6 easy ways to prevent damage to your dining table including discreet protection mats and trivets under beautiful cookware

Dining tables are usually costly and vital investments, especially if you love hosting your friends and family. But how do you prevent damage to your investment?

Our dining table and interior pros share six ways to keep your dining table's surface safe from scratches, scuffs, marks and heat without compromising your aesthetic.

Start with cleaning your dining table, then work your way through the items that are relevant for your lifestyle, guests or social calendar and you'll be sure to keep your dining table properly protected.

1. Keep cookware off the table

Sam Deeble, Furniture Specialist at Woods Furniture, says, 'When it’s time to plate up the Christmas dinner, avoid placing pots, pans, and other hot cookware directly onto the table. This method of serving the festive meal can put your dining table at risk of damage, melting its finish and leading to heat expansion and discoloration. Avoid this costly mishap by serving in the kitchen before taking the plate to the table.'

If your dishes are ones that have to be served up at the table, or perhaps you're lacking space in the kitchen, our head of Interiors and design pro, Hebe Hatton, has some great tips. Her kitchen and dining area are open plan, and her countertop space limited so cooking and serving at the dining table is a communal affair she likes to 'make part of the celebrations.'

Hebe loves the communal feel of everyone helping themselves to sides, and explains, 'It makes it less stressful for me having to plate everything up and making sure everyone has the right amount. One hack I learned long ago is to double your cookware as decor.

'For some dishes, I take them straight from stove or oven to dining table, using my nicest enamel pots and dutch ovens for a rustic, yet considered look. To protect the table from the heat I put some simple cork trivets from Amazon down. You can't really see them once the pots are on the table anyway.'

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Skip the candles

Many inspirational tablescape photos will have candles as a standard feature, which isn't surprising given that they bring such charm to the setting.

However, Sam adds, 'While a candle can add ambiance and a festive touch to a Christmas dinner table, this decorative item could damage your dining set. An open flame can also pose a risk to dining tables and result in surface damage.

'Wax can be difficult to remove from table linens and certain surfaces, and the candle’s heat could cause damage and lead to safety concerns if there’s tipping. This risk can significantly increase on a full dinner table at Christmas, so placing a candle on a separate surface, away from the merriment, is best practice.'

If you like the look but want to curb the risk, opt for flame-free candles, available at Walmart. To learn more about getting rid of wax, our dedicated guide is packed with steps and tips from professional cleaners on how to successfully remove spilled wax.

3. Keep clear of toys

Sam says, 'Toys should be avoided on the dinner table at all times, and while this is a likely occurrence at Christmas, it poses an increased risk of surface damage. Certain toys can lead to scratches and stains, hindering your dining table’s quality appearance and durability. Keep your dining set protected this festive season by restricting toys on the dinner table.'

If your grandkids or young family members are likely to bring their toys to the meal anyway, you can protect your dining table discreetly, without it interfering with your tablescape or other table-top elements.

Hebe Hatton, head of H&G interiors, says, 'My mother-in-law taught me the trick of popping a thick heat protecting layer, available from Bed Bath and Beyond, underneath my holiday tablecloth. That way it doesn't interrupt your theme, but you can pop hot plates, toys and whatever else you need down without it damaging the wood underneath. I would still use some kind of trivet for real hot pots, but for hot plates and most other abrasive elements, a protective pad does the job.'

Sam adds that your dining set will remain unharmed with a table protector. He shares, 'These work as a barrier to prevent spills and heat from contacting the table. This tip also ensures a swift, stress-free clean-up after Christmas meals.'

4. Go festive with a table runner

You can bring function and aesthetic together with a festive table runner. Sam says, 'This protects the dining table from heat damage, spills, or other accidents while adding a festive touch to the dining area. A table runner is perfect for preventing surface damage caused by stains and scratches, keeping your dining set safe from festive messes.'

The Xeyise table runner from Walmart is waterproof, has built in heat insulation and comes in 24 different size combinations.

5. Use place mats and coasters

It might seem an obvious one, but when a crammed dinner table is short on space, you might be tempted to give placements and coasters the chop.

Sam says, 'These essential for protecting the table during a meal against stains and heat damage, and will help keep your dining set in top condition. These also protect table linen and runners used as decorative features.'

6. Cover your seats

Finally, don't overlook your dining chairs. They may not be as prone to damage as the surface of your dining table, but spills, stains and other mishaps can make your entire dining set look tired.

Sam explains, 'Go the extra mile to protect your dining set with seat coverings. While the table’s surface is likely to bear the brunt of Christmastime messes, food crumbs and spills can make their way onto the dining chairs. Keep these protected using seat coverings or place a festive-colored sheet over the seats for a decorative touch.'

If you've always dismissed seat covers and instead cleaned your upholstered dining chairs, this might be the time to try something new. Interior pro Hebe Hatton adds, 'I am all for using cushions on dining chairs. I like my dining setup to feel cozy and welcoming. You spend hours at the table over Christmas so you want everyone to feel comfortable. I keep it simple with classic ticking stripe cushion that I can tie onto my metal chairs.'

Now you know how to protect your dining table from damage, even at the busiest time of year, learn about the biggest dining table trends.