Napkins

Fabric or paper: IKEA napkins always look the part

At children’s birthday parties they keep little mouths clean, at formal dinners they add those special finishing touches to the table – and in everyday life they simply make things easier. With our napkins you can lay your table in style and make your guests feel welcome. Practical paper napkins, often made from recycled materials, are an especially convenient option: they are handy, absorbent and can usually be recycled after use. Affordable fabric napkins, on the other hand, bring pure luxury to every place setting – and because you can pop them in the washing machine, they are a particularly sustainable choice. Tip: if you love the look of fabric but want the ease of paper, take a look at our paper napkins with a textile‑like feel.

The key features and benefits of our paper and fabric napkins at a glance (depending on the napkin):

• Colour and design variety: A wide range of colours, patterns and seasonal designs for personal, creative decoration to suit any occasion. Discover napkins in beautiful shades of blue, pink and green, in pure white or with artistic patterns such as checks or fine stripes.
• Range of materials: From paper to cotton and linen to lyocell/viscose – each napkin type has its own strengths in terms of absorbency, washability and look.
• Many sizes: From smaller formats like 24×24 cm to large 50×50 cm napkins – you will find the perfect size for your needs and ideas.
• More sustainability: Many napkins are made from recycled paper and more sustainable cotton. Paper napkins can generally be recycled, while fabric napkins can be washed in the machine and used again.
• Absorbency: High‑quality paper and fabric napkins quickly soak up moisture – ideal for any occasion.
• Space‑saving packaging and versatility: Multi‑packs, napkins in decorative boxes and handy kitchen rolls help you stay stocked up and organised. Suitable for home, picnics and on the go.
• Allergy‑friendly and hygienic: Fabric napkins can usually be washed at high temperatures for thorough cleaning, while paper products are clean, fresh and ideal for guests with sensitive skin.

Soft, absorbent, good‑looking and always suitable: with us you can stock up on paper and fabric napkins and add a few practical pops of colour to every occasion.

Fabric napkins for those extra‑special moments

In the mood for pure cotton, fine linen or blends that feel wonderfully soft and absorbent? Our fabric napkins are made for festive dinners and birthdays, for all those special moments. But that does not mean you have to save them for best – they are just as lovely at lunch, for a snack in between or alongside a tasty bite during film night. Enjoy beautiful colours, machine‑washable fabrics and sizes that brighten up any table. How about large Christmas napkins you can fold into eye‑catching shapes, or smaller fabric napkins that leave plenty of room for generous table decorations – perfect for celebrations like Easter? Most of our fabric napkins can be washed at around 60°C in the machine and ironed (please refer to the individual care instructions) – so you can fold or roll them neatly afterwards. Pretty practical, right?

Paper napkins for everyday life, outings and big celebrations

Our paper napkins are uncomplicated and endlessly versatile. They are soft, absorbent and easy to recycle – and many of them look and feel almost like fabric. That means you can use them not only at lunchtime, for children’s parties, picnics or on your travels. Larger paper napkins in elegant colours also look fantastic at more formal occasions. Not a napkin in the strictest sense, but still very handy: your IKEA kitchen roll. Perfect for quick snacks, but also ideal for wiping up spills and stains in no time. Special paper napkins in practical boxes are also a great backup for runny noses and the like – for example next to the bed on the bedside table or beside the sofa on the coffee table.

Paper or fabric napkins? A few tips

Paper napkins are ideal for everyday meals, casual lunches, outings or parties with lots of guests – they are practical, hygienic and can be recycled after use. For beautifully laid tables, dinner parties or households that are especially mindful of sustainability, fabric napkins made from cotton or linen are a great choice: they look high‑quality, can be used again and again and add a touch of luxury in the dining room, on the garden table or at picnics. That way you can choose what suits you and your occasion best every time.

How to use a napkin properly?

Do you just tuck your napkin into your collar? And where does it go after the meal? Here are a few simple guidelines for using paper or fabric napkins with style:

• As a rule, napkins are placed discreetly on the lap at the start of the meal – usually as soon as the host does so.
• You can fold the napkin into a neat rectangle – avoid triangle folds or spreading it flat over the plate.
• Tucking it into your collar or waistband is not considered appropriate in a formal setting and is best left to children.
• After the meal, you can place the napkin loosely to the left of the plate.Paper or small breakfast napkins can stay beside the plate if they do not sit securely on your lap.

Napkins and more for beautifully laid tables

Whether colourful paper napkins or simple fabric napkins: the eye‑catchers on this page make a big difference to your table setting. Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our candle holders and candles, cutlery and dinnerware sets, elegant glasses, vases, serving bowls and other table decorations. That way you can decorate and lay your dining table – and delight your guests in both taste and looks.