for wine or water are placed next to the saucer. If alcohol (wine, champagne) is supposed to be on the table, then the bottle is uncorked in advance and placed on the table already open.
  • Snack or dinner plates are placed only when dishes are served in dishes from which it is not customary to eat.
  • Serve butter to the table in a special butter dish or on a small flat plate. It has a wide-bladed butter knife.
  • Front home serving includes and tureen. Soup is poured into it from the pan, if necessary, it can be heated before serving. Usually the tureen is placed at the place occupied by the hostess.
  • The required attribute is napkin, it is folded and placed on a snack plate. You can use cloth or paper towels. You can play very effectively on the color contrast of napkins - tablecloth.



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It is worth remembering that table setting is completely dependent on the menu, the order and sequence of serving snacks, dishes, wines. Also, it may vary depending on whether the reception of close friends, a regular family dinner or a reception is expected.

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Have you ever wondered what is the main sign of the attention of the hostess of the house to her guests? Of course, this is the correct table setting. Unfortunately, not all housewives know how to do this. Many people think that on beautiful serving table needs a lot of time. However, this opinion is erroneous. Knowing and keeping certain rules, you can create a festive mood not only for the holidays, but also on weekdays.
For creating unusual decoration tables can attract households. Most likely, they will like this activity, and you will save time and effort.


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It is incorrect to assume that ordinary life you don’t have to bother, and all the complexity of the decoration is used exclusively for public holidays. Psychologists claim that appearance dishes and the table as a whole depends on the mood and taste perception of food.
Table setting at home differs from the solemn one in a smaller number of appliances and decor details.

  1. Take into service that coaster plates are a must. Using them, you will avoid staining the tablecloth. Agree that sometimes it is very difficult to remove borscht stains from it.
  2. It is not recommended to replace the tablecloth with oilcloth. To make the table look "smart", sometimes it is enough to lay a checkered cloth on it. Of course, everything should look harmonious and the tablecloth should be combined with common interior kitchens.
  3. If your menu includes a first course, then the presence of deep plates is a must. It is much easier to walk around with a pot and pour the broth for everyone than to rush around with plates.
  4. Under a deep plate should be a container for a side dish.
  5. In order not to constantly run for forks and spoons, provide them in the right amount in advance.


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Why is table setting necessary?

Everyone will agree that it is much more pleasant to eat at a chicly served table. If everything is properly organized, then the daily meal turns into a holiday.
It is not necessary to cook gourmet dishes, you can use ordinary inexpensive products. The very idea of ​​\u200b\u200bdecorating a dining table is important.
Serving planning for specific meals
Introduce new traditions into your family. Due to lack of time in modern world Not every family can afford joint meals. In this case, you can limit yourself to one common reception food that will take place in the evening.
Not only for a festive meal, but also for a simple dinner you can arrange the serving in an original way. Children will be happy to help you with this, as a rule, they are very fond of arranging plates and laying out napkins.
At this table you can chat with all family members. The atmosphere of comfort is conducive to confidential conversations, everyone can talk about their problems or achievements. Such a tradition will bring a piece of joy into everyday life. After everyone gets used to gathering at home for dinner, you can start introducing gatherings on weekends into family traditions.


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Table setting rules

  1. You need to use the same devices.
  2. Each dish should have its own serving.
  3. When arranging objects, it must be taken into account that about 80 cm of space must be allocated for each person. This condition will make guests feel comfortable.
  4. Plates are placed in the middle of the allocated place, at a distance of two cm from the edge.
  5. When planning the serving of several dishes, deep dishes are placed on a flat surface.
  6. At a distance of 10 cm to the left of the person, plates for sweets or bread are placed.
  7. Spoons, forks and knives are placed with the tip up, on the right - knives, on the left - forks. If dessert is to be served, the soup spoon is placed above the plate.
  8. Glasses and glasses should be placed on the right. If alcohol and water are served at the same time, then the container that should be combined with the first course is placed closer.
  9. All utensils must be clean and free of stains and streaks. Before serving, it must be wiped with a dry towel.

How to choose the right tablecloth

A mandatory attribute is a tablecloth. She can be like everyday use, and for the solemn. What recommendations do experts give when choosing a tablecloth?

  • for a banquet, a tablecloth made of natural fabrics, preferably white, is used;
  • for everyday dinner or lunch, you can use an acrylic attribute, it should fit the shape of the table;
  • it is important that the tablecloth is of suitable length, it should cover the entire surface, and the edges should hang down by 20-25 cm.

Required condition!!! Any tablecloth must be clean. Therefore, you need to have several options available.

Plate arrangement

So, the tablecloth is laid. Now you need to arrange the plates. The scheme is very simple. There should be a decorative plate in the very center, it should not be too close to the edge. A plate for snacks is placed on it. If there are liquid dishes on the menu, then a deep container is also placed on a decorative plate. It is important to note that when serving puree soup, a soup bowl is served, and when serving broth, a cup must be served. The bread plate is placed to the left of the decorative one.

