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When the summer heat comes knocking, you need to keep in mind the type of bedding you are using. This is because you need something that will work for the heat while giving guests a good night’s rest.

There are various types of sheets available, such as linen, cotton, silk, bamboo, blends and synthetics, among others.

Hotels and motels choose bed sheets based on a few factors. These are:

• The type of material
• How easy it is to clean and maintain
• Is the material long-lasting?
• How great do your beds look draped in these sheets?

The fabric is usually the number one factor that many people consider based on benefits. We will look at the popular types of sheets and see which is best for your business, especially in the summer.

Linen Sheets

Linen mainly comes from Europe. It is one of the oldest fabrics known to man and can be traced back to 8,000 B.C. in Switzerland and is present in Egyptian tombs.

It’s made from natural fibre from the flax plant, which is known to need a lot of care in order to produce the best material for linen.

When the flax plant is harvested, its seeds are removed and the stalk is rolled between a presser to expose its fibres. The long fibres from this process are woven to create the finished linen fabric and have a shiny wax coating.

Benefits of Linen

• In the summer, you need self-cooling sheets for your motel. When it comes in contact with your skin, linen absorbs moisture.
• This is one of the best options for the summer, as it is an all-weather type of fabric. It is able to keep you cool in the hot weather and can be woven into a thick and cozy blanket to keep you warm during the cold season.
• Linen is used to make so much more than bedsheets. It is also used for table linen, curtains, clothing and towels.
• Linen is hypoallergenic and lint-free, which is great for guests with allergies.
• Linen sheets are easy to store. Keep them in well-ventilated storage spaces and avoid stashing them in boxes or bags.
• Linen is great for making your rooms look colourful, as it holds dye well. At the same time, it also resists fading.
• With regular washing, linen starts to wear after about five years of use but can still last decades.

Linen is a great option for bed sheets, but has its cons. Some of these include:

• This material is prone to wrinkling. Hotels and motels will have to take extra time to iron or straighten these sheets. To use less time on bedsheet care, you can purchase wrinkle-resistant varieties.
• You should keep in mind that if used as upholstery, it should only be on items that are not used often.

Get quality linen from ALS at affordable prices. ALS also offers bath linen, tea towels, floor mats and many other linen products.

Cotton Sheets

Cotton use dates back to around 5,000 B.C. and can be traced to Pakistan. Cotton bolls have also been discovered in caves in Mexico from around 3,500 B.C.

When an improved spinning wheel was introduced in Europe around 1350s, cotton became a staple product. The cotton plant grows best in the Americas, India and Africa.

You can choose from these types of common cotton fabrics: American Upland, Egyptian and Pima, with American Upland being the most popular.

The main part of the cotton plant is called the boll, but the cotton plant is rarely wasted because almost all its parts can be used for various products.

The cottonseed is used to manufacture cottonseed oil and is also fed to cattle. The little pieces of cotton, or linters, which stick to the seeds, are used to make banknotes, plastic, bandages, cotton balls and cotton buds.

Benefits of Cotton

• It is soft, durable and breathable. This means it is perfect for the skin, especially in the summer.
• It can last for years if well taken care of.
• It is more luxurious than most fabrics and can be expensive, but it is long-lasting, making it a great investment.
• Cotton holds on to colour dye well, making it a great option for bedsheets.
• It is hypo-allergenic, which is perfect for people with allergies.
• It is absorbent and easy to clean. Absorbent fabrics are perfect for hot and humid weather conditions.
• Cotton is known to blend well with other fabrics.

Despite its popularity, cotton has a few disadvantages:

• Cotton tends to wrinkle easily, which means taking time when cleaning to iron the fabric.
• Cotton usually shrinks after the first wash. However, there are pure cotton products which come pre-shrunk.
• While being absorbent is a great quality, it also has its challenges. Cotton absorbs not only humidity but also takes in stains. In addition, it can grow mildew if it is not properly dried. This is risky to guests’ health.

Silk Sheets

Silk is considered a luxury fabric that is soft to the skin. It is a natural protein fibre and is created from the cocoon of the Mulberry silkworm larvae.

