There was a time when no tablescape was complete without a carefully chosen placemat. Department stores, boutiques, and linen closets in hosting-ready homes were filled with placemats covered in holiday motifs and seasonal hues. Whether serving as a practical safeguard or a conversation-starting detail, placemats were once a nonnegotiable element of the table.
These days, not so much. This table-setting staple is slowly disappearing. Here’s what designers say is behind the decline—and what they’re using in its place.
The Case for Placemats
Placemats have long been used to add pops of color and texture to tablescapes. But now these textiles are losing their place at the table as hosts abandon them for chargers, runners, and slabs that give a more minimalist look to the table. However, some designers say that placemats will always have a place at their table.
“We love layers in all aspects of home design,” says Johanna Lyle, founder of the interior design firm Jo Lyle & Co. “Placemats are another way to add texture, color, and/or pattern to your tablescape. Functionally, they also protect your tablecloth from the messiest areas.”
The Importance of a Tablescape’s Visual Flow
Pretty as they may be, placemats are a first line of defense against spills, splatters, and stains. They’re easy to swap out, often less expensive than newer alternatives, and bring together style, value, and practicality. But they can interrupt the visual flow of a tablescape—a faux pas even novice hosts may want to avoid. Charger plates offer a popular alternative, pairing practical protection with a look that complements flatware.
“Placemats often chop up a table,” says Mallory Robins, co-founder of the Kansas City-based luxury design studio Kobel + Co. “A beautiful tablecloth layered with chargers offers the same defined effect but with a more seamless base layer.”
Designer Sarah Stacey couldn’t agree more. While she would hesitate to cancel placemats entirely, she’s rarely reaching for them when putting together her tablescapes.
“I usually opt for a tablecloth because placemats always feel bulky and too oversized. A tablecloth offers more flexibility in decorating a tablescape,” says Stacey.
Placemat Alternatives With Personality
If you find yourself yearning for the charm of linens, Robins suggests using linen napkins to add a personalized feel, textured detail, and pattern into your designs. But the most bespoke dining detail sure to dazzle guests? Place cards.
“Most critically, we're team place cards over place mats! There is nothing like walking into a gorgeous dinner party with clarity as to where you are sitting,” says Robins. “It feels inherently welcoming and is a great way to curate your guests into the ultimate conversation groupings.”
If you happen to own a beloved collection of placemats, we wouldn’t suggest tossing them just because they’re currently out of favor. Even the most dated decor details have found a way to resurface in a new way. The trend cycle is a cycle, after all.
