5 Placemats That Deserve a Spot at the Table Even If You’re Eating Alone

Placemats are more important than napkins. There, I said it. Not only are they more functional—I drop more dinner bits off the side of my plate than on the way to my mouth—they bring a pretty, finished vibe to your tablescape.

To find the right placemats for your table, first think about material. Repeat these words after me: “I will not buy plastic placemats.” Unless you have a child under the age of seven, you don’t want these weird, smelly objects in your kitchen. Keep in mind your priorities: Are you going to spend the time ironing out linen or cloth placemats or do you want something lower maintenance likes these cork ones from IKEA? Metal placemats—yes, they exist and they’re eye-catching—are also easy to clean, just make sure to add a bit of cushion on the spots where your placemat makes contact with the table (you don’t want any scratches). I recommend cutting down the small pads you would use to move furniture.

Read on for five of my favorite placemats, from a wine-resistant (truly!) white to a waxed paper round option. I can just hear your dinner guests now: “I’m so impressed by your ability to mix multiple materials, shapes, and colorways into a cohesive scene.” Swooooon.

Erika Owen is the associate director of audience development for Bon Appétit and Epicurious, as well as a writer and design enthusiast. You can check out her own designs on Etsy at Erika Owen Makes Things.