Set your table with elegance and wow your guests

When you've got special guests over, you want to ensure that the decor in your home looks special, too. Here are ways to set a table elegantly.

• Go for the old tried-and-true linen or cotton tablecloth. It should be washable up to about 60°C to ensure that the wine stain from last night's fancy dinner will come out.
• Check that coloured tablecloths are colourfast. Otherwise the colours will fade when washed.
• Make sure your new lace tablecloth is also washable up to about 60°C.
• Before adding lace trim to a tablecloth, preshrink the lace by washing it. Otherwise, you risk having to remove it and sew it on again.
• Think about a plastic tablecloth. They are extremely practical — and not only for an outdoor table. There are plenty of contemporary designs and colours that will do your kitchen proud.
• For a one-off, consider paper. Paper tablecloths come in any number of sizes, colours and patterns, but they can be used only once.
• Use a liner to keep your tablecloth from slipping and to protect your table from heat and any spills that might happen.
• Or go for a table runner and placemats to protect the surface of the tablecloth. In a pinch, they can also be used to cover stains — but even so, keep a fresh tablecloth on hand as a replacement.
• Place mats come in many different materials, but for households with kids, wipeable plastic place mats are ideal.
• You can lay a table runner across the table to add colour and style, as well as to protect the table from scratches, scuff marks and stains.
• Get some small, crocheted trivets so you can safely put pots directly on the table.
• Choose cloth napkins to bring a note of elegance to a dinner party. But for everyday use and less elegant occasions, choose paper napkins, which come in all shapes, colours and patterns.