This will depend on the type of meal you are hosting.  Hosting a casual meal versus a formal event will require different preparations. To help you with this, here is the rundown of table setting basics: Everyday Dinner • Begin by setting out a placemat, if you prefer to use one. • Center a dinner plate on the placemat or at the table setting. • Set a fork to the left of the plate, a knife to the right of the plate, and a spoon to the right of the knife. • Set a water glass to the top and right of the plate, just above the knife. • Set a napkin on top of the plate or under the fork. Casual Meal • Begin by setting out a placemat, if you prefer to use one. • Center a dinner plate on the placemat or at the table setting. • Set a salad plate on top of the dinner plate if you plan to serve a salad. • Set a fork to the left of the plate, a knife to the right of the plate, and a spoon to the right of the knife. • Set a salad fork to the left of the dinner fork if you plan to serve a salad. • Set a water glass to the top and right of the plate, just above the knife. • Set a wine glass to the right of the water glass. • Set a napkin on top of the plate or under the fork. Formal Event • Begin by setting out a tablecloth. • Center a dinner plate on a charger plate or at the table setting. • Set a salad plate on top of the dinner plate. • Set a bread plate above and left of the dinner plate. • Set a bread knife in a horizontal position on the bread plate. • Set a fork to the left of the plate, a knife to the right of the plate, and a spoon to the right of the knife. • Set a salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. • Set a dessert spoon in a horizontal position above the dinner plate. • Set a water glass to the top and right of the plate, just above the knife. • Set a wine glass to the right of the water glass.  White wine glasses go in front of red wine glasses. • Set a napkin on top of the salad plate. • Set a place card above the dessert spoon. • Set a coffee cup with a saucer just below the glasses during the dessert course.