Paper Crafts Origami Beginner Origami

Beautiful Origami Folded Paper Napkins

three types of napkin folds

The Spruce / Rita Shehan

These Origami Napkin Folds Add Pizzazz to Your Table!

You don’t have to wait for the holidays to make your table décor pretty. You don't even have to bother with cloth napkins. All you need to add some dinnertime fun are origami napkins made from paper.

There is a slight learning curve to folding these napkins, but once you master the basics, you will be able to fold any of these napkin styles in less than half a minute. All of these three napkin folds will add instant pizzazz to your dining room table. You don't even have to wait for a special occasion. 

A Family Affair

Make dinnertime preparation a family affair. Your children will enjoy helping you set the dinner table and folding the paper napkins to give your tablescape an extra special touch. And these instructions are so simple that even the youngest ones can help.

Make your time together as unique as possible because your children will be grown and gone before you know it. Every minute spent together counts. Conversation and a beautiful table will make some lovely family memories your children will treasure in the years to come.

3 Pocket Origami Napkin Fold Instructions

3 pocket napkin fold instructions
The Spruce / Rita Shehan

Make this lovely origami napkin fold that features three diagonal folds across the center of the napkin. For visual instruction, more visual instruction, make sure to check out this YouTube video.

  1. Open a 15 ¾ inch x 15 ¾ inch paper napkin and lay flat on a surface.
  2. Fold the napkin in half, starting with the bottom edge towards the top edge.
  3. Fold the napkin in half once more from the left side to the right. All of the open corners should be on the top right side.
  4. Start folding the upper-right corner downwards about three-quarter inches at a time. Continue folding until it is a bit past the center of the napkin.
  5. Take the second layer starting at the top right corner and tuck it under the first layer. You should leave about ¾ in above the first layer.
  6. Tuck the third layer under the second layer and leave about three-quarters visible.
  7. Fold the right side of the napkin about one-third under, and then fold the left side of the napkin one-third under.
  8. Your napkin fold is finished and should look like the picture above.

Diamond Napkin Origami Fold Instructions

diamond napkin fold
The Spruce / Rita Shehan

This diamond-shaped origami paper napkin fold features three folds in the center of the paper napkin. For visual instruction check out this YouTube video.

  1. Open a 15 ¾ inch x 15 ¾ inch paper napkin and lay flat on a surface.
  2. Fold the napkin in half, starting with the left edge towards the right edge.
  3. Fold the napkin in half again, commencing with the bottom edge towards the top edge.
  4.  Rotate the napkin so that it is a diamond shape and has all the loose corners on the bottom.
  5. Take the bottom corner of the napkin and fold it over about an inch away from the top corner, as in the above image.
  6. Repeat this step with the next two sheets.
  7. Turn the napkin over.
  8. Fold each side over to the middle as in the above image.
  9. Flip the napkin over. You can fill it with cutlery or flowers as added decor. 

Bow Tie Napkin Origami Fold Instructions

Bowtie napkin fold
The Spruce / Rita Shehan

This origami fold is darling. Learn how to transform an ordinary paper napkin into a cute paper bow-tie shape.

  1. Open a 15 ¾ inch x 15 ¾ inch paper napkin and lay flat on a surface.
  2.  Bring the left and right edges in and fold them to meet in the middle.
  3. Repeat the folding step.
  4. Fold the outside edges into the middle. Let them overlap just a little to keep the folds together in the next step. 
  5. Turn the napkin over and tie a ribbon around the middle, pinching it tight to create the bow.