Six Ways to Transform Your Restaurant Table Setting with a Table Runner

January 22, 2020

Australia has a reputation for world-class dining!

As a restaurant owner in Australia, you compete with other restaurants daily. Each one is striving to deliver a great dining experience for guests. It’s a cut-throat business.

A big part of the dining experience is the table setting. We all can attest to enjoying dining at a restaurant with good ambience.

If you do your table setting well, it can attract new guests to your restaurant and keep existing ones.

But keeping up with changing trends is tedious and expensive. As a business owner, you want to maximise profits and reduce expenses.

Why not give table runners a try?

A table runner is a narrow length of cloth placed on a bare table or on top of a tablecloth on the dinner table.

Table runners have several advantages:

They are a simple and affordable way to give tables a fresh and modern look.
They offer a protective measure. A runner protects the table surface from spills, food droppings and hot dishes placed on them.
They are versatile. They come in different patterns, colours, and textures, giving you a wide range of decor to work with.
They are easy to wash and need little maintenance.
They are light and easy to store.

Table runners came about from the need to catch spills and food that dropped on tablecloths. Today, people use them for aesthetics, too.

You can place them on the table in different creative ways. Here are six ways to do it.

Let’s count backwards.

6. Table Runner with Tablecloth

person fixing the tablecloth Image from: freepik

Diners spend a huge part of their time sitting down in the restaurant. So, why not give them something beautiful to look at?

A runner with a stunning colour will spur some interest and conversation from guests. Make use of bright colours and patterns, as they make the table inviting.

This is a good way to introduce a specific theme to your tables, especially when hosting an event. It works well for wedding banquets or cocktail parties.

A striking contrasting colour may be what you need to add life to your place setting. By using a table runner that contrasts the colour of the tablecloth, it will stand out.

Be mindful of the length of your table runner. Ensure you align it with your tablecloth so they are of equal length.

5. Table Runner on Bare Tables

wedding table setup with flower on the top Image from: Laurie Gouley

Bored with the same old look, why not try a runner on bare tables?

A table runner on a bare table adds some colour to the dinner table. Use matching napkins to blend your place setting.

Bare tables give you an opportune time to use your runners with centrepieces. Place them in line with your runners and keep them eye-catching.

Here are three ways you can keep your centrepieces outstanding:

Mix tall and short centrepieces. Tall centrepieces add elegance to the dinner table. Short ones allow room for conversation without blocking your guest’s view. If your dinner table is long, mix tall and short centrepieces to create some harmony.
Place centrepieces that match the shape of your table. Rectangular tables have more space in the centre than round ones. Use a single centrepiece for your round tables.
If you have rectangular tables, use several centrepieces. However, be careful not to overcrowd the table. Leave some room for a place setting.
Consider placing flowers as centrepieces. Flowers are classic and using coloured ones will lighten up the room. Go for flowers available all year long. These are affordable.

Don’t worry about ruining your tables with hot dishes. Protect the tables from damage by placing your hot pans on a heat-resistant runner. You can get these from Australian Linen Supply.

A runner on a bare table should drop down at 6 inches on either side. To achieve this, take the measurement of your table’s longest dimension and add 30 centimetres to your runner.

4. Widthwise Placement of a Short Table Runner

red and white dining table setup Image from: Valeria Boltneva

These runners are usually narrower and shorter than those placed lengthwise.

This style is less common and requires about two to four short table runners to create rows on a table. The runners serve as placemats. They separate each place setting, especially when using long tables.

A good widthwise table runner should be one-fourth of the width of your table. Its length should be 30 centimetres longer than the table.

3. Seasonally-Themed Table Runner

green and red christmas table setting Image from: Nick Amoscato

Christmas-themed table runner

You know what they say: Your seasonal dining is only as good as the table runner underneath it. Okay, they don’t say this. But a beautiful setup makes your guests feel special.

Themed table runners help you create the seasonal feel. You can use them for holidays such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas.

Add a modern textural element to your tables by placing succulents and green plants on your runner.

2. Table Runner in an X Pattern

white black tablecloth with runner Image from: Frans Van Heerden

This style is proof that a great table runner is a foundation for a beautiful tablescape.

Place two table runners across each other through the centre of the dinner table. The runners form a letter x, adding an interesting element to your tables.

Use the intersection as an opportunity to highlight a beautiful centrepiece. Pick one that blends in the bold colour of your runner.

1. Table Runner on Round Tables

white round table with a runner Image from: Courtney Pindling

The shape of your dinner table should not limit your decor.

There is nothing odd about using table runners on round tables. Many restaurants host events that have round tables.

To achieve a good table setting, place your table runner against a tablecloth. Add fresh colour to your table using a runner with bright colours.

Also, consider a runner in a different fabric from that of your tablecloth. It will bring texture to your setting.

For round tables, keep the runner at one-third the diameter of your table. Its length should be 30 centimetres longer than the table.

Finally, Become an Authority on Table Runners

Picking the right table runners can be a daunting task. You have so many options to choose from.

Yet, the right table linen is important because it sets the tone for your restaurant. With these tips and tricks, making that choice should be a piece of cake.

Size. The size of the runner will depend on the length and width of the tables. For example, when buying lengthwise table runners, they should be ⅓ the width of the table. The length should be 30 centimetres longer than the table.

For widthwise table runners, they should be ¼ the width of the table and 30 centimetres longer than the table’s length.
Material. Table runners come in a variety of fabrics: cotton, linen, silk, lace, embroidery and many others. The options are endless!

Your choice of fabric needs to match the rest of your restaurant's decor or the theme of the occasion.

Silk and lace table runners are delicate; use them on special occasions. Cotton and linen table runners are durable and designed for commercial use. They are best for everyday use in the restaurant.

Table runners don’t need to be fabric. They can be made of natural objects. For example, a rustic-themed wedding might use table runners made of leaves and twigs. It will make the theme come alive.
Colour. With so many beautiful colours and patterns, where do you start? Choose table runners in colours that bring elegance to your restaurant.

Don’t be afraid to pick table runners in patterns that have bold or many colours. They add some oomph to your table decor. They also give you a range of options when table setting for different occasions.
Budget. Every restaurant owner is looking to save a coin when it comes to their expenses. You can do so by purchasing your table runners from a linen supplier that is affordable.

Finding affordable and good quality linen in Australia is not difficult. Just shop at Australian Linen Supply. You will love their products and great customer service.