To set a table, follow these basic steps: Place a dinner plate at the center of the setting. Forks go to the left of the plate, with the dinner fork closest to the plate. Knives and spoons go to the right, with the knife blade facing inward toward the plate. If you are serving multiple courses like salad and soup, place the salad plate on top of the dinner plate and the soup bowl on top of the salad plate. Napkins are usually placed to the left or on top of the plate. Glasses, such as water and wine glasses, are placed to the upper right above the knife. Utensils should be arranged in the order of use from the outside in. More formal settings include additional utensils for fish, dessert, and multiple glasses for different wines. Casual settings are simpler with fewer items. The key rules are symmetry and function—placing utensils according to the order of use and orientation of knife blades toward the plate. This basic arrangement works well for home dinners, casual, and some formal settings with slight modifications as needed for the courses served.