
The most honorable place in every kitchen is the table. And it does not matter what shape, color or size it is. The main thing is that its surface always seems clean and well-groomed. And the tablecloth will help us with this.

The cloth-oilcloth transforms and refreshes the interior of the kitchen, adds an atmosphere of comfort and warmth to the room
Today, the world has provided a large selection of table coverings. All of them differ in color, composition and shape. But the most practical and convenient today is oilcloth.
Pros and cons
Content
Benefits:
- Helps protect the table surface from any damage.
- Fairly low cost in comparison with other types of tablecloths.
- Oilcloth repels moisture well enough, so any spilled liquid can be removed in a matter of seconds.
- Quick and easy cleansing with a sponge and water.
- Large selection of colors and a variety of patterns.
- High strength.
- Using the protective surface, the initial appearance of the oilcloth does not change.

Modern oilcloths can serve for a long time, reliably protecting the countertop from dirt and scratches
Disadvantages:
- If you do not take care of the tablecloth properly, mold may appear on its surface.
- Not all patterns fit into the interior.
- Oilcloths with a thin base and without coating wear out very quickly and lose their original appearance.
- Oilcloth is not heat-resistant or heat-resistant. If you place something hot on it, the top layer of the coating will become soft.
- Although oilcloth allows you to easily wipe away all liquids and sauces, it can still be painted. Typical spots include markers, tomato sauces.
- And besides, low-quality tablecloths very often have an unpleasant specific smell, which is difficult to remove.
A variety of oilcloth tablecloths
An ordinary oilcloth has a smooth surface and a thin base.

The purpose and life of the tablecloth depends on the choice of material from which the tablecloth is made
Openwork oilcloth, consists of only one layer of vinyl. Such tablecloths give the kitchen a more aesthetic and festive look. But very often, many microorganisms, dust accumulate in a relief base and this contributes to the growth of mold.

White openwork oilcloth with floral patterns from PVC fabric
Oilcloth with a heat-resistant coating best prevents scratches, deformations from high temperatures and aggressive substances on the table surface.

Heat-resistant oilcloth in the form of a transparent lining to protect a regular tablecloth. Such models are often referred to as “flexible glass."
The desktop tread is a soft layer designed for laying under a tablecloth. It helps protect the countertop from bumps, scratches. Has a crystal clear transparent design. Protects from thermal damage up to 90 degrees Celsius. It is easy enough to wipe. Waterproof. Designed to fit any table shape.
Material for manufacturing
- Cotton or linen. This type of tablecloth is made with a thick and durable base and a transparent coating with PVC on top. But only the upper side of the oilcloth is waterproof. The underside, which is cotton, absorbs any liquid. If it gets wet, it is necessary to dry it so that it is not damaged.
Cotton and linen tablecloths sit strongly after washing, such models need to be bought with a margin of 10-15 cm
Washing such an oilcloth is not recommended.Not only will you damage the top coat, but you will have extremely crumpled fabric that is difficult to repair.
- Teflon. Acrylic. These tablecloths, as a rule, are made of poly-concrete fabric. Then it is covered with a thin acrylic layer, and then treated with Teflon. An additional acrylic layer is what adds toughness, providing better wiping of the clean surface.
A teflon-impregnated tablecloth has a bunch of advantages, however, with one caveat - until the protective layer comes off
- Silicone Sufficiently strong material allows the oilcloth to last much longer. The great advantage is that the print on the silicone tablecloths is applied from the inside, so the image on it does not erase with time.
Silicone oilcloths are transparent, colored, with a pattern or plain, thin and thick
- Polyvinyl chloride. The best option when looking for easy-wipe coatings. But in their production, the process of applying a protective film to the print is not included, so these fabrics fade over time due to wear.
Tablecloth of their polyvinyl chloride gives itself a smooth surface, absolutely not like fabric
The form
Choosing the right kind of kitchen oilcloth is crucial.
Rectangular tablecloths are suitable for all types of tables, but nevertheless it will most advantageously look on rectangular tables.

A rectangular tablecloth is a universal option for any kitchen table
Oilcloth on a table for a round and square kitchen looks good on round tables. When choosing, you need to make sure that the oilcloth hangs evenly from the edges.

The photo shows a square tablecloth on a round table

For an oval table, an oval tablecloth is ideal

The oval table can be closed with a rectangular oilcloth, as in the photo
The tablecloth path will help give the kitchen a festive atmosphere and in this case acts more as an element of decor.

