8 Nov

Supporting Saint Francis Hospice

Posted on 08 November 2022 by Lisa V

Everywhere You Go, There’s Linen If you think about the last event you attended, we imagine there was linen used. It might have been a few tablecloths or just a few hundred napkins even, but somewhere at your last event, you would have used or seen linen of some description. There’s nothing better than freshly laundered linen items which create a clean and bright event. Events of all types and sizes will generally require linen and we were delighted when we were approached by the Saint Francis Hospice, looking to hire chair covers for their up and coming Big Heart Ball. Hosted on the 12th November at the iconic De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms the event will see Richard Madeley hosting the celebration which includes a drinks reception, a superb three-course dinner, luxury raffle prizes, live entertainment, performance by speed painter and artist Dave Sharp as well as a live auction. Sponsoring events is a true pleasure for Linen Rental and our sister brands. 400 white chair covers are being sent directly to the Grand Connaught Rooms ready for The Big Heart Ball. Raising vital funds is needed in order for Hospices to continue their care for patients and their families affected by life limiting illness. With over 36 years of care the Saint Francis Hospice is thanks to a dedicated, local group of passionate individuals who support the ideas and hospice movement. Back in 1975 a team of caring volunteers fundraised tirelessly in order to purchase the Hall in 1978. Alongside GP’s, community nurses and hospital specialists the hospice and it’s devoted team are able to provide pain management, support, care, comfort and most importantly making everyone’s life the very best it can be. Tablecloths Date Back to 100AD Did you know the oldest reference to a tablecloth dates back to around 100AD!! We bet you didn’t think they were that old? The reference was made by an ancient Spanish poet, Martial. The desire to have crisp, white tablecloths was more than likely inspired by the very white tablecloths of medieval times. This period was between 1066 and 1485, so how hard must it have been to actually keep items white?! Thankfully we have come a long way since 1485 so we can assure you our linen is nothing but clean and pristine. Take cover! Hire chair covers Over the last 18 months, the chairs our sister brand stocks has diversified massively. Many of chairs within this category are just too gorgeous to cover. Nonetheless having hired hundreds of thousands over the years, we understand on some occasions, the existing chairs at a venue either require updating or can simply need to be transformed by our covers. We’re here when you need us. read more

19 Nov

Sustainable Wedding Ideas

Posted on 19 November 2021 by Kate Edmonds

Looking at modern trends, We have noticed how popular sustainable weddings have been and also how popular they still continue to be. Your wedding is one of the most important days of your entire life, A day full of celebration, confetti and champagne. However with paper goods, excess food thrown away and leftover flowers dumped in the bin, it can sadly also be one of the most wasteful. There are plenty of ways to be more eco-conscious when planning your wedding without missing out on any of the traditions! Planning a green wedding doesn't have to mean expensive or complicated. These days there is such a variety of sustainable wedding ideas. Before the big day there are a few things you could do to make your wedding as eco-friendly as possible. Forget your jewelers and think about going vintage for your engagement and wedding rings. Whether it’s a family heirloom or second hand, either way it’s sustainable! Another pre wedding must have are the invitations. Use recycled paper and look for companies that give back to the environment while shopping for a stationer. Choose an eco-friendly venue. Choosing an eco-friendly wedding venue couldn't be easier with such a wide variety of unique and independent venues. Outdoor venues are a great way to get in touch with nature and be more sustainable. Outdoor venues will also typically have built in decor. Vineyards and botanical gardens are just two beautiful venues full of natural floral decor. Outdoor venues also help save energy where you will be using natural lighting not only during the event but also for your photographs. Natural lighting creates stunning photography. Rent when you can. This is where we come in! It is so easy to go down the route of either spending a fortune on brand new items or disposable which is not sustainable. Renting means getting the best of both, brand new, sustainable and cost effective. Linen Rental has a category just for wedding linen. Linen Rental supplies round and rectangle tablecloths, white, dove grey, red or black napkins and white or black poseur table covers. On request Linen Rental would be more than happy to fit the linen at your wedding for you. read more

12 Nov

Wedding Themes Expected In 2022

Posted on 12 November 2021 by Kate Edmonds

After an extremely difficult 18 months of restrictions, engaged couples are very much looking forward to 2022 with hope and excitement! We can all dream again of big parties, packed dancefloors and creating happy memories. Friends and family can reunite once again!