The history of silk dates back to 2,700 B.C. in China but was heard of as early as 4,000 B.C. It made its way to Japan around 300 B.C. and soon became popular in Korea and India.

Silk was exclusive to the Chinese imperial family and was also used to also create paper for government officials. It was so exclusive to upper-class citizens that it was even used as money in some areas.

Silk was such a valuable export that the Chinese wanted to keep the silk-making process a secret.

Around 552 B.C., the Byzantine emperor managed to obtain some silkworm eggs out of the East, and this is how it made its way to the Roman Empire and Europe in general. Japan was the largest silk producer prior to World War II, but China now holds that top spot.

Silk is created by feeding silkworm larvae mulberry leaves, which in turn spin cocoons that take two to three days to solidify.

The cocoons are collected by putting the larvae in hot boiling water to kill them. The cocoon is then brushed to extract the silk filament, which is then woven into yarn or fabric.

It takes about 2,400 silkworms to produce one pound of raw silk! There are several different silk variations, such as organza, crepe and chiffon.

Benefits of Silk

• Silk is used to create multiple products. It is used to make bedsheets, bicycle tyres, ties, scarves, upholstery, bridal items, formal wear and surgical sutures.
• Silk sheets help to retain skin moisture. This means that while many sheets will absorb moisture from your skin, silk’s dense weave will keep moisture close to your body. It reduces dehydration on hot summer nights.
• It is hypoallergenic and this is one of the main reasons why you would choose silk sheets for your hotel or motel. It is perfect for guests with allergy problems. It also keeps dust mites at bay and will not absorb dust.
• It is considered an all-weather fabric: This means that during the cold season, silk sheets, like linen sheets, keep you warm while keeping you cool during the summer heat. For a business, it’s a sound investment, as they can be used all year round.
• Silk sheets are durable and strong. Silk is a natural protein fibre and this means it can withstand wear and tear. This also contributes to why you should purchase silk sheets, as they are long-lasting.

As a hospitality business, it’s important to know some of the cons of using silk bed sheets.

• Out of the many types of bedsheets in the market, silk is among the most expensive. Depending on the type of guests expected and the running costs, silk sheets may set you back a pretty penny.
• Silk sheets are sometimes hard to care for, especially for a motel. They are best cleaned by hand and not a washing machine.
• Silk sheets are sometimes not favoured by guests due to their somewhat slippery texture.

Choosing Your Bedsheets from ALS

Contact ALS for quality bed sheets, towels, floor mats and bath linen. We have a wide range of products that will meet all of your linen needs.

Their products are:

• Hypoallergenic, antifungal and antibacterial.
• High-quality and come with clear cleaning and maintenance procedures.
• Perfect for any weather. You can opt for sheets that will work in the climate you live in.
• Both functional and decorative.

Feature Image: Katemangostar

When you walk into a salon or spa, you expect to walk out rejuvenated. That's the full spa experience: a few hours of pampering to help you relax.

Yes, a great ambience helps.

So does the promise of satisfactory customer service.

And while people can complement the nails, face, skin and hair treatments you provide, nothing compares to the small details like the quality of your salon and spa towels. 

Why Do I Need Specific Towels for My Spa and Salon Business?

The right towel choice differentiates an incredible spa experience from a lacklustre one. Match the right towels with their purpose.

To do this, you need to know if they:

• Are durable enough to withstand wear and fray after a couple of washings.
• Are of high-quality and can remain plush, soft and fluffy even after repeated use.
• Are colour and bleach safe to resist staining and chemical damage.

Your towel choice is an investment, but the variety makes it hard to know which towel is the right one.

Learning to identify the different types can help to ease some of the doubt before you buy.

How to Recognise a Salon and Spa-Worthy Towel

Is the Towel Construction Superior?

Excellent towel construction is an indicator of high-quality towels. It's a combination of the technique and superior materials.

Towels are produced by weaving. The fibres are interwoven to form a pile or loop in a specific pattern. The towel's quality partly depends on this process.

High-quality towels have no gaps between the intertwined loops so the towel is more absorbent and durable.

Poorly constructed towels do the opposite. They can look and feel good when new but eventually wear down.

