Our upcoming book, Homes for Living, celebrates comfort, ease, and authenticity over perfection. That philosophy carries straight into hosting – because the best gatherings aren’t about flawless décor or gourmet menus, they’re about creating a space where friends feel welcomed, relaxed, and at home.
We love adding little creative touches to the table that don’t feel fussy but make a big difference. Simple things, like folding napkins in a fresh way, can give real ‘wow’ factor and quickly elevate a meal. In this second peek from Homes for Living, we’re sharing ‘Table Napkins: Three Ways’ – easy, elegant ideas you can do in minutes.
Table Napkins: Three Ways
Here are three easy ways to present your napkins that will add a fun detail to your tablescape. It will show that you’ve taken some time over it, but that you haven’t turned into the type of person that spends their day learning how to origami napkins into elaborate woodland creatures.
The Knot
This is the simplest one of all, it takes two seconds and you need no other embellishments. Take your napkin by the opposite corners and tie a loose, simple knot in the middle. This looks fun and is easy for your guests to undo before placing on their lap.
The Tie
Fold your napkin into a rectangle. Tie some string or a piece of ribbon loosely around the napkin, leaving a crease down the center. Decorate the crease with a sprig of greenery (herbs such as rosemary work well), berries or flowers.
The Bow
Fold your napkin across the diagonal, then fold the wide edge of the triangle over like you would when making a bandana, until you have one long strip of fabric. Fold each end inwards and downwards to about 45 degrees a third of the way along the strip. Pinch all the fabric together in the middle and feed your napkin ring through the lot – you should end up with a pretty bow to place in the middle of your table setting. You can see the steps in our video, too.
For more practical ideas – from tips for the messy host to mastering the perfect nap – preorder Homes for Living now, out on 9 April 2026.
