Best Placemats For Wood Tables

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Key Takeaways

  • For some, shopping for the best placemats for a wood table means finding an ideal style to match your decor.
  • For others, it’s purely a matter of reliable surface protection. The optimal material for new placemats depends on your look, but the best choice will generally be waterproof and highly heat resistant.
  • Textile placemats don’t get much better than the outstanding set of six and a matching table runner from Dubulle. They may not be sold separately but the value, trivet-like heat threshold and practicality is unbeatable for fabric mats.
  • Polyester composites leave many options open but we’d say start at the Postlab Silicone Placemats or Anna Stay’s pioneering Trivetrunner for something that comes with a more classic, traditional look and superior thermal insulation.

Every wooden table, with or without paint or a shimmering sheer varnish showing the gorgeous grain of the wood lying beneath, needs a range of placemats to protect the beauty and practicality of a perfectly flat surface. Without a heat-resistant mat, even a plate straight out of the microwave can leave scorch marks on wood. Stains from something as simple as spilling sauce can quickly turn into a lasting problem that’d take a complete sand-down to remedy if you didn’t have the right placemats in place. Even just scratches from plain old cups and ceramic plates are often catastrophic. Here are the very best placemats for wood tables with suggestions spanning every category so that there’s a reliable option for every discerning shopper. 

Highest Heat Resistance Placemats Comparison

While heat resistance isn’t everything, it is one of the foremost deciding factors when buying a high-quality placemat. Here is a comparison of the three highest heat resistance placemats for wood tables on offer. The Cork Placemats Set from Old City Unlimited with heat resistance of 392°F was omitted as cork is a very specific design choice. It should, however, be kept in mind by those looking for the look.

Postlab Silicone PlacematsDubulle Table Runner & PlacematsLufeijiashi Store Woven Cloth Placemats
MaterialSiliconeCotton Linen & BurlapPolyester & Cotton
Heat Resistance440°F450°F312°F
WaterproofYesNoNo
Size16.5 ’’ x 11.0 ’’ x 1.1mm12” x 18” Placemats | 82.6” x 12 Table Runner14.5” x 18”
Quantity2/46+14/6
AffordabilityCheapCheapHigh

How To Shop For The Best Placemats For Wood Tables

Anyone on the hunt for a new set of placemats should keep the following factors in mind to guarantee good value, effective functionality, and a long-lasting purchase. 

Material

Shoppers can expect to pick between textile, wood, silicone, faux leather, and weaves made from a blend of polyester, vinyl, plastic, and other substances. The material determines not only the placemat’s ability to protect wooden tables from damage from liquid, heat, and scratches from the bottom of plates, but it also dictates the look and feels. Carefully consider the style of your room, table, and setting before picking out the most style-appropriate placemats, and make sure that it always offers non-slip functionality atop wood.

Heat Resistance

In order to sustain the heat of prewarmed ceramic plates and plates that have been overwarmed in the microwave, the placemat has to be able to sustain around 175°F to ensure that the wood beneath is fully. It is not uncommon for a pot, pan, or bakeware to reach a surface temperature of between 250°F and 400°F at the hottest. This means that even the best placemats will only be able to safely handle piping hot food fresh out the oven or off the stove after they’ve been given a few minutes to stand and cool down.protected. 

Water Resistance

All good placemats should be water resistant to a high degree, if not totally water resistant, for the best practical benefit. If you’re going to be using placemats that aren’t water resistant, don’t run the risk of doing so without a tablecloth. Even when one uses a sheer waterproof surface, a tablecloth atop a wooden table is always a good idea. 

Size

Size is determined by plating, so pick appropriate to the style and serving portion of the food you typically make. Only the shopper themselves have an ideal size in mind, but unless you’re working within very constrained spaces or are utilizing a round or irregularly shaped table, the bigger the placemat, the better.

