I Stole My Grandma’s Genius Decor Idea, and I’m Never Looking Back

I’m forever inspired by my grandmother, who might just be the grandma of all grandmas (though I’m admittedly partial). Since I was little, I’ve always been enamored by her taste in furniture and ability to style decor just-so. 

Today, my home has “touches of grandma” throughout: Our shared affinity for barrister bookcases, soft tapestries draped on the walls, and whimsical details — like ceramic birds or small piles of earthy rocks and seashells — makes my space feel more joyful and grounded. 

As someone who grew up in the ashes of the Depression era, my grandmother is also quite thrifty; she comes up with the most genius little household hacks. One of her favorite tips — and now mine as well — is using thin, twin-sized quilts as tablecloths for her dining room table. At a quick glance, they just seem like cozy, high-end table linens. But quilts are far softer — with a lovely texture — and drape most elegantly over the edges of the table, as you can see from this quilt tablecloth photo I took below. 

It’s actually a genius solution: A quilt’s lightweight padding across the table’s surface protects it from scratches and hot dishes, giving elbows and arms a soft place to land. The quilts are also easy to wash (just toss them in the machine, no dry cleaner necessary), and they require minimal, if any, ironing. These textiles also tend to get better with time as the fibers soften and relax. 

There’s also the design appeal; quilts lend a visual warmth to a space, and the subtle stitching adds nice texture. They also can help soften echoes and absorb sound — a must for rowdy game nights! 

I shop for quilts with about a quarter-inch to one-third inch of thickness. That way, they’re not too bulky or busy, and they drape well over the table. I prefer a monochromatic look in an earthy neutral shade, but there are tons of options out there to fit with any style. 

If you want one similar to mine (shown above), check out this option from Amazon. It  has a great floral stitch pattern and comes in a wide variety of colorways. 

As for size, I’ve found that a twin-size quilt works nicely for a medium to large table, but if you have an extra-long or wide table, you may need to go up a size. I also recommend looking for a natural cotton fabric, which softens beautifully over time, and is machine-washable.

Avoid puffy batting or ultra-obvious tufting that can make the quilt read as more of a bedspread versus a tablecloth. Aside from that, you really can’t go wrong with this ingenious household hack! If you go the secondhand route — or shop smartly — you can save a ton of money on textiles this way, too.