Are Charger Plates Used Instead Of Placemats?

What Are Charger Plates?

A charger plate, also known as a service plate or underplate, is a large decorative plate that is placed under the dinner plate as part of a formal place setting (Restaurantware.com). It serves both decorative and functional purposes. The charger plate provides a base for the dinner plate and other dishes and adds a decorative touch to the place setting. According to WebstaurantStore, charger plates are typically 1-2 inches wider than standard dinner plates and made from metal, wood, or porcelain. They come in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs to coordinate with the rest of the tableware.

The main purpose of a charger plate is decorative. It accentuates the dinnerware and adds elegance to the place setting. However, it also serves some functional purposes. It provides a solid, flat surface for serving the dinner plate, soup bowl, bread plate, and other dishes. The large size of the charger plate also makes it easier for servers to place and remove these dishes (Wikipedia). Additionally, charger plates can protect the tablecloth from spills and stains during the meal.

History of Charger Plates

Charger plates originated in the Middle Ages in Europe, deriving from the old English and Scottish term “chargeour”, meaning “any large platter or tray for carrying or serving a portion of food to be placed before a diner” [1]. They were originally very large, flat dishes made of metal or wood and used for serving and sharing food at medieval banquets before individual place settings became common. The charger plate would hold bread, meat, or other food that multiple people at the table could reach.

As individual place settings evolved, charger plates became smaller but were still used to present the first course of a formal dinner. They allowed for an elegant presentation of food and helped protect the tablecloth from splatters or drips while eating the first course. Charger plates traditionally remain on the table under the dinner plate throughout the meal. They have more recently become popular decorative accent pieces used underneath dinner plates or as serving platters at more casual meals.

What Are Placemats?

A placemat is a table covering placed on top of a dining table to designate an individual place setting and protect the table’s surface (Wikipedia, 2023). Placemats are commonly made from materials like fabric, vinyl, wood, paper, bamboo, or rattan and placed in front of each diner at a table.

The main purpose of a placemat is to protect the dining table from spills, scratches, and stains while providing a decorative accent to individual place settings. Placemats also absorb moisture, provide a hygienic layer between food and the table, and can assist with setting alignment of dishes and flatware. Many placemat designs incorporate creative themes or artwork to personalize place settings and coordinate with other table decor.

Unlike larger tablecloths that cover the entire table, placemats are designed as single-serving mats that mark personal spaces at a table. They are an integral part of creating an inviting tablescape and setting the mood for a meal. Placemats can be casual for everyday dining or formal for special occasions.

Differences Between Charger Plates and Placemats

There are some key differences between charger plates and placemats when it comes to material, size, and purpose:

Material: Charger plates are typically made of porcelain, metal, glass, or stoneware. Placemats can be made of these materials but are more commonly made of linen, vinyl, bamboo, straw, plastic, paper, or foam. Charger plates offer a more elegant, upscale look and feel while placemats are typically more casual.

Size: Charger plates are larger, generally ranging from 11 inches to 15 inches or more in diameter. Placemats are smaller, usually between 12 inches to 18 inches in length. The larger size of charger plates allows them to be used underneath dinner plates to provide contrast and decoration.[https://www.efavormart.com/collections/charger-plates-placemat]

Purpose: Charger plates are mainly decorative and used to dress up a table setting underneath dinner plates. They are not used for eating or serving food directly. Placemats are functional and meant to protect table surfaces from heat, scratches, and spills during a meal. While placemats can provide decoration, their primary role is utilitarian.

In summary, charger plates tend to be larger, more elegant, and primarily decorative while placemats are smaller, casual, and more functional for everyday dining.

When To Use Charger Plates vs Placemats

Proper table setting rules dictate when it’s appropriate to use charger plates versus placemats. According to etiquette experts, you would generally use one or the other, not both.

Charger plates are decorative and used to add visual interest before the first course is served. They are placed on the table before guests arrive and are not meant to be eaten off of. The salad or dinner plate is then placed on top of the charger plate. After the first course is finished, the dinner plate and charger plate are removed together before the next course.

Placemats serve a more functional purpose – they go under the dinner plate to protect the tablecloth from spills and stains. Placemats remain on the table throughout the entire meal. Typically you would use either a charger plate or a placemat, not both.

According to source, charger plates are most commonly used for formal dinners and celebrations. They help create an elegant tablescape. Placemats are more casual and commonly used for everyday meals. Consider the formality of the occasion when deciding between charger plates versus placemats.

