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The Best Napkin Holder

Last updated on March 27, 2023

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A napkin holder may seem like a minor item, but if you plan to keep it on your table or countertop, remember that you’ll have to look at it frequently. Therefore, it should match your home’s overall decor and reflect your personal style. Fortunately, napkin holders range from highly decorative to styles that can blend into any space.

Along the same lines, some napkin holders are meant to match and enhance your decor, but others are more practical. Those distribute just one napkin at a time or provide other storage solutions.

While napkin holders aren’t expensive, you don’t want to replace yours too often. Take notice of the materials that the napkin holders are made from. Options include wood, iron, steel, plastic, and more. Remember that the most fashionable napkin holders may not be the most durable.

Just as these products vary in design and material, they also range in size. If you’re buying a napkin holder for your home, you probably don’t need it to hold hundreds of them. But if you’re going to use it in a restaurant or cafe, bigger might be better.

Finally, think about keeping your napkin holder clean. Lots of people may reach for it when their fingers are already filthy. Some materials, colors and even shapes are easier to clean, especially for families with messy kids.

Our Picks For The Top Napkin Holders

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

NWAC Coffee Cup Design Metal Napkin Holder

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NWAC

Coffee Cup Design Metal Napkin Holder

Bring the style of a chic eatery into your home with this napkin holder with the silhouette coffee mug. Made from metal and with a finish on the exterior, it can hold many napkins and comes in other designs.

Overall Take

Cafe Style for HomeAdd flair to your dining room or kitchen with this cafe-style metal napkin holder, and check out the other designs.

 Runner Up

simplehuman Quick Grip Stainless Steel Napkin Holder

simplehuman

Quick Grip Stainless Steel Napkin Holder

This stainless steel product is ideal if you want a simple and efficient napkin holder for a modern kitchen. The unique quick-grip tension arm lets you grab one napkin at a time while holding the others in place.

Overall Take

Sleek and Modern DesignChoose this understated and effective napkin holder for efficient storage and napkin distribution.

 We Also Like

Barnyard Designs Distressed Wood Upright Napkin Holder

Barnyard Designs

Distressed Wood Upright Napkin Holder

Farmhouse, country, and vintage decor are trendy, and this napkin holder matches those perfectly. Made from distressed wood, this item holds napkins upright and fits in almost any space.

Overall Take

Get a Homespun LookEnhance your kitchen or dining room’s farmhouse look with this rustic wooden napkin holder.

 Strong Contender

TOROS Vertical Solid Wood Napkin Holder

TOROS

Vertical Solid Wood Napkin Holder

This napkin holder’s simple design makes it versatile; you can use it in almost any type of space, especially since it comes in multiple colors. It holds napkins upright and is made of wood.

Overall Take

Perfect for Any AestheticUse this simple napkin holder anywhere for easy, upright storage.

What to Look For

  • There are ways to make your napkin usage more eco-friendly. You can buy napkins made from bamboo or other sustainable materials. You can even put cloth napkins in your new holder. Wash them with your towels in between uses.
  • As mentioned above, think about keeping your napkin holder clean. But don’t rule out the item you want because it might be hard to clean. Cotton swabs or an occasional rinse with water do wonders. You might even be able to put some products in the dishwasher.
  • Having a dinner party? Folding napkins into fun and fancy shapes is easier than you might assume. Watch short online tutorials to learn how and practice in the days ahead.
  • You don’t need to throw away an old napkin holder. Look up alternative uses and ways to repurpose; there are many options.

More to Explore

Napkins may not seem like exciting items, but they have entertaining origins. As far as we know, the earliest napkins were most likely thin slices of bread. The Ancient Greeks used bread to mop and eat juices from the hands, faces and plates.

Around the same time, the Ancient Chinese used paper to help them keep their eating area clean. Shortly after that, the Ancient Romans started using cloth. From there, the modern napkin evolved.

More to explore