House Cleaning Services Wichita KSThe Ultimate Guide to Formal Table Settings

Table Setting House Cleaning Services

While many people are putting travel plans and large gatherings on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are still opportunities for small, intimate gatherings this holiday season. Margaret McHenry Maids, the leading provider of luxury house cleaning services in Wichita, Kansas, has put together a table setting guide for your upcoming semi-formal and formal gatherings.

General Rules

According to The Emily Prost Institute, there are a few rules that apply to all types of table settings:

Utensils are placed in the order of use, from the outside in.
Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right. One exception is the oyster fork, which is placed to the right of the setting if it will be used.
Only set the table with utensils you will use.

Semi-Formal Table Settings

Semi-formal table settings are perfect for the classic dinner party, such as a family holiday gathering. Because they are a step up from our everyday table settings, the table feels special, yet not overly stuffy.

Option One (Without Dessert Utensils)

From the outside left: folded napkin, dinner fork, dinner plate, knife (blade facing in) and spoon
Above the napkin and fork: butter knife (blade facing in toward the diner) placed on a butter plate
Above the knife and spoon: water glass and optional wine glass

Option Two (With Dessert Utensils)

From the outside left: folded napkin, dinner fork, plate, knife (blade facing in) and spoon
Above the napkin and fork: butter knife (blade facing in toward the diner) placed on a butter plate
Above the dinner plate: dessert fork (placed so that the handle is pointing toward the left) and spoon (with its handle facing to the right)

Formal Table Settings

If you are looking to truly impress your guests with a four or five-course meal, you will want to ensure that your table settings are equally as formal. Choose the appropriate table setting according to the number of courses.

Option One (Four-Course Meal)

From the outside left: folded napkin, salad fork, dinner fork, dinner plate with salad plate on top, salad knife (blade facing in), meat knife (blade facing in) and dinner spoon
Above the napkin and forks: butter knife (blade facing in toward the diner) placed on a butter plate
Above the dinner plate and salad plate: dessert fork (placed so that the handle is pointing toward the left) and spoon (with its handle facing to the right)
Above the knives and spoon: water glass and optional wine glass(es)

Option Two (Five-Course Meal)

From the outside left: folded napkin, salad fork, dinner fork, dinner plate with salad plate on top, salad knife (blade facing in), meat knife (blade facing in), dinner spoon and oyster fork (the only fork to ever be placed to the right of the plate)
Above the napkin and forks: butter knife (blade facing in toward the diner) placed on a butter plate
Above the dinner plate and salad plate: dessert fork (placed so that the handle is pointing toward the left) and spoon (with its handle facing to the right)
Above the knives and spoon: water glass and optional wine glass(es)

Special Occasion House Cleaning

To prepare for your important event or party, professional house cleaning services are recommended. Margaret McHenry Maids will clean all the common areas of your home where guests will be gathering, including but not limited to: the kitchen, living room, dining room, entryway, guest bathroom(s), hallways and front porch. We provide custom quotes based on the size of your home and personalized requests.

Contact Margaret McHenry Maids at (316) 612-9300 or complete the form to request a complimentary house cleaning services estimate today!

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