The 26 Best Placemats to Dress Up Your Dining Space (And Protect Your Dining Table)

Best cork placemat

These Portuguese-made cork placemats come in a set of four, and with their sturdy construction, do an excellent job of protecting your table from scratches, spills, and other food-related messes. Plus, cork is one of the “trendy materials that can be cleaned,” Rachman helpfully notes.

Best black-and-white

“I don’t follow trends; I always prefer the timeless classic which is always in the now,” Rachman says when it comes to choosing placemats. And for some folks, there’s nothing more timeless or classic than a good black and white design. This rectangular placemat from Chilewich features a beautiful geometric pattern with woven black and white lines that will dress up any tablescape—even if your dish set is in classic white.

Best floral design

“Placemats must always be fun and chic,” Rachman states, and that’s precisely how we would describe Marimekko’s fresh Pieni Unikko print cotton placemat. Coated in acrylic to make them stain-resistant, these placemats are easy to wipe clean and offer a bold, fun pop of color to any setting. Trust us, even your kids will love these.

Best tiled design

Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your meals with these blue-and-white printed mats. Now even a simple PB&J sandwich will feel like a mini getaway. Plus, we love that they’re made from recycled vinyl, making them a breeze to clean.

Best pebbled material

But for those slightly more formal times, opt for the Pebble Placemat from Kim Seybert. The stingray leather surface is beautifully textured but it’s surprisingly hardy. In fact, this pebbled material is 25 times more durable than your average cowhide leather.

Best water-resistant linen

While you may think that the only chance you have of keeping linen (Rachman’s preferred material for placemats) clean is by throwing them in the laundry, these water-resistant linen placemats are here to prove you wrong. The French woven fabric is coated with acrylic, which means they’ll stand up to any spills, red wine or otherwise and can be simply wiped clean.

Best raffia placemats

“There are two ways to approach color and pattern with placemats, just like everything else on your table,” Rachman says. “Do you want them to be the center of attention, or to blend in?” This set of four placemats somehow fills both of those roles, thanks to its muted color palette, but intriguing natural raffia texture.

Best sustainable placemat

Wayfair customers love these recycled teak placemats that are made from repurposed wood that would otherwise be burned. Teak is naturally durable and only becomes more beautiful with time, making it an ideal material for a showstopping placemat, especially for your outdoor table.

Best budget option

At $3 a pop, these inexpensive round placemats are fabulous for anyone on a tight budget. They also look far more expensive than their price tag, and come in seven rich hues that can be mixed and matched for a unique table setting, or you can stock up on just one shade for a more traditional vibe.

Best tweed placemat

With a rating of over 4.5 out of 5 stars, this set of water-resistant polyester placemats is a perennial favorite. Great for everyday use (or low-key entertaining), these easy-to-care-for placemats get points for their tweedy texture and not-too-big size. Plus, they come in three colors: Lime, soft grey and a funky blue/green combo.

Best bamboo placemat

These bamboo placemats get our vote for two main reasons—the eco-friendly material from which they’re made and their gorgeous textured look. You can buy them individually or in a set of four, and they come in four color options. As Rachman notes, opting for a placemat with an interesting texture can help set the mood for your next event. Go ahead, plan your whole table around these beauties.

Best cotton placemat

Available in a wide range of colors that will work with any dining room décor scheme, these cotton canvas placemats are the type of classics that Rachman references as an easy, go-to favorite. Throw them in the washing machine when they’ve gotten a bit too much love.

Best faux leather

This pebbled placemat from CB2 has a metallic finish that makes them look even more elegant than they already are, and they're a customer favorite. “They look and feel just like leather, they're thin so plates and chargers lay flat, and the ivory color looks SO good on my cherry wood table,” reads one review. Others laud these placemats for their versatility: “I have this on the marble bathroom counter to put my things on for padding,” another happy customer reports.

