Some people use table runners on their dining table, day in day out as a decorative piece, when the table is not in use for dining. Then when they have a dinner party they remove the runner in favor of a tablecloth. I like to use dining table runners when having meals in the dining room. At our house we don’t eat in the dining room every day, so when we do it is a special occasion. It might be a romantic dinner with my husband, or it might be a family get together, or any other occasion. For the different setting a different dining table runner is called for, so I am going to show a few ideas of what can be done using dinning table runners.
First let’s look on how you can use dining table runners for small intimate dinners, for a couple or for a few friends.
The table below shows a simple and casual setting for two people using a cotton table runner with the plates set on a charger plate placed on top of the runner. It is quick and easy and very effective. It can be done in minutes, this type of setting would work regardless of your home decor.
A special holiday shared by two romantic people could take a very different look. Here is a pink (oh so pink) dinning table runner to capture the Valentine spirit. A tablecloth in a neutral gray was used very effectively under the runner to mute the excessive pink.
This image below also uses pink but several dining table runners were used. One runner for each couple sitting at the table was set across the table and plates are resting on this runner for each guest. The table is further dressed with a long runner the length of the table to unify the groups. Had this long runner been omitted the feeling would have been very different, each group of two would be closely linked but the table would lack the unity, as you can see on the following image with essentially the same set up without the central table runner. One is not better or worse than the other, it is different and it is up to you what atmosphere or look you want.
For dinner parties a long dining table runner can be used with matching table mats, as shown below.
Tapestry table runners or lace may not be the most suitable when you serve food as they are often not washable and they also tend to be more decorative than practical, but you can use quilted table runner for dining tables. They have the added advantage of really protecting the table.
Whether you use table runners for decoration of for practical dining table setting, remember to use color to your advantage and to always have a few dining table runners in wait for the next time you need them, this way your decor get a lot of variety and your guests will be impressed with how original your table always is. Table runners are inexpensive to buy or make and every homemaker should have a nice collection to fit the different moods, seasons, and holidays.
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