Tablecloth hire is mostly about getting the size right: a cloth that is too small shows the table legs, one that is too big pools on the floor. Tell the firm the table shape and size and the drop you want, floor-length or lap length, and the colour, and they will bring the right cloths, laundered and pressed. Add overlays, runners and napkins to finish the table. Send one request and we pass it to independent linen and event hire firms near you. They quote you directly. It is free, with no obligation.
Types of cloth and linen
- Round cloths for round tables, floor-length or lap length
- Rectangular cloths for trestle tables, and fitted or boxed cloths for a neat buffet or top table
- Overlays: a smaller square cloth laid over the main one in a second colour
- Runners down the middle, and napkins to match
- Stretch covers for cocktail tables, tied at the waist
Common colours are white, ivory and black, with many firms offering a wider range for themes.
Working out tablecloth sizes
For a cloth to the floor, the diameter is the table width plus twice the drop. On a standard 75 cm high table the drop is about 75 cm, so a 1.5 m round needs about a 3 m round cloth, and a 1.8 m round about a 3.3 m cloth. For a lap-length drop of about 30 cm, a 1.5 m round takes about a 2.1 m cloth. For a 1.8 m trestle about 75 cm wide, a floor-length cloth is roughly 3.3 x 2.3 m. Give the firm your table sizes and let them match the cloth.
Delivery, care and charges
Cloths usually come folded and pressed, and many firms launder them after the event and include washing in the price. Stains that will not wash out, candle wax, cigarette burns and tears are often charged, so use candle holders, keep red wine and curry spills in mind, and shake off food before packing them back. Count cloths and napkins on delivery and collection. If you want them laid, say so: dressing tables is often a set-up extra, usually with chair covers.
What affects tablecloth hire prices
Cloth size, fabric, colour, the number, overlays and napkins, laundering, dressing the tables and delivery. Specialty fabrics cost more than plain polyester. Ask whether the cloths come with the table and chair hire and whether they are pressed.
What to include in your request
- Number of tables, shape and size
- Floor-length or lap-length drop
- Cloth colours and overlay colours
- Runners, napkins or cocktail covers
- Whether you want the tables dressed
Tablecloth Hire for different events
- Families and home celebrations: white cloths on trestles for a 21st, a baby shower or a lobola lunch
- Weddings and engagements: floor-length cloths with overlays and runners on every round at the reception
- Funerals, memorials and unveilings: white or black cloths on the trestles for the meal after the service
- Companies, conferences and functions: black floor-length cloths for registration, rounds and a gala dinner
- Churches and faith gatherings: white cloths for a communion table, a church lunch or a festival meal
- Schools, colleges and universities: colour-matched cloths for a matric farewell or a prize-giving dinner
- Municipalities, clubs and communities: plain cloths for trestles at an imbizo, a stokvel meeting or a club dinner
- Venues, caterers, decorators and planners: extra linen for caterers and decorators dressing several venues at once
Frequently asked questions
What does tablecloth hire cost?
What size table cloths for round tables do I need?
Will the tablecloth hire company dress the tables?
What happens if a cloth gets stained?
Tablecloth Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg