There are some things in life worth doing properly
We may live in a disposable world, but some things should just be done right. Metal cutlery, proper plates, and cloth napkins, when you’re sitting down for a meal, create a sense of occasion, whether you’re picnicking with friends or sitting down to a humble weeknight meal.
There is something so elegant about a cloth napkin. It tells the world - or your fellow diners, at the very least - that you’ve got your stuff together enough to think of these small but significant details. Just imagine the horror of booking a highly-rated restaurant only to find cheap paper napkins polluting the space beside your plate. It would be all over TripAdvisor, and rightly so.
Whether tucked into your collar or laid across your lap to catch crumbs, stains and spills, a cloth napkin even has a sustainable angle - better to wash and keep napkins than choose paper ones which take time and energy to recycle. They’re easier to store than bundles of tablecloth and you can swap in different sets according to the seasons, occasion or meal.
The perfect gift for a host or to give at a housewarming, we’ve rounded up the nicest, prettiest and best quality fabric napkins to buy now.
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Anthropologie Saluti Cocktail Square Cotton Napkins, Set of 4
Give happy hour an extra jot of joy with Anthropologie’s napkin set, made for cocktails. The vibrant set is finished with illustrations of garnishes for popular drinks, so you can pair them with whatever you have, whether a G&T or a dirty martini.
Buy now £26.00, Anthropologie
M&S Collection Set of`4 Pure Cotton Embroidered Napkins
We’ve never seen a striped pattern we didn’t like. This set of four striped and checked napkins is crafted from pure cotton and features an embroidered squiggle trim. The bright, warm palette is perfect for injecting fun into your tablescapes, especially over summer.
Buy now £12.00, M&S
Raspberry Blossom Set of 4 Cotton Napkins
These colourful cotton designs are made for brightening up tables and keeping crumbs and stains off your guests. They come as a set of four, making them ideal for small households or for giving as a housewarming present.
Buy now £15.00, Dunelm
Not Another Bill Embroidered Napkins x 2
Classic white cloth napkins are finished with a touch of colourful embroidery; sometimes the simplest things can make the most impact. Not Another Bill has a selection of motifs to choose from whatever the occasion: apres-ski, cocktail hour, breakfast and more. Our fave? The martini and old-fashioned designs.
Buy now £30.00, Not Another Bill
Rockett St George Set of 4 Pink & Red First Bite Napkins
Wave goodbye to boring napkin edges: this shot of red is made to liven things up if the scallop edge alone does not. Set on a clashing pale pink background and embroidered with the words ‘love at first bite’ in one corner, they come as a pack of four measuring 43 x 43cm. Made from cotton, they are machine washable too.
Buy now £22.00, Rockett St George
DIYANAIMPEX Cotton Cloth Napkins
Flamboyant napkins are a great way to express your personality, especially if you’re decor-shy or can’t paint because of rental agreements. Even a detail as small as napkins can create a warm, welcoming vibe. The beauty of this set is the mismatched floral pattern, which will look great for an afternoon tea with friends and can be added to when you find a new napkin that fits the brief.
Buy now £15.00, Amazon
Maison d' Hermine Cloth Napkin 100% Cotton (45cm x 45cm)
A playful take on dinner, this napkin showcases fresh ingredients in illustration form, themselves set on a white lace napkin on a blue gingham background. The set of four is made from 100 per cent cotton and offers a way to refresh tables for summer soirees.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
Fingercraft Cloth Napkins Set of 12 Cotton Linen Blend
Offering incredible value and a pretty floral design to boot, this set of a dozen cloth napkins is made for throwing fabulous supper parties. Bordered in a pretty blue shade, they wash well and iron easily making them a choice to reach for time and again.
Buy now £26.99, Amazon
Weaver Green Toulouse Grey Stripe Napkins
They may look and feel like real linen but this four-pack of napkins is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. A great eco alternative to cotton and cloth, they’re machine washable and stain-resistant too.
Buy now £17.50, Weaver Green
Mrs. Alice White & Gold Laurel Placemats & Napkins
If you're looking for table setting inspo, Mrs. Alice is the brand in the know. The homewares store is brimming with chic ideas, including linen placemats to take your tables to the next level.
Instantly pretty, this white and gold embroidered laurel design comes as a set of four with matching napkins, all finished with a scalloped edge to tie everything together.
Place under chargers or plates and finish with for-best cutlery for dinners bound to impress.
Buy now £154.00, Mrs. Alice