Shape, Color & Design

As a general rule of thumb, rectangular placemats are safest for rectangular or square tables where round placemats and those carrying a wedge shape match round tables. Weigh up your own needs in terms of shape, color, and the general design, but we should remind you to consider these factors against the other tableware making up your setting. For example, placemats with a matching table runner solve a massive problem right off the bat for those who entertain several guests or family members at once. 

Affordability

A good placemat will last you multiple years. It isn’t meant to be something that’s tossed away after two or three dinner parties. Each recommendation on our list will serve you well if properly taken care of. With this in mind, set a budget and stick to it – there’s something listed for everyone. 

Best Textile Placemats For Wood Tables

Material is the most elegant choice for most settings. Select a thick enough placemat, and you’ll be serving up every meal in style without once worrying about the wood beneath. Here are the best textile placemats for wood tables.

Elegant Thick Woven Cloth Placements from the Lufeijiashi Store

  • Material: Polyester & Cotton
  • Heat Resistance: 312°F
  • Size: 14.5” x 18”
  • Colors: Black, Gray, Navy Blue, Red, Yellow
  • Price: High
  • Quantity: 4/6

The polyester-cotton blend used by these excellent placemats from Lufeijiashi is one of the highest heat-resistant surfaces available without resorting to silicon or a dense, plastic-like vinyl. They’re even tough enough for machine washing. Between the five colors, shoppers are ensured a design that suits every color scheme. We’d go as far as saying that these thick placements are one of the very best, if not the best textile-based option out there. At under $30, they’re a steal. About the only thing the brand is lacking is more reviews, but with an excellent design like this, they’re surely on the way.

Slubbed Linen Placemats from U’Artlines

  • Material: Cotton Linen Blend
  • Heat Resistance: Unspecified – Suitable For Plates 
  • Size: 13” x18” 
  • Colors: Floral, Plaid, Red
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 6

As a manufacturer, U’Artlines has some of the best-looking, most functional, affordable placemats available online. These particular slubbed linen mats with a bamboo hemp pattern are ideal for use on wooden tables. Even though the edge stitching is some of the finest seen, handwashing is strongly recommended. Unlike many other textile placemats, the brand ensures that its mats have been thoroughly tested through no less than three individual quality control steps.

Oval White Cotton Placemats from OrganiHaus

  • Material: Cotton Weave
  • Heat Resistance: Unstated – Resistant Enough For Hot Plates
  • Size: 13″ x 19″
  • Colors: Pink, Light Grey, Light Blue, Dark Red, Natural Linen, Dark Grey, Light Linen, Brown, Navy, Grass Green, Black, Teal, Yellow, Purple, Pure White, Cream
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 4

For daily use textile placemats, there are few better options than this outstanding set of four from OrganiHaus. Each stylish thick ovalesque cotton placemat is tough enough to protect wood from the hottest of pots, but as a woven textile, they’re not waterproof, but they are dense enough to absorb a great deal of water before the table beneath stands any risk of damage. Stains wash right out with ease, and these mats are durable enough to last for years. They’re also thick enough to handle ovenware, pots, and pans in addition to places, but even though the protection is there, we wouldn’t run the risk of ruining the snow-white braiding with scorching hot cookware. It simply looks too elegant to damage, so rather stick to piping hot plates, and these will serve you well. 

100% Cotton Placemats From Sweet Home Collection

  • Material: Cotton
  • Heat Resistance: Unspecified – Resistant Enough For Hot Plates
  • Size: 10” x 19”
  • Colors: Black, Chocolate, Dark Blue, Eggshell, Gray, Grey, Light Green, Navy, Orange, Pale Green, Pink, Red, Rust, Taupe, Turquoise
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 4/6/Table Runner

If woven placemats with a natural look are the ideal match to the feel of your perfectly shaped style, then the Sweet Home Collection may have exactly what you need. The two-tone design has a matching table runner available, and the whole set is machine washable. They’re just under an inch thick which means that they’ll protect surfaces against hot plates but not ovenware and bakeware. From the moment you lay your hands on these excellent cotton placemats, the quality is apparent through the weight. Expect fantastic durability and an overall appeal across all qualities that are great.