3 Nov

Japanese Culture Day

Posted on 03 November 2021 by Kate Edmonds

Japanese Culture Day takes place every year on November 3rd to celebrate the culture of Japan through many festivities and events. Culture day is to honour traditional Japanese culture and promote the love of freedom and peace. The first week of November is known as education and culture…

27 Oct

Christmas 2021 Trends

Posted on 27 October 2021 by Kate Edmonds

After Christmas 2020 being such a write off, We are all way more excited and willing to make Christmas 2021 more special than ever before. This year we have all seen a lot more normality with Covid restrictions lifting which has helped lift everyone's spirits and helped people to realise how…

19 Feb

2020 Wedding Trends

Posted on 19 February 2020 by Luisa Tona

Wedding season is swiftly approaching, with May through to October the most popular months to get married, which means it is time to start talking 2020 trends! Here at Linen Rental we love when our clients get excited about the trends for the year ahead, which is why we check our stock regularly to make sure our linen is on trend and ready for your 2020 wedding. There are a range of trends to consider when it comes to weddings, so here are a select few of the biggest changes for 2020. Wedding Colours of the Year - Cinnamon Rose, Grey and Sage Green A colour that is repeatedly mentioned for weddings in 2020 is cinnamon rose, a mixture of burgundy and pink, which contrasts beautifully with a white wedding dress when incorporated into the bridesmaid dresses. The colour is also perfectly paired with white and grey which means it looks stunning on chair bows and table runners. Our organza chair bows can be hired in a range of colours and for the cinnamon rose colour of the year, you can hire organza bows from Linen Rental in multiple shades of a similar pink including rose gold, peach and claret. Additionally, our silver/dove grey fitted lycra chair covers look incredible paired with the darker pink accessories. Sage green is also a colour that is trending for the 2020 wedding season, which means that our mint, olive and forest green chair bows will all look great paired alongside the colour scheme. Dried and Bleached Flowers for Decoration This year will see a rise in the number of couples that steer away from fresh flowers and focus on dried and bleached flowers for a trendy touch. Dried flowers bring a pink and terracotta tone to a wedding, which means they look elegant alongside a cinnamon rose or grey colour-scheme. Dried flowers also add a rustic feel to any wedding, creating a relaxed and calm environment. Greener Weddings with More Foliage and a Consideration of Sustainability This year there is much more of a consideration for sustainability within the wedding industry, including couples opting for local suppliers and organic catering. It is especially important to consider dietary requirements within catering this year, with veganism more prominent than ever before. As well as sustainability, a wedding trend for 2020 is using foliage and flower arrangements not only on draping but hanging from the ceiling and on furniture, too. Wild Hen Dos Transforming into Peaceful, Wellbeing Retreats This year wild hen dos are transforming to tranquil, wellbeing getaways, with brides preferring a yoga retreat to a heavy night out. Wellness tourism is not only a wedding trend for the year but a general tourism trend, with people focusing more on their health and looking after themselves. This interest in relaxed environments is not only popular for hen dos but many weddings themselves, with the sage green and light pink colours inducing a serene atmosphere to make any wedding a pleasant one. Are you getting married this year? What trends have you incorporated into your wedding? If you are yet to hire linen then why not browse our range as we stock a huge amount of tablecloths, chair covers, chair bows, table runners and more at extremely affordable prices! Our linen can be hired in a variety of sizes and colours, meaning that we are sure to have the perfect linen for your wedding. read more

