6 napkin folding ideas for your next dinner party

A luxury table setting is an absolute must for any occasion and a perfectly folded napkin adds a real finishing flourish to any table setting. We have several tips for napkin folding that add the perfect touch to your next dinner party.

Updated Wednesday 6th December 2023

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6 NAPKIN FOLDING IDEAS FOR YOUR NEXT TABLE SETTING

Folding napkins does not have to be difficult and the level of folding can be adjusted according to both style and ambition! Before your next dinner party it’s a great idea to invest in extra elegance in the form of linen & cotton napkins or fabric napkins. These variations give a more sophisticated look and add extra shine to the evening's festivities and there is less waste. A linen napkin can be folded in a variety of ways, here are 6 variations on simple but festive napkin folding:

A close up of a folded napkin with a flower and a golden napkin ring.

Ferm LIVINGFlow napkin ring 4-pack

1. THE BOW

This napkin fold is quirky and cute. Ideal for those whose style is very kitsch this bow looks great on a plate or even tucked into the handle of a mug.

Here you see a brown linen napkin folded into a bow.

Ferm LIVINGferm LIVING linnen napkins 2-pack

2. THE DECORATIVE KNOT

This simple but effective napkin fold is ideal for those who like style with minimal effort. Tie the napkin into a rustic knot and decorate with extras of your choosing, a flower from the garden, a piece of ribbon from your children’s craft kit, the choice is yours.

Here you see a grey napkin folded into a rustic knot with a flower from the garden.

The Decorative knot is a napkin fold that can be kept both simple and more detailed, with a cut flower, the table setting immediately becomes a little extra romantic and nature-inspired!

Dots plate 28 cm 4-pack

Creamy white

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Dots small plate 22 cm 4-pack

grey

$34$62

3. A CHRISTMAS TREE

Looking for something quirky for the Christmas table? Look no further, this adorable Christmas tree napkin fold will delight your guests both young and old.

4. THE LOOP

This adorable napkin fold turns your place setting into a lovely little bunny, nestle an egg in middle for the perfect Easter place setting. This napkin fold also works well for other occasions if you turn the napkin the other way up and use a napkin ring to hold the fold in place.

A napkin folded into a set of bunny ears with an egg nestled into the centre.

ERNSTErnst napkin 2 pack checked 40x40 cm

$21.90$24.90

A simple napkin fold for a dinner party sitting on top of a white bowl.

Scandi LivingClean serviettes 45 x 45 cm 4-pack

$39.25$49

The leaf - a simple and festive napkin fold with the Clean linen napkin in greige from Scandi Living. Perfect for holding your New Year starters!

5. THE LEAF

This napkin folding idea works for all kinds of occasions, this napkin fold is great for serving the appetiser for an extra special presentation.

You will find the recipe for the starter here!

How to fold your napkin into The Leaf:

Lay the napkin flat on the table.
Fold the napkin in half so that it forms a triangle
Concertina the triangle from right to left like an accordion
Pinch the edges of the napkin and attach a napkin ring to the bottom of the napkin and fan out the top.
Done!

6. SCRUNCH & TIE

The simplest napkin fold of all! Take your napkin, fold it into a square, pinch the napkin in the corner and slide over a napkin ring or simple a piece of string to keep the napkin in place. Decorate with something pretty from your garden and voila!