Silverware Placement

So you have invited close friends to your place for a special dinner, maybe to celebrate something special or it is a reunion after ages or it could be a romantic dinner for two. You have put in a lot of effort to prepare that scrumptious meal and want nothing but the best in terms of cutlery as well. And if you have exquisite silverware, you need to remember that presentation is the key. How and where you place it is very important.

Placement
Placing your silverware elegantly is not a difficult task. With the basic knowledge and some practice, you can set a beautiful table. The cutlery needs to be arranged on both sides of the plate. It should be arranged in the order of its usage, with the kitchen cutlery on the outside since it will be used first. Doing so will give the guests an idea of what will be served and when. The forks are always to be kept on the left side of the plate while the spoons and knives on the right side. It is important to note that the sharp edge of the knife should always be kept turned inward, facing the plate.

Placement	Silverware
Right side of plate	The large table knife, the fish knife, and the soup spoon. Also the drinkware, cups and saucers, if necessary.
Left side of plate	The napkin, bread plate and butter spreader, the table fork, the fish fork, and the oyster, if required.
For dessert	The spoon and fork are placed between the plate and the glasses, with the handle of the spoon towards the right, and the handle of the fork to the left.

A proper silverware placement will also include other table decorations that are necessary and can be used to enhance the beauty of the table setting. The table can have a centerpiece. You can use innovative centerpiece ideas. Make sure it isn't too large and occupies too much space, not leaving enough space for the dishes. It should also be of a low height so as to not obstruct the view of the diners. Salt and pepper shakers should be present on the table, with the pepper shaker placed on the left of the salt shaker. The napkins should match the table cloth. With all these in place, following dinner table etiquette is also very essential.

Etiquette
Lack of correct placement not only robs off the visual aspect of the silverware but may also be a cause of embarrassment for you and your guests. The following pointers on table manners and etiquette can be useful to avoid such situations and bring out the beauty of your treasured silverware.

Place Plate: The place plate or the dinner plate is to be placed one inch from the edge of the dining table.
Forks: The handles of the forks are to be aligned at the bottom and tines of the fork placed upward to make a proper table setting. As mentioned earlier, the forks are to be placed on the left side of the plate. If the salad is to be served prior to the main course, then the salad fork should be placed furthermost from the plate, so the diner can comfortably use it first. Once you have finished, the knife and fork should be laid diagonally across the plate. Make sure the butt end of the cutlery is angled towards your body. Once you have used a piece of cutlery, never place it back on the table. Any unused silverware is to be left on the table.
Knives and Spoons: Knives and spoons form an important aspect of a dinner table setting. Knives are placed on the right side of the plate, in order of their use whereas, the spoon is placed to the right of the knives.
Bread and Butter Dish: The butter plate should have a butter knife on top of the plate. The edge of the knife should face the user and the handle should be to the right side.
For Dessert: Fork and spoon are the only silverware required for a dessert. These are placed above the place plate.

Formal Placement
A proper table setting for formal dinner can help you create an impact on your guests. Most formal dinners are served from the kitchen itself. Along with the place plate there should be a napkin, and the silverware should include knives and spoons on the right side and forks to the left. The dishes used at a formal dinner must be sterling silver. An important point to remember about the formal silverware placement is that the serving dishes and utensils are not placed on the table. At an informal dinner, the number of utensils used are less and the serving dishes can be placed on the table itself.

A little practice in correct placement and a lot of creativity is needed to get the perfect table ready, and you can impress your guests and loved ones. A touch of elegance in placing your silverware will make a romantic meal memorable. You are now equipped to making a pleasant dining experience with elegant table settings with your treasured silverware.