12 Sophisticated Ways to Fold a Napkin for Any Occasion (2023)

Are you always on the lookout for ways to boost your hosting prowess? Or maybe you're just seeking new ways to elevate weeknight dinners and Saturday morning brunches. Having a few napkin folding techniques in your arsenal is a simple way to spice up any tablescape, be it a setting of plain white china or an elegant holiday spread.

Whether you're looking to display a beloved set of monogrammed linen napkins or for a tasteful place to designate guest seating, these 12 napkin folding techniques are sure to impress any guest. Try the banded-angle napkin fold for a more formal affair, or the knot napkin fold for a casual get-together. Below, you'll find step-by-step guides for how to master each of these 12 impressive napkin folds, featuring plates from Gracious Style.

THE CLASSIC POCKET

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the top of the napkin a quarter of the way down.
Step Three: Fold the bottom of the napkin up until it just covers the edge of the top of the napkin.
Step Four: Flip the napkin over and fold into thirds.
Step Five: Turn the napkin over again and place a name card, dinner menu, or flower into the pocket.

THE ENVELOPE

Step One: Start by laying a dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half to form a triangle with the point facing away from you.
Step Three: Fold the two bottom corners inward so that they meet in the center.
Step Four: Fold the sides again toward the center, in thirds (approximately).
Step Five: Fold the bottom up to create an envelope shape. Place a menu or note into the napkin, and fold down the top corner of the napkin.

THE DRAPE

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat with the monogram on the underside of the bottom right corner.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half from left to right.
Step Three: Fold the napkin in half again from bottom to top.
Step Four: Turn the napkin so that the monogram is at the bottom and the napkin forms a diamond shape instead of a square.
Step Five: Flip the napkin over and fold the top corner of the napkin one-third of the way down.
Step Six: Fold the right and left corners of the napkin in at an angle so that the napkin forms a diamond shape.
Step Seven: Turn the napkin over again and proudly display your monogram.

THE DOUBLE DIAMOND

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin on a diagonal to create a triangle.
Step Three: Fold the two bottom corners to meet the top, creating a square.
Step Four: Carefully flip the napkin over and fold up the bottom corner to the desired length (about halfway or less).
Step Five: Tuck under the left and right corners to create a more rectangular shape.

THE ANGLED POCKET

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half from left to right.
Step Three: Fold the napkin in half again from bottom to top.
Step Four: Bring the top right corner of the first layer of the napkin down to the bottom left corner.
Step Five: Flip the napkin over and fold into thirds.
Step Six: Turn the napkin over again and place a name card, dinner menu, or flower into the pocket.

THE BOW

Step One: Start by laying a dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin on the diagonal to create a triangle.
Step Three: Fold the top of the triangle one-third of the way down toward the center of the napkin, and fold the bottom up one-third toward the center.
Step Four: Fold in half again so that the napkin is in the shape of a long strip. Press creases firmly.
Step Five: With the napkin still horizontal, flip down both ends one-third of the way across the napkin so that they cross.
Step Six: Using one hand to pinch the center of the napkin, slip on a napkin ring or ribbon to create the center of the bow.

THE PLATE WRAP

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin into thirds from top to bottom.
Step Three: Flip the napkin over and place it on top of a salad plate, tucking the ends of the napkin underneath the plate.
Step Four: Top with a name card, dinner menu, or flower.

THE DIAMOND POCKET

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half so that the open end of the rectangle is facing toward you.
Step Three: Fold the napkin in half again to create a square.
Step Four: Rotate the napkin so the open corner faces away from you.
Step Five: Take the open corner of the top layer and fold almost in half toward the bottom corner. Press.
Step Six: Fold the next two layers as in the previous step, leaving a little space between corners to create a gradual effect. Make sure all layers look clean and even. Leave the last corner unfolded.
Step Seven: Tuck the left and right corners underneath the napkin approximately one-third of the way on either side.

THE KNOT

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Gather the top left corner and the bottom right corner of the napkin together in the center, making sure to tuck the points of the napkin into the middle of the bundle.
Step Three: Tie the napkin in a knot and loosen it as needed for a more casual look.

THE LEAF

Step One: Start by laying a dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin on the diagonal to create a triangle.
Step Three: Fold the top corner down toward the center of the napkin about two inches.
Step Four: Accordion fold back and forth along the entire napkin in equal two-inch increments until you have a long strip. Press firmly.
Step Five: Fold the napkin in half and match the two outer corners together while allowing the pleats to open, creating a leaf shape.
Step Six: Add a napkin ring or ribbon at the bottom if desired.

THE BANDED ANGLE

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half from left to right.
Step Three: Fold the napkin in half again from bottom to top.
Step Four: Fold the top right corner of the first layer of the napkin down in one-inch increments until the fold reaches the top left and bottom right corners.
Step Five: Repeat the previous step with the second layer of the napkin, folding down the corner in one-inch increments until it touches the first band.
Step Six: Flip the napkin over and fold into thirds.
Step Seven: Turn the napkin over again and place a name card, dinner menu, or flower into the pocket.

THE POINTED POCKET

Step One: Start by laying a square dinner napkin flat.
Step Two: Fold the napkin in half from left to right.
Step Three: Fold the napkin in half again from bottom to top.
Step Four: Turn the napkin so that the top right corner is at the top and the napkin forms a diamond shape.
Step Five: Fold the top corner of the first layer of the napkin halfway down.
Step Six: Flip the napkin over, and fold the left, right, and bottom corners of the napkin into the center until they touch.
Step Seven: Turn the napkin over again and place a name card, dinner menu, or flower into the pocket.