31 Jul

Why You Should Consider Incorporating Bright Colours into Your Event

Posted on 31 July 2019 by Luisa Tona

This weekend is the UK’s biggest pride festival in Brighton which will undoubtedly bring a stunning display of glitter and colour. The event’s ethos is to “promote tolerance, diversity, inclusion and education within the community and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities” (Brighton-pride.org). Colour and light can depict happiness and isn’t happiness something any event organizer wants for their guests? Here are 3 reasons you should consider incorporating bright colours into your event this season. 1. You will stand out from the crowd Many events will use similar colours in their design which can look sleek and stylish but might make it more difficult for the event to stand out. In the world of corporate events, it is especially important to stand out against competitors, which is why using a variety of bright colours will leave a lasting impression on your guests. A summer wedding is also a good setting for bright colours; our orange napkins for sale are bright yet sophisticated and will add a pop of colour to an otherwise more basic setting. 2. Bright colours convey happiness Colours convey different emotions and bright colours will usually bring out energy and happiness. Bright orange is playful and energetic while yellow conveys youth and happiness. A bright green conveys harmony and promotes growth and rejuvenation, ideal for an event that aims to relax its guests. A bright pink will encourage creativity and motivate guests; it is typically used for fashion and beauty events. If you and your guests are interested in beauty, fashion or anything related, our sunset pink chair covers for sale are unique and trendy; they make the perfect addition to any event. 3. Bright colours look good in any setting Whether the event is indoors or outdoors, bright coloured linen and decor will look great. The summer brings the sun (usually!) which means that bright colours go hand in hand with this event season. Our lime green tablecloths for sale are quirky and brilliant; they make a great addition to a colourful event. You only have to visit our website gallery to see how good bright colours look in any event setting; from colourful charity galas to baby showers and children’s parties, our bright linen looks fantastic! We also have bright coloured linen officially for sale; our napkins, chair covers and tablecloths can be purchased in either orange, sunset pink or lime green. If you are celebrating pride this weekend why not purchase colourful linen to add to your bright and glittery experience! Contact us for prices and more information about our linen for sale - we have hundreds in stock. read more

11 Jul

Finding the Perfect Colour Scheme for Your Event

Posted on 11 July 2019 by Luisa Tona

It can seem a difficult task to find the perfect colour scheme for an event but with a little research and inspiration it is possible to find colours that will compliment your event and venue. 1. Consider the emotions conveyed by colours An important aspect to choosing a colour scheme for your event is considering the emotions that are conveyed by different colours. For example, would you want a red that conveys warmth or a cool and serene blue? This will depend on the type of event and the demographic of guests invited. If you are holding an event in a different country it is also important to consider colour sensitivies and whether there are any colours that might offend the citizens of that country. 2. Finding colours that work together Your event will require multiple colours, not just one! There are different approaches to picking the colours for your event: do you want the colours to be harmonious or contrasting? For a clean and smooth colour scheme: Find colours that are very similar or the same colour but in either lighter or darker tones. For a contrasting colour scheme: Look for colours that are the complete opposite, for example a purple and orange colour. The best way to find colours that work togehter is by viewing a colour wheel (you can find colour wheels online). Colours next to each other on the wheel work great in harmony while colours on opposite sides of the palette are ideal for making a statement. 3. Keep up with trends Colour trends change each year and can vary for the different seasons. Staying up to date with popular colours could impress your event guests so it can be useful to research the trending colour schemes. 2019 has seen a rise in the popularity of vivid colours and a contrasting colour palette. However, you must still consider the demographic of your event attendees; just because certain colours are trending does not mean they will be to everyone’s taste! Linen to Compliment the Colour Sceme of Your Event Not only do we offer tablecloths and linen in all of the primary colours, our napkins and chair bows can be hired in a large variety of colours! Ordered by colour, our organza chair bows are a beautiful addition to any event but specifically for weddings, with our baby blue, rose gold and lilac organza bows among some of our most popular wedding chair bows. We also offer satin chair bows in a variety of beautiful colours so browse our range today to find out which of our linen would add an elegant touch to your event. read more

29 Nov

Winter Wedding Trends You’ll Want To Cosy Up To

Posted on 29 November 2017 by James R

Maybe it’s the romance of the colder months, or just the changing of the seasons, but here at Linen Rental we love the idea of a winter wedding. Just picture the scene: an open fire pit, fairy lights, bare branches and hot chocolate out on the lawn. If you have your heart set on a winter wedding, we’ve got some of this year’s most fabulous wedding trends to get you on the right track. The Long Sleeve Wedding Dress Thanks to Kate Middleton stepping out in a long sleeve wedding dress not that long ago, this design has become more and more popular, especially with winter brides. Accessorised with a bolero jacket, long sleeve wedding dresses ooze elegance and sophistication and will help to keep you warm and glowing on the chilliest of days. A Bouquet Of Berries A tropical floral bouquet in winter may not be as appropriate as it might be for a summer wedding. However, there are lots of winter-themed ideas you can choose. A bouquet of roses and eucalyptus dotted here and there with dried winter berries can look simply stunning, and will reflect your winter theme perfectly. Jewel Coloured Bridesmaid Dresses Sapphire, ruby and emerald are just some of the colours hitting the winter wedding catwalks this year, and they would make a wonderful addition to your winter wedding photos. Add berry bouquets or simple roses and you have a style that will never go out of fashion - unlike peach coloured flouncy dresses of the past! Stunning Sequins Whether you are planning a Christmas wedding or a wedding in November, there is always room for plenty of sparkle. Sequin Tablecloths look amazing, especially when combined with twinkling lights and candles. Consider a plain tablecloth with a sequin voile over the top, or simply scattering sequins across your tables for a beautiful glitter effect. Berry Beautiful We’re staying on the berry theme for make-up, especially when it comes to lip colour. Whether you go for a bold mulberry or an understated raspberry, there are many colours that will give your lips a pinch of colour just perfect for a winter’s day wedding. Matt finishes can be drying so consider a semi-glossy colour that you can top up throughout the day. Nature Has It Covered Chair covers are the ultimate in luxury and will ensure your wedding venue looks amazing no matter what the chairs underneath look like. Add an additional touch of class with small evergreen wreaths tied to the back of every chair. Studded with berries (we just can’t stop talking about berries!) or left au naturel, these decorations continue the winter theme without being too over the top. Table Linens For A Perfect Winter Wonderland Wedding Whether you are looking for frosty white table linens or a warmer ivory shade, we have everything you need here at Linen Rental including tablecloths, tabe runners, napkins and chair covers. Take a look at our selection today and we’ll do all the hard work for you, leaving you free to focus on creating the perfect winter wedding. read more

