Napkins are a small design detail that can have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your table design. The color, pattern, or fabric help set the tone, of course, but the napkin fold itself can totally transform and elevate even the most simple place settings. We know how busy it can get leading up to an event, so we put together four of our favorite easy, quick, and chic napkin folds that work for a wide variety of events and designs. One more thing you can cross off your list!
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Three-Point Fold • Pocket Fold • The Knot Fold • Twist Fold
Three-Point Fold
The classic Three-Point Fold is perfect for adding dimension and drama to a place setting. Using napkins with a detailed border? This is a great fold for showing that off.
Pro-tip: Stay sharp! Defined corners and creases create the sharp angles that really sell this look.
Step 1: Lay square dinner napkin on a flat surface. Fold the top left corner to the bottom right corner, forming a triangle. Smooth crease.
Step 2: Fold top right corner towards the bottom left, just slightly below the corner. The corners will not meet perfectly, but instead “fan” out. Smooth crease.
Step 3: Fold bottom right corner towards the bottom left, just slightly below the corner you created in Step 2, “fanned” out slightly. Smooth crease.
Step 4: Flip the napkin over so that the “fan” is at the bottom left corner. Take the top corner and fold it so that the top flat edge and bottom flat edges meet. Smooth crease.
Step 5: Fold the right corner in approximately 1” and roll in two times or until you achieve the desired napkin size. Flip the napkin back over and smooth.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured above:
El Rey Chocolate Damask linen, White Church Dinner Napkin, Glass Bead Charger Gold 13”, Gold Scallop Rim Dinner Plate 10.625”, Chateau Gold Collection flatware, Riedel Water Glass 19oz, Riedel Red Wine Glass 22oz, Riedel White Wine Glass 13.5oz
Pocket Fold
When space on the table is at a premium, napkins and menus don’t have to compete for a spot. The Pocket Fold is great for incorporating menus and other stationery right into the fold. The simple fold is customizable to fit various paper sizes – just adjust steps 1, 2, and 5 to get the perfect fit.
Step 1: Lay square dinner napkin on flat surface. Grab both top corners and fold over about ⅔ down the napkin.Smooth crease.
Step 2: Grab both bottom corners and fold up to meet the edge you created in step 1. Smooth crease.
Step 3: Grab the bottom corners and fold up, creasing along the edge created in step 2. Smooth crease.
Step 4: Flip over. Fold in half right to left. Smooth crease.
Step 5: Fold left to right to the desired width. Flip over with the “pocket” opening facing up. Insert menu, other stationery, or decor.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured above:
Walnut Rattan linen, Sunset Orange Nu Weave Dinner Napkin, Copper Metallic Charger/Tray 13”, Halo Dinner Plate, Sedona Wood flatware, Venice Highball 11oz, Soho Wine Glass 8.5oz, Soho Red Wine/Water Glass 10.5oz
The Knot Fold
The Knot Fold adds an unexpected element and tons of character to place settings. Use it alone for a casual-chic look, or tuck in a seating card, single flower, herb sprig, or a small piece of decor to tie it into the overall design (pun totally intended).
Step 1: Lay square dinner napkin on a flat surface. Fold the top left corner to the bottom right corner, forming a triangle. Smooth crease.
Step 2: Turn the napkin so that the long, flat edge furthest away from you.
Step 3: Fold bottom corner up approximately 3”. Smooth crease.
Step 4: Grab the bottom corners and fold up so the edge covers the point in Step 3.
Step 5: Grab the bottom corners and fold up again, creasing along the edge in Step 4.
Step 6: Grab the bottom corners and fold up one more time, creasing along the edge in Step 5.
Step 7: Smooth crease.
Step 8: Fold the left side up at a 45° angle, starting about ⅓ of the way in. Do the same on the right, with the right side crossing over the left.
Step 9: Tuck the right side in through the center and pull both ends, securing the knot
Step 10: Flip over, adjust as needed, and insert seating card or other decor, if desire.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured above:
Neva Tangerine Print linen, Grey Cotton Dinner Napkin, Whisper White Plate 11.5”, Whisper White Plate 9”, Tribeca Stainless flatware, Smoke Pandora 12oz Glass, Elan White Wine Glass 8oz, Elan Water/Red Wine Glass 12oz.
Twist Fold
Come on, baby! Let’s do the twist…fold.** This super-simple napkin fold is easy to do on-the-fly and great for adding instant elegance to any setting. If you’re expecting a light breeze at your event, this is a great fold to use, since the ends are tucked under the plate, holding it in place.
**Yep, it’s stuck in our heads now, too. Might as well do the dance while we’re at it…
Step 1: Lay square dinner napkin on a flat surface. Fold the bottom two corners up to meet the top two corners. Smooth crease.
Step 2: Fold the top corners down to meet the bottom corners. Smooth crease.
Step 3: Flip over & smooth.
Step 4: Grab the bottom left corner and fold up on an angle, creasing at the top right corner and creating the “twist”. Smooth crease.
Step 5: Place the napkin over the place setting and tuck the ends under the plate.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured above:
Blush Sequin Print Specialty linen, Grey Cotton Dinner Napkin, Glass Bead Charger Silver 13”, Whisper White Plate 11.5”, Deco Dot Lunch Plate 9”, Tribeca Stainless flatware, Dyana Flute Glass 5oz, Dyana White Wine Glass 6oz, Dyana Red Wine/Water Glass 8oz
Have a go-to napkin fold that you love? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to tag us @partyrentalltd if you use any of these folds in your designs — we’d love to see!