Best placemats for creating a stylish table setting

The placemat is an often overlooked item of homeware but finding the right one could make it the foundation of your dining table set-up.

Most of us would be happy to spend days or even weeks searching for a gorgeous dining table to become the heart of our home, so it makes no sense to then plonk hot plates down upon that most cherished of surfaces, marking it forever.

The best placemats to look out for are ones that are protective, look lovely and fit in with the aesthetic of your home, are quick to clean with the best cleaning products after a meal and won’t slide across the table like an air hockey puck.

Finding dining placemats that are a pleasure to use needn’t be a chore; we've done the hard work for you, seeking out the most hardwearing, stylish options out there. We've combed through bestseller lists, verified consumer reviews, interior design expert suggestions and, of course, recommendations from our trusted army of Mumsnet users. Every buyer's guide we have on site - covering everything from the best freezer to the best oven cleaner - starts with research on the Mumsnet forums, home to the largest online network of parents in the UK.

Here are the best placemats for your home in 2026.

1. Best overall placemats: Tendak Felt Placemats and Coasters

Price on writing: £16 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 44 x 32cm | Material: Felt | Number in set: Six

What we love

• Set contains coasters and cutlery bags

• Minimalist design

• Good value

What to know

• Felt might not be for everyone

• May be too big if you have a small table

Our verdict

Felt is a fantastic, practical fabric for placemats and it surprised us to discover that it can also be an elegant choice if you choose the right ones. We think these stylish yet minimalist mats wouldn’t look out of place at a trendy, expensive restaurant. These mats are functional too – they soak up spills, can be washed in the sink and resist heat up to 120°C.

They're a very generous size, offering more than enough space for a plate and cutlery. However, if your dinner table is on the smaller side, it might be better to go for a more compact design. We loved the price point too as they come with matching coasters and some useful little cutlery bags. When used together, the set would look spectacular on a dinner party table.

Felt is heavily textured but soft, so it is the perfect fabric to prevent plates from slipping across a glossy table and scratching the surface.

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2. Best budget placemats: IKEA SVARTSENAP Cotton Placemats

Price on writing: £1 (per mat) | Buy now from IKEA

Key specs

Size: 35 x 45cm | Material: Cotton | Number in set: One

What we love

• Cheap

• Machine washable

• Buying individual placemats rather than a set means you can choose the number you need

What to know

• Some users found it shrank after being washed

• You may want something thicker to resist heat better

Our verdict

Machine washable placemats are ideal for young families. There’s no endless post-meal wiping of food after your pots are loaded into the dishwasher; you can chuck them in a quick wash in your washing machine and leave them to dry overnight.

Our tip is to buy another complete set of these mats so you can wash and wear them. It’s also a big positive that you can buy as many as your family needs rather than having to stick to a standard set size.

The SVARTSENAP mat is made from 100% cotton, and comes in a colour palette of practical neutrals. Woven cotton will protect your table from scratches, but we wouldn’t recommend using them for hot serving dishes.

3. Best rustic placemats: Dehaus Woven Round Placemats

Price on writing: £25 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 30cm diameter | Material: Water hyacinth | Number in set: Six

What we love

• Lovely rustic look

• Great quality

• Nicely packaged so would make a good housewarming gift

What to know

• Pricier than other options

• A few found they weren't that easy to clean

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a set of placemats with a rustic feel, these are perfect. They would also suit a kitchen with a seaside or cosy cottage theme thanks to the weave pattern.

These mats have been handcrafted from water hyacinth, a hard-wearing material that will last for years. It's also a fast-growing, renewable material if you're looking to up your eco credentials and cut back on plastics.

A few reviewers found they were a little tricky to keep clean however, so they may be better suited to a table of adults and older children rather than younger, potentially messier eaters.

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4. Best stylish placemats: Pimpernel Vintage Placemats and Coasters

Price on writing: £21 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 30.5cm x 23cm | Material: Wood and cork | Number in set: Six

What we love

• Stylish retro design

• Quality brand, built to last

• Heat resistant up to 110°C

What to know

• Relatively pricey

What Mumsnet users say

“I have some placemats that are still going strong after nearly 30 years. They were made by Pimpernel who are still making them today.” (Recommended brand by Mumsnet user Cantspell2)

Our verdict

Pimpernel has been making hardboard placemats and coasters since the mid-1930s. The founder, Will George, dreamt up the business after looking for a use for durable and heat-resistant plywood off-cuts. The placemats are still made virtually the same way as they were at the start — hardboard lined with cork and the recognisable green baize. The surface is then coated with tough cellulose for extra resilience.

