A beautiful tablecloth dresses the table and sets the tone of a meal. Too short, it looks skimpy; too long, it gets in your guests’ laps. The good news: choosing the right size simply takes a tape measure and a quick sum.
The golden rule: the drop
The drop is the part of the tablecloth that hangs over the edge of the table. For everyday use, allow 20 to 30 cm on each side: enough for a graceful fall without bothering seated guests. For a festive table or a more formal dinner, you can go up to 40 cm, or even more.
The calculation is always the same:
Tablecloth size = table size + 2 × the drop
For example, for a 90 cm table with a 30 cm drop: 90 + 2 × 30 = 150 cm.
For a rectangular table
Measure the length and width of your table, then add twice the drop to each. A 90 × 190 cm table with a 30 cm drop therefore calls for a tablecloth of about 150 × 250 cm.
| Table | Place settings | Recommended tablecloth |
|---|---|---|
| 80 × 140 cm | 6 | 140 × 200 cm |
| 90 × 190 cm | 6 to 8 | 150 × 250 cm |
| 100 × 240 cm | 10 to 12 | 160 × 300 cm |
For a square table
The principle is the same, on both sides. A 90 cm square table calls for a tablecloth of about 150 × 150 cm.
For a round table
Measure the diameter of the table, then add twice the drop. For a round table, you have two options:
- a round tablecloth, which falls evenly all the way round;
- a square tablecloth, whose four corners fall in elegant points, for a more relaxed and very pretty look.
A 140 cm round table therefore calls for a round tablecloth 200 cm in diameter, with a 30 cm drop all the way round. And a 150 × 150 cm square tablecloth looks lovely on a round table of about 90 cm.
And for an oval table?
Measure the length and width at the widest point, and choose a rectangular or oval tablecloth following the same drop rule.
Three tips for a successful table
Allow for washing. Cotton and linen can shrink slightly at the first wash: a centimetre or two of margin is never too much.
Think about napkins. A classic table napkin measures about 40 × 40 cm; for a dinner, you can choose larger. Matched to the tablecloth, they instantly make the table look harmonious.
Try layering. An embroidered table runner on a plain tablecloth, or an embroidered tablecloth over a longer one, adds texture and depth.
Our hand-embroidered tablecloths
Our Attarine tablecloths, embroidered by hand in Fez, come in three sizes designed for the most common tables: square, 150 × 150 cm, for a square or round table of about 90 cm; rectangular, 150 × 250 cm, for a table of about 90 × 190 cm seating six to eight; and round, 200 cm in diameter, for a round table of about 140 cm. Each can come with 4 or 6 matching napkins.
Discover the Attarine tablecloths →
And if your table has unusual dimensions, write to us at contact@daralmahome.com: we will help you find the right size.
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