Placemats

Standard rectangular placemats are 13–14 inches tall and 18–20 inches wide — fits most dinner plates with room for a glass and silverware. Round mats are 14-15 inches in diameter. Check the listing for exact dimensions.

No. Most of our linen placemats are machine washable on cold gentle, with mild detergent and no fabric softener. Iron lightly on linen setting if you want a crisp finish; hang or tumble dry low otherwise.

Match the size of your largest gathering. Sets of 4 cover everyday dinners; sets of 6 handle most family and friend gatherings. For larger dinners, buy two coordinating sets in different colors for a layered table.

Linen and cotton placemats grip lightly on most table surfaces. On highly polished surfaces (waxed wood, glass), the mats may slide; a small piece of museum gel under each corner solves the problem.

A placemat is sized for one place setting; a runner spans the length of the table. They work together: runner down the center, placemats at each setting. For runners, see Linen Runners.

Mostly from heat and moisture during meals — they soften the impact of plates and water glasses on wood or other delicate surfaces. For longer-term protection from heat, use trivets in addition to placemats.