Thanks to the layers of robust materials, these mats are heat-resistant up to 110°C, making the level of defence perfect for even the most delicate of surfaces. They can be wiped clean with a cloth but avoid using too much water as the design can lift.

In comparison to other placemats on our list, this style is expensive. However, we felt that the quality and choice of gorgeous vintage designs (including an edition featuring William Morris’ ‘Strawberry Thief’) made them worth the money. If you're all about style and don't want to compromise on quality, these are the mats for you - just pair with our choice of the 'most fun tea towels' for the ultimate wow factor when entertaining.

5. Best place mats for heat protection: Argon Tableware Set of Square Natural Slate Placemats & Coasters

Price: £21 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 20cm x 30cm | Material: Slate | Number in set: Six mats and coasters

What we love

• Comes with matching coasters

• Ideal for protecting your table from heat

• Can also be used as a serving plate

• Robust and thick

What to know

• Quite heavy

• A few reviewers recommended treating them with a slate preserver before use

Our verdict

Thanks to its insulating properties, slate makes the best heat-resistant placemats. The generous depth of these mats also makes them even more fantastic for protecting your table.

Natural slate will look stylish in both a traditional or modern home. The colour is a rich dark grey and, while the edges are a little rough, we think that adds to the character of them and the tiny anti-slip feet will protect your table from being scratched.

The size of these mats is perfect for a single dinner plate but not a whole place setting. However, this petite size does mean that they can be used as elegant cheese and nibbles platters at a dinner party and would work well on a small dining table.

The one negative is that they're fairly heavy, so care is needed when carrying so they aren't dropped and damaged.

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6. Best placemat for kids: SILIVO Elephant Non-Slip Placemat

Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: ‎26 x 20 x 3cm | Material: Silicone | Number in set: One

What we love

• Made with food-safe, BPA-free silicone

• Can go in the dishwasher

• Ideal for weaning

What to know

• Pricey for one mat, but good value as works as a plate too

Our verdict

This elephant-shaped placemat is adorable and comes in three fun colours. The sections are great for baby-led weaning, and it’s the best baby placemat for picky eaters who don’t like their sweetcorn and peas mixed, ultimately helping to avoid food being thrown in the kitchen bin!

Crafted from food-safe, BPA-free silicone, it’s wipeable, washable and will fit neatly in a slimline dishwasher. It is also resistant to being stained by high-coloured food such as tomatoes and carrots.

Suction cups underneath the mat will cling to the table without leaving marks, but if it does move, that’s ok; this cute little elephant is incredibly strong and flexible, so it won’t shatter if thrown by a cheeky toddler.

This silicone mat is lightweight and will fold up into a changing bag — the perfect solution for eating with a toddler away from home.

7. Best placemats for families: Wrendale Zoological Placemats

Price on writing: £29 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 30.5 x 23cm | Material: Cork  | Number in set: Six

What we love

• Lovely design

• Easy to clean

• Heat resistant up to 110°C

What to know

• Expensive

Our verdict

The Wrendale artwork on these placemats is gorgeous. The animals they depict have lots of personality, and we can imagine members of a family assigning themselves their favourite creature.

Cleaning the surface after a messy meal is simple. Just wipe clean with a damp cloth and gentle anti-bacterial spray. Avoid saturating the mats though as this might lead to the picture lifting.

Protecting your dining table is easy with these robust anti-slip and scratch mats – backed with insulating cork, they are heat resistant to 110°C. Each mat will fit a single plate, which would also suit a smaller table or breakfast bar.

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8. Best wipeable placemats: BaoWnylz PU Leather Placemats and Coasters

Price on writing: £12 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 45 x 30cm | Material: PU leather | Number in set: Four mats and four coasters

What we love

• Good price

• Easy to clean

• Ideal for basic, every day use

What to know

• Large size

• Quite thin

Our verdict

Here at Mumsnet, we're all about finding products that make cleaning and chores easier, from the best dishwasher tablets to the top dish rack , and we love these placemats as they are super easy to clean. There are no tiny gaps for food to get stuck in, and they can be wiped vigorously with water without having to worry about a difficult-to-dry material or removing a design.

