A tablecloth is the foundation of a well-set table and an affordable way to add a touch of personality to your dining area (a tablecloth can do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to an ugly but utilitarian table). As Ruth Bewsey, co-founder and creative director of Daisy Jewellery, puts it, “A tablecloth for me is for when I want things a little elevated — a break from the day-to-day ‘naked table.’”
So, whether you’re searching for big, bold pieces for feasts with family and friends or everyday workhorses that can withstand spills and stains left by overzealous eaters, I chatted with people with great taste about where to shop for tablecloths. From inexpensive, kidproof tablecloths to hand-embroidered linen designs, read about their picks, below. And once you’re done here, read about everything else you need to dress a “naked table” with the rest of our tabletop week coverage.
When it comes to her table, Bewsey is obsessed with all things stripes. “Stripes are timeless, seasonless, an all-round crowd-pleaser,” she says. Her tablecloth retailer of choice is Colours of Arley thanks to its vibrant and surprising color combinations. “I have stripes in different colors depending on the season, which often at Christmastime I’ll mix with vintage runners and place mats,” she adds.
Our kitchen and dining writer, Emma Wartzman (an expert on setting tables), says that this Quince tablecloth is “as good as it gets” in regard to price and quality. For the last couple of years, she’s been relying on a fancier tablecloth, which was more aesthetic than utilitarian. “I literally started taking it off most of the time when we have people over to eat,” she says. Wartzman is no longer stressed about stains, and she says that the fabric feels and looks good, too: “It came a bit wrinkled out of the package (unsurprising, since it’s a big piece of linen fabric), but one wash and it looks smooth and lovely. It feels substantial (I hate a dinky tablecloth!), which means that it drapes beautifully over my rectangular table; the hem is well stitched; and it just looks well made.”
For large family sittings, Oset Babür-Winter, senior drinks editor at Food & Wine, tells me she opts for some heavy-duty kraft paper instead of a traditional tablecloth — she simply unrolls the kraft paper along the length of the table. The result is a rustic-looking, entirely disposable tablecloth ideal for events like the holidays when kids are present and spills are more likely. “It’s a trick that I stole from my mother-in-law,” she says. This roll of kraft paper is long enough for even the biggest of family gatherings.
Interior designer Francesca Grace is drawn to a scalloped or ruffled trim. “There’s something about that detail that makes a space feel instantly warmer and more inviting, almost like you’re tucked away in a quaint coffee shop,” she says. “It’s that mix of charm and comfort that makes people linger longer over a cup of coffee.”
Mikei Huang is a product designer whose color-rich apartment has been featured in various interiors magazines — and his tablecloth recommendation was just as vibrant as I expected. “It might come as a surprise, but my favorite tablecloth is the Verloop textile,” he says. “They’re technically knit throw blankets but can double duty as a tablecloth when I feel like changing things up.” As well as striking colors, Huang looks for materials that are 100 percent machine washable — and ones that won’t go dull in the wash. “Color is a key component in how I style my home for a mix of a Memphis and postmodern vibe. I often pair the colorful tablecloth with white ceramic dishes and silverware to make the tablecloth and food pop,” he says.
Strategist senior editor Ailbhe Malone has a collection of Indian block-print cotton tablecloths. “They’re really durable (I throw them in the washing machine), and the patterns cover all kinds of spills,” she says. “I like to go for darker colors so I don’t have to wash them as often.” While she’s picked them up from all over — from T.J. Maxx to a Scottish farm shop — she particularly likes the look of this one from Etsy.
Chef and writer Emily Schultz tells me that she’s, at her core, a maximalist. “And my dinner table is no exception. I love a variety of textures, layers, and colors when it comes to decorating a special table,” she says. Her tablecloth of choice is this vibrant, colorful option from Feast of Burden. It’s available in three sizes, from intimate to feast, to suit any dining table. It’s also, in Schultz’s opinion, very forgiving of clumsy eaters: “I know my tablecloths are going to be stained, but that’s part of their story, right? So I tend to go for patterned tablecloths, ones that only improve with a wine stain here or a grease spot there.”
Scandi-interiors expert Cissi Ahlen goes the classic route of a checkered tablecloth beneath her place settings. “I find it both cozy and stylish,” she tells me. Unsurprisingly, Ahlen, who’s also known on Instagram as My Life in Multicolor, only stocks colorful gingham prints in her linen cupboard, like this one from Midnatt, which is made from organic cotton.
When she needs a spillproof table, Ahlen spreads this sunshiny gingham option from Oilcloth Alley on her table. “This is the one you’ll find covering our dinner table during the weekdays, as it’s wipeable and durable — great features when you have kids,” she explains. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang also tells me that she prefers oilcloth tablecloths since they wipe down easily and can have other uses, like as a picnic blanket for camping or trips away.
“I’ve always wanted a Lisa Corti tablecloth because I adore her designs, and I finally splurged on one,” says Strategist writer Lauren Ro. It’s on the pricier side, but the tablecloth is made from 100 percent cotton and can also be used as an armchair cover or a sheet for a single bed — though Ro uses it for special occasions. “I’ve used it for baby showers, birthday parties, family gatherings, and more, and it imbues the whole scene with a festive, colorful mood, like we’re in the Italian countryside instead of the city.”
I’m a fan of Amy Lau’s warmly decorated, vibrant interiors, and her choice of tablecloth is similar. It’s a table runner from Coral and Tusk that looks especially great spread over a wood dining table. For a more seasonal pick, Lau also likes this more autumnal version of the runner.
Ro has also owned this simple tablecloth from Cultiver since 2021. She likes the casual feel of the tablecloth, which is suitable for more everyday sittings, and says it’s remarkably easy to care for. “The linen is a nice, hefty weight with just the right amount of rumple — I never feel the need to iron it,” she says.
Erika Mathews’s interiors style can be best described as “curated vintage” – so for special occasions she likes tablecloths made from rich or interesting materials. “I typically go for fabrics like linen, velvet, or lace,” she says. “They give texture to a tablescape and can even be layered for a more maximalist look.” She enjoys this solid velvet tablecloth as it feels luxurious but also understated — allowing her patterned china to remain the focal point of her tabletop. “It’s also the perfect shade for a fall tablescape,” she adds. (I also enjoy the ruffly border that runs along the piece.)
Jennifer Moffat, the creative director of Waratah Avenue, has a fondness for vintage pieces but understands that they’re not so practical for the daily wear and tear of mealtimes. She finds a happy medium in nostalgic and vintage-inspired tablecloths that are wipeable, so she can relax around spills. “This gingham cloth takes me back to the ’70s of my childhood and has brought a sense of nostalgia to our cottage,” she says.
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