Where to discover popular table mats and coasters which are cork backed

Best table mats and coasters to protect your dining table

Table mats and coasters backed with cork are what stop your table from getting damaged by such things as rings, burns, moisture and scratches. Sure, you can forego them and just use bare wood if you don't mind having sand and revarnish, but the rest of us want to protection our costly dining table from that red hot dinner plate. That being the case, we came up with a design-focused primer on coasters and cork-backed table mats. You’ll learn why they are so important and belong in every home, how some of the quality UK tableware brands actually make them, and why some of the coolest designs are found in the dining rooms and kitchens across the UK.

The anatomy of cork backed tablemats

The better coasters and placemats are made of sandwich-like construction. The top has a tough-surface material, usually melamine or a hard lacquer. Centre is of rigid-hardboard, this gives the tablemats a core strength. The bottom is a cork base, which grips the table and insulates it from heat. For example, Pimpernel, Plymouth Pottery and Spode are in the habit of releasing a high quality specification using a 5 mm hardboard, this results in a tightly sealed, warp-proof table mat that resist heat to over 100C. The edges are strongly sealed to keep moisture from leaking through. This type of construction, hard lacquer surface, hardboard core, cork bottom, has now become the bench mark for good quality tablemats.

Why Cork is Still the Best Base for Tablemats

• Natural insulation: Cork out-performs the vast majority of synthetics at excluding heat from your table. Portmeirion, Plymouth Pottery, and Spode all specify heat resistance of between 100 and 110 °C, this is more than enough for the majority of dinner plates and mugs.

• Table and grip safety: The cork keeps mats from sliding around and protects tabletop finishes. This is crucial for protecting varnished wooden tables.

• Sustainability: Cork harvesting does not kill the tree. Spain, Portugal, and northern Africa's cork oak forests total over 2 million hectares and are considered carbon sinks, helping with biodiversity reserves, and creating jobs in rural areas of these countries. Amorim, the world's biggest cork group, is typically less energy hungry and has more renewable based techniques in production.

Some Proven Table Mats Brands

• William Morris: The "Strawberry Thief" pattern by William Morris, as well as other Morris & Co designs from the Arts & Crafts Movement are now associated with traditional and chic decorative styles. Pimpernel, Spode and Castle Melamine all have a range of Morris & Co designs. With these collections you can expect a heat resistance of around 100C with heat sealed edges and an easy clean maintenance. You can coordinate these classic floral designs with either a plain or floral themed dinnerware service without any fear of the place mats clashing.

• Spode Blue Italian: The Spode’s Blue Italian line has been going steadily all the years since 1816 and is still a popular and on trend pattern today. Spode table mats and coasters, which are now part of the UK’s Portmeirion Group come with 5 mm cork backing and lacquered surface. Available in the standard UK size of 30.5cm x 23cm as well as a larger continental version of 40.1cm x 29.8cm. This traditional blue and white pattern matches almost any decorative style and works well with everyday lunches and special occasions.

• Wrendale Fun Animal Designs: Hannah Dale's fun designs featuring pheasants, hares, owls, and foxes have an enormous cross market appeal. Made in the factories of Pimpernel, the Wrendale collections are great gift ideas with colourful designs that brighten up both a formal dinner table and casual weeknight meals with the family.

• Sara Miller Placemats: Vibrant tones, fun motifs, and gold accents define the range of Sara Miller placemats and coasters. Manufactured by Portmeirion, also with patterns that work all year round as well as special winter designs, these elegant table mats and coasters have a cork backed base. As with all of the cork backed table mats, they constructed to be stain and heat resistant as well as being very easy to wipe clean. The Sara Miller range is very much a luxury designer option which will help make your table look extremely elegant and sophisticated.

How to Choose Quality Table Mats

Check the heat rating: 100C should be the goal. That's good for protection from the typical plates and mugs. You shouldn’t use cork place mats under a pan just out of the oven as the pan will be too hot and would damage the placemat. Look for sealed edges and density: The 5 mm hardboard is a good indication of durability.

Ensure wipe-clean care: Cork and hardboard cores won’t last long if they are immersed in water and definitely keep them out of the dishwasher. Be careful when choosing your drinks coaster size, 10cm square coaster sets will comfortably accommodate regular mugs and glasses.

A few tips to follow, wipe your table mats and coasters with a damp cloth after use and do not soak edges. Always allow extremely hot pans to cool for a minute or two before putting them on a placemat as the lacquered surfaces are durable but not Kevlar. Ideally store your table mats flat as this will help to avoid warping.

The Bottom Line

The best cork-backed table mats and coasters are those that have a 5 mm thick hardboard core, non-staining sealed edges, heat resistance to roughly 100C and a soft cork backing.

Some of the popular designs to choose from are Arts & Crafts William Morris floral patterns, Blue Italian by Spode, Wrendale animal placemats range, and Sara Miller collections which are all available to buy on our website.

Choose a pattern that matches your dinner service, store your placemats flat after being wiped clean. Then change up the range with some seasonal table mat sets for a quick makeover of your dining room that your guests will notice and be impressed by.