It’s that time of year where we venture into the dining room and stare at an empty table, trying to remember how to set a formal table for holiday guests. Are the forks on the right or left? This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the basics of a proper place setting. You know me, even when it’s “fancy,” I keep it real and practical.
Ever wonder where everything is supposed to go? There are actually quite a few variations out there on how to set a formal table. This is the normal person’s version on how to properly set a table for a nice or formal dinner.
How to Set a Formal Table
Start with a placemat and entree plate.
You can put the napkin to the left of the forks, but I like placing the napkin in between the entree plate and the salad plate. Depending on the size of your napkin, how many times you need to fold it to fit comfortably.
The salad plate will fit comfortably top.
Next, are the utensils. Forks on the left, knife and spoons on the right. The dessert spoon and fork are placed to the top. I’ve seen the spoons reversed, but I like the symmetry of the bigger to smaller. Don’t forget to polish your silver!
The easiest way to remember your utensils… Everything that has 4 letters goes to the L-E-F-T and everything with 5 letters goes on the R-I-G-H-T. Get it?
Fork = Left (4 letters)
Knife + Spoon = Right (5 letters)
Finally, work your way from the outside to inside. The salad is first so your salad fork will be placed on the very outside.
Psst… want a beautiful printable for your Thanksgiving table to share how thankful grateful blessed you and your loved ones are? Click below…
Glasses and More
Your glasses will either be on a diagonal or form a triangle to the top right of the place setting. The water glass is always the closest one to you. The red wine glass is set at the top, with the white wine glass in the middle.
The bread plate is placed to the top left. The butter knife can be placed at either the top, middle, or bottom of the bread plate. We don’t have any smaller butter knives, so I used a regular knife just for reference.
The Ta-Da
Here is how it all looks together, along with an easy cheat-sheet.
Resources
Are you Inspired?
Love, hugs, and never wondering which fork to use.
Great resource for my next “fancy” dinner. Thanks, Holly.
Hi Susan, we’ll be over on Saturday night for dinner and expect a formal place setting and gourmet meal! Hugs, Holly
We typically only throw parties that warrant formal place settings once a year, sometimes twice depending on our holiday plans. I always have to pull out my Emily Post Etiquette book to set up the glasses. For some reason, my brain dumps their positioning the moment the table is set.
Hi Corinne – It may sound weird, but even on our “normal” nights, I am still a stickler for proper placement, even if it’s only one utensil out. I do have a place setting guide that I go by when my brain freezes on if the fork is right or left of the plate. Hugs, Holly
My mom did it and I do it. “Where does the knife go? Inside or outside the spoon?” Mom would get Emily Post’s book out…somehow the knowledge never stayed with me though. Thanks for this brilliant post and I am so glad that you shared it on today’s blog hop. I needed it! 🙂
Hi Sinea – Thank you for sharing and trust me, I have my handy dandy guide out when the ole brain fails me! Hugs, Holly
Ladies here is a trick I was taught about silverware placement. Think of it this way. EVERYTHING THAT HAS 4 LETTERS GOES TO THE LEFT AND EVERYTHING WITH 5 LETTERS GOES ON THE RIGHT. Yep spoon has 5 so on the right , your fork has 4 so on the left. Also work your way from the outside to inside. Salad is first so salad fork on the very outside. HTH
Hi Wanda – Oh my goodness, I love you! I actually just added this to the tutorial. You are brilliant! Thank you sooooo much! Hugs, Holly
I love ALL kind of tables…the not formal and the very formal, as I adore all that goes with it, like lots of stems, lol! I love this tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
FABBY
Hi Fabby – Thanks so much for visiting! Hugs, Holly
It’s always fun to set a dinner party table. We’re too informal these days!
Hi Linderhof – Agree! Thanks so much for visiting. Hugs, Holly
That was a helpful post. Thanks for sharing
Hi Kelly – Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
I can remember my grandma teaching me at a very young age how to set a formal table for Christmas dinner. This setting doesn’t get used often, but it can definitely make the meal seem extra-special!
Hi Rachel – Always a good guide to have around for those special occasions. Hugs, Holly
Great tips! This is something my mom taught me from an early age. I don’t do it everyday, but I sure am glad that I’m comfortable with the process when it comes to special occasions.
Hi Suzy – We do “normal formal” rather than “fancy formal” but the basics of the settings are still the same. Hugs, Holly
Never have, but pinned for future reference, new follower
Hi Paper Doll Eve – Thanks so much for visiting and following! Hugs, Holly
I’m not sure that I’ve ever set a formal dinner table…. and I doubt I ever will! On the rare occasions that I go out to a formal dinner, I just pick the fork closest to me and make due! 🙂
I’ve attended a few “dining etiquette” seminars so thanks for the refresher! 🙂 Unfortunately I never get the chance to practice.. haha
Hi Michelle – You can do a formal setting for a hamburger and fries – doesn’t matter how formal the dinner is! Hugs, Holly
Fabulous post. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Hi Marty – Thanks for hosting and thanks for visiting! Hugs, Holly
Great resource! I have an old homekeeping book I always refer too – lovely photos! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Hi Kathy – Thanks so much for hosting a lovely party. Glad you enjoyed the post! Hugs, Holly
Now I want to have a fancy dinner and teach my kids how to set a formal table. Just for fun, no formal events going on for me. Thanks for sharing this great information on Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Hi Kristina – You can do a formal table for any meal – it doesn’t have to be fancy! And great for the kids to know. Hugs, Holly
Thanks so much for sharing, Holly. I am from the “old school” and just love setting “formal” formal or “normal” formal, no matter the meal. Sadly not too many folk do these days! Little tip,for everyone. I found an old paperback Emily Post and made a copy of the formal placer setting, informal and buffet diagrams and enlarged on the printer. I taped it to the inside of my cookbook cabinet (I am blessed to have a whole kitchen cabinet devoted to cookbooks) door so when “brain freeze” sets in all I have to do is open the door and it is there. It is also handy to teach the grandkids how to set a table when they are playing “granny”s helpers! Virginia
Hi Virginia – I am old school too and there is something special about eating dinner at a nicely set table, even if the dinner is leftovers. What a great idea and how much fun to teach the grandkids! Hugs, Holly
Great post. I am a little confused by the charger plates that I see for sale all the time. So I was wondering if you might shed a little light on their purpose and how they are used. Are these just placeholders for plates that are warming? Do you ever leave them on the table under plates when people are eating?
Thanks.
Hi Avril – The chargers are more for show than anything. They are to be used for display, and then taken away when the food is served. Personally, I like using chargers for creating tablescapes, but for Thanksgiving – it’s too fussy. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
This is a really handy guide – I just wish I had more opportunities to set a formal table!
Hi Proper – I know, it seems like there are only one or two days of the year that are “special” – but every day should be special enough for a nice table! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
Pinned and shared!
Thanks so much Carol! Hugs, Holly
This is awesome!! I need to print out the cheat sheet. I rarely set a formal table. MAYBE once a year. This i great!
Hi Yokasta – Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
I was thinking the same. But I guess we should start setting a formal table “just because”
This is a great reminder. The bit about four letters on the left and five on the right is new to me. What a clever way to teach or remind how to set a formal table! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Joanne – I love it when my readers share tips and advice! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
These are beautiful place settings. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Terry – You are so sweet, thank you. Hugs, Holly