Hand Woven with 100% Cotton Placemats Colorful Placemats From the Red-A- Store

  • Material: Cotton
  • Heat Resistance: Unspecified – Resistant Enough For Hot Plates
  • Size: 12″ x 18”
  • Colors: Blue, Multicolor, Rainbow
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 4/6

Out of all of the textile-based placements reviewed, Red-A’s 100% Cotton Handwoven Placemats are easily the thickest. Coincidentally, the cheapest too. They’re ideal for any space that needs an infusion of color and perfect for people who are tired of the synthetic feel vinyl and other options. Shoppers can rest assured that they’re not only buying something that looks great. The quality is superlative to most competing mats. Even super-heated plates straight out the oven or microwave have no chance of scorching the table beneath, and the base is supremely skid-proof. About the only precaution is that they don’t hold up well to repeated washing, so consider steaming instead.

Best Wooden Placemats For Wood Tables

There are certain types of table settings that call for the raw, earthy appeal of wood. Just take care of the surface beneath by avoiding wet meals or set a tablecloth for even more protection. The best wooden placemats for wood tables will lift your style to all new highs when properly paired.

Bamboo Placemats from Marscool

  • Material: Smooth Backed Bamboo With Black Cloth Border
  • Heat Resistance: 212°F
  • Size: 19 x 13.25 Inches, 13 x 18 Inch
  • Colors: Blue, Brown, Green Original, Black 
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 4

Bamboo doesn’t suit every setting, but when it does pair to a wooden table and theme, it does so wonderfully. These wide-slat Chinese bamboo placemats are simple, functional, and durable. The stain and heat resistance are reliable enough for the hottest plates but not hot enough for pots and non-ceramic serving dishes. Water resistance is, however, far from good due to the nature of the slats, so beware of spills. With handwashing after each use, these gorgeous wooden placemats will last countless meals without losing their practicality or luster.

Pimpernel Placemats

  • Material: Cork-Backed Hardboard
  • Heat Resistance: 212°F
  • Size: 16 ” x 12”
  • Colors: Black With Gold Trim 
  • Price: Expensive
  • Quantity: 4

At a glance, onlookers would find it hard to tell that Pimpernel placemats are actually cork. If the plain black surface doesn’t suit your style, the company has a huge selection of designs to pick from. The hardboard-based design works very well for granting ample space for a complete set of cutlery and a plate. While heat and stain resistant to a good degree, new owners should remember to handle their placemats with care, especially while cleaning, as some users have criticized that they pick up nicks and tears too easily. Pick Pimpernel if you’re looking for a striking bigger than normal placement but don’t rely on it for them for longevity. They’re expensive and should be selectively used.

Cork Placemats Set Of 4 From Old City Unlimited

  • Material: Natural Cork
  • Heat Resistance: 392°F
  • Size: 17 ” x 12 ” x 4mm
  • Colors: Natural Cork
  • Price: High
  • Quantity: 4

For a classic unmarred cork look that’s bold and subtly textured, there’s no better placemat than these extra-thick hot pads. They cost a little more than most competing cork products, but very few other placements of any kind are quite as reliably heat resistant. Old City Unlimited Cork Placements are dense and tough enough to handle piping hot ovenware from straight out under the broiler. At one and a half inches thick, any underlying wooden table is fully protected against heat, spills, and scratches.

Best Polyester/Silicone/Vinyl & Faux Leather Placemats For Wood Tables

Whether silicone for sheer practicality, faux leather that looks just like the real thing, or a composite of polyester, plastic, and vinyl of any other form, these placemats ooze practicality and look amazing. 

