The Best Fitted Tablecloth

Buying Guide

A fitted tablecloth takes a new approach to protecting and decorating your eating area. There are a number of things to think about when choosing a fitted tablecloth. The most crucial is the size, of course. Chances are good that you’re buying a fitted tablecloth to fit a specific table. Take careful measurements and make sure you buy the correct size. Since this sort of product is intended to be fitted, a tablecloth that is too small or too large won’t work.

Another essential consideration is the color, print or design of the covering. You’ll likely want your tablecloth to complement the overall look you’re trying to achieve at your party or in your dining space. Many shoppers won’t want the tablecloth to clash with their current decor.

Though neutrals are a safe choice for many product categories, you might not want a white or cream tablecloth. Light shades and white tablecloths are versatile and do blend in well, but stains are also very noticeable on them. That might not be the best plan if you’ll be serving a buffet or using your table for messy crafts with children (or even just serving food to children or messy adults).

Some of the items in the fitted tablecloth category are designed to cover just the tabletop, while others also cover the legs of the table. More coverage is often better for banquet tables and special events, as they enable you to hide containers of extra beverages or create a unified color scheme.

Think about how you’ll clean your fitted tablecloth. Many of the products on the market in this category are machine-washable, which makes clean-up simple. That’s something important to consider if you plan to use them often.

Other tablecloths have a plastic or vinyl outer shell with a flannel backing. The easiest way to clean these is to wipe them off with a damp cloth. Regular cleaning with this method means plastic or vinyl tablecloths can stay on the table long-term. Since these tablecloths are reusable, they’re also an eco-friendly alternative to disposable items (though decidedly less so than a fabric tablecloth).

• Be sure to take meticulous measurements of your table before purchasing a fitted tablecloth. Since this style of cover needs to be tight to stay put, you must purchase the correct size.
• Most fitted tablecloths are made from either polyester and spandex or plastic or vinyl with a flannel backing. The former is easier to store when you’re not using it, but the latter is usually more waterproof.
• Fitted tablecloths can look a little awkward, but remember that their primary purpose is usually to protect your tabletop. Also, they sometimes fit better than it first may appear, since most are very stretchy. Try rearranging yours as you would a fitted sheet until it looks the way you want it.
• Be sure to read the care instructions for your tablecloth before disposing of the packaging.