Tablecloths- for or against?

I use either mats or cloths on my dining table, depending on how many I’m feeding. If we are 1-4 at most, I use mats, more than 3 I use a cloth. I have a lovely assortment of cloths, mostly very colourful.

A special meal, birthday, Christmas etc. a cloth, on the dining room table. If it is just DH and me we eat in the kitchen. Sometimes mats ,sometimes a cloth. I do have trouble getting big enough cloths for our dining room table though. When fully extended it can seat twelve,.

We use mats on the table when it’s just the two of us.When the grandchildren come over we use a table protector, tablecloth and mats??

I love a tablecloth for special occasions. My daughters love them too, supplied and laundered by me, obviously.

Sometimes mats, sometimes linen tablecloths in the dining room. Always mats in the kitchen.

Never ever used one

We eat in the kitchen when it is just dh and I (or on our knees ) Our kitchen table seats 6 but more than that and we have to eat in the dining room. In there we use a cloth, mats and protector.

Well, I say cloth but it is really a sheet.

Just a bit of information for anyone who might struggle to buy cloths big enough for their extended dining tables............polycotton sheeting can be purchased in very wide widths - I make my own king size fitted sheets so you can imagine the width of the roll of fabric.

It is available online in a range of colours as well as white - no, I'm not on commission! Just happy to help people with a bit of information.

As for using a table cloth myself, yes I do as it's so much easier to clear up the crumbs from the morning toast etc.

I use a flat sheet for long/large tables. They can be in lovely colours and wash easily.

In our dining room we have a lovely polished table it would get ruined without a cloth. I made curtains and napkins to match the tablecloth and I have pretty napkin holders too. Some would say it’s old fashioned and it is but it’s my favourite room.

Sat eating my breakfast with a blue checked cloth on the table. Always use one, and ‘shake the cloth’ when finished, to get rid of crumbs.

Mats are more fashionable, but end up with ‘bits’ on the table.

I use one at every meal.

Definitely for! I’ve accumulated quite a collection, some vintage, some embroidered, even some I made with Provençal fabric when I lived in France. Oh and a pretty deep blue with white dots oilcloth for when the grandkids come over!
I live alone and enjoy using all the nice things, life’s too short not too ?

I use a tablecloth and mats and coasters to protect my dining table. It was expensive and I don’t want to ruin it. When not in use l have a decorative bowl on top of a Malaysian Batik mat. I have an old side table with a few ornaments on it in my living room. When l was engaged, both my grandmothers embroidered table cloths. In the winter months I have the cloth with hyacinths on it and in the summer I have the cloth with more general flowers. They are objects of beauty and far too precious and nice to be used as general cloths and l am proud to have them on display in this way.

Oh and yes to fabric napkins too, my grandkids love them, and they no longer wipe their hands on their clothes ? Really handy for milk moustaches too… or Nutella ones! Their own napkins are deep blue and go straight in the wash every time…

Yes, I have a selection of table cloths, two of which were wedding presents 45 years ago.
I also use cloth napkins.

I like table cloths but love the look of our antique mahogany table. I compromise by having really large table mats which look nice but also protect the table surface from drips and heat.

I just use mats on the kitchen table but at Christmas we eat in the back room where I have a glass dinning table and so I have a felt down and red tablecloth on.

My mum used to 'set the table' every meal time with felt and tablecloth then mats. When we went on holiday abroad, my mum would have a list as long as your arm of endless presents of tablecloths ( usually the lace type ... Italian and Spanish ) to bring back for friends.

When we use the table it's cloth, mats and coasters. Mostly it's just DH and me and we eat on our laps.

I have a cheap IKEA pine kitchen table that’s 20 years old this year! I always use a tablecloth. I have the wipe down ones. Then mats on top of that!

Matts in kitchen/diner, except for Christmas when the red cloth comes out. In the garden I just wipe the table over.

I use a protector and a tablecloth. We rarely see the actual top of our oval dining table which is a beautiful but if we didn’t cover it I dread to think how it would end up. I have a selection of everyday cloths and two damask ones with matching napkins for special occasions - one large enough to accommodate the extra leaves if they are used, say, at Christmas.

Does anyone else use trays on the table?

We started with trays on our laps while eating in front of the tv. Now we’re much more absorbed by our small screens, and set our trays on the kitchen table as we read/watch/listen individually (we do talk too!)

I bought a sheet of 3mm transparent table protector online and cut it to the size of our table top. The table is oak and you can still see the lovely wood through the protector but it is safe from all the drips, spills and mess that our GC create. It also protects from heat to a certain extent, but I still use mats and coasters for meals.

I love tablecloths and have one on my table permanently. It is anchored down on one side by a large decorative wooden box which holds all the 'stuff' - knitting patterns, newspaper, stationery, etc so it doesn't look too cluttered in my eyes at least. The one in use at the moment is one which my grandma made which has a crotchet edging. It looks cottagey which is my style.