Hosting a dinner and need a reminder of how to set a proper table setting and where the cutlery should be placed around the tableware? Forget which side the water glass goes on or where the napkin should be placed?

Our lives are pretty hectic, and since eating in front of the television has become the norm for some of us, it's easy to forget how to set a nice table and the proper placement of tableware and cutlery.

So here's a quick refresher on how to set a table for that 'perfect' dinner.

Keep in mind that traditions and cultures will often influence what a proper dinner table setting should be like, so it can vary depending where you live. But as long as you keep your table organized - every place setting is the same, all the essentials such as stemware, dinnerware and cutlery are conveniently placed at each place and you've dressed the surface to create a warm dinner space, it will be acceptable. The following is the traditional way to set each place setting on the dinner table:
 

Top:  From Left to Right

• Bread plate with butter knife (top left of dinner plate)
• Coffee cup (top right of dinner plate)
• Water glass
• Wine glass
• Liqueur glass

Bottom: From Left to Right

• Salad fork
• Dinner fork
• Dessert fork
• Dinner plate with salad or soup bowl on it
• Knife (can add a butter knife)
• Soup spoon
• Small spoon

Table linens, whether a full tablecloth or individual placemats are essential to give your table an elegant, soft and inviting look.

Fabric tends to absorb sound, so it can also make the dinner table more intimate.

Napkin placement depends on your preference and there are many folding variations. As a default, it can be placed (fanned and folded) in the water glass, simply folded on the dinner plate, or placed beside or underneath the flatware to the left.

Some tableware pieces may of course be optional, depending on the dinner to be served.