What to Use Instead of Placemats? 6 Stylish Solutions
Wondering what to use instead of placemats in today’s modern dining spaces? You're in the right place. In 2025, style and function go hand-in-hand and your table should too. At Artera Home, we’re sharing 6 creative, on-trend alternatives to traditional placemats. From natural textures to layered linens, you’ll find elevated ways to protect your table while showcasing your personal style. Let’s set the scene beautifully.
Why Consider Alternatives to Traditional Placemats?
While placemats have long been a staple in traditional table settings, many modern homeowners are moving away from them and for good reason. Placemats can feel bulky, collect crumbs easily, and often clash with today’s streamlined, minimalist aesthetic. They’re not always the easiest to clean, and some styles may feel dated in a space that’s otherwise curated with intention.
As design trends shift toward simplicity, flexibility, and natural textures, skipping placemats can actually enhance your dining experience. You might be wondering: Can you set a table without placemats? The answer is yes, beautifully so. With a few smart styling alternatives (which we’ll explore next), you can create a table that feels both elegant and effortless.
What to Use Instead of Placemats: 6 Stylish Solutions for Your Dining Table
1. Handwoven Charger Plates
Looking for an elegant alternative to traditional placemats? Handwoven charger plates are a stylish and functional solution. They add texture, structure, and a natural touch to your tablescape perfect for layering beneath dinner plates while protecting your table surface.
Dark Brown Rattan Wicker Charger Plate Set offers a handcrafted, artisan feel that blends beautifully with rustic, Japandi, boho, or modern interiors. Each piece is made from sustainably sourced natural rattan, woven by skilled Vietnamese artisans. The result? A table setting that feels both grounded and elevated.
These chargers are not only durable and reusable, but they also bring a sophisticated warmth that traditional placemats often lack making them the ideal first step to upgrading your table in style.
>> Read more: What Are Charger Plates Used For? All You Need to Know
Dark Brown Rattan Wicker Charger Plate Set
2. Fabric Napkin Layering
Swap out traditional placemats for large linen napkins layered beneath your dinnerware. This simple yet elegant solution adds a soft, relaxed texture to your tablescape perfect for casual dinners or everyday styling.
Fabric napkins are flexible, easy to fold, and conveniently machine washable, making them a practical choice for both aesthetics and function. Opt for natural tones like ivory, oat, or soft gray to enhance a neutral table, or introduce personality with block-printed artisan designs for a touch of global charm.
Cloth napkin used to line a plate
3. Wooden Boards or Slabs
For a rustic or farmhouse-style dining space, wood planks or veneers are a charming alternative to traditional placemats. Their rough texture and organic edges add a warm, homey feel to any dining experience.
These pieces are not only decorative, but also functional. Use them as coasters to protect the table from hot dishes, or repurpose them as a cold cuts or bread board during a meal. Whether you choose reclaimed wood, acacia or bamboo, these natural elements create a lived-in, homey look that is both stylish and purposeful.
>> Related: 20 Stunning Modern Boho Dining Room Ideas for 2025
Wood planks give a farmhouse look to the table
4. Minimalist Table Runners
If you're looking to define each place setting without the bulk of full placemats, minimalist table runners are a stylish alternative. Running lengthwise across your table, they offer subtle visual separation while keeping the surface clean and streamlined.
Perfect for modern, curated aesthetics, these runners bring an effortless elegance to everyday dining. Pair them with handcrafted ceramics or natural woven accents to create a layered, inviting look without overwhelming your table.
Minimalist tablecloths offer a sophisticated look and are easy to clean
5. Natural Woven Trays
If you’re looking to skip placemats without sacrificing style or function, natural woven trays are a chic and versatile alternative. They help define individual place settings with rustic elegance while doubling as multi-functional serving pieces—perfect for both everyday meals and special gatherings.
Mother of Pearl Inlay Rattan Wicker Tray offers a luxurious take on handwoven design. Each tray is crafted from sustainable natural rattan, featuring delicate mother-of-pearl inlay for a touch of artisanal sophistication. Whether you’re using them to anchor dinnerware or to serve drinks and appetizers, these trays effortlessly elevate any table setting.
With their blend of form, function, and timeless beauty, woven trays are the perfect answer to the question: What do people use instead of placemats?
>> Read more: Top 8 Must-Try Decorative Tray Ideas for the Dining Table
Mother of Pearl Inlay Rattan Wicker Tray Set
6. Individual Table Tiles or Stone Slabs
Looking for an elegant upgrade to traditional placemats? Try using individual table tiles or natural stone slabs beneath each place setting. These sleek, heat-resistant surfaces not only protect your table from hot dishes but also bring a refined, architectural edge to your dining area.
With their clean lines and timeless appeal, stone elements offer a minimalist foundation that complements both rustic and modern decor. They’re especially ideal for homes with an organic, earthy aesthetic and pair beautifully with Artera Home’s handcrafted dinnerware and woven accents.
Marble slabs are a creative way to add a touch of sophisticated elegance to your dining table
Discover The Ideal Placemats Alternatives From Artera Home
When it comes to thoughtful, stylish alternatives to traditional placemats, Artera Home stands out as a trusted destination for modern, design-forward households. Rooted in a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and design integrity, Artera Home partners with skilled artisans to create table décor that’s both beautiful and meaningful.
>> Related: Kim Son Craft Village - A Legacy of Handwoven Artistry
Products are painstakingly produced by artisans
Each piece is handcrafted from natural, eco-friendly materials, from water hyacinth and seagrass to wicker, giving it a warm, organic and purposeful feel. The brand’s collection includes woven trays, wicker charger plates and, of course, stylish and versatile woven placemats, offering versatile solutions that elevate any table setting.
Whether you’re creating a cozy breakfast nook or hosting a fancy dinner, Artera products combine form and function in a way that perfectly fits the modern trend for authenticity and relaxed elegance. Their products don’t just replace placemats – they redefine the way we set the table.
Artera Home’s wicker products
FAQs
1. Can you set a table without placemats?
Absolutely! A table can be set beautifully without traditional placemats. You can use items like charger plates or runners to define place settings, or embrace a minimalist approach with natural wood or stone surfaces.
2. Are placemats considered outdated?
While placemats still have their place, many designers now lean toward more versatile and natural-looking alternatives. Trends favor simplicity, functionality, and artisanal details, which can be more stylish and sustainable than mass-produced placemats.
3. Do charger plates replace placemats?
Yes, charger plates can serve as elegant substitutes for placemats. They protect the table and create a polished look while adding a layer of texture or color beneath your dinnerware.
4. Are trays suitable for everyday table settings?
Definitely. Handwoven trays not only elevate everyday dining with rustic charm but also double as functional serving pieces. They’re especially useful for casual meals or coffee table arrangements.
You absolutely can set a beautiful, intentional table without traditional placemats. In fact, doing so opens the door to more creative, sustainable, and minimalist styling choices.
By embracing natural textures, thoughtful design, and artisan-made pieces, every meal can feel elevated and uniquely yours.
Ready to style your own distinctive table? Explore Artera Home’s handcrafted collection to start designing a tablescape that reflects your values and aesthetic today.
