“A napkin ring adds a touch of elegance to any table,” says Raquel Skrobarczyk, owner and principal designer at Heather Scott Home & Design. “And since people have been staying home by themselves these last few years, they want to go all out when entertaining. When putting together a table, they want to bring out special plates, table linens, and napkin rings to make everyone feel special and appreciated.” To arrive at the 13 best napkin rings, we researched a variety of choices available online, keeping in mind dimensions, material, and number per set. We received expert advice from Raquel Skrobarczyk at Heather Scott Home & Design and Karen B. Wolf, principal and owner at k+co LIVING. We chose Crate and Barrel’s Aria Silver Napkin Ring, which also comes in gold, as our overall best napkin ring. It’s simple and elegant for any style tablescape, informal or formal, all year long. Here’s our complete list of the best napkin rings. Keep in Mind: At this price point, it is less expensive than most sets of four, but not the best napkin ring if entertaining many guests. The price point for one is inexpensive compared to most napkin rings. When purchasing four individually, the total comes to half of what a set of four typically costs. But it’ll add up if you’re looking to buy these for a wedding or catered affair. Price at time of publish: $4 Dimensions: 1.75-inch diameter | Material: Metal with soft silver or gold finish | Number Per Set: One Keep in Mind: These napkin rings only come in gold and silver, so they are not ideal if you’re looking for a pop of color. And while they only come in gold or silver, you can dress them up or down just like an outfit. Play with color, pattern, or texture with other elements of your tablescape. Price at time of publish: $14 Dimensions: 2 x 1.5 inches | Material: Metal | Number Per Set: 12 Keep in Mind: This napkin ring looks like expensive jewelry and is priced as such. A set of four is pricey, and that’s why we’ve labeled it our splurge. So, if you’re having a lot of guests, there are better napkin rings than this one for the occasion. We couldn’t help but notice its beauty, nor will your guests. These napkin rings will genuinely look like jewelry atop your table. It’s featured in blush, midnight and silver, gold, red, silver, and clear. You can even mix and match to double the color and sparkle. Price at time of publish: $132 Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.75 inches | Material: 70% acrylic, 25% glass, 5% metal | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: Spot-cleaning these beauties after a wine or gravy spill won’t be fun, but it’s doable. A bonus is that you don’t need to pack up these beauties with the rest of the Christmas decorations. Unlike the stockings and Santa-themed items, you can use these more than just during the holiday season. They’re the best napkin ring because you’ll be ready to host a dinner party in the winter months too. Price at time of publish: $30 Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 inches | Material: Solid iron rings are covered in twine; realistic snowballs, leaves, and pinecones are handcrafted of durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: They can be used for different purposes. Suppose you don’t have time to DIY Thanksgiving place cards and napkin rings. In that case, this is a simple, elegant, and inexpensive alternative to make your table feel special. And these are the best napkin rings because they are versatile too. Use them to decorate wine bottles, bouquets, and gift bag tags. Price at time of publish: $8 Dimensions: 1.97 x 1.77 inches | Material: Wood | Number Per Set: 12 Keep in Mind: For a lighter tablescape, these might be heavy-feeling. Remember, just like when decorating a room, you’ll want to anchor your table with specific pieces and ensure the table is balanced. For example, if everything on the table looks light and delicate, these napkin rings will offer too much weight. Price at time of publish: $36 Dimensions: 1.25 x 1.79 x 1.79 inches | Material: Aluminum in a brass finish | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: You’ll need to take time to buff these with a soft cloth to keep them looking their best. A set of four might be enough to spruce up a Sunday family dinner or purchase a few sets when entertaining a bigger party. Since these aren’t sterling silver, there’s no worry about tarnishing, but you’ll need to give them a quick buff now and then. Price at time of publish: $39 Dimensions: 2 x 1.5 inches | Material: Metal | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: These beauties aren’t natural brass, which tends to tarnish, but you’ll still need to wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. Designed to replicate the timeless beauty of family heirlooms, they’re crafted of cast aluminum with brass plating and protective lacquer. And this is a good thing since natural brass will tarnish. With that said, you’ll still need to keep them clean by wiping them with a soft cloth. If brass isn’t your metal of choice, this style also comes in brushed nickel. Price at time of publish: $30 Dimensions: 1.75 x 1 inches | Material: Cast aluminum | Number Per Set: Six Keep in Mind: There are better choices for a formal affair. A wood napkin ring is