Heat-proofing your table is simple with these mats too as they are resistant of heat up to 80°C and can be used as protection from dinner plates and serving dishes.

Sophisticated and practical, there’s a choice of light grey, coal-black and a calming blue, colours that will suit most home styles. We think they would also be ideal for use when working from home. The mats are the same size as a generic laptop so they will protect your table from the heat of the battery.

9. Best cork placemats: Apollo Cork Placemats and Coasters

Price on writing: £8 | Buy now from Amazon

Key specs

Size: 28 x 20.5cm | Material: Cork | Number in set: Four mats and four coasters

What we love

• Great price

• Includes matching coasters

• Easy to clean

What to know

• Basic design

Our verdict

If you agree with some Mumsnet users who think that placemats are naff but need protection for your beautiful new mahogany dining table, then these cheap and basic cork mats are just the thing.

We loved the no-nonsense nature of this product. They protect from hot plates, won’t scratch and can then be wiped clean with a wet cloth and stashed back in a drawer.

Despite their simplicity, we do think these placemats have a rustic charm. They would look perfect in a country kitchen and are a lovely, textured shade of warm brown.

What to look for in the best placemats

You should never have to sacrifice on style over substance when it comes to your table setting. Here are a few things to look out for when buying a new placemat.

• Heat protection: Cork, slate, felt, and wood are excellent natural options, while silicone and vinyl are manufactured alternatives. Look for placemats that will insulate at 100°C and above for the best defence against the heat.

• Scratch and slip-proof: Rubber anti-slip feet on the underside of smooth surfaces such as wood will prevent accidental gouges in your table or slippy plates. Textured fabric such as felt won’t budge, whereas plastic mats are naturally very slightly tacky at room temperature, so they will also stay in place.

• Ease of cleaning: Most placemats that define themselves as 'washable' will be safe for hand washing rather than dishwasher safe. If you're going for a wipeable mat, a quick go over with a hot cloth and some anti-bacterial spray after a meal is the easiest way to keep your mats clean and hygienic. However, avoid overloading coated mats with too much water and never immerse them as the top layer is likely to bubble and peel. Materials such as felt and cork will soak up water, so it’s best to spot clean these with a damp cloth.

Do I need placemats for my table?

If you wish to protect the surface of your dining table from heat, scratches and mess, then yes, you do need placemats. This need is especially true if you have a young family – we all know how far food can travel when excited children dig into a yummy tea.

Larger table cloths are also an easy way to add a theme or a touch of style to the dining experience.

What’s the best material for placemats?

If you think you want to machine wash your placemats, then either cotton or polyester is the best option. They can be popped in on a quick wash and then laid out flat, so they dry quickly without needing to be ironed.

Natural, hard materials such as slate and cork, and thick, woven fabrics like felt are all great insulators, so pick these if your dining table is prone to marking.

Should I use round or rectangle placemats?

Designing your home is very personal, so there is no right or wrong answer to this. However, the general rule is to have the same shape of a placemat as your dining table. This coordination will add symmetry and be more soothing to the eye.

What are the best placemats?

We chose the on-trend Tendak Felt Placemats as our best buy because we thought they ticked all the crucial boxes, and the vast number of delighted reviewers also helped us make our decision.

Felt is an underused material for placemats. It has very high heat resistance, will keep your plates warm, feels soft so it won’t scratch and can be hand-washed easily. The only issue is that the thick fabric can take a while to dry.

How we chose our recommendations

We researched the levels of heat resistance, style and practicality of each type of placemat to ensure all our suggestions will make your life easier and enhance the look of your home.

We also consulted independent review sites for product opinions to ensure we were bringing you an honest summary of the best placemats for families in 2026.

Why you should trust us

We strive to provide honest and independent advice you can trust, and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find amazing products that real parents love.

Transparency is vital to us, and that's why we're always honest about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their friends and family.

Lead image: Tendak felt placemats on Amazon

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