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History of Table Linens

For any big occasion, especially those events for large groups, table linen rentals can be a very important aspect of planning and design. These linens find themselves throughout the entire party design theme; table linens and tablecloths, chair covers, napkins. Chair covers and table linens have become a major part of the design aspect of a party. But where do linens come from? Where did linens start, and how far have they come? The history of table linens can provide insight into the industry and the importance of linens.

At first, linens may seem as a more modern creation. Table linen rentals are common at big functions. They’re not considered modern in the sense that the material is new, but many people will be surprised to know that table linens were used throughout France and Italy by the 12th century. Keeping tables clean and presentable was a priority hundreds of years ago. While they may have served more for function than for looks, the table linens were used across the board in these countries, and found themselves serving more than one function in the kitchen and dining room.

The story of how napkins as table linens (found with all table linen rentals services) started is interesting and pretty funny. During the Medieval times, people finally stopped using the actual tablecloth to wipe their mouths. Instead, they started to use separate table linens for just that purpose. This started a major revolution for the use of table linens. Napkins really had no place in normal dining society before those in Medieval times thought people using the table cloth as a napkin was unpleasant. Since then, napkins have been used to wipe hands and clean mouths instead of using the tablecloth. This has allowed table clothes to become more detailed and fragile for a more pleasant look.

If you are looking for table linen rentals, you may notice something such as an under cloth. Table linens used to be folded multiple times to ensure that they were thick enough to stand up to the every day wear and tear of tablecloths. With the invention of an under cloth, this is no longer needed. This has also allowed the table linens to become more fragile and intricate for a more pleasing view. This is where the transition between function and beauty took an even bigger step.

But when did table linens like tablecloths and napkins become standard? After the 12th century, the use of table linens began to grow. First the move began in the smaller classes, as they began to pick up on the habits and actions of the upper class. As time progressed, the change finally began to take place all across the world. By the 18th century, table linens such as napkins and tablecloths became prominent in most societies and cultures. This shows the natural progression of class and traditions.

The trend of table linen rentals became stronger because of a change that happened around the 19th century. Table linens started to be matched and colors began being experimented with. Table linens therefore began to become more of a design element. Because of this, greater consideration of table linens and how they affect design and the appearance of a table began to take place. Ever since, designers and party planners have used table linens to enhance their designs.

Those looking for table linen rentals may not quite understand the long history of table linens themselves. The idea that the design elements we see today started from the necessity of not using table cloths as napkins shows the range and massive changes that have come from the and interesting history of table linens.