Napkin Folding Ideas for Every Occasion

Whether you’re hosting an Easter Sunday lunch, a birthday brunch, or a festive Christmas feast, setting the table is your chance to create a little magic for guests. And those napkins tucked away in your cupboard? It’s time to let them shine with our charming but easy napkin folding ideas.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to fold napkins with ease, even if you've never done a fancy fold in your life.

Bunny napkin fold

Easter napkin folding is a sweet extra touch that’s guaranteed to make guests smile. With just a napkin, ribbon, and a little folding magic, you'll have a charming table setting that'll have you hopping with joy.

You'll need:

• 1 napkin (the contrasting scalloped edge from our Amor napkins gives that “ear” effect)
• 1 egg (real, plastic, or even a treat-filled one)
• Ribbon or twine for tying
  

Follow our simple video tutorial below:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Lay it flat
Start by folding your napkin in half. Smooth it out on your surface.

2. Roll it up
From the long edge, begin tightly rolling the napkin all the way to the top.

3. Nest the egg
Place your egg right in the centre of the rolled napkin. If using a real egg, add it right at the end to avoid food waste. Simply leave a gap where the egg will lay.

4. Wrap it snug
Bring both ends of the napkin up and around the egg as if you’re cradling it.

5. Tie the bow
Hold the ends together above the egg and secure them with ribbon or twine. A soft pink bow adds a lovely, luxe touch.

6. Shape the ears
Finally, fan out the loose ends of the napkin to form cute bunny ears. You can give them a slight bend for extra character.

Styling tips

Pair each bunny napkin with pastel plates, like the pretty pink dinnerware from our Balos Collection, and a handwritten name card tucked beneath the bow for a personal touch.

Heart napkin fold

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or you just want to share the love, our love heart napkin fold is a thoughtful addition to your table. All you need is a napkin and a few clever folds.

Step-by-step instructions

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Fold into a triangle
Lay your napkin flat in a diamond shape, then fold it in half to make a triangle.

2. Fold into the centre
Take both side points and fold them into the centre. Then fold the sides in again, shaping a narrow diamond.

3. Flip and roll
Flip the napkin over and roll it upwards from the pointed end about three times.

4. Shape your heart
Flip it back around and gently pull the top corners down and out to form a heart.

Styling tips

Try this with soft linen or gingham napkins from our Gabriella collection for a rustic luxury feel. Tuck in a handwritten place card or a sprig of herbs for a personal touch.

Christmas tree napkin fold

Bring a touch of festive flair to your table with this simple but impressive Christmas tree napkin fold. It’s elegant, easy, and adds instant seasonal charm.

You'll need:

• 1 square napkin (green or metallic beautifully)
• Optional: A small star decoration for the top

Image from All Style Life.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Square things up
Fold your napkin into a square (half, then half again), then turn it so it sits like a diamond with the open corners pointing down.

2. Layer the branches
With the open corner facing you, begin folding each of the top layers up toward the opposite corner, leaving about an inch of space between each fold to create a tiered effect.

3. Shape the silhouette
Flip it over carefully. Fold both sides in toward the middle to shape your tree. Flip it back.

4. Build your branches
Now, starting at the top, fold each flap up. Tuck each one into the fold above it to form neat “branches.”

5. Add the finishing touch
Tuck the final flap underneath, and if you’re feeling extra festive, pop a little star on top.

Bow napkin fold

Chic, charming, and beautifully simple, this bow napkin fold adds a playful yet polished touch to any place setting. Ideal for birthdays, baby showers, or just to add a little extra to your everyday dining.

You'll need: 

• A napkin
• A napkin ring

Image from Fraiche Living.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Start with a triangle
Fold your napkin in half diagonally to create a triangle.

2. Fold the tip down
Take the top point of the triangle and fold it down about three-quarters of the way.

3. Begin rolling up
Fold the bottom edge up and over the folded triangle, roughly a third of the way.

4. Keep folding
Continue folding upward until you have a long, layered strip.

5. Shape the ends
Fold the right end down at an angle. Then fold the left end across horizontally, creating soft bow-like tails.

6. Add the napkin ring
Pinch the centre of the napkin and slide your napkin ring over both ends, placing it neatly in the middle.

7. Fluff and finesse
Pull the ends down gently while adjusting the sides of the bow. Flip over for a final tweak and perfect your shape.

Dine in style with DUSK

Whether you’re folding bunnies for Easter, hearts for a dinner date, or bows for a birthday bash, a beautifully set table starts with the little things - like a well-folded napkin.

At DUSK, we’ve got everything you need to bring your dining space to life. From soft kitchen textiles and elegant dinnerware to statement dining chairs and timeless tables, it’s all here - ready to help you set the mood, whatever the moment.

Time to give your table the glow-up it deserves? Shop our Dining Collection.