This might be something I know just because my mother made us set the table every night in the correct manner, but it still surprises me when people can’t set a table properly. I think this is an important part of any dinner whether it is for a party or just for your family. Thoughtfully setting the table is a subtle way to welcome your guests and show that you care for them.

When I was in college I had an accounting professor who always drilled it into our brains that debits are on the left, and credits are on the right of a balance sheet. He would have us yell at the beginning of every class, “Debits are on the LEFT, credits are on the RIGHT!”

So today I want you to right here and now yell with me, “Forks on the LEFT, knives on the RIGHT!” I’m just kidding. You would look crazy doing that. But really, whether your fork is on the left of the plate and your knife is on the right, or you have both on the left of the plate, the knife should always be right of the fork. There is a logical reason to this too based on table manners. One more thing to note - the sharp edge of the knife should always face left.

The other directions you need to know are this - bread plates and napkins on the left (unless you are folding them prettily on the plate), spoons and drinks on the right.

The other thing to know about setting a table is that if you have multiple courses, you always start on the outside and work your way in. Meaning, if there is a salad before dinner, the smaller fork for salad should be on the outside of the larger dinner fork.
The exception to this is if there is dessert. Any dessert forks or spoons should be placed at the top of your place setting.
This picture is a great cheat-sheet in case you ever need it!

Setting a table in this manner not only shows that you know what you’re doing, but it is meant to be helpful for how people eat. They will pick up their drink with their right hand so it makes sense to have that on the right. When you hold your knife and fork, the fork goes in your left hand while you cut with your right. LOGIC!

When Julia Roberts goes to a fancy dinner in Pretty Woman and is unprepared for the intricate table setting, or Ariel from the Little Mermaid thought a fork was a “dinglehopper” and brushes her hair, it was embarrassing!

I never want you to be in that situation. So practice setting your table and you will never forget it.

“Know the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” - Pablo Picasso