probably not the best choice for an elegant party. However, so much depends on the overall theme of the tablescape. Add a sprig of greenery or flower underneath each wood napkin ring for a quick and easy way to dress it up a little more. Or get crafty and let other table decorations like your centerpiece take center stage. Price at time of publish: $15 Dimensions: 2 x 1.5 inches | Material: Metal | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: These are handcrafted and time-consuming to weave, so the price point is slightly higher. While the product looks similar to rattan, it’s made from water vines, which only grow in remote mountain jungles and are very difficult to reach and hard to harvest. However, once reaped, the vines grow back quickly, leaving no damage in their native forests. But making these cute rings takes time, so the cost per set is slightly higher. Price at time of publish: From $21 Dimensions: 2.25 x 2 inches | Material: Water vines | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: Unlike other styles, these will make a visual statement. So it’s not a go-to napkin ring for everyday dinner. Unlike other styles that may blend in with the other elements of the tablescape, these will no doubt stand out. So, you might be unable to display them as often as you’d like. Your guests won’t help but take notice and remember them. Price at time of publish: $50 Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 inches | Material: Resin | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: Be mindful that these cute rings are handmade to order and will take longer to ship and arrive at your door. These napkin rings are made of natural grapevine forms and faux greenery. Depending on how many you will need, there are buying options. A pulldown menu offers sets of four through 24. Handmade to order, these gorgeous green wreaths may take time to make and arrive at your door, which could either be a drawback or worth the wait. Price at time of publish: $28 Dimensions: Three inches | Material: Real grapevine with faux greenery | Number Per Set: Four Keep in Mind: Be sure to get the other table elements right to keep the tablescape looking high-end and not cheap. Sometimes plastic can look cheap, but not these. Just be sure to style with details to bring modern beauty and durability to the table. And since they are plastic, you won’t need to worry about them breaking like crystals. So go ahead, take them outdoors and dine al fresco. Price at time of publish: $14 Dimensions: 2.25 x 2.25 x 1 inches | Material: Plastic | Number Per Set: Four
What to Know About Napkin Rings Before Shopping
Dimensions
“The diameter will be fairly standard throughout—a little bit less than two inches. This size will fit one napkin nicely,” says Raquel Skrobarczyk, principal designer and owner at Heather Scott Home & Design. “But as far as the overall size, typically two inches.”
Material
With any decorative element, a lot depends on personal preference. There isn’t a wrong material choice when shopping for the best napkin rings. However, you should be mindful of how to clean them. Most can easily be spot cleaned or wiped with a soft cloth. But if choosing a more elaborate design, you should move it away from the gravy boat. “Go with what fits the overall aesthetics,” says Skrobarczyk. “So if dining outdoors, maybe you’d choose a rattan one. If a more intimate occasion, maybe silver, brass, or gold. It depends on what other elements are already on the table.” “They are available in multiple materials and styles for every type of tablescape concept; boho, romantic, minimal, glam, elegant, organic, farmhouse, traditional, garden, rustic and more,” says Karen B. Wolf at k+co LIVING.
Number Per Set
“They can range from as little as $20-$30 per set with an average price for luxury rings around $80 per set and upwards,” says Wolf.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the purpose of a napkin ring?
Traditionally, napkin rings were used informally and at family dinners so that cloth napkins could be reused. Each person had their own napkin ring, and if it was still reasonably clean, it was placed back in the ring to be used at the next meal. We now wash much more frequently. But ironically, the original purpose of a napkin ring and its cloth counterpart makes for an environmentally friendly option. “Today, napkin rings are the jewelry at the table—that extra special touch,” says Wolf. “They can define a tablescape vibe and finish the statement. Plus, they can be used for any occasion and range from casual to elegant.”
When should you use a napkin ring?
“Technically, a ring contains a cloth or paper napkin, but it is more often used to add a decorative element to the table," says Wolf. “Napkin rings are really fun. You can start a collection by color, table theme, event purpose, or just what speaks to you. If you create a collection, try storing them in clear jars and use them as a styling prop on your shelves.”
Who We Are
Jennifer Carmichael is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To make this list, she researched a variety of napkin rings, keeping in mind dimensions, material, and number per set. She consulted Raquel Skrobarczyk at Heather Scott Home & Design and Karen B. Wolf, principal and owner at k+co LIVING.