21 Jun

Wedding Venue Spotlight - Top 5 Wedding Venues In Kent

Posted on 21 June 2017 by Linsey S

Kent isn’t known as 'the garden of England' for nothing. With its beautiful coastline, gentle rolling hills and orchards laden with fruit, this county is one of the most popular in the South of England with both tourists and residents alike. If you are considering hosting your wedding in this beautiful area of the country, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues. We’ve put together our top 5 to help you to create a shortlist. 1. Howfield Manor Hotel Situated in the historic town of Canterbury, Howfield Manor Hotel is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. The original building dates back to 1181 and offers some fantastic opportunities for photographs for both your wedding photographer and guests. 2. Port Lympne Mansion If wild animals are your thing then why not plan your wedding reception at Port Lympne Mansion? This mansion is peaceful most of the time, although you may hear wolves howling and cheetahs chattering once dusk falls. This is a private and unique venue that offers couples the chance to embark on a VIP safari, enjoy their reception and stay for the night. 3. Chilston Park Hotel The opulent architecture and surroundings that await you at Chilston Park Hotel are truly breathtaking making it the perfect wedding venue. The hotel is set amongst spacious and secluded parkland and offers a welcoming and warm atmosphere thanks to the rich and lustrous furnishings and decor. If you are looking for a totally self-indulgent reception that gives your guests a real treat, Chilston Park hotel is the perfect choice. 4. Hever Castle For a real fairytale wedding, what better place than inside a castle? Hever Castle, founded in 1270 was the childhood home of a certain Miss Boleyn. The venue offers Italian Garden Weddings set amidst sculptures, well kept gardens and of course the castle itself provides the perfect backdrop. You’ll have your ceremony beside the lake before your guests are given free reign to wander around the grounds. 5. Tudor Park and Country Club For a more budget-friendly venue, the Marriott Hotel at Tudor Park promises beautiful countryside, fabulous entertainment and excellent accommodation just a stone’s throw from the River Medway, Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. Why not suggest that your guests make a weekend of it by combining some fantastic sightseeing alongside your big day. We Delivery Beautiful Linens Across The County Wherever you plan to host your wedding, we can deliver our quality linens directly to your door. This is the perfect solution if your venue does not supply their own linens, or if their supplier is too expensive, or you simply cannot find the linen colours or styles you need. We stock a wide range of colours and have a large selection of matching tablecloths, napkins and table runners. We can also help with chair covers and other decorative items that will ensure your venue is instantly transformed to your exact requirements. read more

