How to Choose a Tablecloth: Size, Drop and Fabric

How to Choose a Tablecloth: Size, Drop and Fabric

Measure your table's length and width first, then decide how far you want the tablecloth to hang. Add twice that drop to each measurement and you have your cloth size. The fabric, the pattern and the layering come after, and they're the part most people enjoy.

This guide walks through the measuring, the drop, a size chart for common Canadian tables, and how to choose a cloth that washes well and looks better the longer you use it.

• Start with your table size
• How to work out the drop
• A quick size chart
• Choosing a fabric
• Block print, gingham, stripes and resist prints
• Layering a tablecloth with runners, napkins and placemats
• Care and washing
• Tablecloth sizes for a Canadian dining room
• Frequently Asked Questions

Start with your table size

Grab a soft tape measure and measure the tabletop itself, not the legs or the chairs. Write the numbers down in inches, since most tablecloth sizes are listed that way, and note the metric figure if you think in centimetres. One inch is 2.54 cm.

Rectangular tables. Measure the full length along the longest edge, then the width across the middle. If the table has leaves, measure with the leaves in or out, whichever way you use it most. If you host often, measure both and keep a second cloth in mind.

Round tables. Measure the diameter straight across the centre. Round tables only need one number.

Oval tables. Measure length and width exactly as you would for a rectangle. Oval tables take a rectangular cloth. The corners fall softly over the curved ends and look relaxed, which suits an oval table far better than a stiff round cloth that never quite fits.

Check the height as well if you plan a longer drop. A standard dining table sits about 30 inches (76 cm) off the floor, and that number matters when you get to floor-length cloths.

How to work out the drop

The drop is the length of fabric that hangs below the tabletop edge. Choosing the drop sets the tablecloth size, so decide on it before you shop.

The formula is simple: cloth size = table size + 2 x drop. You add the drop twice because the cloth hangs over both sides of each dimension.

There are three standard drops:

• 8 inches (20 cm): casual and everyday. The cloth clears the tabletop edge and stays well above your lap, so it suits weeknight dinners and kitchen tables.
• 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm): the classic dining drop. It reads as dressed without being formal, and it still keeps clear of chair seats.
• 15 inches (38 cm) to floor-length: a formal or buffet look. A 15-inch drop covers the table apron. Floor-length on a 30-inch table means roughly a 30-inch drop, and it works best for buffets and serving tables where nobody needs to tuck in a chair.

Here's a worked example. A table that's 72 inches long and 38 inches wide, with a 10-inch drop, needs a cloth of at least 92 x 58 inches (72 + 20 and 38 + 20). You rarely find that exact size, so go to the nearest cloth that's slightly larger, never smaller. A cloth that's too short looks like a mistake. One that's an inch or two long just looks generous.

A drop that lands in the middle of the chair seat catches on cushions and bunches when people sit. If you're between sizes, aim for a drop that clears the seat completely or one that reaches the floor.

A quick size chart

These sizes use typical Canadian dining tables and show the cloth you'd need at an 8-inch and a 10-inch drop. Treat the "closest standard size" as a guide, since cloth makers list their own dimensions.

Rectangular tablecloth sizes

Seats	Typical table (in)	Cloth at 8 in drop	Cloth at 10 in drop	Closest standard size
4	48 x 36	64 x 52	68 x 56	60 x 70
6	72 x 38	88 x 54	92 x 58	60 x 90
8	96 x 40	112 x 56	116 x 60	60 x 120
10	108 x 42	124 x 58	128 x 62	70 x 132

Round tablecloth sizes

Seats	Table diameter (in)	Cloth at 8 in drop	Cloth at 10 in drop
2 to 4	36	52	56
4	48	64	68
6	60	76	80
8	72	88	92

For round tables, many people use a square cloth on a smaller round table for a diamond-corner look. Choose a square whose side is at least the table diameter plus 16 inches.

Choosing a fabric

A tablecloth lives a hard life. It gets hot dishes set near it, wine, candle wax, small hands, and a wash every few weeks. The fabric decides whether you enjoy that or dread it.

Cotton-linen blend, linen and cotton

A cotton-linen blend is my first recommendation for most households. Linen brings texture and a lovely drape, while cotton adds softness and takes the edge off linen's tendency to crease hard. A 50/50 blend resists creasing better than pure linen, washes without fuss, and softens with every cycle. That's why a washable tablecloth in a blend is the one people still use a decade later.

Linen on its own is cool, slightly slubby and beautifully relaxed. Pure linen wrinkles, and that's part of the charm, but if you want a cloth that looks pressed all evening, it asks for more attention. Enzyme washed linen is worth seeking out. The enzyme wash softens the fibre before it reaches you, so the cloth feels lived-in from the first use instead of stiff and papery.

Cotton is the easiest to live with. It's smooth, familiar and takes print well. If you're searching for a cotton tablecloth in Canada, check the weight as well as the fibre. A heavier weave hangs better and hides a shadow of the table beneath it.

Indaba's tablecloths sit around $250 to $275 CAD, which reflects the handwork in each one. The Briar Block Print Tablecloth, for example, is a forest green paisley-inspired print on a natural cotton-linen blend (50% cotton, 50% linen).

What hand block printing looks like

A hand block printed cloth is made by pressing a carved wooden block, inked by hand, onto the fabric, one repeat at a time. The result has character that machine printing can't copy.

Expect soft colour variation from one repeat to the next. Expect a motif that sits very slightly off from its neighbour, or an edge that's a touch lighter where the block met the cloth with less pressure. These small print irregularities are the mark of hand printing, not a fault. If a block print looked perfectly uniform, it would be worth asking how it was made.

Block print, gingham, stripes and resist prints

Indaba's tablecloths fall into four pattern families, and each behaves differently on a table.

