How Do You Store Placemats?
Sep 2, 2026 / Public Storage
Store placemats by cleaning and drying each set, sorting them by season or occasion, and placing them in labeled drawers, bins, or boxes. Keep everyday placemats in an easy-to-reach kitchen drawer or cabinet, and put away seasonal or special-occasion sets when they take up more space than you want to use at home.
Group placemats with matching napkins, table runners, or tablecloths when practical. A clear label helps you find the right set for the next meal, holiday, or gathering.
Placemat Storage Essentials:
- Clean and dry placemats fully before storing them.
- Keep everyday placemats in a kitchen drawer, cabinet, basket, or small bin.
- Fold fabric placemats or roll them loosely based on the material and available space.
- Stack rigid placemats flat with a soft layer between sets.
- Group placemats by season, occasion, color, or table setting.
- Use labeled containers for seasonal and special-occasion table linens.
- Keep upcoming seasonal sets near the entrance of the storage unit.
- Place placemat bins on shelving or another raised surface.
Placemat Storage at a Glance:
How Should You Prepare Placemats for Storage?
Prepare placemats for storage by sorting matching sets, cleaning each item according to its material, and allowing every piece to dry fully. This keeps table linens organized and ready for the next seasonal rotation or gathering.
Use this process:
- Group matching placemats together.
- Clean fabric, woven, plastic, cork, or other materials according to care instructions.
- Let placemats air-dry fully.
- Place a clean cloth, packing paper, or liner between rigid placemats.
- Label the container by season, color, occasion, or table setting.
Use labels such as:
- Everyday Table Linens
- Fall Placemats and Napkins
- Holiday Table Settings
- Outdoor Entertaining
- Special-Occasion Table Décor
How Can You Store Everyday Placemats at Home?
Store everyday placemats near the dining area or kitchen so they are easy to retrieve when setting the table. A drawer, cabinet, pantry shelf, basket, or small bin can keep matching sets together.
Use these methods:
- Stack rigid placemats flat in a cabinet.
- Fold fabric placemats with napkins and table runners.
- Roll fabric placemats loosely when that better fits the drawer or bin.
- Use a small basket for everyday sets.
- Store matching napkins and placemats in the same container.
Keep only the placemats you use regularly in high-access kitchen areas. Put away extra and lower-use sets to reduce cabinet overflow.
What Containers Work Best for Placemats?
Use containers that fit the placemats without bending, crowding, or compressing them. The right container depends on the material, number of sets, and whether the placemats are part of a seasonal or special-occasion collection.
Avoid overfilling containers. Divide several placemat sets by season or occasion instead of packing every set into one box.
How Should You Store Rigid Placemats?
Store rigid placemats flat in a cabinet, shallow box, or flat storage bin. Place a clean cloth, packing paper, or thin liner between each set to limit surface contact.
Keep heavy boxes and furniture off placemat containers. Store rigid placemats in a location where they remain flat and easy to retrieve.
How Should You Store Fabric Placemats?
Store fabric placemats by folding them into manageable sections or rolling them loosely. Place them in a drawer, fabric bag, or labeled bin with matching napkins, table runners, or tablecloths.
Do not pack fabric placemats while damp. Keep each set clean and dry before putting it away.
How Can You Store Placemats in a Storage Unit?
A storage unit can help when seasonal placemats, table linens, serving items, and event décor take up more space than you want to use in kitchen cabinets or closets. Group placemats with related household items and label containers clearly.
For example, store spring and summer table linens together, or place holiday placemats in the same area as seasonal table décor.
Keep labels facing outward and use a phone note or spreadsheet to track container locations when storing several sets.
Should You Use Climate-Controlled Storage for Placemats?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for fabric placemats, woven table linens, cork placemats, and other materials affected by high heat or changing humidity. Heat can contribute to fading or material changes, while humidity can affect fabrics, natural fibers, and certain woven materials.
More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units. These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than non-climate-controlled storage.
Pack placemats only after they are clean and fully dry. Store them in labeled bins or fabric bags on shelving or another raised surface with related table linens.
How Can You Rotate Placemats by Season?
Rotate placemats by bringing out the sets that match the current season and putting away the sets you do not expect to use soon. This keeps kitchen drawers, cabinets, and linen closets easier to organize.
Use a seasonal rotation plan:
- Bring out lighter colors and outdoor table linens in spring and summer.
- Move fall-themed placemats closer to the front as summer ends.
- Pack away holiday table settings after the season.
- Keep placemats, napkins, and related décor in the same labeled bin.
- Donate or sell usable sets that no longer fit your home or style.
Store Table Linens With a Clear Plan.
Placemats are easier to store when they are clean, dry, grouped by set, and labeled by season or occasion. Keep everyday sets close to the kitchen and put away lower-use table linens until the next gathering or seasonal refresh.
Find a Public Storage location near you to reserve month-to-month space for placemats, table linens, seasonal décor, serving items, and household belongings. Customers can complete a rental online in minutes with no credit card required.
A simple table-linen system can make the next meal or celebration easier to prepare for.
Placemat Storage FAQs
Can you store placemats in plastic bins?
Yes. Store clean, dry placemats in labeled plastic bins. Avoid packing the bin so tightly that placemats become bent or difficult to remove.
Should you fold or roll fabric placemats?
Fold fabric placemats when they fit neatly in a drawer or bin. Roll them loosely when that better fits the material and available storage space.
Can you store placemats in a storage unit?
Yes. A storage unit can hold seasonal placemats, table linens, serving items, and household décor that do not fit your current kitchen storage.
How do you organize seasonal placemats?
Group placemats by season, occasion, color, or table setting. Use labeled bins and keep the next seasonal set near the entrance of the storage area.
Are Public Storage rentals month to month?
Yes. All Public Storage rentals are month to month.
