Who would have thought that choosing a tablecloth is so difficult? Choosing a tablecloth is a difficult decision that should be approached with all responsibility. It is not as easy as it may seem. You need to consider the design, kitchen interior, the occasion for which the table is set, the presence of children in the house, etc. Before choosing the perfect tablecloth, you need to learn as much as possible about what types of tablecloths there are and, most importantly, what quality they are.
Content
Where to start looking for a tablecloth?
Beautiful tablecloths can be found everywhere, but not all of them will suit. The size, quality, material, occasion, design, color, room interior and much more are important. Before you start choosing, you need to answer a few questions.
- Do you need a tablecloth for the table in the living room or kitchen?
- Do you need it for every day or only for holidays? If for a holiday, then what kind?
- Are there children in the house? (In this case, practicality should come first).
From this you can understand what you should focus on when searching.
Material
For most people, practicality is the most important thing in life. This applies to the interior and, of course, the tablecloth. A stain that cannot be washed out can ruin the mood.
Tablecloths can be made from a variety of materials.
Most often they are made from:
- cotton;
- flax;
- synthetics;
- teflon;
- burlap;
- silks.
They all have their own advantages and features.
Cotton ones are very popular due to their beauty and practicality. Cotton tablecloths are not capricious, and stains on them are washed off quite well. Cotton is suitable for both everyday use and holidays.
ATTENTION! You should not buy a snow-white cotton tablecloth if you plan to use it more than once. It will quickly lose its whiteness. Although it will look great on the festive table.
Some housewives also prefer linen tablecloths. The list of its advantages includes only a presentable appearance. But you can’t call this option practical. Ironing such fabric is a real problem. And after washing, they quickly and irreversibly lose their shape and shrink in size, which is not very pleasant. But as a decor, it has no equal.
But tablecloths made of synthetics or oilcloth cannot be called a festive option. But it is perfect for everyday use in the kitchen. In a house with children, oilcloth is an ideal solution. Although for many housewives, a presentable appearance of the kitchen is very important. But here, too, you can find a solution. You can lay a transparent oilcloth over a cotton cover. It is practical and beautiful at the same time.
But there are also tablecloths made of synthetic fabric. In this case, practicality loses to appearance. As with oilcloth, this is only suitable for the kitchen. It will not look good in the living room. And the fact that they are made of synthetic material means that they are highly flammable. You should be careful and vigilant with them. This option is used by people who ask themselves the question: “What can I put on the table instead of a tablecloth?” Oilcloth can hardly be called a tablecloth, because it completely lacks all the disadvantages inherent in a regular tablecloth.
Few people know about Teflon. But this in no way means that it is a bad option. They are made of natural material and covered with a water-repellent layer on top, which is very convenient. Such a cover does not require special care. A damp cloth is enough, and you can forget about stains. It can be laid instead of oilcloth on the kitchen table.
Burlap tablecloths are not so popular. But recently more and more people are starting to pay attention to them. And for good reason, because amazing wedding and holiday tablecloths are sewn from burlap.
With silk, everything is a little more complicated. This material has more advantages and disadvantages than others. It looks very formal and even luxurious. Silk will last a very long time, as it is moisture-resistant and very durable. But at the same time, this option is quite capricious in care and is also very expensive.
Form
This is also a very important criterion when buying a tablecloth. But there are not as many options as when choosing a material. If the table has already been bought, then the variety is not so great. First of all, you should rely on the shape of the tabletop. The outline of the tablecloth can strictly correspond to it.
Everything depends largely on taste and preferences. Some people prefer classics, while others prefer a modern style.
How to measure a table when choosing a tablecloth?
Before going to the store, the question usually arises about how to measure the tabletop correctly in order to buy a tablecloth that will lie perfectly and not “roll” on it. To do everything correctly, there are several rules that need to be followed.
- If the tabletop is rectangular, first measure the length and width, then add 20-30 cm, depending on how many centimeters the cover should hang down. And finally multiply the obtained results by 2.
- If the table top is round, then its diameter is measured and double the length of the edge that will hang over is added.
- Oval and round tablecloths are measured in the same way as for a rectangular table.
- If the surface is square, it is worth measuring the diameter additionally. To ensure that the corners are not visible, the diameter of the selected cover should be larger than the diameter of the tabletop.
If you can't measure the table and need to quickly decide what size tablecloth to buy, it's best to choose a larger size. That way, the chances of making a mistake are low.
PLEASE NOTE! The tablecloth should hang down from the surface by at least 20 cm. If it is needed for a holiday, it should hang down by 25-40 cm or even to the floor.
Color and design
There are a huge number of tablecloth types. But the color and pattern should be chosen based on personal preferences. We spend most of the day in the kitchen. During meals, you want to sit at a neat product of a pleasant shade and material. Tablecloths can be divided by design into plain and patterned. Checkered, polka dot or striped fabrics are very popular. If you choose neutral colors, they will look appropriate in almost any kitchen.
In search of the ideal option, you can show originality and opt for double tablecloths. It looks very stylish when the fabrics echo each other or, on the contrary, contrast. In any case, this stylish solution will not go unnoticed. Double tablecloths look very sophisticated and elegant.
Crocheted tablecloths with lace are also common. They are used for the living room.
Many people like to focus on the tablecloth and choose bright colors and patterns. It looks original and fresh. And the pattern, as a rule, is chosen modern, to keep up with the times, or prefer a design that will take you back several centuries.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION! In no case should you forget about the interior. If the search has reached the color and pattern of the tablecloth, then first of all it should fit organically into the room.
The shade, pattern and design of the tablecloth should be planned in advance when planning the room. It should not be conspicuous and stand out against the background of the room. Or, on the contrary, the emphasis should be on the tabletop, if this was planned in advance. But do not mix everything you like, forgetting that they do not match each other.
This rule applies not only to the choice of tablecloth, but also to everything related to the interior of the room. If the variety is too great, and you cannot settle on one option, then it is worth choosing a neutral color and pattern. The main thing is that it does not spoil the whole picture. Later, if the hostess has clearly decided and knows what she wants, the tablecloth can always be changed.
Additional accessories
Everyone wants to make the festive table special and for this purpose they resort to various additional accessories. What are hostesses not ready to do to surprise guests? There are several options for this purpose, one of which will definitely be to their taste.
- Runner.
This is often called a table runner. There are several options for a runner. You can lay one lengthwise (in this case, it is not necessary for the tablecloth to hang down) or crosswise (it can be used as underplates).
- Placemats.
They do not necessarily have to be made of the same material. They can even be made of wood, plastic, bamboo, rattan, etc.
- Cloth napkins
Napkins with unique colors and embroidery on the tablecloth can also decorate the festive atmosphere and make it special. But they are rarely used if it is a regular family dinner.
Conclusion
Today we can say with confidence that such a huge range of tablecloths on store shelves has never been before. There are tablecloths in a modern style, in the Provence style or from an exotic material that can transport you to another continent.
There are a "sea" of tablecloths, and the ideal one is one or maximum five. It is more than difficult to choose, but it is very pleasant if you know exactly which one will look perfect both on the table and in the whole room. After all, designers, when creating an interior design, pay a lot of attention to the choice of tablecloth.
VIDEO: Original tablecloth made by hand.
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