How To Choose The Right Tablecloth Size For Your Event

Posted By Kasia Samuels

Let’s talk tablecloths—because when it comes to covering banqueting tables, size absolutely matters!

You might be wondering if the size of your tablecloth has that much of an impact. Let me assure you - it does! At 88 Events, we built a business based on the simple premise that very few people want to see unsightly table legs when instead, they can elevate the entire look of their tables with beautifully flowing floor-length tablecloths.

Take a look at the image below of a 90" square cloth on a 5ft round table. Sadly, this is not an uncommon site at venues all over the country.

But why you might ask put a square cloth on a round table? Put simply it's cheaper as square cloths cost less to manufacture (and thus rent) than round cloths which require more material. They're also easier to iron than circular cloths.

The only way to 'save' this look would be adding another square cloth positioned the opposite way round to fill in the gap. But why use two tablecloths to cover a table when you could just use a lovely, made-to-measure circluar cloth that drapes beautifully to the floor?

As you've found your way to this website, we'll assume that the naked table leg look is not the aesthetic you're looking for! Now look at this Insta-worthy image below with not a table leg in sight! Looks much better doesn't it?

How To Choose The Right Tablecloth Size

Now, you’re probably curious about how to determine the right size of tablecloth for your event or wedding. No problem! We cater to all the most common table sizes you’ll encounter.

Generally, these are those trusty 5ft and 6ft rounds plus 6ft long trestles that you'll be familiar with from any wedding or event you've been to.

Round Banqueting Tables

Here's a handy graphic that tells you what size of tablecloth you need to cover various sizes of round tables:

By far the two most common sizes of round tables in the industry are 5ft and 6ft rounds. We're seeing more 5½ft tables these days but the 5ft and 6ft still dominate.

For a 5ft round, you can comfortably seat 8 guests with charger plates at each place setting. You can squeeze 10 guests into a 5ft round but its tight and you couldn't have a charger plate.

Similarly, for a 6ft round, 10 guests it's the optimal number with chargers and 12 is tight but you can't have chargers.

Here's what size of tablecloth to use for the most common round tables assuming industry-standard 30" table height:

A 120" round tablecloth fits a 5ft round perfectly, i.e. will touch the floor evenly.
A 132" round tablecloth fits a 6ft round perfectly, i.e. will touch the floor evenly.
A 120" round will drop around 3" from the floor on a 5½ft round table.
A 132" round will perfectly cover a 5½ft round table but will just need puddled in to give a nice effect.
3ft round tables are commonly used for cake tables and occasional seating and your go-to cloth for this baby sized table is a 96" round which will perfectly touch the floor.
Poseur tables can be covered using a 120" or a 132" cloth. The 132" is slightly too big but looks great if gathered in to create a puddle effect (see below).

Check out the following images for some examples:

White Essential 132" tablecloth touching the floor on a 6ft round table

Cream Essential 132" (6ft) tablecloth on a 5ft round table with cloth tucked under to create a lovely, full effect.

Sand Milano 3ft round tablecloths perfectly covering occasional 3ft round tables

Vanilla Milano 96" tablecloth perfectly covering a showstopping 3ft round cake table

Navy Essential 132" tablecloths covering poseur tables and gathered in at bottom to create a soft, flowing puddle effect.

Long Tables

Long table set-ups have grown massively in popularity over the last 10 years or so. The most common size of long-tables are 6ft x 2½ft or 6ft x 3ft.

Long tables are the most common size of table often used in 'runs' and you can generally get about 6 guests seated comfortably on a 6ft long trestle even with charger plates.

Another popular option is 'doubling-up' by joining two trestles together to create an almost square 6ft x 5ft table or perfectly square if you have a 6ft x 3ft table. You can seat 8-10 guests at this size of table and it can look amazing if done properly.

Check out the following examples:

Sage Essential 88" x 144" tablecloth perfectly covering a 6ft x 2½ft table.

Black Essential 88" x 144" trestle cloths on a long table run.

Cornish Cream Vintage Damask bespoke manufactured tablelcoth covering a top table.

Ivory Faux Silk bespoke manufactured tablecloth covering a 6ft x 5ft table.

"When designing an event, I prefer bland table styling with dull, shrunken and stained table cloths."
NO EVENT PLANNER EVER

So go ahead, grab those measurements, select your fabric and colour with confidence, and transform your event! With the right tablecloth, every table can shine, and those legs will stay hidden, giving your event or wedding a stunning look.

At 88 Events, we’re on a mission:

To help the UK’s caterers, event agencies, venues, wedding planners and future newlyweds create stunning tablescapes that wow your guests.

If you really care about the way your event looks then you'll find like-minded people at 88 Events. Using our huge collection of the UK's finest table linens, tabletop products and furniture, we'll help you create something special that fits within your budget.

Get in touch to discover how we can help you create the most visually stunning event.

Call us today on 0141 445 2288 or click the button below to chat.

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