Kitchen and table goods for daily meals

Measure the table across the widest part

Table shapes fool people. An oblong table has square corners, an oval table has rounded ends, and a round table takes a circle. Take a tape measure across the flat top before you choose. A drop tablecloth hangs down over the sides, so you need extra length on every side. An elasticized table cover hugs the edge underneath and needs a top that fits inside the range named on the page.

Decide between wiping down or washing

A vinyl table cover wipes clean with a damp cloth after breakfast, which suits a kitchen table where grandkids paint or folks eat lunch. It stays right on the tabletop through the week. A fabric tablecloth goes through the laundry when supper is over. Think about who sits down at the table and how often you want to clear the surface off completely.

Look at where your food gets stored

Clear storage containers help in a deep pantry or a crowded refrigerator. A lettuce keeper with a drainage base keeps greens out of water, while a tall cracker keeper protects saltines from turning soft in the humidity. Check the shelf height in your cupboards before choosing tall canisters, and see whether a container goes in the microwave or stays in the dry bin.