Let's look at some processes common to towel construction:

• Combed cotton is a method for preparing fibre for spinning by using combs. The combs remove shorter threads and impurities from the yarn, leaving the longer threads. This technique is for towel fabric that's absorbent and fast-drying.
• Microfibre is a silky fibre synthetically created from polyester or polyamide. It produces towels that are soft, tough, absorbent, and have electrostatic filtering capabilities.
• Ring-spun combines the long and short-staple fibres for a smoother, stronger yarn. The end product has a more luxurious and softer feel compared to combed cotton.
• The carded cotton process disentangles, cleans and intermixes fibres to produce a continuous web suitable for subsequent processing. They are stronger than combed cotton and hairy in appearance.

Pearl Indulgence Bath Sheet

Plush Microfibre Bathrobe

Colour Face Washer

Colour Bath Towel

Know the quality of the towel construction by looking out for these telltale signs:

• Loose threads equate to poor construction. Superior towels have tight, high-quality stitching.
• Double-turned edges are reinforced with double stitching, which minimises fraying of the towel.

Does the Towel Feel Good to Touch?

A full spa experience needs towels that are soft and gentle to the skin, nails and hair. This makes cotton towels the preferred choice.

Cotton is soft, fluffy, absorbent, and affordable.

However, not all cotton towels have the same texture. The texture is a result of the manufacturing process and fabric type.

Here are some common cotton materials used for creating towels:

• Egyptian cotton is hand-picked for a stronger and silkier fibre. When woven, the cotton fabric produces luxurious, high-density absorbent towels.
• Pima cotton is a superior blend with extra-long staple fibres for light, fluffy and absorbent towels.
• Turkish cotton has extra-long fibres that help produce quality thick towels. It has the distinct advantage of drying quickly and becomes fluffier and more absorbent after every washing.

Is the Towel the Right Size?

Don't use your pedicure towels for hair treatment! Their purposes differ along with their sizes.

To find the right towel size, you need to know its function. Is it for the spa, a pedicure or hair treatment?

Here are the popular towel sizes, their sizes and their uses:

• A washcloth is the smallest, measuring 33 x 33 cm. Its size is perfect for facial and nail treatment.
• Hand towels are a staple in restrooms and day spas, for improving the hygiene and ambience of your salon and spa. The most common size option is 45 x 75 cm to fit in a towel rack.
• Bath towels are common to everyday use. They measure from 60 x 127 cm to 70 x 140 cm. The smaller-sized bath towels are great for hair use while the larger ones are big enough for the body.
• Bath sheets are soft to the touch and provide the most coverage for the body. They measure from 75 x 155 cm to 90 x 180 cm. When wrapped around the body, bath sheets provide that extra spa-worthy feeling.
• Bath mats are highly absorbent with quick-drying properties to prevent a wet floor. The mats measure 56 x 76 cm and are thicker than a standard towel.

Before you decide on your towel size, take some time to assess your needs. Ask yourself, 'Are they for a spa treatment or a specific station in the salon?'

Does the Towel Soak up Liquid Easily?

Wondering why your cotton towel is non-absorbent? It might lack the right towel absorbent properties.

While the manufacturing process can be a factor, towel care also plays a role in absorption efficiency. Therefore, you need to weigh the right towel purchase with the best care.

Thick towels have the advantage of being better at soaking up liquids. But they also take longer to dry.

So, they might not work for every situation, especially when a quick-drying towel is more effective. Instead, try to mix it up.

Is the Towel Heavy or Light?

Did you know the weight of a towel can determine its purpose?

This explains why thick towels, which are more absorbent, are more common in spas and last a long time.

Thinner towels, however, are more common in salons. They dry faster and are easier to handle.

So keep in mind the frequency of washing and the time it will take to dry. The lighter the towel, the lower the weight, while heavier towels measure higher.

• 300 - 400gsm are the lightweights. The fast washing and drying times make them perfect for high-traffic areas in your salon and spa.
• 400 - 600gsm are denser than lightweights. They are absorbent without the extra weight, which makes them durable enough to withstand everyday use.
• 700 - 900gsm towels are the softest and most luxurious but also the densest. They are super absorbent, though dry slowly. They are not the best use for high traffic work.

