Looking for the perfect tablecloth that can be used every day without any fuss? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we will be discussing our top three favorite tablecloths that are not only stain-resistant but also machine-washable. So whether you’re a busy mom always on the go or just someone who hates doing laundry, these tablecloths are definitely for you! Read on to learn more.
A tablecloth may seem like just a piece of cloth but it will bring a world of change to your dining room. This simple yet magnificent piece of cloth will help you add a personal touch to the room. It helps you protect the surface of the table and also helps you hide away any scratches or dents. Sounds like a charm, right?
Now the question is, what type of tablecloth do you want? You don’t need to stick to those boring mundane pieces of cloth anymore. Tablecloths come in a variety of colors and designs to match your personal aesthetic. In this guide, we will help you find the best tablecloths for everyday use.
Why Should We Use Tablecloth?
People sometimes mull over the fact that it is an additional cost to afford a tablecloth and buy bare tables. People notice that a tablecloth is an essential part of the table; hence, renting one while it is a dire need. The wise decision would have been to buy a tablecloth in the first place.
It can’t be denied that tablecloths are an integral part of the internal home décor. It gives off fresh air around the dining table. No matter what the occasion is, a tablecloth can set your mood. On an occasion, the central part lies where the dishes are served.
Moreover, guests try to make themselves comfortable around the table. At this very moment, tablecloths come to the rescue! They ensure the guests’ utmost comfort, giving a nice ambiance and protecting the table from unintentional spills.
There are different kinds of tablecloths at different costs. The price can be moderately low for day-to-day use. On the other hand, when it comes to occasional tablecloths of high quality, the price goes up. Most of the time, people tend to rent them when it comes to a more significant occasion like a wedding reception.
Most importantly, tablecloths were introduced just to cover tables. The covering protects the table from being ruined during the feast. Studies have also shown that table atmosphere can influence consumers’ food perception at restaurants.
The same case applies to family members at home. The study results showed that high-quality and good-looking tablecloths contributed to people’s drive to eat more while enjoying the atmosphere to the fullest.
Tablecloths are easy to clean and launder. They can be used for multiple purposes and can be customized to add some more beauty and creativity to the dining table. Tablecloths are available in wide varieties and shapes that can fit into any table.
Types of tablecloths and a brief overview of them
Tablecloths are available in a myriad of different types and materials. You need to pick the one that works the best for your personal taste and preference. Let’s take a look at a brief overview of some of the most common and elegant types of tablecloths that will be an awesome choice for daily usage.
Linen Tablecloths
Linen tablecloths are used for centuries to decorate the table. Linens yarns originated from flax plants and it takes some significant effort to produce them. In ancient days, linen fabrics were only used by the riches and it was a sign of sophistication.
Thanks to modern technology, linen is far more affordable and easily available now. The popularity of linen tablecloths is mostly due to their beautiful texture. They blend well with all kinds of room decorations and table settings. Also, linen has excellent absorption capability which makes it one of the top choices for tablecloths in most households.
Vinyl Tablecloths
Vinyl is a highly strong and tear-resistant material that offers impeccable durability. It also has polyester flannel backings that protect the tabletop and provides traction. The best feature of a vinyl tablecloth is that it’s super easy to clean up. Be it stains or spills, you can make it squeaky clean in a jiffy.
These tablecloths are available in a variety of different stylish prints and colors. You can easily adjust and customize the size of the tablecloth as well. A vinyl tablecloth is highly suitable for outdoor events and they’re an excellent choice for daily use as well.
Waterproof Tablecloth
It’s quite natural to spill on the tablecloth while eating. However, the spillage can eventually damage the table and waterproof tablecloths come to your rescue in situations like this. Waterproof tablecloths are a lifesaver for families with toddlers or children as they generally possess more possibilities for accidental spillage.
These tablecloths resist liquid infiltration and let the water bead up on top instead of soaking in. You can find waterproof tablecloths made with vinyl, denim, and other material. There are super affordable and an excellent choice for daily use. Waterproof tablecloths are also super easy to clean and maintain.
Wipeable Tablecloth
Wipeable tablecloths are quite similar to waterproof ones. Most of the wipeable tablecloths have a vinyl coating on top of them which enables you to wipe off any food or water on top of them. However, wipeable tablecloths are also available in Teflon, PVC, and oilcloth.
Teflon-coated tablecloths have a somewhat similar finish to cotton. PVC is made with 100% plastic which makes it super easy to wipe. Oil-cloth tablecloths are super rugged as they’re made with top-quality quality cotton and a superb choice for daily use. You can find these tablecloths in a variety of different designs ranging from contemporary to traditionally based on your preference.
