Anonymous wrote:We do a runner down the center of the table and then placemats. I didn't buy a beautiful table just to cover it up. I want to see it.

+1 same

We do a runner down the center of the table and then placemats. I didn't buy a beautiful table just to cover it up. I want to see it.

I would get a set of placemats first. I use those on a daily basis. A tablecloth is nice for a more formal setting, so maybe save to buy that when you host something you want to make special?

IMO tablecloths are more formal while placemats are more casual. So I let the formality of the occasion dictate whether I use tablecloths or placemats. For Thanksgiving dinner, we will use tablecloths. For breakfast the next morning, placemats.

Place mats or tablecloth WITH placemats…not just tablecloth.

I use both. Place mats most of the time but table cloth for special.

I put nothing. I dislike the look of placemats more than I dislike the look of scratches lol. I may put a towel under a really hot plate to prevent heat rings but otherwise accept some dents and scrapes as part of using a table. We have a “weathered” look RH table so they blend in anyway.

I have a beautiful farmhouse wood table and am not sure whether it makes sense to get placemats or a tablecloth for it. I found some cool French floral tablecloths (I think they seem to be on trend), but are tablecloths old fashioned? Maybe placemats are more contemporary especially when the table is so nice and it doesn’t need to be covered?

What do others do?