Placemats

What are placemats?

A placemat combines a practical purpose with a visual one. It is placed under each setting to help protect your dining table or a tablecloth from food residue and stains during meals, while also changing the look of the table.

Placemats are available in many colours, shapes and materials, so there are several ways to personalise the table. Some people start by choosing a colour that works with their tableware, while others look first at shape or surface. On a webshop page like this, this makes it easier to narrow the selection from the overall style you want to the material and finish that fit your everyday use.

If you want to build the table setting further, you can browse more within table setting or go directly to table accessories to compare related items for the table.

If you would like extra protection for the table, it can also help to combine placemats with items such as napkins and accessories for serving. You can, for example, match your placemats with napkins to create a coordinated place setting.

Can placemats be washed?

Placemats are easy to clean, but they should not go in the dishwasher unless this is stated on the product.

For daily cleaning, a damp cloth is usually enough. If there are more stubborn stains, you can wipe them with a little washing-up liquid. This is often one of the practical points shoppers compare when choosing between materials, especially if the placemats will be used often.

Choose from different materials

You can choose placemats in leather, silicone or another textile material you like. If you prefer a different look, round woven placemats can add a decorative twist while still helping to protect the table.

A practical way to choose is to think about how the placemats will be used day to day. If you need something especially hard-wearing, rubber or plastic can be a useful option. These materials can handle regular wear well and are also helpful if spills happen now and then.

Many rubber placemats can also withstand temperatures up to 120 degrees, which can be useful in some situations. Even so, most placemats are not intended for hot pots and pans. For that purpose, it is better to use trivets.

When comparing materials online, it often helps to move from the broad question of appearance to the more specific question of maintenance. Leather-look surfaces, silicone and woven styles each create a different impression on the table, and they also differ in how they feel and how quickly they can be wiped clean after a meal.

Find placemats to suit everyday meals and special occasions

A carefully arranged table can change the atmosphere around a meal. Placemats help frame each place setting and can make the table feel more complete, whether the table is set for a weekday meal or for a more festive occasion.

On this page, many shoppers begin by looking at colour. Red, blue, white and black placemats each give the table a different look, and colour is often the easiest starting point when comparing styles. After that, shape and material help refine the choice further.

If you want to build a fuller table setting, you can combine placemats with other details from the same area. Alongside napkins, you may also want to look at napkin holders if you are comparing accessories that complete each place setting.

Depending on what you are serving, related items can also help shape the table. Bread baskets, egg cups and salt and pepper sets are useful examples when you want to compare how small accessories work together with placemats on the table.

For serving and presentation, it can also be helpful to explore serving and tapas boards or trays. These categories sit naturally alongside placemats when you are planning the overall layout of the table rather than choosing each item separately.

Combining design and function

A placemat can be the final detail that brings a table setting together. The design and colour affect the overall look, while the material matters for protection and cleaning. That combination is often what makes placemats easy to compare when shopping online. One choice is visual, the other is practical.

For most situations, it helps to decide first whether the table should look calm and understated or more decorative. From there, you can move on to details such as a satin-matt surface, a woven finish or a leather look. This step-by-step approach makes the category easier to browse, especially when several materials may suit the same colour scheme.

If the table is being prepared for a specific occasion, small decorative details may also matter. In that case, you can compare placemats with accessories such as flags to see how practical items and decorative accents work together on the table.

Explore more of the table setting range

Placemats are one part of a larger table setting. Some shoppers come to this category already knowing which material they want, while others start with a general idea of colour or shape and then explore nearby categories to complete the table.

If you are still comparing options, it often helps to move between placemats and related table accessories rather than deciding on one product in isolation. Looking across categories gives a clearer sense of proportion, colour matching and how different items support each other in everyday use.

You can therefore continue through the wider table setting range or browse more specific products in table accessories. From there, categories such as bread baskets, egg cups, flags, napkin holders, napkins, salt and pepper sets, serving and tapas boards, trays and trivets can help you compare the details that complete the table.

That way, the category works both as a starting point for finding practical table protection and as part of a broader overview when you want the table setting to feel considered from one item to the next.

Frequently asked questions