1. Table mats are a fantastic way to add style, protect your table, and define individual place settings. These are classic, versatile, and soft. They offer a more traditional and chic elegance. They can be easily washed.
2. Choose mats that complement the colors already present in your dining room and overall home aesthetic.
3. Select mats in a color that enhances your dinnerware.
4. Change your mats with the seasons - brights for summer, warm tones for autumn, deep tones for the winter.
5. Layering on a table runner creates a lovely layered effect. You can place the mats directly on the runner for a cozy look, or have the runner just in the center and mats to the sides. Ensure the mat material doesn't clash awkwardly with the runner
6. Without a tablecloth, the mats truly shine, allowing the beauty of your table surface to show through while still protecting it.
7. Use the mat as a frame for your dinner plate, making your food presentation stand out.
8. Place cutlery directly on the mat, or for a more formal look, partly off the mat on the table if space is tight.
9. For a formal look consider linen, leather, or elegant patterned mats.
10. Use a large, decorative mat or a small runner as a base for your centerpiece, candles, or a vase of flower on a sideboard or coffee table.
11. Great for protecting the surface of the kitchen island during casual meals or for defining a breakfast bar setting.
12. If using fabric mats, iron them for a crisp, neat look before setting the table.