Common Mistakes That Can Prevent You from Selecting the Best Towel

Poor towel choice will diminish the experience offered in your salon and spa. You'll also have a hard time maintaining their quality.

Avoid these mistakes so you’re more confident in your towel selection:

• Buying cheap instead of buying quality towels can be expensive. Make your purchase more affordable by getting quality with a longer lifespan.
• Choosing one towel type for all your services in the salon and spa instead of selecting the right towel for the right job.
• Failing to assess your towel needs in the salon and spa, which might require different towels for the same station.

Your first impression of a towel can be misleading.

Soft doesn’t always mean quality salon and spa towels, plus the material can be ineffective. Consider investing in superior towels for your business.

Australian Linen Supply can help!

Their extensive product collection has premium-quality salon and spa towels to ensure your clients keep coming back for that spa-experience.

Make sure ALS is your go-to for the best and most durable spa and salon towels at an affordable price.

Feature Image: Freepik Images

Towels are essential for everyday hygiene.

But soft and fluffy towels are the best, aren’t they? The warm and cushy feeling you get from them is priceless.

Nothing puts customers off more than dirty or unkempt accommodation linen in a hotel. That is especially true of towels.

It can damage the reputation of your hotel and ruin your business.

As a hotel owner, you need to invest in at least the following towels:

1. Tea towels. These are for drying up the dishes in the kitchen
2. Hand towels. They keep one’s hands dry.
3. Bath towels. Used for drying off after a shower or bath.

Finding these types of towels shouldn’t be difficult. Australian Linen Supply stock quality and affordable towels in a variety of colours.

Some of their samples include the following:

Coloured Hand Towel

Blue and White Striped Tea Towel

Pearl Indulgence White Bath Towel

Clean, soft, and fluffy towels at your hotel will enhance the experience of your guests. It will also guarantee repeat clients, which is great for any business!

But how do you ensure your hotel towels always remain soft and fluffy?

Here are seven tricks you should know:

• Buy high-quality towels.
• Wash towels in warm water.
• Wash your towels in soft water.
• Dry your towels properly.
• Use vinegar or baking soda.
• Use the right temperatures.

Let’s count backwards.

7. Buy High-Quality Towels

First, you need to buy the right quality towels to maintain them. If you buy towels of poor quality, you will have a hard time keeping them soft and fluffy.

The quality of a towel determines its feel, longevity, and performance.

Choose towels of natural fibres that are soft and absorbent. The preferred material for towels is cotton.

Why?

• Cotton is affordable and easy to find.
• It’s breathable material. Its fibres allow air to penetrate through.
• It’s comfortable. Cotton towels don’t irritate the skin or cause itchiness.
• It’s soft to the skin and even softer after several washes.
• Cotton is a natural fibre. This makes it super absorbent, unlike synthetic fibres.
• It’s versatile, as it offers you a variety of colours and patterns to choose from.
• It’s durable.

Quality towels are not expensive. You only need to buy them from a reputable linen supplier such as Australian Linen Supply.

ALS is a trusted brand known for its quality products. They sell dense towels that are plush and have a luxurious feel.

Besides quality, you get the assurance of a reasonable price. They also deliver within Australia.

Contact them today!

6. Wash Towels in Warm Water

Image from: piqsels

Once you’ve purchased the towels, it’s important to clean them before anyone uses them.

There’s a technique of washing towels. Pay attention to the temperature of the water and use only warm water.

Most towels come with a silicone coating from the manufacturer. This makes them less absorbent. By cleaning them with warm water, you get rid of the coating and maximise their absorbency.

Don’t use hot water because it causes towels to fade, especially coloured ones. It also makes them scratchy. Cold water isn’t a good option either.

There are four main advantages to using warm water:

• It makes it easy for towels to absorb detergents.
• It makes towels look brighter.
• It sanitises the towels and kills germs.
• Detergents dissolve with ease.

5. Wash Your Towels with Soft Water

Don’t use hard water to wash your towels. They lose their soft texture and feel scratchy.

Hard water contains minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium. These minerals combine with detergents to form a layer of froth on the washing.

They make it difficult for towels to get clean. With time, the towels become dull and lose their elasticity.

