You are having dinner and you want your table to be the most beautiful. You take out the silverware, the dishes that you keep for the occasion, without forgetting the candles…In short, you know a lot about the art of the table. But what about towels? Are you experts in the art of folding this accessory which has an important role in table decoration?
Beyond their functional aspect, napkins contribute significantly to table setting and its aesthetics. Whatever ambiance you want to create, folding napkins makes a difference at the table. To dress up your dinner, let yourself be inspired by our napkin folding ideas, for a chic and refined decor.
Napkin in the shape of a hat on a Christmas table
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Napkin in the shape of a hat on a Christmas table. Source: spm
Harmonization of napkin folding with the table theme
The napkin brings an elegant and aesthetic touch to the reception table and immerses us in the festive atmosphere of a dinner or celebrations such as Christmas or Easter. To do this, different folding techniques allow the napkin to be personalized according to the event. You create a beautiful origami to match the theme of the celebration. Customizable, a variety of colors, patterns and textures are available, allowing for a wide choice during occasions.
If you have chosen a specific color palette as a theme, then choose a tablecloth and napkins of the same color to create a harmonious and elegant ambiance.
You have understood, the choice of napkins and the way of folding and even arranging them matters. And you can get creative by folding your napkins to make your table look chic and original.
Napkin in the shape of a waiter costume
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Napkin in the shape of a waiter costume. Source: spm
The right actions to adopt when using napkins
To behave well at the table, here are the good actions to adopt.
Before starting the meal, unfold the napkin gently without shaking it by placing it on your lap. Avoid tying the towel around your neck or propping it against your stomach.
Avoid vigorously rubbing your mouth to dry yourself with the towel.
If necessary, you have to leave the table in the middle of the meal, you can leave your napkin on the chair to show that you have not yet finished your meal. At the end of the meal, place your napkin to the left of the plate before leaving the table.
Napkin folded in the shape of a rose
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Napkin folded in the shape of a rose. Source: spm
20 ideas for folding napkins
The choice of folding style is an important element to take into account when decorating the table. Depending on your preferences, you may have a penchant for complex creations, or on the contrary opt for a simple and refined model.
Napkin in the shape of an elf hat
Napkin in the shape of an elf hat
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Napkin in the shape of an elf hat. Source: spm
If you are looking for a whimsical idea to decorate your table during Christmas, here is an original napkin folding idea.
Fold your napkin in half lengthwise, marking the folds.
Holding the center of the napkin with your finger, turn one side from right to left to form a cone.
Fold the base up to form the brim of the hat. Your decoration is ready!
For this hat you can choose a towel in blue, red or green color. This pattern can be done with a paper or fabric napkin.
Rabbit-shaped napkin
Rabbit-shaped napkin
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Rabbit-shaped napkin. Source: spm
Here is another fun idea for folding your napkins for Easter.
Place your napkin upside down on the table.
Fold the napkin in half lengthwise
Fold the napkin in half again, bringing the top down.
Holding your finger in the center of the napkin, lower part of it along the axis. We do the same thing on the other side.
Turn the towel inside out.
Bend the tip down.
Flip again and fold the sides to overlap.
Slip the excess inside to secure the shape of the rabbit.
Napkin in the shape of an eight-pointed star
Napkin in the shape of an eight-pointed star
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Napkin in the shape of an eight-pointed star. Source: spm
This elegant star shape brings elegance to the table, for any occasion. You can opt for bright colors like red for a festive atmosphere or softer tones like pastel pink to bring a softer ambiance.
Place the unfolded napkin in front of you, printed side down.
Now fold the top quarter and the bottom quarter towards the middle line.
Turn the napkin vertically and create 4 accordion folds of equal size. Press the pleats together and fold the four corners on each side in and down to create the points of the star.
Hold the star in the middle, then lift the ends from the outside.
Single pocket napkin
Single pocket napkin
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Single pocket napkin. Source: spm
This napkin model is ideal for storing cutlery or for placing a pretty tulip to decorate your table.
Place your napkin seam side up.
Fold it in half.
Fold in half again to make a square shape.
Rotate the napkin to form a diamond shape.
Fold the first layer down, then the second layer down too.
Turn the towel inside out.
Fold one side towards the middle, then the other side over it.
Turn the towel inside out.
Swan-shaped napkin
Swan-shaped napkin
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Swan-shaped napkin. Source: spm
Here are the steps to follow:
Fold the napkin in half to mark the center line.
Fold 2 corners vertically to bring them towards the center.
Fold each side diagonally toward the center.
Fold the same sides towards the center again.
Turn the napkin over, take the tip of the napkin and flip it back to fold the napkin in half.
