A place mat is a flat, portable surface covering placed on a table beneath plates, cutlery, glasses and serving ware to protect the table from spills, heat and scratches — while also adding an aesthetic layer to your dining setting. In simple terms, a place mat sits between your dinnerware and the tabletop to keep surfaces clean, prevent damage and elevate everyday meals or special occasions.
Place mats are a subtle yet powerful design tool in Aussie homes. They bridge practicality with interior style, helping to define dining zones, complement tableware and reflect your personal taste. Whether crafted from woven fibres, cotton, silicone, bamboo or elegant synthetics, place mats are essential in modern dining and kitchen design.
Place mats come in a wide range of materials, sizes and aesthetics — each suited to different homes, tables and lifestyles.
Made from natural fibres like jute, seagrass or rattan
Earthy texture that suits coastal, boho and rustic interiors
Durable and easy to wipe clean
Cotton, linen or blended textiles
Soft, layered look
Often machine-washable — great for family dining
Spill-proof and wipeable
Ideal for everyday meals or kids’ tables
Available in bold patterns and colours
Sleek, timeless appeal
Works beautifully with timber tables or organic décor
Heat-resistant, non-slip
Perfect for casual dining and easy maintenance
Statement patterns or artisanal prints
Works well for entertaining, theme dinners or festive settings
Different styles allow you to match place mats with seasons, events and personal taste — from understated minimalism to expressive visual flair.
Here’s a practical guide to choosing place mats that look great and perform well in your home.
Think about your lifestyle:
Everyday dining: Wipeable vinyl, silicone or woven mats
Formal dinners: Fabric or designer printed mats
Outdoor alfresco: Waterproof, UV-resistant options
Measure your table and ensure place mats:
Sit comfortably with cutlery and plates
Don’t overwhelm the space
Leave about 10–15 cm between settings for comfort
Choose colours that:
Complement your dinnerware
Enhance your dining room palette
Tie into seasonal décor schemes
Ask yourself:
Are they machine-washable?
Do they wipe clean easily?
Can children help clear up?
Look for:
Stain-resistant finishes
Heat tolerance
Non-slip backing
In simple terms, the best place mats protect your surfaces, reflect your style and make dining easier.
Place mats are more than decorative — they’re functional essentials that elevate daily life.
Protects tabletops from spills, heat, scratches and stains
Defines place settings for beautiful, organised tables
Adds texture and colour to your dining area
Easy to clean and maintain
Affordable way to refresh décor without replacing major pieces
Daily family meals — keeping the table tidy with kids or guests
Dinner parties and celebrations — coordinate place mats for theme dinners
Outdoor entertaining — durable and stylish mats that withstand alfresco dining
Holiday tablescapes — festive colours and patterns for seasonal joy
Layered tables — combine with runners and centrepieces for visual depth
The main reason Australians invest in place mats is the effortless way they enhance dining experiences — practical protection meets inviting style.
At House of Isabella Australia, place mats are curated with everyday living and design sensibility in mind. The collection features pieces that transition seamlessly from casual breakfasts to elegant dinner parties.
Here’s why customers love shopping place mats with House of Isabella:
Large in-stock catalogue ready to ship
Fast delivery Australia-wide
East & West Coast warehouses for speedy service
Buy Now, Pay Later with Afterpay & Zip
Exclusive, unique designs chosen for style and function
Australian-based customer care that actually understands your needs
House of Isabella’s place mats pair beautifully with premium tableware and décor, including ranges from Florabelle Collection, Gallery Home, Café Lighting & Living, Zaffero, Emac & Lawton and OneWorld Collection, helping you create coordinated and intentional tabletop settings.
Here’s what’s shaping place mat styling for 2025 across Aussie homes.
Organic fibres like jute and seagrass are trending for their relaxed, tactile appeal — perfect for casual and coastal interiors.
Statement patterns that reflect personality are stepping in alongside neutral basics, especially for contemporary dining spaces.
Eco-friendly place mats made from recycled and responsibly sourced fibres are increasingly sought after.
Rather than matching sets, Australians are layering different textures and tones for a collected, curated look.
Designers are pairing place mats with table runners and decorative centrepieces for deep, dimensional tablescapes.
These trends show that place mats are no longer just functional accessories — they’re integral to modern table design in 2025.
Styling place mats well can transform ordinary meals into memorable experiences.
Combine woven mats with smooth ceramic or glassware for contrasting tactility.
Use a table runner under place mats to define the dining corridor and add a luxe feel.
Neutral mats: pair with coloured napkins or statement centrepieces
Bold mats: keep plates simple to let patterns shine
Summer: light, airy colours and natural fibres
Winter: rich tones, deeper textures and warmer hues
Place mats under charger plates for formal dinners
Add a napkin ring or small greenery sprig for detail
Here’s why this works: place mats create a backdrop that enhances every meal — from quick breakfasts to long, lingering dinners with friends.
Table runners
Napkin rings
Charger plates
Coasters
Dinnerware sets
Table centrepieces
Mentions of brands such as Florabelle Collection, Gallery Home, Café Lighting & Living, Zaffero, Emac & Lawton and others are included purely for descriptive and contextual purposes. House of Isabella Australia is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with these brands.
My Cart
Your Cart Is Empty
Continue shopping