Detergents don’t work well with hard water. As a result, you have to use lots of detergents, which affects the fluffiness of your towels.

How can you tell if you’re using hard water?

• It weakens the fibres. Hard water causes the fibres of your towels to weaken and tear easily.
• It forms a scum. When hard water combines with detergents, it leaves a layer of dirt (scum) on your towels which doesn’t wash away.
• It’s difficult to rinse the laundry. Hard water makes it difficult for you to rinse out all the detergent from the towels.
• It causes clothes to feel scratchy. Hard water makes your towels stiff and scratchy.

Once you've identified hard water, treat it so it becomes soft water by using a water softener. You can buy this online or in local stores.

4. Use Vinegar or Baking Soda

Avoid fabric softeners. They usually contain silicon, which makes towels less absorbent so they don’t wash well.

Instead, use half a cup of vinegar or baking soda with your towels. Add this to your regular washing detergent.

Watch this video to learn how to wash towels using vinegar.

Vinegar or baking soda is great for various reasons:

• It makes your towels look brighter.
• It loosens up the fibres on your towels, making them soft.
• It gets rid of excess detergent residue.
• It gets rid of odours in the towels, such as sweat or dampness.
• It whitens white towels.
• It keeps your towels fluffy.
• It sets the colour in coloured towels.

Don’t let the strong smell of vinegar put you off. As your towels dry up, the smell disappears.

3. Don’t Mix Towels with Other Loads

When washing towels, don’t mix them with other clothes because they can absorb stains and colour.

Decide on the towels you’ll load in the washing machine per washing. Don’t overload the washing machine.

Overloading the machine puts a strain on it. It prevents your towels from rinsing off all the detergent.

It’s not always possible to know how much of a load is too much for your washing machine by just looking at it.

The diagram below shows the recommended load size.

• Medium load. Usually, a medium load of towels fills the washing machine halfway full.
• Large load. A large load of towels fills the washing machine ¾ full.
• Extra-large load

2. Use the Right Temperatures

When cleaning cotton towels in a washing machine, pay attention to the temperature:

• Use 60°C on white towels.
• Use 40°C for coloured towels so they do not fade.

The same applies when drying towels. Don’t overdry your towels in the dryer.  It will destroy the fibres.

If you dry towels outdoors, do not hang them under direct sunlight.

Don’t iron your towels. Direct heat can damage the fibres and make them less fluffy.

1. Dry Your Towels

Image from: pxfuel

Fabric softeners are a no-no because the towels won’t dry properly. The softener contains silicon, which makes towels less absorbent.

To get rid of the waxy build-up, pick a few tennis balls and throw them in the dryer together with your towels.

As the towels dry up, the balls will bounce around and beat out any lumps, leaving them soft.

Use the regular or automatic cycle on your dryer. This uses high heat to maximise the towels’ fluffiness.

Select the regular or automatic cycle on your dryer. This setting uses high heat to maximise fluffiness on the towels.

Ensure that your towels have fully dried before you take them out of the drier. Don’t store damp towels, as they are prone to mildew.

Once the towels are dry, fold them in attractive shapes and sizes. Here are some stylish ways to fold your towels.

With these hacks, maintaining soft and fluffy towels is as easy as ABC!

Remember, Australian Linen Supply caters for all your linen needs. They are your one-stop shop for all your linens. Get in touch with them.

Feature Image: topntp26

Nobody likes the same cookie-cutter wedding. Every couple wants their wedding to be as unique as a thumbprint.

The small details make a wedding stand out. One such detail is the seating arrangement of your guests.

Deciding who sits where at the wedding can be overwhelming. Don’t plan using a pen and paper because this is tedious.

Take advantage of technology. Use online tools to plan a wedding seating arrangement.

AllSeated, WeddingWire and WeddingMapper are free sites where you can plan the wedding hassle-free.

The first thing guests notice at the reception is the seating arrangement. Personalise it with creative ideas to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Here is how to make playing musical chairs a breeze.

1. Pews and Tree Stumps

Let nature do the talking with pews and tree stumps. These make a beautiful seating arrangement, especially for an outdoor wedding.