Fold the bottom of the napkin toward the center then fold the tip up to create the swan’s head.
Napkin in the shape of rabbit ears
Napkin in the shape of rabbit ears pinterest
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Napkin in the shape of rabbit ears. Source: spm
For an Easter brunch or simply for a dinner, rabbit ear napkins will bring a touch of fantasy to any table, especially if you use a colorful or patterned fabric. To do this, here are the steps to follow:
Fold a cloth napkin in half to form a triangle;
Roll the towel into a long strip and fold it in half again;
Thread a 15cm wire through a bead and secure it around the napkin;
Insert 3 metal wires of 7.5 cm through the beads to reproduce the mustache.
Napkin in the shape of a Christmas tree
Napkin in the shape of a Christmas tree
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Napkin in the shape of a Christmas tree. Source: spm
If you’re looking for a creative idea to fold your napkins during Christmas, try this Christmas tree-shaped napkin. You will need a square napkin.
Start by folding the napkin in half to create a rectangular shape, then fold it in half again to make a square.
Next, rotate the towel so that the opening flaps are facing down or toward you.
Then, fold the top layer up, leaving a little space or margin on the left and right sides, and repeat the same with the flaps underneath.
Once you’ve finished folding the last flap, turn the whole thing over and, using the center line as a guide, fold the right side about a third of the way, then repeat the same thing on the left side.
Then fold the top down.
Turn the whole thing completely over, fold the first top flap inside, and repeat the same operation with the other flaps.
Crown-shaped napkin
Crown-shaped napkin
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Crown-shaped napkin. Source: spm
Fold the napkin diagonally to form a triangle.
Join the left and right corners to the tip of the triangle to make a diamond.
Fold the bottom corner up ⅔.
Bend the tip back.
Turn the napkin over and fold the two sides so that they overlap.
Bring the excess inside to fix the shape.
Turn the napkin over and fold down the two wings of the crown.
Napkin in the form of gift wrapping
Napkin in the form of gift wrapping
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Napkin in the form of gift wrapping. Source: spm
If you are looking for more originality, you can use your napkins as packaging to wrap the gifts you want to give to your guests, when gathering them around a feast.
You will need:
Materials
A gift box
A square piece of fabric
Optional: a eucalyptus twig
Place your napkin on the table. Rotate it to obtain a diamond.
Place your gift box in the middle of the napkin.
Fold the bottom corner and the opposite one to wrap the gift.
Slip the excess under the gift.
Use the two remaining sides to tie a bow and wrap your gift.
Use the eucalyptus twig to decorate your packaging.
Napkin in the shape of a knot
Napkin in the shape of a knot
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Napkin in the shape of a knot. Source: spm
For a timeless style, opt for a simple napkin with a bow tie.
Place your napkin on the back side, flat.
Join the upper left corner and the lower right corner in the middle so that they overlap.
Fold the right side in the middle and fold it again to overlap the opposite side.
Join the two ends to form a knot in the middle.
Envelope-shaped napkin
Envelope-shaped napkin
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Envelope-shaped napkin. Source: spm
Lay your napkin flat.
Fold the right side halfway up the napkin, marking the fold, and do the same thing with the left side.
Take the left top and fold it down, do the same with the right side.
Take the first third of the bottom of the towel and fold it over the second third then over the third third.
Take the upper triangle and fold it down.
Place a cutlery on top to hold the envelope-shaped napkin in place.
Bow tie napkin
Bow tie napkin
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Bow tie napkin. Source: spm
Lay your square napkin flat.
Fold the napkin in half then make an accordion fold.
Tie the middle of the napkin with string, ribbon, or a ring.
Napkin in the form of a pocket
Napkin in the form of a pocket
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Napkin in the form of a pocket. Source: spm
Lay a square napkin flat on the table
Fold the napkin in half, left to right
Fold the napkin again, top to bottom
Turn the napkin so that the upper right corner is up and the napkin forms a diamond.
Fold the top corner down.
Turn the napkin over, and fold the left, right and bottom corners of the napkin toward the center until they touch.
Turn the napkin over again to place a menu, a flower or a name tag in the pocket.
Butterfly-shaped napkin
Butterfly-shaped napkin
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Butterfly-shaped napkin. Source: spm
Lay a napkin flat.
Fold the napkin diagonally to make a triangle.
Fold the tip towards the center and roll the towel on itself.
Fold over one part and a second. Pass the elastic to tighten the center.
Place your decor.
Towel with patterns
Towel with patterns
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Towel with patterns. Source: spm
Start with the square napkin laid flat.
Fold the napkin diagonally to form a triangle.
Fold the bottom corners toward the top to make a square.
