I personally don't set out the extra silverware if I'm not serving soup,salad,fish,etc. It's perfectly correct not to.If you want to know exactly where everything goes on your table,here are 2 pretty good sites that show you the correct way to set a table.

http://www.smpub.com/setatable/setatable.html

http://members.cox.net/trumansonline/howtosetatable.html

Susan

Put out only what you will use for the meal. The flatware is put out in the order in which it will be used. For example, if you're serving a salad the salad fork will be to the left of the dinner fork on the left side of the plate. If you're serving soup, the soup spoon goes beside the teaspoon on the far right side.

The water glass, or goblet, should always be at the tip of the dinner fork with the wine goblet(s) to the right of the water glass.

I follow the KISS rule. Use as little as possible to set a nice table!

Just got this in an email today, you might enjoy seeing it since it addresses tablesetting and has a free guide. Luvs

Here is a link that might be useful: tablesetting guide

"K.I.S.S" ! I'm with Bonnie, I put out only what I know we'll use. As nice as a totally set table looks, it's a P.I.A to clear it all off afterwards ;^P
Lynn

We always put out only what we'll be using, but in many of your pictures, I see several spoons and forks. I thought maybe you always put everything out, but I guess many of you are serving all those courses.

Thanks for the answers, and the links.- Gail

I put out just what we will use....... with one exception.... I always give everyone a teaspoon. You never know when you'll need that handy-dandy little jem to help a child, scrape up a drip, get the last dab of something delish....etc..