The Best Square Tablecloths

Your ideal table cover should both add a protective barrier to your tabletop and draw company to it with a style that’s as gorgeous as the table hiding just underneath it. There’s a tablecloth for almost every situation, whether you want something that will impress your dinner guests or are only looking to protect your outdoor folding table from soda spills and cake frosting smears. Here are a few table covers we think you should check out.

Buying Guide for Square Tablecloths

Why buy a square tablecloth?

It all comes down to preservation and appearance. Regardless of the table you’re looking to cover, whether it be forged from solid mahogany or a piece of admittedly flimsy plastic, the right table cover will protect the surface of your dining space. Scuffs, stains, fading, and cracks are extensively limited when you cover your table with the appropriate type of cloth. A tablecloth can also seriously dress up a table for a special occasion. They provide an amazing backdrop for table settings, runners, candles, and other pieces of decor.

Square tablecloths specifically are pretty versatile. They’re obviously meant for square tables, but they can be layered or lined up together to cover rectangle tables and will work on round ones as well. So if you have a couple of square tablecloths around, they can come in handy in many different scenarios.

What should you look for in a tablecloth?

Consider these factors when you’re looking to dress up your eating area:

• Dimensions: First and foremost, one of the most important factors to consider when selecting your next tablecloth is its size. Choosing the correct size of cloth starts by measuring the dimensions of your table and then translating that into your purchase. However, there are some trusted rules to take into account when measuring. Your tablecloth should feature moderate hang off the sides of your table, and that differs for certain occasions because whereas a cloth should hang 6-8 inches off the sides for a casual setting, it should also hang around 15 inches off the side for formal and banquet settings.
• Material: The material construction of your tablecloth is a vital consideration, as different materials can accomplish various tasks and levels of protection. Covers made from thick and loose cotton are likely to prevent scratches better than most, but they won’t stick to your table as an elastic polyester-spandex cover will. And though a cover featuring a stainproof surface grants you optimal peace of mind, there’s also the disposable plastic cover, which you can just ball up and toss in the trash rather than worry about lingering smells or potential stain treatment.
• Styling: Finally, setting the tone for your dining area is crucial, and that’s why the tablecloth is so handy. For some covers, there’s a great amount of pride taken in protecting the tabletop, dressed up in a sea of intricate stitchwork that begs a guest’s question, “Oh, okay, you’ve got to tell me where I can find this.”

How often should you wash a tablecloth?

Whether it bears an obvious blemish or not, you may be surprised at how often you’re actually intended to wash your tablecloth. According to numerous outlets, a tablecloth should be washed after every meal it has accommodated. For this demanding reason, people often favor hard-wearing and stainproof covers, as they require less care in between uses and don’t take on damage as easily. In the case of cotton or antique threads, it’s important for you to refer to the cleaning instructions printed on its hem tag. If there is no tag, it’s imperative that you seek out a professional dry cleaner’s opinion before potentially damaging a new tablecloth.

Our Picks for the Best Square Tablecloths

Pros: This tablecloth is available in two design styles with five different color options between the pair. Its cloth body is crafted from quality cotton linen and features a three-dimensional embroidered design stitched across every inch. Its cloth construction is also resistant to wrinkles, shrinkage, dust buildup, and fading. Its plush surface is kind on the elbows, too, so conversations at the table can linger beyond mealtime.

Cons: The seamless tassel-fringe is another trendy facet of its styling, but if there are kids, pets, or loose hands, the likelihood of the cloth being shifted or pulled from the table is high. Moreover, while the surface of the tablecloth is up to par in regard to durability, the tassels may fray and shed a handful of loose strings over time. After a wash, this tablecloth must be air-dried, which can feel like a time-consuming task for most people.

Bottom Line: If you’re seeking an option that understands protection for your tabletop doesn’t have to be so dull, then this Mokani Checkered Design Tablecloth has you covered with its soft construction and detailed embroidering.

 

Pros: For the crowd who appreciates an industrial choice, and those with messy children, this tablecloth blends ample fashion with reliably tough construction. Its 54- by 54-inch body features 100% polyester material that’s thoroughly capable of repelling water, allowing you to clean spills off of its surface in just three easy steps. And with 23 different colors to choose from, like lavender and pumpkin orange, you’re bound to find the cloth that suits your dining area.

Cons: Though it provides the tough support many of us crave come mealtime, this cloth’s dependence on polyester fabric means coming up short in the comfort department, as the material is known to feel slightly scratchy on the skin and retain unwanted odors. Despite its vast color options, some users have noted that the design of the tablecloth lacks a certain sense of formality necessary for upscale dinners.

Bottom Line: With its multicolor catalog and highly-resistant surface strength, this Hiasan Square Tablecloth is an ideal option for those seeking a dining necessity that will stand the test of time.

 

Pros: A great choice for outdoors, this tablecloth juggles a surplus of perks to make it worth your investment. This isn’t a single square, but an entire roll of thick plastic sheets that can cover either 20 short tables or 12 long tables. The roll’s disposable nature means each plastic sheet is designed to handle any spill or scratch that would normally wreck cloth options. Its built-in slide cutter also allows for ample customization, so you can cover square, rectangular, or even circular tables.

Cons: Understandably, an option that hinges on the perk of being good to throw away ushers in a few worries. For instance, its unceremonious appearance definitely limits how and where you can use it, rendering it applicable to more casual settings alone. And while a sheet can be reused, its millimeter-thin plastic makes it just as easy to tear. Additionally, this option is sold at a noticeably higher price than other options.

Bottom Line: When you’re dining outside for the day or need to cover a lot of table space for your guests, this Neatiffy Plastic Tablecloth Roll is the type of versatile protection for your tabletop that you can use, reuse, and toss in the trash when you’re done with it.

 

Pros: Simple and appropriate for small arrangements, this option understands that the biggest drawback to owning a tablecloth is trying to keep it in place. Thanks to the stretching power of its spandex material and elastic edging, this cloth keeps a tight hold on the corners of your table, so there is no shifting or sudden pull that may send plates and cups crashing to the floor. It’s applicable for tables that measure 34 by 34 inches to 48 by 48 inches.

Cons: As far as styling goes, this cloth doesn’t feature the same kind of designs or color options that other choices offer. In total, there are just six different colors to choose between, which can feel limiting for those that want a protective cloth with an equal amount of scene-stealing fashion. It’s not waterproof or stainproof, and its constant stretching may leave it susceptible to tears over time.

Bottom Line: For the couple who’s just sick of constantly fixing their tablecloth before and after every meal, this JISEN Table Top Cover is designed to stay firmly in place for amazing convenience.

 

Pros: The outdoor option that accommodates your preexisting furniture, this tablecloth features a pre-cut hole for the table and umbrella combo on your backyard patio. Many covers neglect this particular type of outdoor seating, and this choice acknowledges it with a sturdy, pre-cut design that you can easily zipper around your table like a skirt. The cloth itself is made from extra-soft polyester that’s a breeze to clean and won’t shrink after a wash.

Cons: Because this is such a unique design, it’s likely not to fit on any other table than the sole size it comes in. So, unless you have a 60- by 60-inch table, there are very few ways you can utilize this cloth. The colors might fade in the sunlight.

Bottom Line: A true rarity for the square table, this Lahome Medallion Outdoor Tablecloth satisfies the use of a particular type of furniture with slots to keep an umbrella in place and heavy stitchwork that’s built to last outside conditions. If you love to eat on your patio, this is the tablecloth for you.

Final Thoughts

The tablecloth is beloved for the protective and decorative function it continues to take in our homes. If you want a new square tablecloth for your table, check out our picks.