Dining Room/Tablecloth/Runner??

Miss TKO 2015

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I just set my dining table back up in the dining room and its time to decorate the room. The table is 46x100 with one of its leaves in it, I like to leave it in at this size.

I have a few questions...

1) do you like to leave a tablecloth on it all the time? we inherited the table and it's a bit reddish-y wood (i'd prefer darker, more brown, but not happening) so I'm thinking a tablecloth might tone down the reddishness of it.

2) can you use a runner on top of a tablecloth or is it one or the other?

3) what size runner for 100 long? are they supposed to hang off the ends or float in the middle?

This is really the first time I have a formal dining room, and I'm so not formal so I have no idea! Also on the list is drapes (ugh, another I have no idea) and nicer faux flowers for the vases and a new tablecloth and runner -- I need a shorter tablecloth, I don't like how much it hangs down on the short ends.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

LynnNM

9 years ago

Oh my goodness, what a lovely table! If it were me, I would not cover it up with a tablecloth, but would just use a runner instead. My own dining room table is nine and a half long and the only time I use a tablecloth on it is occasionally when entertaining with an entire table full of guests. My runners, and I have many of them, run anywhere from four feet to 6 feet long. Although we're empty nesters now, we still eat at our dining room table Sunday through Thursday evenings, as well as for weekend breakfast and some lunches. Then, we use individual placements. It's probably just me, but I hate to see beautiful tables covered up with a tablecloth.

As for a centerpiece on such a long table, you might want look for something larger for your central focal point and then flank it with candles.

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Comments (7)

User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I really like your table! I'd use a runner and let the beautiful wood shine when not in use.

My DR table has a runner right now and it reaches about 4" from the ends, so it does "float" a bit.

Also, I'd style the table pieces a bit differently. Tall piece in the middle flanked by lower pieces.
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User
9 years ago
What a pretty table! IMO you can use a runner on top of a tablecloth or you can use a runner on a table. But if it were mine, I would at most put only a runner on it.
ck_squared
9 years ago
No tablecloth! When we had a dining room table, I left it uncovered with a centerpiece. Sometimes I'd have a runner that floated if the leaves were left in (most often had at least 1 of the 2 leaves in all the time). I think tablecloths should be reserved for meals only. Otherwise, why have a beautiful wood table???
zorroslw1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I agree, don't cover that beautiful wood. Use a runner that does not go all the way over the ends. Cheaper too:)
Holly- Kay
9 years ago
That really is a pretty table. I wouldn't cover it.
annac54
9 years ago
Beautiful table, and no I wouldn't cover it unless you were having a meal with a lot of people. Most runners available are 72" so you could use one that size. For the center, find an oval or rectangular vase or other object for the center. You could flank that with candles. Don't limit yourself to flowers either. There are a lot of interesting things you can use for a centerpiece that don't cost a lot of money. Just depends on your style.