Set a Dinner Table: Casual, Formal and Modern
Oct 07, 2019, Updated Nov 08, 2025
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Setting a dinner table doesn’t have to be confusing! Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or a fancy holiday soirée, knowing where to place each plate and glass adds charm and confidence to your hosting. From casual brunches to formal affairs, here’s your ultimate guide to setting a beautiful table — made simple
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Pin ItYour place settings set the tone for the formal or casual evening. It shows people how much effort you’ve put in, making them feel important to you! And last, it makes your food look great.
So, if you’re wondering how to create the perfect ambiance, look no further. I’ve compiled a guide covering casual, formal, and modern table settings. If you have any questions, consult this list for all your answers!
5 Classic Table Settings
- Casual Simple Table Setting
- Formal Table Setting
- Modern Table Setting
- Informal Table Setting
- Buffet Table Setting
How to Set a Table for a Casual Dinner
This is a basic table setting for a simple birthday party, Mother’s Day brunch or a casual dinner party. Casual dinner parties have their place in the world of proper etiquette!
Let’s assume by now you’ve got your RSVPed guests collected. Use that number to gather the appropriate amount of supplies per person:
- A chic placemat and beautiful napkin
- A dinner plate
- A salad plate if you’re serving salad
- A soup bowl if you’re serving soup
- A dinner fork and dinner knife, as well as a salad fork and soup spoon
- A water glass or water goblet
- A red or white wine glass
- A cocktail glass
Planning your courses is essential so you know what equipment you need. For example, if you’re skipping the salad or soup, you can set your table with everything but a soup and salad bowl.
Steps to Setting a Simple Table Setting
1. Start with the base: Lay down a placemat if you’re using one—it instantly gives the table a polished look.
2. Add your dinner plate: Place it in the center of the placemat (or right in front of the chair if you’re skipping the placemat).
3. Stack it up: If you’re serving salad, add a salad plate on top, and if there’s soup, the bowl goes on top of that.
4. Napkin next: You can fold your napkin neatly on top of the plate or place it to the left of the plate with the silverware resting on it.
5. Silverware time: Forks always go on the left; knives on the right with the blade facing the plate. If soup’s on the menu, the spoon goes to the right of the knife.
6. Glassware placement: Put the water glass directly above the knife’s tip. If you’re serving wine, place the wine glass just to the right and slightly above the water glass.
7. Keep it simple: The silverware for your main dish stays closest to the dinner plate. A few thoughtful touches, and you’ve got a perfectly charming setup!
How to Set a Table for a Formal Dinner
A formal setting requires the same essentials as a basic dinner, plus a few extras. This setting is excellent for special occasions or holidays like Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas brunch.
It’s also how you would set the table for a fancy wedding or milestone party where you’re serving a coursed meal.
Again, this depends on the number of courses you plan to serve. Fancier dinners usually have a main course, light dessert and a bread and butter plate. For this, you’ll need the basic table-setting supplies and a few more items:
- Bread plates
- Butter knives
- Dessert spoons (or cake forks)
- Dessert plate
- Charger plates (decorative base settings used on formal occasions)
- Coffee cup – If you’re serving coffee with dessert or is this setting is for a formal brunch.
- Optional: individual salt and pepper shakers and a place card with the guest’s name
Once you’ve gathered the supplies, let’s set the table!
Steps to Setting a Formal Table Setting
Start with the base: Lay down a tablecloth, runner, or placemat in front of each seat.
Add your charger: Use a charger as a base or place the dinner plate directly on top.
Stack the plates: Layer the salad plate and soup bowl neatly on top.
Arrange silverware: Forks go on the left (salad fork outside); knife and soup spoon on the right with the blade facing in.
Napkin and glassware: Napkin sits to the left under the forks; water glass above the knife with wine glasses forming a small triangle to the right.
Finishing touches: Dessert spoon or fork goes horizontally above the plate; bread plate on the top left with a butter knife across; add place cards above for extra charm!
How to Set a Modern Table
A modern table setting for a dinner party creates a chic and sophisticated atmosphere while keeping things simple and minimalistic. Gone are the days of elaborate china patterns and silver cutlery. It’s all about mixing and matching different elements to create an effortlessly stylish look.
Printable Table Setting Guide
Furthermore, we created a convenient modern table setting guide to download, print, or pin for reference! You can quickly see where to place everything on the table.
This setting is suitable for any party or event that is formal and casual—something like a charcuterie party or a wine and cheese gathering.
And now you know how to set a table properly! You’re ready to host a dinner party!
Decorative Table Setting Items
Name Cards – Name cards can go directly on top of the napkin or above the dinner plate. Use these when you have assigned seating for your guests.
Table Linens – Add color and texture to the dining table using festive table linens. Place them in the center of the table. includes table runners, tablecloths, and napkins. Also, take a look at our tips for how to care for table linens.
Napkin Rings – These are made to hold a table napkin or serviette neatly on a dining table. Instead of folding a napkin perfectly, use napkin rings to add some charm to an informal setting.
Flowers – Flowers add color, texture, and charm to any table setting. Place them in the center of the table. Use low floral arrangements so guests can see each other over the flowers.
You can also add a decorative botanical on top of the napkin.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get creative with napkin placement! Place it in the center of the plate or in a napkin ring to the left of the forks. You can also place it under the salad plate or folded under the forks.
The butter knife lays on top of the bread plate pointing down and left.
All cups and glasses including water glasses, cocktail glasses and wine glasses are placed to the top right of the plate. If you’re serving coffee, coffee cups and saucers are placed above and to the right of the knife and spoons.
Forks should be set to the left of the plate. The largest fork is placed next to the plate, then the salad fork next to that.
When serving a red and white wine, place the wine glasses below the water glass and down in a line. Start with a water glass, then a red wine glass, then a white wine glass, and continue for as many wine glasses as you need.
Place the glasses in order from what wine you’re serving. Start with the wine glass closest to the water glass.
The two major types of place settings are casual and formal. We cover all the details for setting both tables using these most popular settings.
To set an informal place setting use our casual table setting guide. This is setting uses a dinner plate and salad plate and a simple silverware setting too. It’s easy to do a great for casual dinner parties and gatherings.
Eden, your table is just breathtaking! So gorgeous!! That’s a gift in itself.
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
Where should au gratin dishes be placed on the table?
Such a beautiful concept! Love how detail it is to getting the place settings just right! Love it!
This is so helpful, thank you so much! I love setting up our table and making it beautiful for my family and friends so this is an excellent idea!
Thank you, Natasha!!
WOW!! This looks absolutely amazing!! Thank you for sharing!!
This is such a beautiful idea!!!
This is so great. I have never seen such a detailed outline. When things return to “normal” I am going to make a fancy dinner and dress up my table to have some friends over. Thanks.
Thank you Krissy!! I appreciate that so much!
This is such a beautiful idea! Love how detail the graphics are in helping to get just the right setting!
Thank you Ashley!!