6 Table Setting Mistakes Every Host Should Know

Winging It

In the midst of planning your menu and prepping and shopping for ingredients, don't forget to put a little thought into your tablescape, too. "Most parties require an abundance of tableware for guests and large serving pieces for all the food," says Carrie Shapley, cookbook author of Party On!. "To be sure you have what you need, count plates, glassware, and silverware well ahead of time and plan how you will set up the party to accommodate all your guests."

Shapley suggests writing out each menu item alongside the appropriate plate, platter, or bowl you plan to serve it in. "Do this a week or more ahead of your party, so there’s time for a trip to your local secondhand store or for ordering online to get additional pieces as needed."

Crowding the Place Settings

A maximalist table can be a thing of beauty, but including too many utensils, glasses, and dishes can feel overwhelming or cluttered, and guests may not know which items to use. Stick to essentials for the meal being served. You don’t need five forks unless you’re serving five courses.

Going Overboard With Centerpieces

Tablescapes are trendy, but don’t forget the overall purpose of a table: to hold food. “Pinterest has us all thinking that the more elaborate the centerpieces and tablescaping, the more successful the party. Not so,” notes Shapley. “Whether serving buffet- or family-style, your centerpiece needs to leave room for people and food."

Taper candles and vases of flowers should be kept at a height where conversation can freely flow and dishes can be passed. "Remember to leave room for food, and to focus attention on your guests," Shapley says.

Weightless Outdoor Setups

We’ve all witnessed items at a barbecue or picnic get whipped away by the wind. "Even a light breeze can send a pile of paper plates, a stack of napkins, or corners of a tablecloth flying," says Shapley. Plan for the inevitable by weighing down your alfresco tablescape.

"A rock wrapped in aluminum foil will hold down paper products in a pinch, but a better choice would be doorstops. [They're] stylish, unbreakable, won’t roll off, and are easy to lift with one hand," Shapley says. "As for tablecloths, you can purchase fancy clips that lock the tablecloth to the table—but an easier fix is large, clamp-style paperclips, weighted and hooked one to each dangling corner of the tablecloth."

Incorrect Utensil Placement

It may seem stuffy to some, but arranging utensils properly is important, especially in a formal setting. Placing utensils in the wrong order or on the wrong side can confuse your guests. Always place utensils in the order of use, from the outside in. Forks go on the left, knives and spoons on the right (with blade edges facing in).

Overscenting

One of the best parts of hosting is the smell of just-made goodies wafting off the stove and from the oven. Don’t mask it!  “We all want our parties to smell good, but over-doing it with air fresheners, scented candles, fragrant flower arrangements, and strong perfume can actually make the food taste weird,” says Shapley. "Aroma is a strong component of taste, so it is important to let the food scent your space."

To set the mood, "use unscented candles and flowers," Shapley suggests, "and let your kitchen perfume you."