Best felt placemat

Graf Lantz makes beautiful felt products for the entire home, and while you may not think of felt as a natural choice for a dinner accessory, you may want to reconsider. Naturally water-resistant, stain-resistant, heat protective, and insulating, these merino wool placemats come in stunning jewel tones and instantly lend a sense of sophistication to your meal. As one happy customer notes, “These placemats are perfect—love the oval shape and quality.”

Best reversible

For a natural shade on one side and sleek ivory on the other, this placemat marries the best of both worlds. “I go back to the occasion and your table decor and theme, if any, as my guide for picking placemats,” Rachman says. But with this single placemat, you'll be armed and ready for several different occasions all at once.

Best vegan leather placemat

Made from vegan leather that’s easy to clean, these beautiful placemats come in unique shapes and stunning colors. The leather material looks effortlessly elegant, and we’re particularly fond of the emerald color for any season.

Most Unexpected Shape

Another faux leather option, these come in a wide range of soft contemporary colors that immediately dress up your table. The clean, sharp modern lines give them the timelessly elegant look that Rachman recommends for your decorating needs. Plus, they’ll look great peeking out under your morning coffee…should you want to snap a pic for your ‘Gram.

Best indoor/outdoor placemat

These placemats give off serious beachtime vibes and are part of Crate & Barrel’s new spring collection. Because of its antimicrobial construction, this placemat avoids both mold and stains, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings.

Best fringe trim

We adore the boho vibes of these rattan and sisal placemats. Each mat is hand-woven and comes in three color options—beige with white trim, beige with black trim and a light gray with streaks of beige. Unfortunately, they aren’t the easiest to clean, so if you’re prone to spilling we recommend opting for the gray hue which won’t show stains as easily as the others.

Best square shape

“For my day-to-day, my go-to is Hudson and Grace square placemats because you can use them indoors and outdoors,” Rachman says of these beauties. “They’re practical but still bold and fun.”

Best designer placemat

“For sublime patterns and colors, I love anything from d’Ascoli,” Rachman tells us. “Besides the fact that they are simply gorgeous, the founder Peter d’Ascoli is the purveyor to those who have discerning taste and are in the know.” Hmm, we’d like to join that gang…

Prettiest heat-resistant design

These beautiful striped placemats can withstand temperatures up to 176°F so you can pull that lasagna right out of the oven and onto the table without worrying about ruining either your table or your placemat. They come in sets of four, six and eight, and are currently available in three gorgeous color options. Plus, the woven vinyl material is incredibly durable so they won't rip, tear or fade over time—at least not without a fight.

Most color options

Like to switch up you placemats with the change of seasons? This affordable set of six (which is also available in a set of four or eight) comes in a whopping 38 different color and pattern options so you can switch things up on a near weekly basis if you like. The placemats are made from a highly durable PVC/polyester blend that’s easy to clean and will stand up well even with frequent use. They’re also heat-resistant up to 100℃ (212°F), although it’s still recommended you hand wash them rather than use a machine.

Machine-washable

Washing dishes is enough of a chore without adding placemats to the lineup, so why not invest in a set of six machine-washable designs? Simply toss these beautiful burlap placemats in with your regular linens and voilà! As an added bonus, burlap is an eco-friendly material, making these a more sustainable option than plastic or vinyl. And don’t worry about spills, the fabric is thick enough that nothing will soak through to your tabletop should someone accidentally topple their glass of wine.

Best budget option

These vinyl placemats look far more expensive than their affordable price tag, and are surprisingly durable as well. The thick woven material adds texture without actually feeling uneven or bumpy, and won’t slip or slide all over your dining room table. For storage, they can be rolled, folded or bent to fit where ever you need without actually bending out of shape in the long run.

Best round design

These gorgeous braided placemats come in sets of four, six or eight and there are more than 25 different colors to choose from. They’re made from a blend of cotton and polypropylene that’s flexible but strong enough to withstand frequent use through the years. We love their farmhouse rustic vibe (very Magnolia Home, no?), and find the round cute looks even fancier under place settings than square or rectangular designs.