Silicone Placemats from Postlab

  • Material: Silicone
  • Heat Resistance: 440°F
  • Size: 16.5 ’’ x 11.0 ’’ x 1.1mm
  • Colors: Artemisia Brown, Deep Ocean, Jeju Beach, Midnight Forest, Misty Forest, Pale Pink, Sundried Lavender, Sundried Rose, Warm Gray
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 2/4
  • Watertight: Yes

Silicone may not be quite the same as a vinyl weave, but it does look, feel and work almost identically. Those considering vinyl weave placemats would do well to think about buying these utterly superior Silicone Placemats from Postlab. In the right room with an elegant setting, they’d amplify a striking look while standing as gorgeous surfaces to serve beautiful food atop. There’s no beating the heat resistance, and no other mat reviewed is going to be as easy to clean. Even stains stand no chance, taking nothing more than a soak to dissipate. Take a hot pot directly from the oven to the table and never once worry that the underlying surface will end up marred – silicone is supremely reliable. At roughly the same price as any premier placemat with superior protective benefits, there’s every reason to go for this simple, versatile option. 

Decorative Modular Trivet Runner from the Trivet-Runner Anna Stay Store

  • Material: Polyester, Silicone & Plastic
  • Size: 15.7” x 11.8” 
  • Heat Resistance: 300°F
  • Colors: Burgundy, Jute & Lace, Wood, Black Marble, Warm Gray, Black & White, Blue Sky, Dark Blue, Dark Green, Jute Flower, Keto Love, Turquoise, White Marble, Wine, Wooden Rustic
  • Price: Average
  • Quantity: 6

Decorative Placemats from Anna Stay are designed to function as trivets which means that the brand boasts some of the most functional heat-resistant designs available. From ovenware to piping hot plates, wooden tables are totally protected. All placemats from the Trivetrunner collection are also both slip resistant and waterproof, which means that they’re supremely easy to clean by hand. As a blend of polyester, silicone, and plastic instead of vinyl, expect far better durability than most placemats provide. There’s also a massive selection of attractive colors to pick from. Make this a prime consideration if you want something that’ll protect wood from water, and be sure to be on the lookout for the table runner and placemat sets available in certain color schemes –  the value is remarkable. 

Faux Leather Heat Resistant Placemats Set of 6 from the homing Store

  • Material: 100% Durable Faux Leather
  • Size: 17 x 11.8 Inches
  • Heat Resistance: 212 °F
  • Colors: Beige, Black, Brown, Camel, Charcoal, Dark Navy Blue, Denim Blue, Light, Marble, Orange, Red, Smokey Grey
  • Price: Average
  • Quantity: 2/4/6/8

The homing Store’s Faux Leather Heat Resistant Placemats are made by a company with a renowned reputation for fine kitchen and home decor products. They look and feel like leather while offering the non-slip and easy cleaning benefits of vinyl. At 0.08”, each is thicker than one would expect, which means that these placemats can accommodate hot plates and serving dishes but not ovenware. Overall, the look laying atop a wooden table is extremely stylish. When one pairs the striking look with the durability and practical protection offered, these higher-than-normal priced textured polyurethane placemats start offering remarkable value for money. 

Best Round Placemats For Wood Table

Anyone who dines at a round table will fall in love with these heat resistant round placemats for wood tables. 

Herda Table Mats from The Herda Store

  • Material: Faux Leather
  • Size: 18” x 14” x 0.086“
  • Heat Resistance: 275°F
  • Colors: Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Red
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 2/4/6

Herda Table Mats are one of the very few round placemats that offer any real degree of heat resistance. They’re hot enough for scalding ceramics so no matter what you’re serving in, these will protect your table without taking damage. Just don’t push it and try out cookware and bakeware directly. The textured non-slip surface is a welcome change from many mediocre non-slip placemats. From durability to ease of cleaning, the entire build quality is commendable. It’s easily one of the best sets around granting value far exceeding its low, low price. Table Mats from The Herda Store are so good that they should be considered by all shoppers, not just those looking for a rounded shape. 

