Cloth table linens add sophistication and cleanliness to a dining room in a way that bare tables simply can’t. Whether you’re outfitting your restaurant for the first time or replacing worn table covers, the guide below is for you. 

Choose the Right Shape

Simple, but still worth stating, tablecloths should match the shape of the table. While a circular tablecloth could fit on a square table, it won’t drape evenly off the sides. 

If you want to try your hand at a modern tablescape, a square tablecloth can work on a round table, especially when layered, but it depends on the look you’re hoping to achieve. 

Our selection of table coverings includes round, square, and rectangular in a variety of sizes to fit whatever tables your restaurant uses. 

Choose the Right Size

Tablecloths need to fit on the table without being folded. The size should also match the type of event, restaurant, or banquet hall where they’re being used. To choose the correct size, you need to know the tabletop’s dimensions and how much drop you want. 

Standard Table Linen Drops 

Unsure what size drop you need for your restaurant or catering business? Consider these standard drop sizes based on function: 

• Casual Setting: Go with a 6 to 8 inch drop for casual dining settings. At this length, you get the benefits of using the table cover at a more economical price point. 
• Lap Level: Choose a 10- to 12-inch drop for semi-formal restaurants and events. Lap-level tablecloths remain functional and look nice without being too formal. 
• Standard Banquet Table: Choose a 15-inch drop if you want a halfway drop on a standard-height banquet table. This length covers a good portion of the table, creating a cohesive look at weddings, corporate banquets, and other catered events. Yet it’s not too long that it interferes with staff movements or guest mobility.
• Floor Length: A 30-inch drop will just touch the floor of a standard, 30-inch-tall table. Floor-length looks upscale and elegant, so it’s perfect for fine-dining settings, special events, and elegant banquets. 

How to Calculate the Right Tablecloth Size 

Once you know what drop length you need, you can calculate the correct tablecloth size based on that and the size of your tables. Then, choose the tablecloth size option that most closely matches your calculation, or look for custom-size table linens, such as our Linea Roma Table Linen. 

Round Tables

Use the formula: (drop in inches x 2) + tabletop diameter in inches = tablecloth size

If you have a 60-inch round tabletop that’s 30 inches tall and want a halfway drop, do (15 x 2) + 60 = 90. Now you know you need a 90-inch round tablecloth if you want a 15-inch drop on your 60-inch tabletop. 

Square Tables

Use the formula: (drop in inches x 2) + table width in inches = tablecloth size

If you have a 30-inch square table and want a floor-length drop of 30 inches, do (30 x 2) + 30 = 90. You need a 90 in. by 90 in. tablecloth, such as a Milliken™ Horizon™ Banquet Top, to achieve the desired look.

Oval & Rectangular Tables

Use the formulas:

• (drop in inches x 2) + tabletop length in inches = tablecloth length and 
• (drop in inches x 2) + tabletop width in inches = tablecloth width. 

If you have a table measuring 96 inches by 30 inches and want a 15-inch drop, do (15 x 2) + 96 and (15 x 2) + 30 to get the tablecloth dimensions of 126 in. by 60 in. 

Choose the Right Colors

Table linen colors say a lot about your restaurant, so choose carefully. Consider your dishware, table decorations, restaurant branding, and overall dining room decor when selecting colors for cloth napkins, placemats, or tablecloths. Timeless options like Ivory, Black, and White offer versatility. Patterns or colorful options can work, but could also go out of style before they require replacement. Whether you want to go bold or more neutral, the Milliken Signature® collection comes in 29 colors to help you create the perfect tablescape for your establishment. 

For napkins, decide if you want to match the tablecloth or contrast. Napkins can add a much-needed pop of color to a neutral table setting. Changing the napkins to match the season or a holiday, such as pink napkins for Mother’s Day, will create an inviting, celebratory atmosphere for diners. 

Add more texture or dimension to a dining table with patterned napkins. Consider the Milliken™ Damask HD™ Performance Table Linens, a high-luster collection designed to pop, or the picnic-inspired Milliken™ Visa Checkpoint™. The fun bistro-ready Milliken’s® Signature® Stripe cloth napkins come in 16 different colors. 

Choose High-Quality Options

Cloth table linens today offer enhanced features such as stain-release technology and enhanced colorfastness to prevent fading. Compare your options carefully to decide what’s worth the cost. And don’t just fixate on the upfront cost. Spending more upfront on high-quality table linens is often friendlier to your bottom line over time. Features such as stain-resistance, fade-resistance, and quality fabrication increase a product’s useful life, lowering the cost per use, even if the upfront cost is higher. 

Trust Venus with Your Table Linen Needs

Venus offers an expansive line of hospitality table linens perfect for restaurants, banquet halls, conference centers, and industrial laundering businesses that rent. Our manufacturing facilities on both U.S. coasts and distribution points across the nation allow us to promptly fulfill orders, keeping your dining room ready for diners at all times. To learn more, speak to a textile expert today by calling 800.421.6599 or submitting our contact form.