14 Jun

Weddings 2017 - Why Navy Blue Is Enjoying A Revival

Posted on 14 June 2017 by Linsey S

Wedding styles and trends come and go, but if you are looking for a colour that is enjoying something of a revival right now, your first choice should be navy blue. Navy blue is a sumptuous deep colour that evokes images of beautiful lakes, sprawling oceans and navy events. It is a shade that goes perfectly with many other colours, including ivory, white, yellow and even orange - great if you are planning a tropical theme or wedding on the beach. For The Bride And Bridesmaids While many brides traditionally favour white for their wedding dress, adding a hint of colour can really make their wedding gown truly one of a kind. A navy blue sash cinched around the waist or sapphire jewellery add a splash of colour that instantly creates intrigue and unique style. Navy blue is a very popular colour for bridesmaid dresses too - possibly because it is such a great contrast with the bride’s white or ivory dress. Why not choose dresses in the same colour, but in a range of different styles to add interest? Add white and silver into the mix with your bouquets or go for pops of colour instead with yellow roses or lilies. For The Decor When it comes to choosing decor that encapsulates the navy blue theme there are many options to choose from. A floating candle centrepiece featuring water with three or four drops of food colouring can look simply stunning, or why not choose navy blue tablecloths? Many brides are favouring the unique look of a shabby chic theme and this opens up the options even more - ornate navy blue picture frames, candles, lettering, flowers and even your wedding crockery can all be tied in together to utilise navy blue beautifully. For The Flowers No wedding is truly complete without flowers, but when you choose a navy blue theme you may be at a slight loss as to which flowers to choose. White roses look absolutely stunning against navy blue, but if you are looking for blue flowers that will contrast with the deeper shade you can choose flowers that are dyed such as blue roses and carnations. There are also some flowers that are naturally blue including some species of hibiscus and orchid. Your local florist will be able to guide you in the right direction and give you lots of options for bouquets and table decorations. The Wedding Cake These days, there are so many choices when it comes to selecting your wedding cake design. One idea that has caught on in recent years and which looks and tastes great is the naked wedding cake. There is no icing on this cake, and instead they are decorated with a cascade of flowers that sweep down the side of the cake. This type of cake works particularly well with colours like navy blue. A traditionally white iced cake will also look just as beautiful with the same kind of decorations. Your Theme Delivered Whatever your theme, at Linen Rental we make it our priority to offer as many items and colours as possible so that you can order everything from one supplier. Our navy blue sashes and tablecloths, for example, can be ordered online and delivered to your door at a moment’s notice. Take a look at our range today and add a splash of on-trend colour to your day. read more

22 Feb

Wedding Nightmares And How To Avoid Them

Posted on 22 February 2017 by Linsey S

When you’re planning a wedding, the last thing you want to think about is that something could go wrong. It’s your big day, and it needs to be nothing short of perfect. However, preparation in all the right areas will ensure that everything goes to plan and that nothing will get in the way of you and the best day of your life. To help you avoid some of the worst things that could go wrong, we’ve come up with a handy list that should help you plan accordingly. Double Check Everything With The Venue Weeks Before Booking the venue is probably one of the first things you did for your wedding, and it’s possible you’ve had no more contact since then. Don’t assume everything is going to be ready. We’ve heard nightmares of bridal parties and wedding guests turning up to the venue on the big day only to find it’s been double booked - imagine the horror! Give them a call or visit a few weeks beforehand to ensure everything's in order. Coordinate Everybody In Plenty Of Time When you’ve got a photographer, wedding cake, caterers and evening entertainment to worry about, it can seem overwhelming. Again, don’t leave things to chance. Get in touch with everybody before the day to ensure they know what time they are due to arrive and where they need to be. Most professional wedding service providers will have all of this covered and will phone you to confirm details. Plan Transportation With Care Whether you need to arrange transport for the wedding party or you need to get Great Aunt Hilda to the service and arrange wheelchair access, planning your transport ahead of time will ensure everybody gets to the church or venue on time. Keep The Dress Safe At All Costs It’s a recurring dream for many a bride - the wedding dress of their dreams getting damaged or lost before their big day. Keep it somewhere safe, preferably at your own house and keep it in its protective cover to ensure no stains or odours spoil its splendor. Plan For Horrible Weather The great British weather is anything but predictable. While you might have glorious sunshine in the morning, everything could change by lunchtime. Whether you're planning an outdoor reception or having everything indoors, make sure you have some umbrellas to hand, and somewhere to shelter during those torrential downpours we all know so well. When it comes to planning the perfect wedding, the small things can cause nightmares too. Make sure you get your table linens (tablecloths and napkins) and chair covers from a company with a good reputation such as Linen Rental. We would be delighted to tell you more about our range, and how we can help you to ensure your big day goes without a hitch! Get in touch with our team today. We delivery and collect, leaving you to focus on the things that matter, like enjoying the best day of your life. read more

