12 Best Cloth Napkins for Everyday Use and Special Occasions
Upgrade your table setup, from casual meals at home to special occasions.
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Not only are cloth napkins a more sustainable alternative to paper napkins, they elevate a table setting with very little effort. Fold white cotton napkins for a touch of elegance, midnight blue for a moody moment or bright red for a pop of color — the options are limitless. Whether you're hosting Christmas dinner, planning a wedding or shopping for everyday use, we've rounded up the best cloth napkins to buy for every aesthetic.
Many of these napkins are sold as set of four or 12, but some are sold individually if you'd prefer to mix and match when creating your perfect table arrangement. We've included a variety of the best fabrics — polyester tends to be the most affordable option (and is a great material for napkin folding), while linen and cotton napkins tend to offer better quality, a more textured look and a softer feel. Keep it simple with a solid shade, or consider one of the fringe, lace-lined or patterned cloth napkins our editors are loving.
Aside from style, these cloth napkins will save you in the long run (most are machine washable and can be used over and over). As you scroll, you'll notice we've noted the size and material of each pick, plus our favorite features about each item — whether that be a wrinkle-free quality, option for personalization or impressive softness. Now, start shopping to find the perfect cloth napkin to complete your dining room design, just in time for decorating your holiday table.
Made from four layers of organic cotton gauze, these stylish napkins are designed to hold up to daily use. They're soft and gentle to the touch, and online reviewers agree they wash well and the material doesn't wrinkle. The airy napkins, sold as a set of four, are available in four versatile colors: white, fog gray, dune and terracotta.
Size: 18'' x 18" | Material: Organic cotton
Whether you're hosting a large dinner party or want a surplus of everyday napkins, these polyester cloth napkins are sold as a set of 24 for less than $20. They're available in a range of colors and three different sizes, so you'll easily find a style for your dining table. Online reviewers found the cloth napkins feel thick and quality, although some wish they were more absorbent. Also, important to note that polyester is a great material for napkin folding!
Size: 17" x 17", 18" x 18" and 20" x 20" | Material: Polyester
Made from linen and stone-washed for softness, these stylish dinner napkins elevate any place setting. They're available in trendy colors, including jade, sage, sienna, mocha, flax and sable, that are sure to strike up conversation. Purchase this gorgeous set of 4 or splurge for the brand's linen table set, which includes napkins and double-sided placemats for four.
Size: 18'' x 18" | Material: Linen
Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins, Set of 12
Available in a variety of elegant colors, these cotton dinner napkins are perfect for special occasions, like weddings, birthday parties and bridal showers. The set of 12 napkins are machine-washable, so you can use them for a number of upcoming events. Plus, you can add a name or monogram in a color of your choice for $15.
Size: 20'' x 20" | Material: Cotton
From bow knots and stars to the classic triangle, these cotton cloth napkins are ideal for experimenting with napkin folds. According to online reviewers, they're a breeze to clean, don't wrinkle easily and provide great quality (especially given the low price point). Not to mention, they're available in nearly every color — choose from over 25 options.
Size: 18" x 18" | Material: Cotton
Not only does linen look elegant, the material is soft, absorbent and durable. These large dinner napkins are ideal for daily use or special occasions. There's a label loop that allows you to hang the napkin in the kitchen or turn it into a napkin ring by folding each corner to its opposite corner then slip the corner points through the loop. Choose from an array of chic colors, ranging from neutrals like ivory, flax and graphite to bright hues like teal, wine and indigo.
Size: 21'' x 21" | Material: Linen
With a pretty textured look, these cotton napkins look beautiful on any table. West Elm offers a slew of stylish color options ranging from sophisticated neutrals like white, natural and light oak to moodier hues like midnight, black and green. Choose from a set of 4 or 8, depending on the size of your family.
Size: 20'' x 20" | Material: Cotton
If you're tired of your cloth napkins coming out of the dryer wrinkled, consider this polyester option that features a stain and wrinkle-resistant quality. (Plus they're iron-safe to get out any creases). Thousands of online reviewers love the quality, low price and range of beautiful color options.
Size: 18'' x 18" | Material: Polyester
Crate & Barrel Craft Cotton Fringe Napkin
Showcasing a unique but timeless style, these organic cotton napkins are finished with beautiful fringe on all four sides. Whether it's a laidback meal or elegant dinner party, these napkins come in a number of soothing shades (think blush, sage green and light gray) and two striped patterns. For $12, add a monogram (up to three letters) in your choice of font and color.
Size: 20'' x 20" | Material: Organic cotton
Your Chair Covers Polyester Cloth Napkins, Set of 10
From weddings to parties, you may be hunting for dinner napkins in a very specific shade. This affordable set from Walmart is available in 30 different colors, including various shades of purple, pink, blue and green. Online reviewers are loving the quality and rich hues, plus a few note they don't wrinkle easily.
Size: 20'' x 20" | Material: Polyester
Anthropologie Marietta Napkins, Set of 4
If you're looking to impress guests at an upcoming event, use decorative napkins to create a striking table. These charming lace trim napkins, which can be machine washed, are available in vibrant solids or as an assorted set. Elevate the look with a matching table runner!
Size: 18" x 18" | Material: Cotton
Afternoon Light Primary Garden Napkin, Set of 4
Swap solid cloth napkins for artistic patterns and vibrant colors. These cotton napkins are sold as a set of four and are actually quite affordable, plus you can toss them in the washing machine (and those intricate patterns will do a fantastic job of hiding stains).
Size: 14.5" x 14.5" | Material: Cotton
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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