Guests sit in the order of their relationship to the bride and groom. Give the couple and bridal party prime vantage point by seating them in the front pews. The close family members follow suit.

In many traditional Christian weddings, wedding planners assign pews to specific guests.

Pews on the right side are for family and friends of the groom. The bride’s family and friends sit at the pews on the left side.

You can have no sides and only reserve the front pews for VIPs. The other guests can sit where they like.

Make sure you seat elderly guests closer to the front and on the aisles. This will ease their movement in and out of the ceremony area.

Leave room for guests with special needs, such as those with wheelchairs. Create space for them at the edge of the pew or tree stumps as long as you don’t block the passage.

2. Bales of Hay

Bales of hay attest to the saying that simple things are the most extraordinary. They are affordable and great for a minimalistic wedding.

Drape the hay bales in a small square tablecloth that matches the theme of the wedding. This will add colour to the setting and also prevent the hay from being too scratchy.

To create some comfort, consider piling up hay bales together to create a couch. Adorn it with big, coloured statement pillows for additional ambience.

Bales of hay are versatile and work in both indoor and outdoor settings. Large rounds of hay, for instance, provide a great background for wedding photos.

3. Circular Seating

In a circular seating setup, arrange chairs in a circle. This requires a good amount of space and is good for outdoor weddings.

The wedding procession circles around a canopy. This enables all guests to see the bridal party as they enter.

This seating arrangement helps you to create a warm and intimate wedding setting. It also provides a great visual angle because the bride and groom face the guests.

4. Half Circle

It is also referred to as a semi-circle seating arrangement. The wedding ceremony takes place in the middle, giving guests a great view.

The seating arrangement is versatile. Guests sit in two groups facing each other in straight or curved rows. Curved rows make the setting more intimate.

Each row can have either an equal number of seats or an increasing number of seats to form a triangle.  Arrange rows to be centred or off-centred.

5. Seating by a Water Feature

This setting allows you to plan diverse ways of seating guests. If the reception is next to a swimming pool, you can sit guests on tables around the pool area.

If the water feature is a waterfall, let guests sit overlooking the water to enjoy a stunning view.

If the reception is by the beach, lay table linen, pillows and cushions on the ground. Let guests sit overlooking the beach to enjoy the cool breeze.

A water feature creates a stunning ambience for your reception. This presents a unique environment which is great for photography.

The photographer will enjoy capturing images in the natural beauty and romantic environment.

6. Vignette Seating

This seating arrangement is modern and quite unique. It helps you accommodate different groups of guests.

The setting creates a variety of opportunities for your guests to sit in small groups. It is intimate and provides an opportunity for conversations.

Mix different tables of different sizes and shapes, such as square and rectangular. This allows you to accommodate different sizes of groups.

7. Lounge Seating

This lounge provides a functional and aesthetic value. It is a laid-back and relaxed setting, great for an evening wedding reception.

It provides comfort to guests who want to take a break away from the dancefloor. It is also ideal for guests who want to hang out and have intimate conversations.

Set the mood using lights and place comfy couches and pods throughout the venue.

8. Family Style Seating

Image from: Welcome to our photo gallery!

This style is perfect for venues that have narrow spaces. Ditch the usual round tables and opt for elongated tables.

This arrangement allows you to seat many guests together in one table. Make use of long tables that can accommodate 30 to 50 guests.

The setting is intimate. Guests face each other at the table, making it easy to have conversations.

It is suitable for a casual and formal setting for both indoor and outdoor settings.

The long tables make it easy to decorate using centrepieces and table runners. Place your best china and silverware on the dinner table and match them with napkins.

Impress your guests with unique styles for folding napkins.

Watch this video to learn unique ways to fold napkins:

9. Rotating Bride and Groom

Image from: GreatCaesar

In this setting, the bride and groom interact with their guests. They move from one table to another and spend some time with the guests.

On each table, two people move aside to allow the bride and groom to sit for some time.

The setting requires prior arrangement. You must give advance notice to the two people moving at each table.

Have large round tables that accommodate 10 to 15 guests as opposed to many small round tables of four to six guests. This will enable the couple to sit at each table.

If there are too many tables, the bride and groom may not get the chance sit at every table.