Luxury Tablecloths
If you want to make your dining table the statement piece in the room then a luxury tablecloth is a must-have. Luxury tablecloths are available in a variety of different styles, colors, and fabrics. You can use these tablecloths for everyday use, however, they’re great for weddings, holiday festivals, and fine dining experience.
Silk and sateen are excellent picks to bring a nice luxurious touch to the room. You can opt for abstract, floral, and even pictorial styles to jazz up the overall look. You can also go for laces around the sides to give a chic look.
Designer Tablecloths
Who said only your clothes can be designer? It’s 2021 and it’s time to take the designer label to the next level. Designer tablecloths may not be an everyday thing but they’ll surely enhance the grace of the room and give it a rich sophisticated feel.
You can find high-quality designer tablecloths on Etsy, Amazon, and many other places both online and offline. The price range will be a lot steeper than the regular tablecloths but you always need to pay extra for the designer label. These tablecloths will also give out a luxurious vibe and they’re perfect for special occasions.
Round Tablecloths
Round dining tables are super cute and they’ll give a cozy homely feel to the room. Round tablecloths are available in tons of different designs and colors. The main task with the round tablecloth is that you need to carefully measure the size and make sure that you get the right one.
You need to measure the size diagonally and then add up the sides you want to hang. You can go for a different pattern, colors, and designs depending on the size of the table.
White Tablecloth
White tablecloths are not an ideal choice for everyday use. They’re more prone to hold onto stains and it’s harder to hide the stubborn stains as well. However, white is such a soothing color and it blends well with all kinds of home décor.
A solid white tablecloth in cotton may seem like a mood killer. If you want to keep things lively and sophisticated then you can go for lace or patterned tablecloth in white. The combination of lace and white color will create a nice soothing ambiance in the room.
Oilcloth Tablecloths
Oilcloth tablecloths are an outstanding and very practical choice for everyday use. If you’re searching for the best tablecloths for everyday use with super-rugged quality then do give the oilcloth a try. Oilcloths are highly resilient and they’re super easy to maintain. You can easily of the stains and the best part is, they’re absolutely water-resistant.
Plastic Tablecloths
Plastic tablecloths are also another great choice for everyday use. They are super easy to clean and they don’t cling onto stains. You can find plastic tablecloths in both plain and pretty styles to match the other décor of the room.
Whether you have a round table or a rectangular one, this sort of tablecloth will brighten up the room with its presence. They’re super affordable as well. You can get them in different designs and prints so that you can shuffle the tablecloth based on the occasion or your mood.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Tablecloths
Material
The first thing you need to consider while buying the perfect tablecloth is the material. Tablecloths come in a wide variety of selections like lace, linen, cotton, plastic, sequin, etc. You can choose the one that matches the best without personality and the décor of the room.
Linen, cotton, and plastic are the most common choices for their simplistic looks. These are easy to clean and keep the dining space a subtle elegant appearance. However, you don’t need to stick to these specific choices only. Give it some thought and get yourself the perfect one.
Size
Now that you have decided on the fabric you want, it’s time to decide on the size. No matter how fancy or elegant the tablecloth is, without the right size, it will all go to waste. Measure the length and width of the table if it has a rectangular or square shape. However, you need to measure diameter if it has a circular shape.
Now you need to measure the amount of cloth that you want to hang on the sides and then add up that number on all four sides. Voila! You have found the perfect size for the tablecloth.
Design
The design of the tablecloth is a very subjective choice. You can go for solid single-colored ones or you can also go for prints. Since you’re planning to get the tablecloth for daily use, you should stick to a subtle simple design that doesn’t draw too much attention. Also, keep in mind the other décor of the room while choosing out the print. Make sure that it blends well with other decorations and complements the table.
Cleanup Requirements
The tablecloth will surely brighten up the room and its overall look. However, as you eat on the table it’s very common to get stains on it. You should opt for a tablecloth that is simple to clean and doesn’t require too much maintenance.
Tablecloths in Different Events
Tablecloths can be used both for decorative and functional use. Different events like weddings, children’s parties, Thanksgiving, et cetera, demand different kinds of tablecloths. Weddings demand tablecloths that give off a stunning look whereas random parties need disposable ones to safeguard the furniture inside the home.
Fitted tablecloths are one of the most popular while it comes to serving guests and making easy access to the sub-table storage area. It helps to hide the unusual masses from the guests and gives off a good look nonetheless.
