Our plastic dinnerware can certainly create an elegant environment, but how exactly do you decorate a table with them? I mean, you’ve got your dinner plates, your soup and salad bowls, your dessert fork, your dinner fork, your wine glass, your water glass and all the other plates and utensils. Where do they all go for your classic table setting? Well, of course we wouldn’t ask a question without providing the answer, so below you’ll find some helpful hints on providing the perfect place setting.

How to Prepare a Proper Place Setting

First off, you want to begin placing your silverware and dinner plate approximately an inch from the edge of the table. Obviously, the dinner plate is the center from which the rest of the tableware revolves. Forks are on the left while knives and spoons are on the right with all utensils placed in the order that your guests are eating their courses. In other words, if you are serving salad first, place your salad fork on the outside (furthest left). If you serve soup, the soup spoon should go outside (to the right) of the dinner knife. The cutting edge of your knives should always face the plate.

Place your guests’ water glass approximately above the knife with the wine glass (or glasses) curving downward and to the right of the water glass. The butter knife should rest on the bread plate and both should be placed above the forks. Your dessert spoon or fork should be placed sideways directly above the plate, or alternatively, can be served with the dessert itself. Finally, the guests’ dinner napkins may be folded over the plate or placed on the table to the left of the forks.