Coasters for plates: types and selection criteria

They say that beauty lies in the details, and harmony consists of individual parts. Napkins under the plates are a clear confirmation of this, being a practical and aesthetically attractive element in the arrangement of the kitchen. The material of this article will tell readers about what these products are and what are the main criteria for their choice.

Napkins for dishes are one of the key elements of home life. Today, they not only save the tabletop from premature aging, but also from various kinds of damage. These are tools for the care of kitchen furniture, they can be put under hot dishes on the table. They save the tables and cooking places from dirt and stains, make a clear organization in the meal, limiting the space of everyone sitting at the table.

Besides the fact that they are put under the plates, they are suitable to put on them a kettle, cups, glasses. They greatly decorate the table when it is served. Depending on the type of product, it can be used for pots and pans (including portioned varieties), as well as ceramic pots. In this case, the products differ in heat resistance and insulating properties. In most cases, they are designed to provide more and anti-slip, and therefore fit snugly to the working surface.

Besides, coasters are needed and under cold dishes. Sometimes during a meal, in addition to plates, glasses of cold drinks are placed on them, which in warm rooms leads to wetting of the table top. These napkins are not afraid of moisture, they do not miss it. Also, among other analogues, there are decorative options, the purpose of which is the exclusive decoration of the festive table.

Thanks to the modern approach to the creation of various kinds of kitchen accessories, coasters for plates today can be different. And Differences can occur not only in the type of material used in the production. Different products and other signs. For example, some of them are independent elements, others are included in the kit with supports for cups and pans.

The second options are convenient because in the general background of the interior they create a large share of comfort. The first has to be selected more carefully, based on the type of available dishes and the method of use. Depending on what they are made of, products can be designed for different types of use. For example, some of them are suitable for hot dishes, while others are not designed for this.

In their lines you can find serving options that can decorate the dining room, living room, tea and coffee tables. They are perfect for arranging gazebos, dressing tables when decorating the rooms in special occasions.

Depending on the material of manufacture, they may differ in thickness and density, in view of what some of them fully protect the tabletop from hot, while others cope with this task only partially.

By type of product execution can be very diverse. For example, in the classical form, these are most often products of a monolithic type, or even mats for dishes. This category includes homemade crocheted versions of traditional rugs. It can also be textile options from dense natural material that does not melt and can protect the surface of the table from hot dishes.

Based on the type of material, models may have different performance characteristics. For example, some of them differ in anti-skid, which is very good when used in the kitchen. Others are comfortable because they have a certain weight. Due to it, they are resistant, while some models can be accidentally brushed off the table.

The others are convenient because in addition to the usual working surface have various kinds of functional additions. For example, it can be pockets for forks, spoons and knives, as well as additional miniature napkins for cups or tea kettles. In addition, this line includes options with loops for napkins, designed for wiping after a meal.

According to the type of use of the stand under the plates may be different. Some of them provide for everyday use, others can be designed for holidays. Others are completely disposable, and therefore do not require any care. The fourth is used as a protection of the glass surface from stains and scratches, and therefore is selected with special care.

Fifth are needed as mobile thermo-wipes, when households want to protect the surface of the place of the meal from the effects of high temperature or moisture and stains. Some products are used by customers as tacks. Others simultaneously perform two functions and are needed where desktop oilcloths lie on the tables (they prevent sintering of the material and protect the dishes from slipping).

Napkins under the plates are made from different raw materials, due to which the products differ not only by varying degrees of heat resistance, but also by resistance to cuts, punctures, which may appear as a result of careless handling. For example, on the shelves of modern stores you can buy napkins for dishes:

• bamboo;
• silicone;
• plastic;
• paper;
• leather;
• wooden;
• cork;
• textile.

The most impractical, but comfortable products are paper versions. Despite the fact that they are disposable, they perfectly help out users in nature, during a meal on a hike or other unusual situations. They do not preserve the surface of the table from moisture and stains, however, they increase the level of user comfort.

Wooden coasters in this plan are more perfect. Often they may have a structure that provides air access from below, due to which the dishes placed on them cool down faster. However, in some models, as practice shows, moisture can form from a hot plate at the bottom, which gets on the table and spoils furniture.

When heated, this stand will release toxins. In addition, not all varieties of wood withstand hot. The best wood options are those made from red rosewood, oak and juniper. They are not afraid of contact with hot, and some of them emit aroma oils.

Cork coasters for hot plates are good in that they are not afraid of moisture, they sufficiently isolate the working base from high temperature.Their disadvantages are crumbling and breakage. However, a plus type of cork can be called a different type of decoration. For example, they may have a laminated coating on one side. Such products sell ready-made kits for 6 persons.

