Is Colourful or White Table Linen Better for Your Restaurant?
There are many important decisions a restaurant owner has to make. One of them is the colour of the table linen they will use.
Tables are much more than functional pieces in a restaurant; they have an aesthetic value.
A key element of decor in any restaurant is the linen used on tables. It sends a powerful message to your guests about the service and dining experience to expect.
To gain a competitive edge over your competitors, pay attention to your table linen.
In a study on how tablecloths affect food perceptions, participants attributed the use of tablecloths to the following:
- Their preference for the appetiser, consuming the first course upon arrival and the general quality of the meal.
- Better service, ambience and overall experience at the restaurant.
- Three-quarters of the participants involved considered the table linen an important element when indulging at the restaurant.
Who knew tablecloths could have such an enormous impact?
No wonder choosing a colour for your tablecloths can be difficult! There’s so much to consider.
Let’s explore the benefits of colourful and white table linen.
Benefits of Coloured Table Linen
Image from: Peggy_Marco
What’s in a colour?
It Has a Psychological Effect
Colour affects the choice of food and money spent at a restaurant.
Colourful tablecloths create an impression on guests with little effort. It also influences moods by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that puts guests at ease.
When people relax at a restaurant, they stay there longer and often spend more money. This makes colour great for business.
It Is Conspicuous
Coloured linen is eye-catching and grabs your attention from a distance. It transforms not only the dinner tables but also the room.
Keep colour theory in mind when picking coloured linen. For instance, to achieve a dramatic look, combine red and black or burgundy and gold.
If balanced well, your coloured linen can be a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Creates a Signature Look
Pick table linen in colours that match your brand. This will create a signature look that is memorable to your guests.
The colours of your linens should complement and not clash with your brand colours. This will make it easy for guests to identify your brand.
Benefits of White Table Linen
Timeless and Trendy
White linen gives a restaurant a fashionable look. It’s simple, classic and never goes out of style no matter the season.
It’s also versatile, which gives you a wide selection of aesthetic options. You can accessorise your white table linen to suit your desired setting.
Easy to Maintain
White linen doesn’t fade and gives the appearance of freshness. You don’t have to worry about the risk of your linen fading from several washes.
It’s easy to replace white table linen after wear and tear. The risk of not getting an exact match and having different shades of white is minimal.
Easy to Clean
Table linen in a restaurant is washed daily to keep them clean and spotless. This is especially important for white linen.
White linen is easy to clean as one load in the washing machine. You don’t have to worry about the threat of colour running.
Although white napkins and tablecloths are prone to stains, it is easy to spot the stains. Here are five steps to treat stains on your linen:
- Step 1. Get rid of the stains while they are still fresh.
- Step 2. Pour some powdered artificial sweetener on the stain. If you don’t have this, use lemon juice. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on the stained part of the fabric.
- Step 3. Take a basin of hot water and soak the pre-treated table linen for at least eight hours.
- Step 4. Run the soaked linen on a short cycle in hot water in your washing machine. Don’t use the long cycle, as this will add pressure on the already delicate linen and weaken the fabric further.
- Step 5. Hang it outside in the sun without wringing. Wringing will cause wrinkles.
Other Factors to Consider
You can’t pick table linen for your restaurant without bearing in mind the following:
The Theme of the Restaurant
Linen sends a message to guests about the elegance of the meal or how casual it will be. It needs to match the theme of your restaurant, which can either be casual (informal) or fine dining (formal).
Coloured table linen goes best with a casual theme. Don’t shy away from using tablecloths with bold colours, patterns and shapes. It creates some visual interest.
If your restaurant has a formal theme, use a monochromatic colour scheme such as white.
White brings out the elegant, fine dining look of a formal setting. Match white tablecloth with white napkins or a subtle pastel colour.
The Shape of Tables
Tablecloths are available in a variety of shapes, such as rectangle, square and round. Choose those that match the shape of your tables.
If you’re setting up a buffet table, table skirtsare a better option than tablecloths. You can also use overlays if you want an elegant look.
Australian Linen Supply stocks quality tablecloths, skirts and overlays of different shapes.
Here are some samples:
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The Size of the Tables
Pick the right size of the tablecloths to match your tables. The sight of a loose-fitting tablecloth is unappealing.
To find out the size of the tablecloth to buy, measure the length and width of your table. Then add twice the desired drop to each dimension.
For instance, the length of your table could be 60 centimetres wide and 120 centimetres long. You would like a 25 centimetre drop on each side, so you will add 50 centimetres to each dimension.
60cm + 25cm = 85cm wide
120cm + 25cm = 145cm long
In a formal setting, tablecloths should hang down between 25cm to 30cm. For a casual setting, your tablecloth should hang down between 15cm to 20cm.
The Fabric of the Tablecloth
Choose quality tablecloths that protect your furniture and add ambience to the restaurant.
Table linen is in use daily. Its fabric should be easy to wash, withstand several washes and wrinkle resistant.
Go for natural fibres such as cotton or linen. They are durable, absorbent, and have a luxurious look. Linen is a common material for tablecloths and napkins.
If you have a buffet table, consider placing a skirt on it made of polyester. Buffets are prone to a lot of spillages and you need a fabric that is easy to clean and durable.
At this point, setting tables with colourful or white table linen should be a piece of cake to you, right? Go ahead and impress your guests!
For all your table linen needs, head over to Australian Linen Supply today!
Feature Image: Rene Asmussen