Location of devices

Serving provides a certain location of all appliances. Everything must comply with the rules of etiquette:

  • appliances should be placed on the sides of the plates, in some cases they are placed on top;
  • there should be forks to the left of the main plate;
  • knives are placed on the right, their blades should be directed towards the plate;
  • on top of the plate should be a spoon for soup;
  • a dessert spoon is placed on the right side, it should enclose a row of knives.

Important!!! The utensils that will be used first should be closest to the plate. Appliances for first courses should be the most distant. It should be borne in mind that all devices must be freely available for use.

How to choose glasses

For serving holiday table It is very important to choose the right glasses. For each drink, a certain type of wine glasses or glasses is provided.
For red wines, cognac and brandy, "pot-bellied" glasses are used. And for wines from white varieties, small glasses are used. The tallest or narrowest glasses are for champagne. For juices and water, glasses are served that are intended for cocktails.

Use of napkins

How beautiful to set the table? One of essential elements decorations in the design of any holiday or banquet are napkins. A lot of techniques have been invented, following which you can create an exquisite and unusual composition from them. When choosing napkins, you need to pay attention to the color. You can buy napkins of the same color with holiday candles.
Napkins need to be folded so that after unfolding they do not look too wrinkled. This decoration is placed on a plate for snacks. Using napkin figurines, you can make your table very stylish.


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Table setting for dinner

  1. Festive dinner with the family. Arranged on the table beautiful candles and plates, stocked with wine and snacks. Later, you can serve a hot dish, dessert and fruit. Remove the glasses and replace them with cups and saucers.
  2. How beautiful to set the table for romantic dinner? Covered small table behind which two people sit opposite each other. Candles and flowers are a must. A dark-colored tablecloth will add a special flair to the romantic mood.
  3. For a themed dinner. You can serve dishes prepared from products that are grown in your country house. The table is decorated with compositions of vegetables. All dishes are simple, prepared from natural products.
  4. For dinner with a friend. No extra details. Delicate tablecloth, the minimum number of appliances, light meals. Perhaps cold cuts or seafood.
  5. Dinner for friends. Friends come to visit for simple informal communication. So forget about solemnity, everything should be simple. But of course cook some delicious meals


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Table setting for a children's event

Organizing a children's event is always a special concern for parents. It is necessary to take care not only about the deliciousness of the food and the beauty of the presentation, but also about the safety of the children.
How to set the table for a children's holiday?

  1. In order for the children to feel like adults, set a separate table for them.
  2. It is necessary to withstand the design in one scale. It is better if you pick up any cartoon theme. It must be present in everything.
  3. Disposable tableware is a real godsend for parents who need to organize children's holiday. Just do not think that we are talking about simple disposable plates. In stores you can buy very beautiful dishes from durable plastic or special cardboard. Such dishes are very practical, because they do not break. She is very beautiful, so the kids will be delighted with her.
  4. Do not cook a variety of salads and meat dishes. After all, this is a children's holiday, and children do not like to eat this at a party. Surprise them with beautiful buffet appetizers, this is exactly what they will like.


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Benefits of proper table setting

If your family gets used to eating in a cozy and beautiful setting then the food will be a real pleasure. Children will grow up cultured, knowing the place for each item on the table. Evening gatherings at a beautifully laid table will unite your family. And this family tradition will be passed down from generation to generation.

The basic rules for setting the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner can transform a familiar meal into a small one. family celebration. Services and sets of the same dishes, elegant tablecloths and individual woven napkins - this is not just an elegant table, it is a subtle psychological device for bringing together and uniting relatives and friends. Therefore, do not be stingy with beautiful dishes and take the time to decorate dishes with flowers in a vase or an original composition in the center of the table.

Table setting for breakfast

A large classic breakfast implies the following table setting option:

The central position at the plate for the main hot dish (porridge / scrambled eggs with bacon, etc.).

To the left of the plate is a fork (cloves up) or a spoon, and to the right is a knife (the sharp part of the blade to the plate).

Diagonally to the right of the main plate are cups from a coffee or tea service, on their saucer and with a spoon. For an everyday meal at home, you can buy large mugs in bulk, put each of them on an individual thermal stand on the table, and place a stand next to it. tea bag and a teaspoon.

To the left and slightly above the level of the central plate, there is a place for a smaller plate for sandwiches, pastries, bread and butter and marmalade. There should be a separate additional knife on the plate, the blade is located to the left.

Table setting for dinner No. 1

The main dish in this lunch option is thick soup, cream soup or spaghetti.

A similar main course is served in a deep plate, it is placed in the center on a plate for the second course, which at the beginning of the meal will play the role of a stand.

To the left of the plate is a fork, and to the right is a knife and spoon.

To the left of the main course is a bread plate with a knife for butter or pâté.

A glass for water or juice is placed diagonally to the right of the central dish, and a wine glass beside it.

Table setting for dinner No. 2

Lunch in this case includes a light soup, an appetizer/salad, meat dish and dessert.

The plates are placed one inside the other - a pyramid of coasters.

On the left are two forks, on the right are two knives and a spoon. The sequence of application of devices - starting from the edge.

