Keep Your Tablescapes More Interesting With Discount Fabric Instead Of Tablecloths

Tablecloths are primarily intended as a functional addition to your dining room setup — after all, they do protect the surface from spills, hot items, and scratches — but they can also add a ton of visual interest to your tablescape. The color, texture, and pattern of a tablecloth can completely transform the look of your dining room, and if you're trying to set the scene for a dinner party or special event, adding a tablecloth is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to deliver on a theme. With that being said, however, your options are limited by what's available in stores. You'll find plenty of relatively simple linen, floral, and striped options, but more creative designs are few and far between and can get pricey. Thankfully, there's an incredibly simple alternative that will keep your tablescapes more interesting: opt for discount fabric instead.

There's really nothing special that makes a tablecloth a tablecloth — it's just a large piece of fabric with finished edges, usually cut to fit standard table sizes. Sure, this is convenient, but a whole world opens up when you're willing to think outside the box. All you need to make your own gorgeous DIY tablecloth is your fabric of choice. You can cut it to the size of your table and hem the edges, either by hand or on a machine, to create a more traditional look, but if you want to really play with the texture of the fabric, cut a large piece, then wrinkle and drape it over the surface. The resulting look will be ultra-luxe, but it shouldn't cost more than a tablecloth you'd find in store.

When it comes to choosing a material for your tablecloth at the fabric store, there are a few major considerations you have to make. The first is durability. If you want to use it again and again, you should choose a fabric that's sturdy enough to be machine washed. Cotton, polyester, and linen are all good options for this. These fabrics are perfect for more casual dining setups, like your regular dinners, a Galentine's Day brunch table setting, or a dessert table at a daytime party. You should also go for a fabric that can handle stubborn household stains, whether that means something that's stain-resistant, an option in a darker color that won't show as much, or a fabric that can be treated with a stain remover without damage.

If you're going for a more luxurious final product, there's also silk, satin, and organza. While these fabrics are harder to keep clean and might even require a trip to the dry cleaner, they're still solid options for special occasions. These fabrics are also typically more expensive to purchase, so you'll likely benefit from shopping sales or heading to a discount wholesaler, especially if you want to accomplish the luxe, drapey look.

Whichever fabric you choose, you should also consider its heat resistance. Cotton and linen can both withstand direct, high heat, but polyester, silk, and satin could get damaged by hot pans and dishes. This doesn't mean that they can't be used, however — just exercise caution and use trivets if necessary.