How to Choose the Right Napkin Color for Your Next Big Event - Naptec Paper

How to Choose the Right Napkin Color for Your Next Big Event

Every single detail counts when it comes to event planning. Choosing your napkin colors may seem like no big deal, but well-coordinated table linens are central to creating a tablescape that guests notice. If you want to show off your hosting skills, this complete napkin color guide will give you the tools to craft a table setting that draws eyes in for all the right reasons. 

5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Napkin Colors

1. The type of event

Start with the tone you want to set. Is this a laid back event where the table setting should be fun and festive? Is this a formal gathering, where the atmosphere is a bit more refined? For instance, black tie weddings and galas are best suited for classic shades, like elegant ivory napkins, while casual backyard parties allow for more relaxed color choices such as turquoise.

2. Your event’s theme and color palette

Part of setting the mood is making sure your napkin colors support your event’s specific theme. A springtime baby shower may call for colorful napkins in seasonal colors, such as light pastels.

If you’ve already selected a particular color scheme, all you have to do is decide if your napkins should match the star shade or serve as one of the accent colors.

3. Other table linens 

It’s best to plan your napkin and tablecloth colors together to ensure you’ve got a balanced tablescape. If you don’t want everything in a similar hue, study complementary colors for an optimal color contrast. For instance, metallic silver napkins perfectly accent a navy tablecloth. Add on a table runner that matches your napkins for an even more sophisticated, layered look.

4. Napkin accessories

Items like napkin rings can add a stylish touch to any place setting, and it’s important to make sure they don’t clash with your napkin colors. Select your rings at the same time as your linen colors to ensure everything looks great together.

The same goes if you’re using pocket napkins at each place setting. Pocket napkins in the right color can be a great way to highlight place cards, special guest favors, or even utensils. Simple black napkins no longer seem plain when holding shimmering gold silverware. Get pocket napkin inspiration from this Naptec guide.

5. Tablescape decor

Tie everything together with napkins that go with your bold centerpiece or floral arrangement. You can go for a contrast statement or use the opportunity to match accents. Napkins that are the same lovely shade of the blue or purple hydrangeas on the table create a unified, cohesive look. 

When to Add Designs to Your Napkins

There’s no rule that says your napkins must always be monochromatic. Adding text or a special design to customized napkins instantly gives your table setting an unforgettable finishing touch. This option is great for restaurants or catering companies that want to promote their business with a logo on each napkin. You can also mark weddings or other special occasions with dates, monograms, or initials.

When selecting your custom napkin design, consider all of the same factors that go into choosing your base napkin color. It’s all about tying the room together and making choices that don’t overpower other visuals. The type of customization you choose will also play a big role in the tone you want. For instance, foil stamping adds a polished shine when you want to set a more upscale table.

Tips for Choosing the Right Napkin Color for Your Event

Your napkin colors express your creative hosting vision. Even if you want to break the mold, there are some rules worth following so your napkin colors stun in all the right ways. Here’s how to coordinate a magnificent table setting for every style:

  • Stick with similar tones: Contrasting your napkin and tablecloth colors only works if you’re sticking with the same level of intensity. Blues and reds can look gorgeous if they’re both bold jewel tones. But if you pair super bright colors with muted accents, your tablescape is guaranteed to feel off. 
  • Avoid matching too closely: You don’t have to go for a stark contrast every time, but choosing table linens in the exact same color can easily sabotage any depth you were trying to create. There are exceptions, of course. If you want a simple yet elegant table, a fully white tablescape can look wonderfully crisp and clean. But in general, mixing it up is the way to go, even if it’s subtly similar shades. Shop white tablecloths and white table runners with Naptec.
  • Get help from a color wheel: Test out your ideas with a color wheel, an easy-to-use tool that shows you how well every color in the rainbow matches up. Color wheels allow you to see how well complementary contrasting shades pair, as well as analogous colors, when you want to keep everything on a similar wavelength. For example, analogous colors that sit next to each other on a color wheel, like certain shades of red, pink, and orange, pair nicely for a sunset-like effect.

9 Napkin Color Ideas For Big Events

Napkin colors for weddings

Whether your style is more timeless and traditional or innovative and bold, the important thing is to plan a coherent big day table setting. 

  • Champagne and pink: Pair a subtle champagne tablecloth with light pink napkins, or vice versa, for soft and sweet romance.
  • Green and white: Add a bold pop of color with emerald or deep green on top of a white tablecloth.
  • Burgundy and blue: Make a statement on your table with rich shades of deep maroon and royal or navy blue. 

Napkin colors for home parties

When you’re hosting at home, the more laid-back environment might entice you to go a little brighter. Here are some fun combinations to experiment with that make the room feel fun, while still tying everything together. 

  • Bright green and fuschia: This teal and purple pairing is perfect for a high-energy birthday party, when you want the mood to be lively enough to bring guests on the dance floor.
  • Yellow and dusty blue: The contrast of cool and warm tones is ideal for a casual brunch or backyard bridal shower.
  • Black and white: Sometimes it’s okay to keep things simple and classic. Black and white napkins and tablecloths work well for any graduation party, unless of course, you want to show your pride with your alma mater’s school colors. 

Napkin colors for corporate events

Corporate conferences or retreats call for clean color pairings. If your company has a choice, your brand colors are typically the best go-to, but if not, these tried and true options will always look professional. 

  • Gray and white: Sometimes it’s a good idea to stick with the basics. Gray and white goes with just about any table setting.
  • Red and black: If you want to go a little bolder without getting too experimental, red napkins on a black tablecloth makes a powerful statement.
  • Brown and cream: When you want a calm environment, this earthy couple feels warm and soothing. 

Set the Table with Naptec’s Rainbow of Napkin Colors 

With dozens of color choices, Naptec has something for every table. Our American-made single-use napkins are manufactured with premium dyes, so our linen-like napkins won’t bleed onto guests’ hands, even when cleaning up the toughest spills. And when the event is all over, our disposable napkins make clean up as easy as possible. Shop Naptec’s collection of napkin colors and find something to match any tablescape.

Back to blog