Wicker options are made from willow vines. They look unusual and perfectly fit into such areas of interior design as retro, rustic or country. Bamboo napkins can be collected from fragments of stems, these mats are not afraid of moisture or mold, if necessary, they can be rinsed in water. Depending on the model, they can be traditional or reinforced (added metal inserts).

In the manufacture of coasters for plates, manufacturers use plywood, cutting out products from it at times of fancy shapes. A large part of such products is decorated in the technique of burning. The forms themselves can be either monolithic or glued from identical fragments. Silicone forms under the plates are convenient because they stick tightly enough to the surface of the tabletop and do not allow the plates or other dishes on them to move. Homemade coasters can be made of different materials at hand: for example, it can be a string or vinyl records. In addition, they can be laced and knitted. Vinyl and PVC are bad because they fade in the sun. Silicone also tries to preserve integrity, and therefore lasts longer.

To date, manufacturers have managed to find an approach to any buyer. Napkins for plates can be made not only in different forms - they are often “sharpened” for a particular style. For example:

• for ecological trends of stylistics, this may be vegetable prints in the form of leaves, tree branches;
• for ethnic branches of design, trademarks offer products with various patterns and themes of ornaments;
• Manufacturers will appreciate connoisseurs of the classics with lace and gilding;
• for fans of minimalistic solutions, companies produce monochrome products of laconic forms;
• adherents of everything bright and unusual will like creative products, by means of which the interior acquires a special “zest”.

Notable prints under the newspaper or antique watches, which will be in place in the retro style. No less relevant options for registration under the Moroccan patterns, Chinese painting, monograms and floral ornaments. Some people like items with a border, others prefer to buy napkins with an asymmetrical design. Products of this type sometimes clearly indicate the area under the plate and place under the forks, spoons or knives.

Today, manufacturers surprise customers not only with colors and thematic prints of napkins and coasters under the plates. In the arsenal of manufacturers a lot of techniques to expand the customer base, and that form becomes one of the key aspects. She can be concise and familiar or complex and fanciful. For example, simple options include products in the form of a rectangle, which can be very small or large, reaching in sizes up to 60–90 cm.

Besides them coasters can be round, oval, trapezoid, diamond-shaped, square. At the same time, the complexity of the form can manifest itself in its design: for example, if some products are simple and resemble rugs more, others resemble legs with legs in the center (in the shape of a geometric shape or, for example, a house). Single-layer options can be made in the form of fruit, animal, poultry. In this case, products of a certain type, as a rule, are subject to specific color solutions.

Products may have a uniform form for several people. For example, it can be cruciform with a common middle. Such modifications can be placed under the plates on a small table.Other products are more like stripes, which are used as practical and decorative, dressing them with a table for a solemn reception. In addition to plates, they put spoons, knives, forks, put cups. Others often complement the stands for teapots.

When buying a particular version of the stand under the plates have to take into account a number of nuances. For example, it is important to immediately determine how exactly you plan to use the product.

If you only need napkins for plates, their size will be smaller. But it is necessary to take into account the type of material. The product should not deteriorate from contact with hot, it should not pass heat to the tabletop. Paying attention to the material of manufacture, it is worth noting for yourself:

• whether its thickness is sufficient;
• whether he can protect the surface of the tabletop from mechanical damage;
• whether to care for her;
• will slide along with the dishes;
• whether it has the specified quality;
• Do not emit harmful and unpleasant odors;
• worth and their money and how long can serve.

For example, for laconic branches of stylistics (minimalism), suitable variants without a pattern and complex decor. For the classics need decorations, delicacy and gilding.

When choosing a product it is the style of the interior that can suggest the type of the best material, as well as its texture. For example, for a modern, art deco or brutalism, we need options from modern materials, and with a noble texture. For example, it can be silicone or plastic, glossy or matte, but not wood or textile. If napkins are needed for country styles or Provence, woven products are needed here, and models with openwork and floral prints are welcome.

For example, in the conditions of small-sized kitchens the use of silicone napkins for hot dishes would be the best option. They will not allow plates or cups to move from the table, they will not go on it if they are accidentally grazed. Silk analogues of the decorative plan are inappropriate here.

When buying you need to pay attention to the price, correlating it with quality. At the same time, it is important to look not so much at the brand of the manufacturer, as at the quality characteristics. For example, cheap plastic or poorly glued wood emit specific odors. If such coasters are placed under hot dishes, they will release toxins that are harmful to the human body. Wooden models should be dense, rather heavy, without cracks and black spots, good plastic weighs somewhat heavier than cheap, while its external characteristics are much better.

How to make a vintage stand for plates using decoupage technique, see the following video.