42 Cool Napkins and Placemats To Make Today

Do you spend hours and hours preparing the perfect meals, even art directing and styling them a bit to make them extra appealing, ala Pinterest? When you want your presentations to look extra amazing, you need to make sure your table accessories and decor match the loveliness of the food. In fact, even when food is simple, the tablescape will make or break the look. Napkins and placemats are key, and we have decided you should absolutely make all of yours. For whatever reason, those offered in stores are just not the same quality as handmade ones. When I moved into my new house, I went shopping in an attempt to outfit the breakfast room with linens. I was sadly disappointed to see the choices offered when it came to placemats and napkins, and I could not find anything close to what I wanted. I went searching through the ideas on Pinterest and found more DIY ideas than I could possibly want (or make) From dip dyed, stenciled to hand-painted to easy sewing patterns, the handmade napkins and placemats belong on your table. Check out the step by step tutorials and get to making some this weekend. A super thing to keep on hand for DIY gifts, too, people love them!

1. DIY Speckled Placemats

homeyohmy

DIY Speckled Placemats, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and an idea worth saving for later

3. DIY Burlap Placemats

The Country Chic Cottage
DIY Burlap Placemats, a project worth trying this weekend and an idea that is easy to recreate at home

Burlap and a length of ribbon is the whole material list, which is why I managed a full set in one evening. They bring instant farmhouse warmth to the table and they suit fall especially well. The Country Chic Cottage has the how to.

5. Fast And Easy Fabric Napkins

flamingotoes

Fast And Easy Fabric Napkins, a budget friendly way to update the space and a simple upgrade almost anyone can try

6. DIY Dip Dye Placemats

designlovefest

DIY Dip Dye Placemats, a napkin and placemat idea worth trying this season and a creative way to reuse what you already have

7. DIY Pom Pom Cocktail Napkins

lovemaegan

DIY Pom Pom Cocktail Napkins, a project that comes together in an afternoon and worth bookmarking for your next project

8. Easy Quilt As You Go Placemats

seasonedhomemaker

Easy Quilt As You Go Placemats, a clever idea worth trying at home and an easy weekend project with a big payoff

9. DIY Rope Placemats

frenchcountrycottage

DIY Rope Placemats, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and a smart way to add something special to a room

10. DIY Moss Covered Placemats

bespokedecor

DIY Moss Covered Placemats, one worth pinning for later and a simple idea that makes a real difference

11. DIY Fruit Fabric Placemat

Sueeye

DIY Fruit Fabric Placemat, a fun project the whole family can help with and an affordable way to try something new

12. Stenciled Buffalo Plaid Placemats

Funky Junk Interiors
Stenciled Buffalo Plaid Placemats, a napkin and placemat idea worth trying this season and a fresh take on a classic idea

Buffalo plaid makes a table look pulled together with almost no effort, and stenciling it onto plain placemats is far easier than I expected. I love that the whole set coordinates for the price of a single stencil. Funky Junk Interiors has the tutorial.

13. Reversible Placemats

realcoake

Reversible Placemats, a favorite pick from this list and an idea worth trying before buying something new

14. DIY No Sew Outdoor Placemats

creeklinehouse

DIY No Sew Outdoor Placemats, a project that makes a great weekend activity and one of the more clever picks on this list

15. Pretty No-Sew Placemats

lamourcheznous

Pretty No-Sew Placemats, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and an idea worth saving to your favorites

16. Painted Canvas Placemats

theviewfromhere

Painted Canvas Placemats, a great weekend project for a beginner with basic tools and great for your home

17. Thrifted Chalkboard Placemats

anoregoncottage

Thrifted Chalkboard Placemats, one of the best picks on this list and an idea worth saving for later

18. Citrus Print Tea Towels

Sueeye
Citrus Print Tea Towels, a napkin and placemat idea worth trying this season and a popular pick from this roundup

I stamp citrus slices straight onto plain linens and the result is as fresh as anything I could have bought. The same technique works on napkins, towels and anything else white in the kitchen. It is cheap and it is quick. Here is my method.

19. Easy Peasy DIY Placemats

wildandwanderful

Easy Peasy DIY Placemats, an affordable way to try something new and a favorite from this collection

20. Sew Your Own Placemat + Napkins

sewcaroline

Sew Your Own Placemat + Napkins, a quick idea that comes together fast and a budget friendly way to update the space

21. Rose-Folded Cloth Napkins

Sueeye
Rose-Folded Cloth Napkins, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and a simple upgrade almost anyone can try

If your table feels a bit boring, this fixes it in about a minute per napkin. Folded into a rose, an ordinary cloth napkin becomes the decoration itself, which is my favorite kind of shortcut. I use it for showers, weddings and any meal I want to feel special. Here is my fold.

22. Burlap Placemats

makinglifeabliss

Burlap Placemats, a project worth trying if you love a good DIY and a project that comes together in an afternoon

24. Cork Stamped Cloth Napkins

Mad in Crafts
Cork Stamped Cloth Napkins, a napkin and placemat idea worth trying this season and worth bookmarking for your next project

I save wine corks without any real plan, and this project justified the whole collection. A cork becomes a block printing stamp, and inexpensive tea towels turn into patterned napkins with a graphic, modern look. Mad in Crafts shows you how.

26. Spray Painted Napkins

thelearnerobserver

Spray Painted Napkins, an idea worth trying before buying something new and an easy weekend project with a big payoff

27. DIY 5 Minute Cloth Napkin

vivaveltoro

DIY 5 Minute Cloth Napkin, one of the more clever picks on this list and one worth pinning for later

28. DIY Pom Pom Napkins

peonyandink

DIY Pom Pom Napkins, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and a simple idea that makes a real difference

29. Easy To Sew Dinner Napkins

thegirlinspired

Easy To Sew Dinner Napkins, a great weekend project for a beginner with basic tools and a quick idea that comes together fast

30. Pom Pom Placemats

ruemag

Pom Pom Placemats, an idea worth saving for later and a versatile idea that works in more than one room

32. Scrap Fabric Napkin

oliviakanaley

Scrap Fabric Napkin, a napkin and placemat idea worth trying this season and a project worth trying if you love a good DIY

33. DIY Watercolor Cloth Napkins

aliceandlois

DIY Watercolor Cloth Napkins, one of the best picks on this list and an idea worth trying before buying something new

34. Dip Dye Summer Napkins

simplyjandk

Dip Dye Summer Napkins, a budget friendly way to update the space and one of the more clever picks on this list

35. Inexpensive DIY Personalized Napkins

tikkido

Inexpensive DIY Personalized Napkins, one of the best napkin and placemat ideas on this list and worth a look

36. DIY Linen Fringe Napkins

The Girl Inspired
DIY Linen Fringe Napkins, a simple idea that makes a real difference and handy for your next project

That fringed edge is what makes these, and I cannot get enough of the technique. Soft linen napkins finished this way look elegant enough for a Thanksgiving table and they only improve with washing. The Girl Inspired has the whole tutorial.