Materials for Charger Plates

Charger plates can be made from a variety of materials, with some of the most common being:

Porcelain – Porcelain chargers are durable, can be decorative with patterns, and are oven/dishwasher safe. Porcelain is a great traditional material for chargers. (Source)

Glass – Glass charger plates allow you to add color underneath and see through the glass. They have a sleek, modern look. Glass chargers are usually hand-wash only. (Source)

Metal – Metal like silver, pewter, or nickel provide an elegant, formal look for chargers. They can be engraved and are very durable. Metals chargers should be hand-washed. (Source)

Wood – Wood charger plates provide a rustic, natural aesthetic. Wood requires more care like hand-washing but brings warmth. (Source)

There are also other unique materials like mother of pearl, marble, and leather used for charger plates. The material you choose impacts the look, durability, and care for your chargers.

Materials for Placemats

Placemats come in a variety of materials, each with their own properties and benefits. Some of the most common materials used for placemats include:

Fabric: Cotton and linen are two of the most popular fabric choices for placemats. Fabric placemats like cotton and linen are soft, absorbent, and machine washable. However, they may stain and show wear over time. According to Food and Wine, cotton and linen are the most common materials used for placemats and kitchen linens.

Vinyl: Vinyl placemats are durable, easy to clean, and stain resistant. They are a good option for families with children. However, they lack the softness and absorbency of fabrics. Placemats.co.uk notes that vinyl is commonly used in placemat construction.

Wood: Wooden placemats can have an elegant, rustic look. However, they require more care than vinyl or fabric – they can crack, scratch, or warp if not properly cared for. Wood placemats should be periodically treated with food-safe sealants.

Bamboo: Like wooden placemats, bamboo placemats have an attractive natural look. Bamboo is also eco-friendly and naturally antimicrobial. However, bamboo is prone to staining from spills.

Rubber: Rubber placemats are flexible, easy to clean, and more resistant to stains and scratches than wood or bamboo. However, they lack the pleasing texture of fabrics.

The right placemat material depends on your priorities – appearance, ease of care, durability, and cost may all be considerations when choosing placemat materials for your home.

Decorative Options

There are many ways to decorate both charger plates and placemats to enhance the look of your table setting. Popular decorative options for charger plates include:

• Metallic finishes like gold, silver, copper, etc. These add shine and elegance to the table (Source)
• Chargers with patterns, designs, or artistic motifs printed on them (Source)
• Textured or embossed surfaces for visual interest
• Chargers made from natural materials like wood, marble, stone, etc.

For placemats, popular decorative options include:

• Woven, embroidered, or hand-painted designs
• Placemats made from linen, burlap, lace, etc. for different textures
• Placemats with seasonal or holiday motifs
• Coordinating placemats that match dinnerware patterns
• Luxurious materials like silk, velvet, or leather

Both charger plates and placemats can be mixed and matched for endless decorative possibilities. Contrasting textures, colors, and patterns is a great way to make your tabletop truly eye-catching and unique.

Cost Comparison

When it comes to price, charger plates tend to be more expensive than placemats. According to Tablecloths Factory, most charger plates range from $3-20 per plate, while placemats can be found for $1-15 each. The material used impacts the price – metallic chargers and lace or fabric placemats will be pricier than plastic options.

Bulk pricing can make a difference as well. At large party supply stores like eFavorMart, buying in bulk brings the per unit price down. Their metallic plastic chargers can be as low as $1 each when purchased in sets of 48. Meanwhile, their basic placemats can be under $0.50 each for large orders.

For very formal occasions using real silver or porcelain chargers, expect to pay $20-50 or more per plate. But for the average dinner party or wedding reception using faux metal, glass, or plastic options, chargers will run $5-15 each while placemats can be $2-7 each.

Summary and Recommendations

Both charger plates and placemats serve decorative and functional purposes at the dinner table. When deciding between using charger plates or placemats, consider the following:

Use charger plates when:

• You want to create a formal table setting for a dinner party or special occasion
• You have beautiful dinnerware you want to showcase under the charger plate
• You want an elegant layering of textures, colors, and materials

Use placemats when:

• You need a more casual and practical table setting for everyday use
• You want to protect your table from spills and hot dishes
• You want an inexpensive table covering that is easy to clean

Both charger plates and placemats come in a variety of materials like porcelain, metal, glass, cotton, vinyl, and more. Porcelain and glass provide an upscale look, while vinyl and cotton are more affordable and durable options. You can find countless decorative patterns and designs for either option.

Ultimately, charger plates create a more formal, elegant tablescape as part of place settings, while placemats simply protect and decorate the table. Consider your needs, budget and the look you want to achieve when deciding which option to use.