Since dinnerware and dining tables are not all the same size, a one-size-fits-all placemat does not exist, which makes shopping for placemats a bit tricky.
Ready-made placemats, sometimes called table mats, that are mass produced have typically come in the standard rectangular size of 12 to 14 inches (about 30 to 35 centimeters) by 16 inches to 20 inches (40-50 centimeters). There is not one standard average placemat measurement that everyone agrees upon.
Since dining place settings are now becoming larger and come in different shapes, here are some suggestions for determining the correct sized placemat to accommodate your specific dining table and your specific dinner place settings.
If possible, consider sewing your own placemats or having custom placemats made to fit the dimensions of your dishes and table perfectly.
photo courtesy of Pete Souza http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whitehouseplate.jpg
Paper Template
When determining the perfect placemat size for your dining table and dishes, use large pieces of paper to create identical templates to mock up your placemat size.
You can use pieces of newspaper, pieces of printer paper taped together, or any other large piece of paper that you have handy.
Create one paper placemat template per person that you wish to seat at your dining table.
You may want to create the templates a little larger than you expect and use a paper cutter to trim all of the paper templates at the same time if a reduction in size is needed.
Check the Size
To determine the best size placemat for your dining room, set out one paper placemat template per place setting on top of your dining table.
Make sure there is a minimum of 4 inches of space between all of the placemats.
Be especially mindful of how the placemats align on the ends of your table.
Trim all of the paper placemat templates to the correct width to accommodate your guests and the table size.
Consider whether you want to add a table runner, which will affect how much room you have for placemats on your dining table.
Check with Dinnerware
Set out a place setting with a dinner plate (including a charger if you wish), silverware, a napkin, and a drinking glass to see how the placemat template dimensions accommodate all of your dinnerware.
Make sure your drinking glass is not teetering off the edge of the placemat and that your silverware is not hidden under the rim of your dinner plate or charger.
There should be approximately the same amount of placemat showing on the top and bottom and the left and right when the plate, charger, and silverware are set on top of the placemat.
If all of your dinnerware is not fitting quite right on your placemat, you may wish to have a separate coaster for your drinking glasses that is not part of the placemat. Another option is to eliminate the charger, if you are using one. Other space saving options include using a smaller dimension between your placemats, using smaller dinnerware, having fewer guests at your dinner table, or using a tablecloth instead of placemats.
Size Requirement
Once you have determined the size of your paper template that works best for your table and place settings, you can now purchase, have custom made, or make DIY placemats in that dimension.
If sewing your own placemats or having them custom made, consider making the placemats reversible with one fabric on one side and a different fabric on the other side. You can have an everyday print on one side (to use with your everyday dishes) and perhaps a holiday or fancy print on the other side (to use with your fine china - assuming your everyday dishes and fine china are approximately the same size).
Also make sure to use washable fabric for your placemats. You can even use performance fabric that repels stains.
Consider making or buying one or two extra placemats in case one gets stained or damaged.
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