8 Easy Ways to Fold a Napkin for Your Next Dinner Party

From elegant knots to intricate folds, these linen napkin ideas will take your tablescape to the next level.

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: there’s nothing more impressive than a well-styled tablescape at a dinner party. It proves you’ve gone the extra mile to make the experience more memorable, and it sets a festive mood for the meal.

While we’ve previously shared advice on how to create the perfect ‘Instagrammable’ tablescape and how to decorate a table according to your star sign, it’s easier said than done when it comes to figuring out how to elegantly fold and place your napkins.

A simple piece of linen can be folded and draped a million and one different ways, so how do you decide on what will look the best? Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and taken inspiration from our Spreads. stylists to present you with eight beautiful and simple ways.

1. Simple Triangle

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Take the top corner of the napkin and fold it over to the opposite corner to create a triangle.

Fold the right corner of the napkin over to the left to create a smaller triangle.

Place the napkin on a plate with the middle point of the triangle pointing towards the right.

2. The Knot

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Fold the top and bottom corners together to meet in the middle.

Fold the bottom and the top so they meet in the middle again.

Fold the whole napkin in half along the centre line you’ve created so you’re left with a long ribbon-like shape.

Simply tie this into a knot. Loosen it to your liking and position the knot as high up or far down as you like.

Place the napkin either alongside or atop your plate.

3. Draped Knot

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Take the top corner of the napkin and fold it over to the opposite corner to create a triangle.

Hold the right corner of the triangle with both hands and gently slide one hand down until the halfway point.

Take the other hand holding the corner down and around the tie a knot.

Plate atop a plate or on the side and let the bottom half drape off the table.

4. Three-point Fold

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Take the top corner of the napkin and fold it over to the opposite corner to create a triangle.

Fold the right corner of the napkin over to the left corner, placed slightly downwards so the two points don’t meet.

Fold the right corner of the napkin again towards the left, stopping halfway or until the desired look is achieved.

Place the napkin atop a plate, then place cutlery on top. Or, place the napkin underneath the place, with the ends draping off the edge of the table.

5. Rectangle

Lay your napkin on a flat surface in a square shape.

Fold it half horizontally.

Fold it half vertically and then once more.

Place it to the right side of your cutlery.

6. The Scarf

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Take the top corner of the napkin and fold it over to the opposite corner to create a triangle.

Take the two top corners and fold them backward approximately 4-6cm to create a horizontal fold along the top.

Now take the right point and drape it forwards and down on a slight diagonal so it sits on the lefthand side of the bottom point of the triangle.

Do the same with the top left point, but fold it over to the right side of the bottom point of the triangle.

7. Wave

Lay the napkin on a flat surface in a diamond shape.

Take the top corner of the napkin and fold it over to the opposite corner to create a triangle.

Fold the right point over to the left point of the triangle to create a smaller triangle.

Hold the two layers of the left corner of the triangle, and fold it over to the right, stopping halfway and then bring it back to the left to create a wave effect.

Place atop a plate.

8. Simple Drape

Drape the napkin off the edge of the table in any style or length of your liking. Simple!

Shop all of the above looks using our Classic Napkins and Scalloped Napkins.

From elegant knots to intricate folds, these linen napkin ideas will take your tablescape to the next level.