25 Napkin Folding Ideas That Are Easier Than You Think
Bow ties, napkin bouquets, simple knots, you name it!
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The process of decorating a dining room for a special holiday, gathering or dinner party can be exciting — choosing a themed centerpiece, whipping out chic glassware and switching up your table settings are all part of the fun. If you’re looking to take your hosting skills one step further, try some new napkin folding techniques.
Whether you’re designing a holiday table arrangement, preparing for a birthday party or just hosting close friends for the night, there are plenty of ways to dress up a table with unique napkin designs. Test a tree-shaped napkin fold or an easy candy cane bow napkin fold for Christmas — the choices are endless. Even if you’re not decorating for the holidays, you can still get in on the fun. We’ve included classic napkin knots and flower folds for an elegant look and time of year.
If you’ve never tried origami or crafts that involve lots of folding, don’t worry. We’ve included step-by-step instructions and links to tutorials. You may be surprised by how simple some are to recreate! With just a few napkins and your own two hands, you can elevate your dinner table in no time.
Cookie Cutter Napkin Fold
More a roll than a fold, this napkin technique is great for beginners. Simply roll a napkin, place a cookie cutter around the center and you're all set. Feel free to use different shapes throughout the table or stick to a specific one depending on the holiday. Your guests will love this subtle touch.
Bow Tie Napkin Fold
Simple yet sophisticated, these bow tie napkins suit any occasion. Fold a napkin accordion-style and pinch in the center. It's as easy as that! For a holiday look, use red or green napkins. You can go pink for Valentine's Day, pastels for Easter or orange and black for Halloween.
Elf Hat Napkin Fold
Whether you go with a green, red or blue napkin, you can recreate this funny elf hat napkin in less than one minute. Start by folding your napkin in half, then roll it. Fold up the bottom to form the brim of the hat, and you're finished!
Christmas Tree Napkin Fold
Fold a cloth napkin into the shape of a Christmas tree, then top it with miniature ball ornaments. Get creative with colors or stick with a green napkin to keep it realistic. Hint: Use a fringe napkin for added texture and try to lay the pieces of fringe in spots where it resembles pine sprigs.
Tassel Napkin Fold
Gather tassels and feathers for this elegant napkin design. Simply fold a napkin into a rectangle shape and carefully pinch the center. Tie a gold tassel around to hold it in place. In the center, there should be a shallow pouch. Stick a feather or pom-pom in for a stylish touch.
Eight-Pointed Star Napkin Fold
This clever star shape adds elegance to any occasion, no matter what color scheme you choose. Go bright with a festive red or green, or keep it calm with a pastel pink or warm orange. Start with a standard 20" cloth napkin, fold it in half and then press it with an iron to create a crease. Continue folding and pressing until you've created a trapezoid shape. Tip: Use paper clips to keep the sides together as you go.
Rabbit Nose Napkin Fold
Possibly the cutest napkin fold ever, these bunny years require a bit of rolling and folding. Using an all-white napkin to mimic the look of a rabbit, roll the napkin and then fold it in the middle so that there are two ears of equal length. Tie the middle using burlap string or raffia ribbon with a wooden bead for the nose.
Candy Cane Bow Napkin Fold
There's more than one way to tie a festive bow. For this simple and stylish place setting idea, fold a red and white striped napkin into a neat bow — just as you would your shoelaces. Carefully tie a red ribbon in the center to secure it.
RELATED: DIY Christmas Decoration Ideas to Craft an Elegant Holiday Home
Candy Popper Napkin Fold
Adults and children will love this exciting napkin folded to look like a candy popper. You could fit flatware inside, but for a fun surprise, sneak in a piece of candy, block of chocolate or breath mint.
Furoshiki Table Gift Fold
Impress your guests by recreating this Japanese wrapping technique. Rotate a cloth napkin diagonally, and place a small rectangular gift in the center. Fold the top and bottom corners snuggly around the gift. Gather the excess fabric and tie two knots. Dress up the present with a sprig of greenery, candy cane or personalized card.
Bow Knot Napkin Fold
Go for a timeless look with a simple bow knot napkin, versatile enough for any occasion. Once you learn this easy technique, you can use it time and time again — just swap the napkins to pair with the current season or holiday.
Playful Napkin Ring Fold
Napkin rings are your best friend when it comes to place settings. Tighten up the top of a napkin and slide a napkin ring towards the middle. Fluff out the ends for a playful, loose napkin design.
Turkey Napkin Fold
For your best Thanksgiving table yet, pull out this trick from Jenny W. Chan — the brains behind the YouTube channel Origami Tree. Note: You'll need two cloth napkins to make a bird for each place setting — but they'll both come in handy when it's time to spoon on the gravy!
Bat Napkin Fold
We would never forget about Halloween! These spooky bat napkins are really easy to fold. Just be sure to press over your final creation with an iron to keep it secure.
Envelope Napkin Fold
Whether you fold a personalized card or a tiny letter inside, this simple envelope is a great way to address your guests. After you make a few simple folds, place a gem or pretty button on top for a touch of glam.
Daffodil Napkin Bouquet Fold
Fold your napkin to act as a vase, then cut a paper flower to fit inside for a pretty place setting. For a bit more dimension, use a napkin with a fringe border.
Bunny Ears Napkin Fold
Another take on a bunny-themed napkin fold, this vibrant design will add a bit of color to your Easter brunch or dinner. Follow these steps to recreate:
- Fold a cloth napkin in half to make a triangle, then roll it into a long strip and fold it in half again.
- Thread a 6" pipe cleaner through a bead and secure it around the napkin.
- Insert three 3" pipe cleaners through the beads to resemble whiskers.
RELATED: DIY Easter Decoration Ideas to Bring Spring Into Your Home
Atrium Lily Napkin Fold
Take your party to the next level with this deceptively easy technique. You'll definitely want to use square cloth napkins so the shape holds better. To construct the atrium, create three layers by folding the points you've made into one another. It's so much easier than it looks!
Leaf Napkin Fold
Turn an average paper napkin (we suggest a shade of red or orange) into beautiful fall foliage. Start by folding your napkin in half, then accordion fold the entire thing. Connect the two longest points while pinching the connected center together, and you'll soon reveal the leaf shape.
Bunny Napkin Fold
Here's a playful idea for your Easter day table. Start by laying the napkin upside down, with one point toward you. After a series of folds and flips, adjust the ears to your liking.
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.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
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