Carefully turn the napkin over and fold the bottom corner up to a length of about half or less.
Slide the left and right corners under the towel to create a more elongated, rectangular shape.
Napkin in the shape of a pocket
Classic napkin in the shape of a pocket
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Napkin in the shape of a classic pocket. Source: spm
Place a square napkin flat.
Fold the top of the napkin a quarter down.
Fold the bottom of the napkin up until it just covers the edge of the top of the napkin.
Turn the napkin over and fold it into thirds. Folding a napkin in thirds means folding it so that it is divided into 3 equal parts. This is how you create a pocket in the napkin.
Turn the napkin over again and place a name card, dinner menu or flower in the pocket.
The angular pouch
The angular pouch
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The angular pouch. Source: Veranda
Lay a square napkin flat.
Fold the napkin in half from left to right.
Fold the napkin in half again from bottom to top.
Bring the top right corner of the first layer of the towel to the bottom left corner.
Turn the napkin over and fold it into thirds.
Turn the napkin over again to place a name card, dinner menu or flower in the pocket.
Napkin in the shape of a tree leaf
Napkin in the shape of a tree leaf
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Napkin in the shape of a tree leaf. Source: spm
Lay your napkin flat.
Fold the napkin diagonally to create a triangle.
Fold the top corner down toward the center of the napkin, a distance of about 5 cm.
Fold the napkin like an accordion, folding it back and forth at equal intervals of about 5cm until you have a long strip. Press firmly.
Fold the napkin in half and join the two outer corners while letting the folds open, to create a leaf shape.
Add a napkin ring or ribbon at the bottom, if desired.
Towel with a monogram
Towel with a monogram
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Towel with a monogram. Source: spm
If you have personalized napkins with a monogram, you can fold your napkin in the following way so that the engraved initials are visible.
Lay a square napkin flat with the monogram on the lower right side.
Fold the napkin in half going from left to right.
Fold the napkin in half from bottom to top this time.
Turn the napkin so that the monogram is at the bottom and the napkin is shaped like a diamond instead of a square.
Turn the napkin over and fold the top corner of the napkin one third down.
Fold the right and left corners of the napkin at an angle so that the napkin takes the shape of a diamond.
Turn the napkin over again to display your monogram.
Napkin that wraps the plate
Napkin to wrap the plates
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Napkin to wrap the plates. Source: spm
To personalize your plates, here is a simple idea to make with napkins.
Lay a square napkin flat on the table.
Fold the napkin in thirds from top to bottom.
Turn the napkin over and place it on the first plate, tucking the ends of the napkin under the plate.
Now you can place a card on it with your guest’s name, a dinner menu or a flower on it.
Mistakes to avoid when folding napkins
Whether at a formal dinner or with friends or at a party, entertaining is an art that requires certain rules of good manners but also know-how. To ensure that your table is set flawlessly, certain mistakes must be avoided, particularly when folding your napkins.
Wrinkled napkins: for neat folds and a more elegant result, it is important to iron the napkins before folding. On top of that, a smooth fabric is easier to handle and fold.
Stained napkins: to successfully give an elegant and refined touch to your table, it is important that the napkins are clean and stain-free.
Pull the fabric too much when folding: to avoid damaging your fabric napkin or tearing the paper one, it is important to be gentle when you fold it. Follow the folding instructions to avoid asymmetry and unsightly results.
Choosing poor quality napkins: To give a good impression, it is important to choose napkins with good fabric quality. Furthermore, you must choose the fabric according to the folding model you want to achieve. Some folds are easier to do with a fluid fabric than a rigid one and vice versa.
Which napkins to choose: fabric or paper?
Each type of towel has its advantages and disadvantages.
Fabric napkins
These napkins are more elegant, chic and refined. These are the napkins that you should favor when you are hosting a dinner at home, or when you are organizing a party meal. Cloth napkins are economical since they are washable and reusable. Concerning the decorative aspect, you can always treat yourself with fabric napkins. These come in several colors, textures and patterns. Just choose the model you like.
Folded paper napkin on the table
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Folded paper napkin on the table. Source: spm
Paper napkins
Paper napkins are certainly more hygienic due to their single use and allow you to personalize your table decoration. But they are not environmentally friendly. Their manufacturing is particularly polluting, because it requires the use of chemicals. Disposable paper towels increase the amount of waste. It is recommended to choose biodegradable paper towels which are neutral for the environment.
How to place napkins on the table?
To entertain properly, napkins play an essential role in setting the table.
During lunch, you can place the folded napkin on the plate. At dinner, place the napkin on the left of the plate if you don’t want to hide the aesthetics of the dishes you have brought out for the occasion.