Special attention is going to be granted to Etiquette At Home since the home is the basis of life for everyone. Especially now, when we spend most of our time at home, we have begun to value our routine more and more.

Although these are simple truths and canons of home hospitality, the modern world has simplified the lifestyle and approach to it in general. However, we can’t avoid acknowledging that these etiquette recommendations greatly simplify life and eventually contribute to a better organization, ranging from the simplest things to sophisticated whims and personal hobbies.

It all starts with the basic organizational steps, from which different directions in the home furnishing come. They may vary depending on personal preferences, styles, and events. We’ll focus on the following “four pillars”, although there used to be five, evolution took its toll, and “silver” was excluded from everyday use.

The next four can mark a definite upturn in domestic etiquette and they are principled rules.

Linens

It’s surprising to realize that Etiquette At Home doesn’t start with serving, house parties, and social manners, but rather with things that guests don’t usually notice. Because the main purpose of etiquette should be to simplify household life and increase the comfort in social participation and believe me, nothing more.

So, bed linen, bath towels, linen cases are marked with the initials of the owner of the house. In the past, only the wife’s initials were embroidered, but in the modern world, this is also appropriate for a single man.

Cosmetic cases and covers for evening outfits are also marked.

Personal initials can be embroidered in a simple style or more refined. But it is important to remember that high-quality bedding can last for decades or more, so a simple basic style will be more practical and sensible.

Sometimes the initials are not embroidered on the product itself, but on a ribbon sewn to it, this is very useful for cases or for linen, which can be used not only by one person but also by other family members.

Tablecloths and napkins

What kind of tablecloths you need, depends a lot on what kind of house you live in and what lifestyle you are into. If your dining room is a small foyer in your city apartment, then the style must be informal. In this case, table mats may be the best and optimal solution. A linen tablecloth can be used for special occasions.

Even if you have a big house, beautiful tablecloths, a lot of silver and expensive china, you can still live informally.

Nowadays, there is a tendency towards a more relaxed and simplified life. This is a general trend, but in most cases, it is gratefully accepted.

Formal events require a full-size white tablecloth to cover the table as much as possible. For social events, celebrations, and formal dinners, the tablecloth is expected to completely cover the table.

Damask tablecloths should have woven designs or simple stripes. Large dinner napkins should be hand-hemmed and match the tablecloth.

Creamy tablecloths are also acceptable; soft pastel colors are considered less formal.

Cotton or linen fabrics, felt table rugs are laid under the damask tablecloths, which fit the table exactly.

Delicate linen fabrics with embroidery and lace are laid over a bare table. Large dinner napkins for such fabrics should be simple.

All machine lace should be strictly avoided.

Porcelain

Only fine bone china and porcelain are suitable for a formal dinner, not earthenware. Occasionally, it can be glass, antiques, or rare collections. But even at the most formal dinners, it is not necessary and even a little boring to have porcelain from one collection, course by course. It is ideal when there is a story behind the item, even a personal one. For example, you brought this from a trip or received it as a gift from your parents or friends. This is how coziness and personalization are created, and this is how a unique style is developed.

You can also achieve this “coziness” with something unusual, such as a vintage mother-of-pearl plate for oysters or just one wide plate for starters or even for bread.

The main thing to remember, regardless of whether it is a formal dinner or not: all the place plates at a single course must match. Serving dishes, and plates for bread and butter, can be made of different porcelain or glass, but they must fit in with the main set.

And of course, at super formal kind of dinners, you won’t find a butter plate.

Glassware

Glassware is the most fragile of all household items. And although you can’t tell at first, thin glass is very expensive to replace. Therefore, the best (and most profitable) is to find your own way of caring and a safe storage section.

The perforated rubber mats in the sink allow you to avoid additional risks, covering the glass with a dust cover avoids additional costs, and of course, washing must be done by hand only.

It is frustrating indeed when trying to set the table, it suddenly turns out that you do not have enough glasses. In this case, a convenient formula for Glassware at Home might be: 8 glasses or more for water and the same number of glasses for one or two types of wines; 8 or more really good cocktail glasses and 8 nice sherries should be kept separate from regular home glass; 12 stylish highballs to be prepared for special occasions; thin glasses for liqueurs and fine wines are usually very fragile and should therefore be stored on bar shelves.

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These basic organization rules make our life easier daily, help out in special moments and contribute to competent and rational housekeeping. Also, these label recommendations can be an excellent foundation for collecting truly rare and practical items, and not just a pointless purchase. By following these guidelines, the home routine turns into a small celebration… every day.