Placemats can be described as pieces of cloth or ‘pads’ that are often used to protect the surface of a tabletop from possible scratches, spills, stains, burns, etc. that could easily happen while eating a meal. Although some households enjoy their visual appeal and leave them out for display 24/7, the majority of people who use placemats tend to wipe them clean and put them away until needed again. For those who feel placemats are part of their dining table decor, it is typical to own 2 – 4 sets of these great table accessories. If you’re like me and bust them out for special occasions, 1 – 2 sets is a good number.
Variety – Choices, Choices, Choices!
There is quite a large variety of placemats on the market, making it so that there are a lot of choices to be made when getting ready to buy them. These days, placemats are made out of almost anything – leather, vinyl, paper, regular cloth, plastic, hand-beaded, hand-woven, wood, cork, bamboo, and so much more. They also come in all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit any shape and size of dining table. Rectangular placemats are the most popular shape, but there are also round, square, oval, and octagonal options out there. Sizes are typically range from about 8″ to upwards of 16″ in length and diameter.
Although the main purpose of a placement is to protect the table from scratches and spills, many times they are used because they add a lot of style and beauty to a dinner table. This calls for whole other set of rules, making luxury placemats and designer placemats a must.
Luxury placemats are often used for special occasions. They are quite stylish, making those who have one under their plate feel like they are receiving the royal treatment.
Designer placemats can be used for any occasion, and range from the very fancy to the very colorful. You’re sure to get lots of compliments when using the large variety of this type of trendy and fashionable placemat!
Is This the Occasion to Use A Placement?
Some people use placemats everyday while others tend to use them only on special occasions, like holiday’s or during dinner parties. If you are thinking about using them on an everyday basis, you might want to look into getting some that are made from fabrics that are easy to clean, such as vinyl or non-toxic silicone. On the more elegant side, fancier placemats are sometimes made from fabrics that require washing and ironing. When used only for specific events, that kind of care isn’t too time consuming. When you’re going for a completely ‘WOW’ look, I suggest something really flashy with sequins, metallic beads and stones.
Although most people put the placemat directly on the table, the option to put the placemats over a tablecloth that is already on the table is quite acceptable, as both the table and the tablecloth itself are now protected. On the table, or on a tablecloth, you can’t go wrong. Besides, tablecloths tend to add a touch of elegance to a table, and when placemats are set on them, you’ll end up having a table that looks absolutely smashing!