CENBOSS Round Woven Placemats

  • Material: Water Hyacinth
  • Size: 11.8″/13.5″ Diameter
  • Heat Resistance: Unspecified | Highly Heat Resistant
  • Colors: Brown Wash
  • Price: High
  • Quantity: 4/6/8

Round Woven Placemats from the CENBOSS Store are among the thickest and tightest woven you’ll find anywhere. The quality of construction is apparent from the onset. These water hyacinth placemats don’t state their heat resistance, but given the thickness, they’re ample to guard against the hottest plates and both cookware and bakeware. For solid protection for your wood table that looks far more classy than most other mats can compare to, you can’t go wrong with these outstanding creations that have been hand woven in Vietnam.

Andie Home Round Placemats

  • Material: Vinyl
  • Size: 15” Diameter
  • Heat Resistance: 275°F
  • Colors: Dusk Ash
  • Price: High
  • Quantity: 6

Andie Home Round Placemats from the DASCO Store could very well be one of the most stylish sets reviewed. Across all of the colors, these round placements look polished and sophisticated. Yet, it’s not only an air of elegance offered but rather a considerable degree of rated heat resistance which is far more than can be said from most rounded designs. They’re made in the USA, and the quality exceeds all expectations. Leakproof, stain-proof, and surprisingly affordable, there’s every reason to pick these placemats that have been thoughtfully designed by award-winning fine arts designer Ilene Rubin.

Best Table Runners

Anyone with a lengthy table and those who enjoy serving meals family-style where everyone dishes up directly from each hot pot will appreciate the stylish appeal and practical protection of a good table runner. Ideally, all placemats should be paired to the table runner while both carry design lines that match the cutlery and plating. Here are the best table runners available with such good heat resistance that they work as trivets, handling hot pots, pans, and bakeware with ease. 

Hotrun 2 in 1 Trivet and Decorative Table Runner

  • Material: Anti-Slip Rubber Composite
  • Size: 47.24” x 11.8’ x 2.4”
  • Heat Resistance: 365°F
  • Colors: 3D Cream Floral, 3D Gray Floral, Classic Gray, Creme Marble, Decor Black, Floral Blue, Floral Turquoise, Geometric Marble, Natural & Lace, Natural Marble, Wood, Wood & Lace
  • Price: Average
  • Quantity: 1

The Fennoma Hotrun is a two-in-one trivet and table runner that works just as amazing as it looks. Everything about this ultra-thick runner works wonderfully. From the non-stick and non-crease nature of the table cover to its dense protection from heat and moisture, new owners will be blown away. As a placemat made entirely from rubber, it is supremely easy to clean. Any liquid that seeps in stays in instead of running onto the table beneath. Immediate spills wipe away without a mark, and the mat is well-made enough to last through countless dinner parties while still looking great.The Hotrun is the only protective cover that any wood table needs to guarantee full protection against stains, scorch marks, and scuffs.

Trivet Table Runner Heat Resistant from Chocolate Lemon

  • Material: Polyester & Rubber (Zero Latex & Spandex)
  • Size: 48″ x 12” x 1.4”
  • Heat Resistance: 350°F
  • Colors: Botanical
  • Price: Average
  • Quantity: 1

Chocolate Lemon’s Reversible Table Runner boasts fantastic heat resistance of 350°F, which means that it is a fully functional trivet. There are few designs that can compare to the contemporary appeal of this fantastic wrinkle-free runner. It handles hot pots and bakeware with ease while never allowing moisture to damage the table beneath. Any liquid spilled simply beads up to a point. With its blend of polyester and rubber, the heat insulation is far better than most competing placemats. Even most cheap silicone can’t compare to the elegance and practical appeal of these designer creations.

