26 guides

Linens & Napkins

Tablecloth sizes, napkin folds, runners, overlays and color planning. 26 free guides on this topic, each with a quick answer, real Chicago-area price ranges and planning FAQs, so you can work out what to rent before you build a quote.

Cloth dinner napkins in five colors (side view) sit stacked at an elegant place setting during an opulent ballroom banquet filled with towering floral centerpieces, crystal chandeliers, and dining guests

Linens & Napkins

Chair Sashes and Chair Covers: Are They Worth It?

When chair covers and sashes are worth renting, when a better chair is smarter, and how to compare the cost, look and setup time for your event.

5 min read

Cloth dinner napkins in five colors are elegantly fanned across a place setting on an outdoor, candlelit wedding reception table surrounded by lush floral arrangements and guests

Linens & Napkins

Chicago Fall Wedding Linen Colors: 6 Palettes That Work

Six table linen color palettes for fall weddings in Chicago and the suburbs, with napkin, runner and chair pairings and tips for early dusk.

5 min read

Cloth dinner napkins in five colors enhance an elegant wedding reception table, styled inside an ornate gold ring atop a plate and neatly fanned beside a lush floral runner

Linens & Napkins

Cloth Napkin Sizes and Colors: What to Rent for a Dinner

Which cloth napkin size to rent, 17 versus 20 inches, and how to pick napkin colors that go with your tablecloth, plates and chairs.

5 min read

A white portable hand wash station stands beside a lush floral arch, offering convenient handwashing for guests at an elegant outdoor tented wedding reception lit with chandeliers

Linens & Napkins

Do You Wash Rental Linens Before Returning Them?

What to do with rented tablecloths and napkins after an event: why most suppliers say do not wash, how to pack them, and what to do with stains.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Farm Table Linens: Runner Only, Bare Wood or Full Cloth?

How to dress a rental farm table with a runner, bare wood or a full cloth, with runner sizes, napkin ideas and place-setting spacing for 8 to 10 guests.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

How Far Ahead to Order Linens: A Timeline for Chicago Events

A planning timeline for ordering rental linens: when to pick colors, confirm counts, place the order and book delivery, with peak-season tips.

4 min read

Linens & Napkins

How Many Napkins Per Guest? A Counting Guide for Events

How many cloth and paper napkins to order per guest for a wedding, gala or party, with a worked count for 100 guests and a rule for spares.

5 min read

The gilded ivory tablescape styles an elegant dining table adorned with lush florals and candles during a wedding reception inside a glowing, chandelier-filled clear-top tent (gilded ivory tablescape tablescape)

Linens & Napkins

Ivory vs White Linens: Which Tablecloth Color Works Better?

How ivory and white tablecloths differ under tent, ballroom and candle light, how they look with china, flowers and gowns, and how to choose.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Linen Budget Split: Where to Spend and Where to Save

How to divide a linen budget between base cloths, napkins, accents and extras at a wedding or party, with priority tiers and ways to save without losing the look.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Linen Colors for Every Season: A Chicago Event Palette Guide

Pick table linen colors for spring, summer, fall and winter events in Chicago, with palettes, fabric tips and chair pairings for each season.

5 min read

The velvet dining chair in champagne provides elegant guest seating along lavishly decorated tables inside an opulent ballroom illuminated by crystal chandeliers and candlelight

Linens & Napkins

Linen Fabrics Compared: Polyester, Lamour, Satin, Velvet & More

Compare polyester, lamour, satin, velvet, sequin, true linen and burlap table linens on look, wrinkles, weight and best use for events.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Linen Ordering Checklist: Every Cloth and Napkin to Count

A step-by-step linen ordering checklist for weddings and events: every table to count, sizes, napkins, spares, delivery and return, with a sample count.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Linen Stain and Damage Policies: What Rental Contracts Say

What to look for in a linen rental contract: normal wear versus damage, candle wax and burn fees, replacement costs, and how to avoid surprise charges.

5 min read

Linens & Napkins

Matching Linens to Chairs: Color Pairings That Work

How to match tablecloths and napkins to your chairs, with pairings for cross-back, ghost, gold and velvet chairs and a quick guide to contrast and tone.

5 min read

Elegantly dressed wedding guests raise toasts around the Midnight gold tablescape tablescape, set along a long banquet table under glowing chandeliers inside a draped marquee reception tent

Linens & Napkins

Napkin Folds for Events: 7 Easy Folds With Diagrams

Seven cloth napkin folds that work for weddings and galas, how long each takes, which ones hold up on a buffet line, and a diagram of each shape.

6 min read

Linens & Napkins

Napkin Rings and Placement: Where Napkins Go on a Table

Where to place the napkin at a formal, casual or buffet setting, how napkin rings work, and how to coordinate rings, folds and place cards.