10. Criss Cross Seating

The criss-cross seating plan is dynamic, unique and is bound to capture the gaze of your guests.

It is ideal for a bold and elegant evening reception. Use long, rectangular-shaped tables and arrange them to form an X.

To pull off this seating arrangement, use a ballroom venue. It has an expansive space.

For your decor, choose elegant linen. Blend its colours with hanging lights and crystal chandeliers. This will help you achieve harmony in its look.

11.Winding tables

This seating arrangement is great for an outdoor reception. It can also work inside a barn for a rustic-themed wedding.

Arrange long tables to meander, giving the setting an elegant look.

This is an intimate setting. Guests sit in proximity, allowing room for conversation.

Because of the intimate setting, beware of existing feuds and keep guests apart who don’t get along.

Place guests next to people they know and can get along with. This will provide room for interactions even as they enjoy the wedding.

Do not play cupid on guests by placing singles together. Seat them next to people of the same age group and let conversations flow.

12. U-Shaped Seating

Many people also know it as a horseshoe seating plan. Arrange long tables to form a letter U. It is ideal for a small, intimate wedding with few guests.

Keep the inside of the horseshoe empty so waiters can have ample space to serve guests.

When done with dining, use the space for dancing or for people to stand when making speeches.

This style has a warm and friendly communal feel. Guests get a view of everyone.

Match your unique seating arrangements with linen from Australian Linen Supply.

Why Australian Linen Supply?

• They stock linen of various patterns, colours and styles.
• They are affordable.
• They offer free delivery within Australia

Contact your local supplier today!

Feature Image: freepic-diller

“Setting tables is all about making it prepared for what is to come.” — Paul Bolles-Beaven.

A restaurant owner should care that guests receive a good experience on their premises. This enhances the success of a business.

Table setting is a key part of a guest’s experience at the restaurant.

Your dinner tables are more than a place to eat. The way you set them tells guests what type of dining experience to expect from your restaurant.

When setting tables, deciding on the tablecloths to use can be difficult. To begin with, you need to understand how tablecloths can transform your restaurant.

• Using tablecloths brightens tables and the entire room. They give you more decorating options because they come in a variety of colours.
• Quality tablecloths protect your tables from stains and hide scratches and nicks.
• They minimise noise at the dinner tables between the cutlery, tableware and glassware.
• They create a positive dining experience for guests at a restaurant. A survey on diners showed that tablecloths have a positive effect on the perception of food and ambience at a restaurant.

So, how do you make a choice about which shape of tablecloths to use in your restaurant?

Round Tablecloths

Image from: pxhere

The shape of your dinner tables determines the tablecloths to use. Use round tablecloths on round tables.

Round tablecloths are versatile. They are used for weddings, corporate functions and cocktail parties. You can use different colours to suit your theme.

To create an intimate setting in your restaurant, use round tables. Place tablecloths that match this setting. Australian Linen Supply stocks tablecloths of different colours.

Some examples include:

Black Round Tablecloth

White Round Tablecloth

To bring some flair to your round tablecloths, use overlays. They are an easy and affordable way to add colour and texture to round tablecloths.

For instance, if your tablecloth is brown, place a white square overlay on top as shown below.

Brown square tablecloth covered with white, square overlay. Image from: Verena Hehn

Watch this video and see how to add overlays to round tablecloths:

How to Work Out Your Round Tablecloth Sizes

Round tables come in different sizes. When choosing the size of your tablecloths, pay attention to the diameter of the tables.

Consider setting up your restaurant with round tables of different sizes. This will accommodate different groups of guests.

The diameter of the table determines its size and the number of people who will sit per table. The bigger the diameter, the higher the number of guests it can accommodate.

For instance, a table that is 90 centimetres in diameter can seat four guests while one that is 120 centimetres will seat six guests.

If you are hosting a cocktail party at your restaurant, use cocktail tables. You can have a tablecloth with a sash of a different colour to brighten up your cocktail parties.

The sash gives your event a chic look. It also helps the tablecloths from blowing in the breeze, especially if the event is outdoors.

When sashing a cocktail table, use a tablecloth that is one size larger than what you need. Sashing causes the tablecloth to lift at the bottom, which exposes the legs of the table.