Decorative Table Runner and Trivet from Balhome

  • Material: Polyester & Rubber
  • Size: 48” x 11.5”
  • Heat Resistance: 350°F
  • Colors: Pewter Grey, Powder Blue 1, Powder Blue 2
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 1

Chocolate Lemon’s Reversible Table Runner boasts fantastic heat resistance of 350°F, which means that it is a fully functional trivet. There are few designs that can compare to the contemporary appeal of this tremendous wrinkle-free runner. It handles hot pots and bakeware with ease while never allowing moisture to damage the table beneath. Any liquid spilled simply beads up to a point. With its blend of polyester and rubber, the heat insulation is far better than most competing placemats. Even most cheap silicone can’t compare to the elegance and practical appeal of these designer creations.

Table Runner and Placemats Set of 6 from Dubulle

  • Material: Cotton Linen & Burlap
  • Size: 12” x 18” Placemats | 82.6” x 12 Table Runner
  • Heat Resistance: 450°F
  • Colors: Yellow, Light Brown, Gold, Baby Blue, Black, Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Champagne, Dark, Dark Purple, Grey, Ivory, Light Teal Blue, Orange, Pink, Turquoise, Red, White
  • Price: Cheap
  • Quantity: 6+1

Anyone who doesn’t have the affinity or time to pair placemats with a table runner will fall in love with Dubulle. This washable set of six placemats and a matching table runner across a whopping eighteen different color schemes are sure to take care of the decor needs of any setting while doing a wonderful job at that. Machine washable and perfect enough for everyday use, fortunately, doesn’t translate to mundane style, for these sets offer an air of elegance that few other placemats can compare to. The best part? They’re double layered and heat resistant to 450°F, which is far better than the vast majority of table runners and placemats offered by the industry. 

FAQ – Placemats For Wood Tables

Here are some of the top frequently asked questions that arise concerning placemats for wood tables.

Does A Wood Table Need A Tablecloth?

A wood table doesn’t need a tablecloth if the individual placings are protected by a high-quality placemat. Anything hotter than a hot plate requires a table runner or trivet or a separate high heat resistance placemat of its own. The only time that a tablecloth is essential for a wood table is when you’re using placemats that aren’t waterproof or those that are exceedingly thin, such as disposable placemats. We do, however, recommend using a tablecloth as often as possible regardless of your mats, as it provides invaluable protection against unforeseen spills and scrapes.

How Hot Does The Bottom Of A Pot Get?

The surface of a pot or pan reaches 200°F to 300° when smoking or cooking on the lowest of heat settings. Medium heat cooking heats the surface of a pot or pan from 300°F to 400°F. A stove’s highest temperature heats the surface of cookware to between 400° to 600°F, which is roughly the same temperature reached in an oven. Certain materials like cast iron get even hotter. This is why it is vital to allow all hot cooking vessels to cool down for up to five minutes before placing them on a trivet or suitable placemat or table runner.

How To Warm Dinner Plates?

There are two main methods for warming dinner plates. The longer but safer method involves submerging the clean plates in boiling hot water for five minutes before removing them and drying them with a dishtowel, followed by a wipe down with a paper towel to guarantee its residue free. Otherwise, stack your plates and place them into an oven preheated to 160°F. Let them bake for ten to fifteen minutes or until they reach approximately 175°F. A warmer draw works even better for heating up stacks of plates. Lastly, warm dinner plates in the microwave by microwaving them one by one with a glass of water on top for two minutes each.

How Hot Can A Plate Get Before It Breaks?

Most affordable ceramic dinner plates will only reach 350° to 375° before cracking. With this being said, the finest quality plates can reach up to 1000°F before breaking, but quality of such a caliber is scarce and seldomly at the disposal of most home entertainers.

Do You Have To Use Placemats On Wood Tables?

Unless you’ve got a dense tablecloth, a glass table cover, or a dense clear veneer applied, placemats are essential for protecting wood tables. Without a placemat, the table runs the risk of being scratched from the bottom of plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery while also being in danger of being scorched by heat, stained by spills, or marred by moisture.


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