Placemats and Coasters
Placemats and Coasters
Placemats and coasters are easy to overlook when putting together a table, but they do two things at once: they protect your table surface from heat, moisture, and scratches, and they give the table a more considered, finished look without much effort. Everything here is made from natural fibres, so the aesthetic is warm, textural, and easy to work with.
What material should you choose?
The three materials in this range, jute, seagrass, and cotton, all have a natural, relaxed quality in common, but they behave and feel quite differently up close. Choosing between them mainly comes down to how much texture you want on the table and how you plan to clean them.
Jute
Jute is the most widely available option in this range and the most familiar natural fibre for placemats. It has a fairly coarse, open weave that creates visible texture without being rough to the touch. The natural golden-brown tone works well with almost any dinnerware and sits particularly comfortably alongside ceramic, stoneware, and wooden serving pieces. Jute is naturally water-resistant enough for everyday spills, though it doesn't respond well to being fully submerged.
Seagrass
Seagrass has a tighter, smoother weave than jute and a slightly greener undertone to its natural colour. It feels more refined on the table and holds its shape well over time, even with regular use. The denser weave also makes it a little more resistant to moisture than open-weave jute, which is worth bearing in mind if spills are a regular occurrence at your table.
Cotton
Cotton placemats are softer underfoot and more flexible than woven natural options, which makes them easier to fold and store flat when not in use. They tend to have a lighter, more casual feel on the table, and unlike jute or seagrass, most cotton options can be machine washed, making them the most practical choice for everyday family meals.
How do you look after natural fibre placemats and coasters?
Natural fibres need a little more care than ceramic or metal tableware, but nothing complicated. For jute and seagrass, wipe spills promptly with a damp cloth rather than soaking the material, as prolonged moisture can cause the fibres to weaken or distort over time. Most can be spot cleaned with a mild soap if needed and left flat to dry away from direct heat.
Storing them flat or rolled rather than folded helps preserve the shape, particularly for woven options where a sharp crease can be difficult to remove once set. With basic care, natural fibre placemats and coasters last well and tend to look better with age as the fibres soften slightly.