Block print is the largest family, with names like Leila, Ritika, Nandini, Botanique, Marigold and Poppy. Florals, paisley-inspired motifs and tropical prints sit here. They add warmth and movement, and they're forgiving, because a busy print hides crumbs and the odd splash.

Gingham is the friendliest pattern for a kitchen table. The Salinas Gingham Tablecloth in grey and turquoise reads fresh and a little coastal, and it pairs easily with almost anything.

Stripes suit long tables because they lead the eye down the length of the cloth. The Sun Stripe Block Print Tablecloth and the Indigo Block Print Tablecloth (in dots and stripes) are good examples. Straight stripes also make a table look a little longer.

Resist prints, such as the Dottie Resist and Stripe Resist Tablecloths, are made by blocking dye from reaching parts of the cloth. The patterns look softly worn in, with subtle tonal variation.

Choosing a pattern for your dinnerware

Start with your plates. Put a plate on the cloth, or hold it against the fabric in good daylight, and see if the two argue.

Plain white or cream dinnerware, like many pieces in the Highland and Rowe collections, can handle a bold print. Patterned or scalloped plates want a quieter cloth: a stripe, a gingham or a tone-on-tone block print. When both the plate and the cloth are busy, one has to give way.

A reliable rule is to let one element lead. If the cloth is the star, keep plates, glasses and napkins calm. If you've got a treasured set of plates, choose a cloth in a solid, a blend like the Linen Blend Tablecloth in Blush or Ash, or a very small print.

Layering a tablecloth with runners, napkins and placemats

A tablecloth is the first layer, and it rarely needs to be the last.

A runner over a tablecloth works when you want to add colour, texture or a centre line for candles and serving dishes. Choose a runner in a contrasting texture or a deeper tone of the cloth. On a patterned cloth, a plain linen runner gives the eye somewhere to rest. Let the runner hang about 8 to 12 inches over each end.

Napkins pull the table together. Stonewashed linen napkins (Indaba sells them in sets of 4) have a soft, rumpled look that suits block print especially well. Match one colour from the cloth or choose a neutral.

Placemats go on top of the cloth when you want to protect it at mealtimes. On a long family dinner table, placemats over a plain cloth also help you wipe up less.

Skipping the cloth is a good option too. A beautiful wood table, an oiled oak or a worn farmhouse top deserves to show. Use a runner and placemats instead, and save the full cloth for holidays, big dinners and tables with scratches you'd rather cover.

Care and washing

Most good cloths are easy to care for, and the Briar Block Print Tablecloth is a good model for what to expect:

• Machine washable
• Do not bleach
• Do not tumble dry
• Iron on medium heat
• Dry cleanable

Always read the care label on the cloth you buy, since fibre and finish change the rules.

Keeping block print colour. Wash in cool or lukewarm water with a gentle detergent, and wash the cloth on its own for the first couple of washes. Avoid bleach and optical brighteners, which dull dyes. Hang the cloth to dry away from direct sun, which fades colour over time. Treat a spill quickly by blotting, not rubbing, and rinsing with cool water.

Removing a crease from a folded cloth. Iron the cloth while it's slightly damp, using a medium heat and working from the centre outward. If the cloth is dry, mist it lightly first. Smoothing it on the table while it's still a touch damp also works for long folds. To prevent fold lines, roll the cloth around a cardboard tube or fold it loosely with tissue between layers.

Tablecloth sizes for a Canadian dining room

Canadian dining tables are commonly 36 to 40 inches wide and 60 to 96 inches long. Those are widths and lengths you'll see in homes from Victoria to Halifax.

A 6-seat table is usually about 72 inches long, or roughly 1.8 metres. At a 10-inch drop, that table wants a cloth of about 92 x 58 inches, so a 60 x 90 inch cloth is the closest standard fit.

Many Canadian homes also have a kitchen table in the 48 x 30 to 48 x 36 range, which suits a 4-seat cloth, and a table with a leaf that stretches from 72 to 96 inches for holidays. If your table extends, buy the cloth for the extended length. A cloth that's a little long on the shorter table looks relaxed. A cloth that's short on the extended table never looks right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size tablecloth for a 6 seater table?

A 6-seat table is usually about 72 inches long and 36 to 40 inches wide. With a 10-inch drop, you need a cloth of roughly 92 x 58 inches, so a 60 x 90 inch cloth is the closest standard size. Measure your own table first, because 6-seat tables vary by a few inches.

How far should a tablecloth hang down?

For everyday use, 8 inches is comfortable and practical. For dining, 10 to 12 inches is the classic choice. Formal dinners and buffets suit a 15-inch drop or a floor-length cloth.

Can you put a tablecloth on an oval table?

Yes. Oval tables take a rectangular cloth. Measure the length and width of the oval, add twice your chosen drop to each, and the corners will fall softly over the curved ends.

Are block print tablecloths washable?

Most are, though you should always check the care label. A cotton-linen block print such as the Briar Block Print Tablecloth is machine washable. Avoid bleach and tumble drying, iron on medium, and wash in cool water to protect the colour.

What is the difference between a tablecloth and a table runner?

A tablecloth covers the whole table and hangs over the edges. A table runner is a long, narrow strip that runs down the centre, or sits over a tablecloth as an accent. A tablecloth protects the table, while a runner mostly adds colour and texture.

A cloth made by hand

Every Indaba tablecloth is hand block printed in India by artisan makers, using techniques that have been passed down through generations. Indaba Home is a Canadian, women-owned, multi-generational family business, founded in 1990 on Vancouver Island, BC, and WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) certified. We like to say "feel before you see," and a handmade cloth is the best argument for it. Run your hand over the weave, notice the soft variation in the print, and set the table.