I absolutely LOVE my dining room table but of course it’s delicate and we don’t use it with the top “naked”. I have never put a pad under the cloth for meals but I intend to do that this year. I will get a pad at BB&B.
Now, question: do you cut these pads or do you let them drape and then drape the tablecloth over them?
I’m thinking that cutting them to the shape of the table can’t be all that easy. Our table is oval. I would have to be so precise for the cloth to look right around the “corners” right?
What to do, what to do. Please advise me.
(obviously, we rarely entertain!!)
You can have half-inch-thick pads custom made for your table. Those are much sturdier and more protective than just the felt-lied vinyl thingies that you cut to fit. That’s my vote.
Another vote for the custom made pads. I inherited my mid century dining table along with the old custom pads and they are still good. The table is a circle but there are about four or five leaves, so we have pads for the circular ends and each leaf. They match exactly.
I have had my custom made pad for years. It fits well and seems to last forever. I don’t think it was horribly expensive as I was super cheap years ago. Now I am just cheap.
I bought the custom made pad for my table when I got the table from Ethan Allen. They are great, I have to admit. You really can put very hot dishes right on the pad without a trivet. The pads (ours is in three pieces) fit the table exactly and came with a bag for storage when not in use.
I have table pads custom made also about 1/2 thick. You can put anything on them and they last forever.
My mom has pads you’re describing. She does not cut them to fit, just lets them drape over and they are covered with the tablecloth. That works fine. Her table is rectangular, try it with the round table to be sure it’s not bunching too much on the hangover.
I had a table pad like that for years. I always put it on the table a few days early to get the wrinkles and folds out so that it would lay flat. I didn’t cut it, only because sometimes we had the leaf in, other times we didn’t. Also be careful because mine had a foam backing which was weird and I was afraid it would ruin the table if someone set a hot dish on it. So, I was putting something under the pad to protect the table from the pad. Finally I purchased a custom made table pad and wondered why I waited so long. Easy to do and not expensive - although, you won’t be able to get in done by Thanksgiving. Don’t spend much on the BB&B one because trust me, it will only be a temporary solution.
We use the BB&B table pads. My table has two leaves so its three different sizes depending on how many people we will have at dinner. I have three inexpensive table pads and I pick which one to use based on the size. Yes I’ve had to replace them occasionally but I still have not spent anywhere near $350 total on table pads. IMO the inexpensive ones work just fine.
And to answer the OP’s question, we drape ours over the ends of the table, under the table cloths, but our table is rectangular, not oval, so maybe that works better for us.
We didn’t have a dining room table (or a dining room for that matter) in our first house. When we finally got a table (and the room) in our 2nd house, my in-laws gave us custom made pads for Christmas. At the time, I remember being a little disappointed at the rather unexciting gift. They’re at least 30 years old and still look new. I use my dining room table as a makeshift office/wrapping area/staging zone, etc. and the pads have saved the table from lots of wear and tear. I didn’t appreciate the gift at the time, but boy, have I ever used them!
I use the BB&B vinyl table pad with a felt backing. I also have many leaves and did not trim the pad. To get the wrinkles and folds out after being stored for a year, I pop it in the dryer on low for a minute or so. Would love to have the custom table pads, though.
I have the custom pads, too. Do any of you ever take the pads off or do you keep them on most of the year? I’ve had them off most of this year so I could enjoy seeing the table, but they’ve often stayed on (with a table cloth) for a year at a time with people using the table for various projects.
I bought thick flannel-backed vinyl at Joann’s years ago, cut it to drape a little over the edges, and it has worked great as a table pad for a fraction of the cost of custom pads.
I have the thick custom pads that come in sections. Great quality but they do take some storage space so we have to haul them in and out of the basement if not using.
My mom uses the cheaper pad like they sell at BB&B and she did cut it to size. Easier storage.
I have custom pads and only put them on when the dining room table will be used. I have used the BB&B one to cover a folding banquet table when we needed an extra table and cut it to allow a little the excess hang over and give shape to the tablecloth…