10 Creative Napkin Folding Ideas to Help You Build a Beautiful Table

Whether you’ve just found your first apartment or you’ve owned a home for 25 years, there are always new tips and tricks you can learn to step up your hosting game. Some of the best ways to elevate a gathering is by thoughtfully curating a beautiful place setting, complete with festive napkins folded in fanciful styles. The great thing about napkin folding is that there are so many different techniques, but all you need are a set of napkins and some ribbon or rings to keep certain styles in place. We’ve selected 10 must-know napkin folding ideas to have in your arsenal for everything from bustling holiday dinners to cozy nights in with the person you love most. 

The folding fan is a classic napkin folding technique that every host with the most should have in their entertaining arsenal. Rittika of Ariyona Interior has an excellent tutorial on how to master this elegant look in minutes! Just be sure to have enough napkin rings, ribbon, or another item that can keep your fan secured and in place.

This one’s for the perfectionists. You’ll need to break out your iron for this technique, but we promise it will be worth your while. West Elm takes you step-by-step in this tutorial for creating a patriotic napkin shape that will make the perfect accent for your Fourth of July or Memorial Day tablescape. 

Whether you’re an avid gardener or a self-proclaimed “brown thumb,” this stunning rose napkin-folding technique is accessible for everyone. Liz Bushong offers an excellent how-to guide with plenty of pictures to ensure anyone can have gorgeous roses come to life at the dinner table. We especially love this one for a flower-filled brunch.

Your holiday brunch just became even more beautiful with this genius napkin folding technique. Eden of Sugar and Charm has created a simple tutorial for creating a fir tree-shaped napkin, and her post offers plenty of other tips for decorating the table to help you create your most memorable scene yet. 

Francophiles will especially love this brilliant napkin folding technique by home goods shop Nalata Nalata. Grab your favorite bistro-inspired napkins and you’ll have a darling table setting in seconds! Plus, this post shares several other fantastic napkin folding techniques you’ll want to master as well.

We love this multipurpose artichoke napkin fold presented by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. It not only creates a beautiful centerpiece for each plate, but it can also be used as a smart and stylish candle holder if you’re looking for pretty ways to display a set of votives and amp up the ambiance.

How precious is this napkin folding technique by Janis of More Style Than Cash? Her step-by-step instructions make this elegant look easy to master, and it just may have you investing in a fancy set of embroidered linens like her own. We love this technique for a Valentine’s night in or a luncheon that will further elevate the occasion. 

Looking for a simple but effective napkin folding technique that looks like it took more effort than it actually did? Try this precious bow-tie napkin fold by Jessica of Savory Experiments. She also offers plenty of tips for choosing the right napkins and how to care for them to perfectly execute the look time and time again.

Your guests are sure to give you some extra style points for this one. Callie of Redefining Domestics offers two brilliant ways to display fluffy, fresh-from-the-oven rolls so that they can stay warm as long as possible. Keep things simple by using the napkin as your bread basket or bring out a favorite heirloom piece of silver for a traditional look. 

Who better to teach you how to create a sailboat-inspired napkin than a former napkin folding instructor for cruise lines? Stefaney of A Host of Things makes it easy to ace this charming look that’s perfect for summer hosting or zhuzhing up a Wednesday night family dinner.