5 min read

A silver sequin tablecloth elegantly covers a round dining table surrounded by smiling guests raising toasts beside glowing candles and tall florals at a glamorous ballroom wedding reception

Linens & Napkins

Overlays and Layered Linens: How to Build Depth on a Table

How to layer an overlay, runner and napkin over a tablecloth, with size rules for square, round and diamond overlays and color pairings that work.

5 min read

A Gold beaded charger plate anchors an elegant tablescape with lush roses and glowing candles at an upscale wedding reception, where formally dressed guests mingle beneath chandeliers

Linens & Napkins

Placemats and Chargers vs Tablecloths: What Do You Need?

When to use placemats, charger plates or a full tablecloth at an event, how to stack the plate, and which combination fits a wedding, party or rustic table.

4 min read

Guests serve themselves food from warm chafing dishes and pour drinks at a buffet and beverage station during a lavish tented wedding reception illuminated with fairy lights

Linens & Napkins

Table Skirting for Head Tables and Buffets: Sizes and Styles

How pleated table skirting works on head tables, buffets and cake tables, how to size it for 6 and 8-foot banquet tables, and how to attach it.

5 min read

A 120" round tablecloth in burgundy elegantly drapes a reception table topped with candles and a towering floral centerpiece inside a festive banquet hall filled with wedding guests

Linens & Napkins

Round vs Rectangular Tables: Which Linens Fit Each Layout

How linen needs differ for round and rectangular banquet tables, with cloth sizes, runner and napkin counts, seating, and tips for mixing both in one room.

5 min read

A rose gold sequin tablecloth covers a round dining table with a tall floral centerpiece and candles, where elegantly dressed guests sit inside a chandelier-lit wedding reception hall

Linens & Napkins

Sequin Linens for Glam Events: Sizes, Styles and When to Use

How to use sequin tablecloths, runners and napkins at glam weddings and galas, with sizing, pairing, lighting and care tips for Chicago events.

5 min read

A Spandex highboy cover in black dresses tall cocktail tables for mingling guests inside an elegant wedding reception ballroom illuminated by crystal chandeliers and candlelit floral centerpieces

Linens & Napkins

Spandex Covers for Cocktail Tables: Sizes, Fit and Looks

How spandex cocktail table covers fit 30 and 36-inch highboys, when to choose them over tablecloths, and how to style them for events.

5 min read

A 120" round tablecloth in champagne dresses an elegant wedding reception table topped with glowing candles and tall floral centerpieces inside an opulent ballroom beneath crystal chandeliers

Linens & Napkins

Table Runner Sizes and Styles for Rectangle and Round Tables

The right table runner width and length for banquet, farm and round tables, plus a style guide for satin, burlap, lace and velvet runners.

5 min read

An illuminated 360 photo booth stands ready for guests to record dynamic videos next to an opulent floral sweetheart table at an elegant, chandelier-lit wedding reception

Linens & Napkins

Tablecloth Colors for Photos: What Looks Best on Camera

Which tablecloth colors photograph best at weddings and events, how white, ivory, black and jewel tones read on camera, and how to avoid glare and clashes.

4 min read

A 90" x 156" banquet floor-length tablecloth drapes an elegant head table decorated with lush floral arrangements and glowing candles at an upscale tented wedding reception beneath crystal chandeliers

Linens & Napkins

Tablecloth Size Chart: What Size Linen for Every Rental Table

The exact tablecloth size for round, banquet and cocktail tables, at lap length or floor length, with a chart you can screenshot before you order linens.

6 min read

The velvet dining chair in navy provides seating for guests at long banquet tables inside an opulent ballroom wedding reception decorated with crystal chandeliers and lush floral arrangements

Linens & Napkins

Textured Linens for Events: Crinkle, Lace, Velvet, Jacquard

A guide to textured table linens such as crinkle, lace, velvet, jacquard and burlap: what each looks like, when to use it and how to layer without clutter.

4 min read

FAQ

Linens & Napkins: common questions

Are chair covers worth it for a wedding?

Only if you must keep a basic chair. If you can rent a styled chair for a similar total, you usually get a cleaner look and less labor. Ask for per-seat totals for both before deciding.

What colors are best for a fall wedding?

Rust, burgundy, forest green, navy, plum and mustard on an ivory or champagne base. They echo fall leaves and look good by candlelight.

What size are cloth dinner napkins?

Most are 20 x 20 inches. That size covers a lap and holds a fold. Some luncheon sets use 17 or 18 inches, and fine dining sometimes uses 22 inches or more.

Do I need to wash rental tablecloths?

Not normally. Rental companies launder after every event with commercial equipment. Check your agreement, but most say not to wash, because home methods can damage or set stains.

Do you need a tablecloth on a farm table?

No. Most farm tables look best with a runner or bare wood, since the grain is part of the style. Use a cloth only to hide damage or unify mixed tables, or if your venue requires a barrier.

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Guests enjoy dinner at round banquet tables beneath a glowing clear-top tent reception at twilight, installed on a grassy outdoor lawn surrounded by lush forest trees