Two chair styles offer flexibility and can be mixed and matched around a round dining table. Photo c.2003 Glenna Morton, About.com

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 to 15 minutes

Here's How:

1. Determine how many people will be attending the meal.
2. Arrange the chairs around the table in a logical fashion.
3. Cover the table with a tablecloth or clean the table surface and set placemats in front of each place.
4. Count out silverware and place on table.
5. Arrange flatware at each place setting: fork on the left and knife and spoon on the right (with the knife blade facing the center of the mat).
6. Add additional flatware if you'll need soup spoons, salad forks, etc. These are placed next to the companion piece. (That is, a soup spoon is placed next to the teaspoon; salad fork next to dinner fork.)
7. Line up bottoms of each piece of flatware one to two inches above bottom of placemat or table edge.
8. Place appropriate glassware at each place setting, depending on the beverages you'll be serving.
9. Set dinner plates in the center of each setting, unless you plan to warm plates and serve them in the kitchen. For formal tablesettings add a place plate to each setting.
10. Fold napkins and set to the left of the fork.
11. Place salt and pepper within reach of several guests.
12. Set flowers or centerpiece in the center of the table. Add candles if desired.
13. For a larger dinner with a number of guests, set placecards at each place.
14. Get out any extra dishes and flatware needed (soup bowls, coffee cups, etc.). Place them in a convenient spot for use as needed.
15. Consider ahead of time what other table accessories may be needed for the meal, such as serving spoons, gravy boats, platters and so forth.

Tips:

1. Plan ahead. The more guests are invited, the more planning you'll need to do.
2. Make lists of both food and preparation schedules, and also serving pieces, linens and dishes that will be needed for the dinner.
3. Designate a holding area for such items as dessert plates and forks, coffee cups, etc.
4. Plan ahead so you're ready for children, vegetarians, spills and offers of help in the kitchen.

More How To's from your Guide To Interior Decorating