Ways to Set the Table

American table settings have evolved for the comfort of guests and family; they are not intended to make diners nervous or confused. Knife blades are turned toward the plate or the diner and glasses are set within easy reach. Although traditional practice dictates forks on the left and knives, spoons and glasses on the right, reversing those positions for left handed guests is proper and considerate. Artistic interpretations of standard settings are also common. Does this Spark an idea?

Formal Dinners

From left to right, a formal setting includes a folded napkin, salad fork, dinner fork, dessert fork and a charger, or decorative plate, on which each new course is placed. A soup bowl may rest on the charger. Continuing on the right of the charger, a knife is placed with its blade facing the plate, then a teaspoon and soup spoon. A bread and butter plate sits above the forks, and a butter knife rests on the upper edge of the plate with its blade turned toward the diner. A water glass sits above the dinner knife followed by a red wine glass and white wine glass.

Family Dinners

From left to right, family dinner settings have a salad plate then a dinner fork. A dinner plate is centered with a folded napkin on top. A dinner knife is on the right of the plate and a dinner fork takes the far right position. A bread and butter plate is stationed above the dinner fork with a butter knife resting on the upper edge, its blade turned toward the diner. A water glass sits above the plate and knife.

Luncheon

Luncheons feature a napkin in the far left position and a luncheon fork on its right. A luncheon plate is centered with a liner plate and soup bowl on top. On the right of the luncheon plate is a knife with its blade toward the plate, a teaspoon and a soup spoon. A bread and butter plate sits above the fork. A butter knife rests on the upper edge of the bread and butter plate with its blade turned toward the diner. A water glass sits above the knife and spoons, and a wine glass is on its right.

Breakfast

Traditional breakfast settings display a folded napkin at the far left with a fork on its right. A luncheon-sized plate is centered with a cereal bowl on top. A knife is placed on the right of the plate with its blade turned in, and a breakfast spoon takes the far right spot. Beside the breakfast spoon is a tea or coffee cup and saucer with a teaspoon resting on the saucer's right edge. A bread and butter plate is placed above the fork with a butter knife on the upper edge, blade facing toward the diner. A water glass sits above the knife and spoon, and a juice glass is on its right.