Setting a table is not as difficult as it seems. The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use; that is, from the outside in. A second rule, with only a few exceptions, is: Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right. And finally, only set the table with utensils you will use.
Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go on the right. Knives should always face inward towards the plate. If you're not serving soup, you don't need a spoon. Always line up the bottoms of the silverware.
Pick a simple centerpiece and place it in the middle of the table. The centerpiece will help the table look interesting while still keeping it clean and empty. Choose your centerpiece size based on the size of your table, and place it on top of the table runner or table cloth.
Silverware. You must have a drawer organizer for your silverware. It just doesn't make sense to throw things into a drawer without a divider. Another option, which can be very chic, is to store silverware in a decorative cup.
Three-Course Table Setting. You place the utensils in the order of when to use them during the meal. For a three-course meal in the United States, starting from the left, you place the salad fork, dinner fork, plate, dinner knife and salad knife. You then place a napkin on top of the plate.
The junk drawer serves little to no purpose and becomes a dumping ground for our things. For this very reason, this is the last place people choose to organize. If you don't have a drawer, your junk drawer might be a shelf or even a box where all your leftover stuff just piles up.
Use a Compact Cutlery Organizer
Try a compact cutlery organizer that works well for narrow drawers. These streamlined organizers allow you to fit all of your knives, forks, and spoons in one place while also keeping them tidy and accessible. It's an especially smart solution for small kitchens.
When you have finished eating, the utensils are placed together on the plate with the fork tines up and the knife turned inward in the lower, right-hand portion of the plate between the four and six o'clock positions. This signals the wait staff that they can remove your plate and utensils.
The knife should be in the right hand and the fork in the left. However, if a knife is not needed – such as when eating pasta – the fork can be held in the right hand. Bread is always served and can be placed on the table cloth itself. It is considered unacceptable to use one's fingers to taste the food.
Signals to Let a Server Know You Want Your Plate Taken Away
American dining rules suggest you place your knife and fork alongside each other at either the four-o'clock or six o'clock position pointed toward the head of the plate. If you prefer Continental signals, make sure the fork's tines are facing downward.
Napkins should be placed to the left of the forks. If there is more than one fork, the napkin should be placed between the forks. If there is a soup spoon, it should be placed to the right of the forks, with the napkin placed to the left of the soup spoon.
Napkins should be placed on the left of the fork, or, on the plate before service. Lay silverware starting about one inch from the plate, leaving room for service. Also, make sure you line up the bottom edge of the silverware for a neat appearance.
In fact, junk drawers are very common in homes and can exist anywhere from the den to the bedroom to the basement. While junk drawer contents vary per household, typically they contain items like pens and pencils, lackluster coins, sticky notes with random scribblings, various tools, paper clips, etc.
Drawers offer great access
For base cabinets and kitchen islands, drawers make access super easy. 'You can pull out and see what's in a drawer and put things back without having to bend right down to see the back of the cabinet,' says Looeeze Grossman, the founder and CEO of The Used Kitchen Company.
Desktop Caddy. For a more “visible” option, Krause suggests a desktop caddy as an alternative to a junk — ahem, utility (old habits die hard) drawer. “They come in all different sizes, colors, designs and price points so there's something for everyone,” Krause says of caddies.
It's best to always blot your mouth before taking a drink, too. After the meal: Once everyone has finished eating and the meal has ended, place your napkin to the left of your plate.
American-style: Place your knife and fork parallel across the plate pointing upwards anywhere between 11 and 12 'o clock. Euro-chic: Place your utensils the same way, pointing between 11 and 12 'o clock, but place your fork upside down so the prongs are touching the plate.
A zoned kitchen is an efficient kitchen. Put things where they'll be in easy reach when you need them. Cooking supplies should be near the stove, mugs go above your coffee machine, and food prep items should be stored near a clear stretch of counter space.
Most people store drinking glasses in wall cabinets near the sink and dishwasher, which works well, but drawers designed to hold glassware offer another solution and can make access more convenient. In any case, maintain a location convenient to the sink and dishwasher for your glassware and everyday dishes.