If you’re planning a sit-down event, the right table linens will make all the difference. Remember, your event will be memorable because of the attention you give to the details. Skip over the “small stuff” and you’ll wind up with an event that’s good, instead of great.
Since the tables are where your guests are going to spend most of their time, you have to make sure you have the perfect table linens. Here’s how you get them:

1. Match your tablecloth fabric to the elegance of your event

Table linens may seem like a one-size-fits-all decoration, but, in reality, different tablecloths project different images. In order to find the perfect tablecloth fabric, you have to consider the elegance (or lack thereof) of your event. For example, satin tablecloths would look totally out of place at an informal barbecue in your backyard.

As a general rule, the shinier the tablecloth fabric is, the more elegant it looks. So, organza, satin, or silk tablecloths are going to “fit” much better at an elegant wedding than polyester tablecloths would.

But what if your budget can only handle polyester?
That’s OK… You can dress up polyester or other less-formal tablecloths with elegant table overlays. If you put satin table overlays on top of your polyester tablecloths, you’ll wind up with an elegant look that also saves you some money!

2. Skip a super-bright tablecloth fabric

If you’re planning a theme party or a team dinner for your son’s high school football team, you can get away with brighter table linens. Other than that, though, bright tablecloth fabric can detract your guests’ attention from the other aspects of your décor – like the flowers, the cake, and the lighting – simply because tablecloths are so big.
If you want to inject some brighter colors into the mix, take advantage of table overlays or table runners. Since they’re smaller, they won’t be quite as overwhelming as a giant tablecloth – meaning you can get away using much brighter colors.

3. Don’t forget about the napkins

Table linens don’t just include tablecloths, runners, and table overlays; they also include napkins. Again, the napkins may seem like something basic, and you may think that you can just pick any ol’ napkin. However, you’ll need to make sure that your napkins match your tablecloths – and not just in color.

The tablecloth fabric you pick will determine the napkin fabric you pick. For example, taffeta napkins may look strange on a polyester tablecloth, or polyester napkins might look out of place on a satin tablecloth.