The tablecloth can be used on top of the main as a decor
Colors
Plain tablecloths. Very practical, as they have a wide range of shades. Solid colors are much easier to work with than patterns. Templates can be interesting and attractive, but they are difficult to compare with existing decors and accents.

The color of oilcloth depends on the overall palette of the kitchen and on the role of the coating in the interior. A tablecloth can balance the atmosphere in the room or be a bright accent
Transparent oilcloths. They are suitable for any kitchen, as they are not able to change the interior. Under it, you can lay another tablecloth from any fabric and color.

Transparent oilcloth is a great way to preserve a beautiful, but very brand of festive tablecloth
With a print. A correctly selected pattern will help turn a plain and dull kitchen into a brighter and more interesting one.

When choosing a pattern, you can focus on other textiles in the room - pillows, curtains, napkins or upholstery
For round tables, images in the form of a circle, flowers are suitable, and for rectangular ones in the form of a rhombus, cells or parallel lines.
The size
The size of the tablecloth is determined by the length and width of the kitchen table, and the protrusion on all four sides. Typically, a large table requires a longer overhang, and a small one requires a shorter one.
The protrusion is the distance between the top of the table and the hem of the tablecloth.

The length of the overhang is usually selected in the range from 20 to 40 cm. A shorter length may look too short, and a large one is suitable only for banquet tables
- To correctly determine the size of the kitchen oilcloth for a rectangular table, first start by calculating the length and width of your table from one end to the other. To measure the overhang, add 40-50 cm to the result (20-25 cm overhang on each side).
- For the round table.Place the tape measure in the center of the table and measure from the top to the bottom of the table and add 40-50 centimeters to the result and you will get the desired diameter.
How to choose an oilcloth for the kitchen on the table for the interior?
Before buying a tablecloth, you must first consider the variety of tones of the rest of the kitchen interior. Choose between mixing with the color scheme or using oilcloth as a stunning accent to break down the monochromatic shades you may already have. In any case, the idea is that colors - mixed or contrasting - make sense and not be an eyesore.

Good-quality fabrics with a discreet pattern are suitable as oilcloths for every day.

For a universal festive tablecloth, fabrics of basic colors are suitable - beige, light gray or white
There are four key elements of the interior that should be considered when choosing oilcloths for the kitchen: dominance, visual weight, shade, and pattern.
Domination refers to the predominant element of the room or the main focus of the kitchen. The right oilcloth emphasizes the dominant tone, pattern and texture of dishes and kitchen decor. Often it is better to choose a tablecloth that blends with the surrounding elements of the kitchen, highlighting colors similar to your dishes or walls.

A tablecloth matched to the color of the chairs will make the kitchen interior more harmonious

On a old wooden table, a decorative tablecloth made of rough burlap will look stylish
Visual weight is the length of a table compared to a long room. Your oilcloth in the kitchen can easily emphasize or mask the space occupied by your table. In a large kitchen, a tablecloth with huge, densely arranged drawings is recommended. Then the table will not look lost. Lightness is recommended in a small room, so look for a light-colored oilcloth woven with a small pattern.

Beautiful tablecloth on a long scandinavian style kitchen table
Color is a tool that changes the mood of the kitchen. Cool tones, such as blue or green, mix with the interior of grayish hues. Warm tones, such as red or yellow, complement the tablecloth with yellowish or earthy tones. Neutral colors, such as ivory, beige or tan, are also compatible with the kitchen in natural tones, but can also match a darker choice.

Bright tablecloth diversifies the plain interior
The fabric pattern is important for creating a special image and style.
Oilcloth Care
Follow these tips to maximize the service of your tablecloth:
- Wipe off any dirt as soon as possible with a clean sponge.
- For oil stains, soap and water can be used.
- Use detergent sparingly and rinse the tablecloth thoroughly after it.
- Do not use bleach, fabric softener, tumble dryer, or dry cleaning.
- Tablecloths left in direct sunlight can fade the fabric.
- Always use special stands for hot dishes to avoid deformation of the oilcloth.

A kitchen tablecloth, like any other product, requires regular self-care
Important! Do not wash oilcloth tablecloths at temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.
As a result, oilcloth has many advantages among other types of coatings. It is very important to choose the right shape and size for the table. The multi-colored range is suitable for plain and boring rooms, while a plain tablecloth will fit well into any interior.
Video on how to choose a tablecloth for the kitchen