A tablecloth that is one size larger allows the extra fabric to cover the legs of the table even after the clinch.

A cocktail table with a sash. Image from: Hans

The Drop

A drop is the length that a tablecloth hangs below the surface.

The drop of your tablecloths sets the tone and atmosphere of the restaurant. It lets guests know if the setting is casual or formal.

There are three kinds of drops:

1. Full Drop

Image from: Jacques Bopp

Usually, a full drop is common in a formal setting such as a wedding banquet. The drop goes down to the height of the table and is between 20 to 30 centimetres.

2. Half Drop

Image from: Quang Nguyen Vinh

A half drop is popular in casual settings. The drop is usually short enough to rest above the laps of guests. A standard drop for a casual setting is 15 to 20 centimetres.

3. Puddle Drop

Image from: Josh Appel

This differs from a full drop. Puddle drops go beyond the height of the table and allow the tablecloth to puddle on the floor. It is often used on elegant occasions.

It is easy to trip on a puddle drop because it is long. So, when hosting an event, consider a puddle drop tablecloth on tables not used for dining. An example is your gift table at a wedding.

To calculate your drop, take the length of your linen (L) and subtract your table’s height (H) then divide by 2. Drop = (L-H) ÷ 2

For example: If your linen (L) is 300 centimetres and the height of your table is 150 centimetres, your drop would be 75 centimetres. (300 - 150) ÷ 2 = 75

NB: 75 centimetres is the standard full drop, and anything over 75 centimetres is a puddle drop

Square Tablecloths

Image from: Ruslan Keba

Use square tablecloths on square tables and knockdown cocktail tables. They also work on round tables.

At first glance, it is easy to assume that a square tablecloth can never fit on a round table because it has a different shape. How wrong!

Square tablecloths are suitable for formal and casual settings.

Here are some tips to consider when using square tablecloths on round tables:

• Join two square tablecloths.

  For the tablecloth to fit the entire table, join two pieces together. Ensure all the edges are even. Uneven edges will be distracting to guests.

• Tie the corners of your tablecloth.

  This will ensure your tablecloth sits well on the table and doesn’t keep moving.

• Opt for stretchable linens.

  Use tablecloths made of fabric that can stretch. This will allow the tablecloth to cover the whole table.

• Use extra long tablecloths.

  Use extra-long square tablecloths and fold them so they fit on your round tables. You can use clips or fasteners to prevent the tablecloth from hanging.

How to Work Out Your Square Tablecloth Size

There are different lengths of tablecloths suitable for formal and casual settings.

For a formal setting, use tablecloths between 45 to 80 centimetres longer than the diameter of the table.

For a casual setting, use tablecloths between 30 to 50 centimetres longer than the diameter of the table.

When calculating the drop, first take the measurements of the square table from one side. Subtract the table length from the linen length and then divide by two.

To calculate your drop for a square table, take the length of your linen (L) and subtract your table’s width (W) then divide by 2. Drop = (L-W) ÷ 2

For example: If your linen (L) is 260 centimetres and the width (W) of your table is 120 centimetres, your drop would be 70 centimetres. (260 - 120) ÷ 2 = 70

This is considered a full drop.

A Few Things to Remember

When buying tablecloths, do not compromise on the quality of the fabric. Always choose high-quality fabric over cost. At first, this may seem expensive, but high-quality linens will serve you for a long time.

Polyester, for example, is a great choice of fabric for tablecloths. It is elegant, durable, machine-washable and wrinkle-free. This will set your restaurant apart from competitors.

Buy commercial linen because it will last longer than linen for personal use.

Even the best quality tablecloths will do you no good if they are not well-maintained. Keep them clean and steamed.

Also, iron them from the reverse side of the fabric and make sure they are nicely folded before storing. If you maintain your tablecloths well, they will serve you for a long time.

Now you know everything there is to know about round and square tablecloths. Go ahead and impress your guests with the perfect tablecloths for your restaurant.

Australian Linen Supply caters for all your table linen needs. They stock good quality tablecloths in a variety of shapes and colours. They also deliver within Australia.

Get in touch with them today!

Feature Image: WikiPedia