There are events when people like to sit so, they can see each other and talk. In that case, the round table comes and covers it and makes it look lucrative; we use round tablecloths. Tablecloths used for different events are made of suitable materials that give a festive mood during the meal.
Whether it is a small family holiday plan or massive corporate dine-in, different kinds of tablecloths make the ambiance worth taking the meal. On an additional note, a suitable tablecloth can always bewilder the guests before taking their sits.
Tablecloth Accessories
Once you have picked up the tablecloth of your choice, it’s time to top it off with some accessories. You don’t need to go all crazy with the accessories and decorations. However, we have some simple yet graceful ideas that will take the beauty of the tablecloth to the next level.
Napkins
Cloth napkins are the simples and the quickest way to give a table a nice aristocratic look. You can fold up the napkins as per your choice and trust me it’ll have a lasting impression on the guests. Good food will surely let you enjoy the meal but a well-decorated one will help you make memories.
Table Paddings
Table paddings will give a cushiony feeling when you place them underneath the linens. This will not add up to the aesthetics of the table or the tablecloth but it will certainly reduce the noise made by dinnerware and cutleries.
Skirting Clip
A skirting clip is a lifesaver as it helps to keep the tablecloth secured in its place. This will come in super handy if you have a slippery tablecloth that tends to move from its place.
Placemats
If you go insane even with the smallest stain on the tablecloth then believe me the placemat is an absolute godsend for you. Along with saving the tablecloth from extreme temperature and stains, it also helps to add up a hint of color to the table. You can go for contrasting colors so that it pops up and brings up a nice vibe to the room.
Chair Cover
Well, chair covers may remind you of your grandma’s but they’ll surely complement the tablecloths. You can go for matching colors with the tablecloth or go for contrasting ones.
Maintenance Tips For Tablecloth
Here are some quick and simple tips that will help you with the maintenance process of the tablecloth.
- One mistake you want to avoid is to let the stain sit for too long. It will be a hectic chore to remove the stain once it has settled down on the tablecloth. If it’s a minor stain then you can use a mild detergent or soap and brush it gently. For hasher stains, you can use regular detergents or bleach if needed.
- You can just wash up the tablecloth if it doesn’t have any stain. You can use a washing machine or give it a handwash as per your preference. Make sure that you use the delicate cycle and wash them in the front loader if you use the washing machine.
- Once the tablecloth is clean and washed out, it’s time to dry it up. Just place it on a flat surface and let it air dry. You can press the tablecloth if it’s made with cotton or linen.
FAQ
What is the best material for tablecloths?
To answer this question, we can say that cotton, polyester, vinyl, and linen are the best materials. However, each material has its advantages and drawbacks. For example, cotton tablecloths are very suitable for use daily at the kitchen and standard dining tables. Polyester tablecloths are suitable for semi-formal occasions. Cotton and polyester are both durable and washable.
Are tablecloths old-fashioned?
No, tablecloths are not old fashioned. It depends on the place and environment that which kind of tablecloth will suit them best. Moreover, People try to décor the table by showing off their creativity with tablecloths.
Can you use a table runner without a tablecloth?
Not really. Table runners can be used both on formal or informal occasions. Remember that, a tablecloth along with a table runner gives the table harmony. Try also to remember if you are using a tablecloth with a runner that you should not drop the runner down past the tablecloth.
Can you wash tablecloths?
Depends vastly on the materials that have been used to manufacture the tablecloth. Like tablecloths made from cotton and polyester are washable even in the washing machine. In case you want to wash plastic tablecloths, you have to follow some specific guidelines to avoid excessive wringing. For vintage tablecloths always try to use gentle warm water.
How much should a tablecloth hang over the table?
This is a crucial factor in the context of laying a tablecloth. Generally, it depends on various occasions. Like, when it comes to casual events, you should place the tablecloth in such a way that it hangs over the edge of the table with a measurement of 6-7 inches. Again, if you are arranging a formal event, you have to place the tablecloth with a 15-inch drop from the edge of the table.
What color tablecloth should I use?
If you want a tablecloth for your home décor, try to choose the color you prefer most. If you consider a formal look, try using tablecloths that are plain or off white. Ivory table linen also gives off a formal look. You can also choose the color based on your table’s color, your wall, and the ambiance inside your home.
Final Words
No matter how elegant the dining table is, it will seem incomplete without the perfect tablecloth. It may seem like a simple piece of material but it has an immense impact on the overall décor of the room. The entire room will light up when you have the right tablecloth to work with.
We have given you the ultimate guideline so that you can find the best tablecloth for everyday use. You can also get ideas for different occasions and events so that the table becomes a statement piece in the house.