Dessert cutlery is laid out above the central plate. spoon under right hand- dessert fork under the left.

Diagonally to the left of the central dish is a plate for bread with a separate knife on it.

Glasses and a glass for water / juice are placed so that the tallest of them is farthest from the person sitting at the table.

Table setting for dinner No. 1

In this version, the table is set for dinner, consisting of a main course and an appetizer.

The appetizer plate and the main dish are placed one inside the other.

On the left are two forks, and on the right are two knives. Use extreme devices first.

To the right, diagonally, sides for an aperitif (wine), a glass for a drink under the main course and a glass for water / juice are displayed.

Table setting for dinner No. 2

A large gala dinner traditionally includes an appetizer/salad, thick soup, and a main course. It is usually served as a cross between a lunch with thick soup and a dinner with an appetizer. Here, both elegant porcelain dishes and the usual white laconic table service will look solemn.

Serving (fr. servir - to serve) is the preparation of the table for breakfast, lunch, dinner, festive feast, buffet banquet, cocktail banquet, tea ceremony. Table setting includes arranging in a certain order all the items necessary for organizing a meal (meal): tablecloths, dishes, cutlery, glass, napkins, etc.

The main purpose of serving- creating convenience for guests in the process of eating, establishing a good mood, expressing their attention and goodwill towards the guests.

General principles serving

Many people think that table setting is necessary only on holidays, but this is a delusion. With a beautifully designed table for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can create small celebrations at home every day. Many people assume that when setting a table, one cannot do without crystal or porcelain, but this is also a delusion. To decorate your table, a modest service, a neat fresh tablecloth, required set cutlery, napkins, and small modest decoration- a bouquet of fresh flowers, as well as a vase of fruit.

breakfast table

For morning tea or coffee, the table is covered with linen colored tablecloths in light colors, with a pattern; it is desirable to pick up and napkins of the same tones. When setting the table for breakfast, it is advisable to use dessert plates, knives and forks. A napkin folded in an envelope or roller is placed on a plate. Sugar is served in a special sugar bowl, special tweezers are attached to the lump sugar. Jam is poured into sockets with spoons. The lemon is cut into slices and laid out on a saucer with a special fork.

Treat with tea or coffee- pies, biscuits, muffins, cookies - served in vases. Cakes or pies are laid out on dishes, cut into portions and laid out on plates with a spatula. Butter is served in a butter dish, and thinly sliced ​​bread is placed in a bread box, on the bottom of which a napkin is spread.

Tea cups are served with saucers. Tea is poured into cups so that the distance from the surface of the tea to the edge of the cup is approximately 0.5 - 1 cm.

Family dinner

When laying the dining table, you should take care, first of all, of the tablecloth - linen or linen, carefully ironed. The corners of the tablecloth should be located against the legs of the table and cover them, and the tablecloth should hang evenly on all sides, about 20 cm below the edge of the table. Instead of a tablecloth, you can use small round napkins or square shape- for each device. At the family table, one small plate is usually placed, deep plates are usually located near the hostess, who pours the soup. The fork is placed on left hand, knife - on the right, spoon - behind the plate; or (which is more common) - a knife, fork and spoon are placed to the right of the plate. Glasses are placed behind the plate; a glass is placed a little to the right of the middle of the plate - if wine is drunk at the table. Cloth napkins are placed on top of a small plate, folding them into a triangle or a cap. Paper napkins are placed in small vases - in two to three places on the table. According to the rules of etiquette, it is unacceptable to place paper napkins on plates.

A vase of flowers can become a decoration of the dining table. At opposite ends of the table there are bread bins with white and black bread, cut into slices, as well as bowls with seasonings (vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper). Drink bottles are usually placed closer to the center of the table. You can also place a dish with pies there. Soup bowls are served from the right side. If there are guests at the table, in addition to household members, it is more convenient to pour the soup into bowls in the kitchen and, placing them on a tray, bring and distribute at the table. After the first course is finished, it is recommended to remove the deep plates and spoons and serve the second courses. Hot food is laid out on a heated dish in the center of the table, and next to it is a spatula or tongs.

Before serving dessert, all dishes and dishes are removed from the table, except for glasses and wine glasses, crumbs are swept from the table and set dessert appliances- small plates, knives, forks and spoons. Hot sweet foods - puddings, casseroles, soufflés - are served on heated dishes, cold ones - compotes, jelly, creams, mousses, ice cream - in special metal or glass bowls or cups.

Dinner on the table

Table setting for dinner is a little different from dinner table setting. Distinctive feature table for dinner is that neither soups nor broths are served for dinner, so there are no tablespoons and deep plates in the serving. The placement of glasses, glasses, dishes and vases with snacks remains the same as for dining table. Food at dinner is changed in the same order as at the dinner table.

And do not forget about the colors that will help enhance the thematic orientation of the serving, give it a touch of solemnity, semi-official rigor, gentle romance. To all your will and imagination, improve your serving skills every day, give your loved ones the little joys of family comfort and warmth.