9 best reusable napkins that are perfect for every meal

These six napkins are just so pretty and feature beautiful, screen-printed illustrations by Norfolk-based artist Lottie Day, who takes inspiration from the natural world. The fabric is 100 per cent natural cotton, which makes for a soft and tactile napkin that is and easy to wash and dry.

But what we loved most was how intricately the feather is rendered, and that we hadn’t seen other similar products. They are really easy to style, not least because they arrive in neat rolls, but we experimented with folding too. The box packaging makes these a perfect gift.

These are so cheerful and cheap that you have to look at the price twice – yes that is for a pack of four. And yet they’re still made from 100 per cent cotton and are 45x45cm, so hardly a mean or substandard offering. If orange isn’t part of your tablescape palette, these come in a variety of different colours, including a brilliant lime green. They may feel a little solid and inflexible when you first hold them, but you’re only a few washes away from a more relaxed texture.

At 48x48cm, these four napkins are really big and, along with the animal print, they make a striking addition to any table without being too much. In fact, we see them working at a summer picnic just as easily as at a four-course dinner with a spread of cutlery and wine glasses. Made from 100 per cent cotton, these offer a smooth, sleek texture. 

Perfect for any and all fans of the #cottagecore aesthetic, we think these four napkins (41x41 cm) best suit a cosy country kitchen. Made from 100 per cent cotton, these have a slightly rough weave that makes them feel really substantial. The bees are beautifully illustrated and are actually much bigger than the pictures make them appear. They are also surprisingly inexpensive for such fine quality.

Our favourite thing about these four napkins, which are handprinted in Jaipur, is, of course, the authentic Indian blockprints in beautiful colourways. But a close second is how soft they become as they get older. The dyes don’t fade and we can guarantee you will be constantly asked where you got them from. Do note that SZ is a small-batch business and is currently unable to ship to the UK – however, it hopes that things will be back to normal by June. We think they're worth waiting for.

These are just brimming with ostentatious fun – we think if Marie Antoinette were alive today, she might opt for these four napkins (45x45 cm) alongside her cake. Made from 100 per cent cotton, these will get softer with wear and they wash beautifully (for the love of God and all things fresh, keep these separate from dark clothing – there is nothing more depressing than dishwater grey where there should be crisp white). We thought these would be best styled on a table bursting with colour and shape – a riot of flowers, glasses and candles.

Muted and simple, these are ideal for rustic homes: we see the four of them alongside plates of hearty stews on an unfussy table decorated with wildflowers. If beige is too plain, there are seven other colours to choose from. The linen has been washed before and feels pliable without being limp.

We never knew we needed marble-effect napkins on our tables until we laid eyes on these. Not only are they a delicious visual feast (there’s a blue and green colourway if you aren’t thinking pink), they are super soft thanks to being made from 100 per cent linen. This feels amazing to use, but means that they will need some assertive prep after washing – a careful, precise iron is essential for these four. Call us practical to the point of being unglamorous, but we couldn’t help but think about how easily these patterns would hide rogue red wine or soy sauce splashes.

There’s something so luxurious about a classic, crisp white napkin – it speaks of restaurant freshness. To replicate that in your own home, you just can’t go wrong with these four. Made from cotton, they have a slightly uneven look to the texture that is more akin to linen. We think they are suitable for any meal, but we’d be inclined to keep them for best.