Do You Even Need Placemats for Everyday Use?

Technically, no. A lot of us eat dinner in front of a screen. I know I do.

And while there's nothing wrong with the occasional sofa (or, bed) dinner, I've been trying to make a habit of actually sitting at the table — even when I'm eating by myself. I've started setting the table, putting down a placemat, and making the meal feel like a little pause in the day. In this gorgeous Toronto summer, I start my mornings by setting my breakfast on the outdoor table.

It's nothing too elaborate. Just the small bit of beauty makes me want to slow down and actually enjoy the meal and the morning.

So how Many Placemats Do You Need?

If you're buying placemats for the first time, one of the first questions that comes up is: how many do you actually need?

Do you need four? Six? Eight? Should you buy enough for every person in your home, or should you have extras for guests?

There isn't one right answer. The number of placemats you need depends on how many people you usually seat, how often you entertain, and how you like to use your table.

Start With Your Everyday Table

The easiest place to start is with the number of people who usually eat at your table.

If you have a household of two, four placemats gives you enough for everyday meals with a couple of guests.

For a family of four, four to six placemats is a practical starting point.

If you regularly have six people at the table, six to eight placemats gives you enough for everyday use plus a few extras.

How Many Placemats Should You Buy?

As a general guide:

• 2 people: 4 placemats
• 4 people: 4–6 placemats
• 6 people: 6–8 placemats
• 8 people: 8–10 placemats

Having a couple of extras can be useful. Someone spills something, a placemat needs to be washed, or an unexpected guest joins dinner.

It's a small thing, but having an extra set means you don't have to worry about having everything perfectly matched.

What If You Don't Entertain Often?

You don't need to buy a large set just because you occasionally have guests.

If you usually eat as a couple, four placemats may be plenty.

You can always add more later.

In fact, we like the idea of building a collection slowly. Start with what you actually use, and add pieces as your home and routines change.

What About Larger Gatherings?

If you regularly host dinner parties or family gatherings, it makes sense to have more.

But remember that placemats aren't the only way to set a table.

You can combine them with a table runner, use a tablecloth, or even leave some settings without placemats depending on the meal and the look you're going for.

There are no hard rules.

Do Placemats Have to Match?

Not necessarily.

Matching placemats create a more coordinated look, but mixing complementary colours and patterns can make a table feel much more relaxed and personal.

You could pair a patterned placemat with simple plates and glassware, or use different shades of the same colour.

The goal isn't perfection.

It's creating a table that feels like your home.

You Don't Have to Buy Everything at Once

There's something to be said for letting a collection of home textiles grow over time.

You might start with four placemats.

Later, you add a table runner.

Then perhaps a set of cloth napkins.

Eventually, you have a collection that reflects how you actually live rather than a perfectly coordinated set that was bought all at once.

At 15 Arras, we believe in choosing pieces thoughtfully and letting a home develop gradually.