What is the table - show a photo. Is this for a dining room table or a kitchen table?

I have to be honest and say we are thinking of getting rid of our table cloths. We never use them, and they take up space, and need to be laundered after using. We were recently at a dinner for 12, and the hostess had beautiful magazine-worthy table settings and floral centerpieces, but no table cloth. And at Christmastime we were invited to a home that is on the local historic preservation list. 10' ceilings, moldings, grand dining room with chandelier, but the table did not have a tablecloth - I know this because I took photos of the dining room and table because it was quite beautiful.

Oh, it’s just an ikea table. But, when I have pot lucks, I just want something that I can lay out because I use the table for many things and don’t want to ruin it. I just need one decent tablecloth that is low maintenance.

I think it is in the nature of all fabric table cloths to wrinkle after washing. Most people don't use table cloths unless they are extremely *formal* because you do have to minimally iron them in order for them not to look a bad sad.

What are you worried about - is it that when you set out food at a potluck the dishes will mar the surface because they won't be on the protective areas? I bought very large thick mats which I use to set out food to protect my table and also have small mats to be used at individual place settings.

What about a wipeable table cloth - google "oil cloth table cloths" and some charming patterned ones pop up. You could also just get a plain white one.

A bonus to using a non-cloth tablecloth with a protective plastic coating is that it is more water proof than cloth. I grew up with formal linen table cloths and those were used with custom table pads under them because the table cloths themselves weren't adequate to protect the wood surface

https://www.findthisbest.com/best-tablecloths/oilcloth

How about an alternative to a table cloth? Multiple runners...

Glass top?

A polyester blend won't wrinkle as badly.

Julie, thank you very much. So, the oil table cloth won’t stain and I can just wipe it down and re-use in the future?? That’s perfect. ♥️

I hear you. i had a wood table and two kids and it was really bad. Finally we bought a house and i couldnt stand to look at that table anymore so i got a new metal table that they cant destroy and didnt want scratches on it. i am a huge fan of the Chilewich placemats and they also make cut to order table covers (and i love their door mats!). they simply wash in the sink after dinner. you can also find similar more affordable options in amazon. i also just have about 5 fabric tablecloths from target and dont care about the wrinkles. they only stay on the table about a day or two anyways with kids and no one else sees them.

Oil cloth or vinyl wipe down. The better ones generally have flannel backing on the underside. I wouldn't leave them on all the time but they are fine for the kind of situations you are describing which would be casual and not formal dinner parties.

Obviously if someone spills a whole glass of liquid one should take immediate action but they protect a table from normal drips and drops.

You would still want to use a trivel if you are putting hot stuff on the table.

Thank you, Helen!! I started looking for oil cloth last night. I found what I think is a website with decent quality oil cloth: https://www.nordicnest.com/tableware/dining--table-accessories/oilcloths/

Though, they charge a shipping fee to the US. I’m curious if you’ve had luck purchasing decent oilcloth online and whether you have recommendations?

I haven’t bought one in many years. The Marimekko ones you linked to are fabulous and were iconic designs of the mid century modern. I had a Rya rug in my bedroom

If I were you I would just go ahead and order them unless you can google "Nordic oil cloth tablecloths" and find a US distributor.

FWIW I got some fabulous large Kim Seybert "chargers" which I use instead of trivets and also as chargers to some extent. They are very heavy plastic and have little feet on the bottom. I wouldn't use a pot off the stove but they are great for normal serving pieces that are moderately warm because they have warm food and also for take out containers :-)

She has fabulously beautiful stuff - I only wish my lifestyle was such that I actually needed more than a few pieces.

https://kimseybert.com/collections/spring-22?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmPSSBhCNARIsAH3cYgbBSdRfBzg8BuogmGSnIpSMTdihN5TfDhu4XXqPaNuJlZ1N5aqWZyEaAp2bEALw_wcB

I have tablecloths that have to be ironed and although pretty, I hate them. I bought tablecloths several years ago from Linen-N-Things when they had a storefront. They are white and are polyester/cotton. Machine washable and you can bleach if needed. I put one of the foam backed vinyl pads, cut to fit the table, under them. It is great!

If I want the table to look really nice, I use them. (I have two sizes, one without the leaves and one without. I also bought napkins to match.)

They are permanent press and can take hot water if needed. NO IRON!

M, that website looks like a great source! I think I'm going to order a few tablecloths there. My current favorite source for oilcloths is Etsy. Huge selection to choose from, in all kinds of styles.

If there is a restaurant supply near you, many sell to the public. The tablecloths they stock tend to be easy care (no ironing) and sturdy, as well as inexpensive.

Mcarroll16, I saw oilcloth on Etsy. I assumed they were just rolls of oilcloth instead of actually tablecloth. I’ll look again! Thank you. 😁

Etsy is full of treated fabric and finished tablecloths, which is confusing. Hope you find some great things!

Crate & Barrel has very nice tablecloths in many sizes and colors. Their table linens are of excellent quality.

We use a table cloth every day because our dining table is very old and we can’t risk hot dishes, wet rings or spills. We use white pure cotton damask cloths. They are infinitely washable but they do need ironing. We also use a felt pad under it to protect the marquetry. Our cloths are all old family cloths but you can get them online from restaurant suppliers.

Another fan of Crate and Barrel table linens. Look for 100% cotton. They used to have some Marimekko designs, which were beautiful. I usually wash, dry and store on a hanger, no ironing involved. Good luck.