15 Feb

10 Tips On Planning The Perfect Buffet Table

Posted on 15 February 2017 by Linsey S

Whether you’re catering for a wedding reception or a corporate event, a buffet is one of the easiest ways to feed a large group of people. However, there is an art to getting it right so that people mingle, everybody has enough to eat and your buffet table looks amazing. Here at Linen Rental, we help our customers to choose the best table linens for their guests and we also know a thing or two about setting out the perfect buffet table. Here are 10 of our best tips to ensure your table is stylish and streamlined so that it gets people moving along the line. Table Positioning If you want to get people mingling while also controlling the crowd, position your table away from where people will be seated. This will ensure people grab their food and move straight back to their seats rather than standing around getting in the way of others. Plates, Napkins And Cutlery It can be quite a task to juggle items at a buffet table, so make it easy for your guests by placing the plates at one end of the table and napkins and cutlery at the other. This will help them to focus on their plates without worrying about dropping anything while they are choosing food. Arrange Food In Order If you are serving a hot buffet with sauces or gravy, make sure these are placed at the end of the table so that guests can use these last. Intersperse Food Wisely There are many buffet favourites that people will tend to congregate around, so spread out these old faithfuls along the table to keep guests moving along. Let People Decide On What They Want Some guests may be on a diet or could be intolerant to certain foods. Leave condiments and dressings off of some foods, such as salad, so that people can choose to add these items themselves. Serve Drinks In A Different Area To stop people circling around the coffee or soft drinks machine, have these situated in a separate area to your buffet table. Include Labels It’s a great idea to put labels on some items, especially vegetarian or gluten-free items, or even food dishes where it may not be obvious what they are. Make It Easy To Grab And Eat While that chilli and rice may seem like a great idea for a buffet, it’s not always a good idea for guests who are balancing plates and drinks. Instead, think of easy to grab and eat finger buffet foods that can be eaten in one or two bites. Don’t Put Everything Out At The Same Time If you’ve got a large number of guests, double up on the most popular dishes and top up your table as dishes start to run out. If you have a dessert planned then clear your buffet table of the main course items and create a dessert table about an hour after everybody has finished the main buffet. This will give everybody time to rest and digest between courses. Choose The Right Table Linens And Napkins Dress your buffet table in style by choosing TABLECLOTHS and NAPKINS from Linen Hire. We offer a wide range of colours, and the best bit is that we deliver and collect once you are finished. read more

8 Feb

What Are Table Runners And How Should I Use Them?

Posted on 08 February 2017 by Linsey S

Did you know that tablecloths were originally put on tables so that people could wipe their hands and faces on them during and after their meal? Imagine the look you would receive if you did that today! Thankfully, the humble napkin came along to put a stop to this practice. However, there were still some people who spilled their food and drinks on the tablecloth, and so the tablerunner was devised to help protect the tablecloth and stop it from needing to be laundered so many times. At the end of the meal, the table runners could simply be gathered up leaving a clean and pristine tablecloth behind. 10 Ways To Use Our Table Runners If you are looking for a little inspiration on how to use our table runners for the best effect, we’ve come up with some ideas. You can choose to lay them straight down the table, or get a little creative, and when you have so many wonderful colours in our range to choose from, you can really let your creative side out. 1. You don’t have to use a tablecloth with a table runner. If you have a beautiful wooden table that you would like to show off, consider using the table runner on its own. Reds, whites and greens look especially dramatic next to wood. 2. Table runners can be used during both formal and informal events to bring an element of colour and interest to your table. 3. When you have a special holiday celebration to decorate your tables for, choose a colour that matches the occasion. For example, red and green are perfect for Christmas, while pastels are perfect for Easter and Spring celebrations. 4. You can choose to have your table runner hanging over the side of your table, or to choose a runner that is slightly shorter. 5. Traditionally, if you are using a table runner with a tablecloth, the runner should not drop past the ends of the tablecloth. The tablecloth should always be longer. 6. You can also use your table runner so that it runs across the table rather than lengthways. Usually you will see a long table runner running down the centre of the table with runners running in a crisscross design across the table. 7. Table runners aren’t just for dining tables! Use them to great effect on coffee tables, sideboards, buffet tables and wherever you wish. 8. You can even use table runners on round tables by laying your table runners in a X pattern across the table. 9. You can also use table runners to highlight the centrepiece on the table. Choose a table runner or fold it so that it is a third of the length of your table. Then put it in the centre of your table. When you put the centrepiece in the middle of the runner, the runner adds texture and interest. 10. And of course, you can use your table runner in the traditional manner - to avoid spills and splashes on your main tablecloth underneath. Hire Your Table Runners With Confidence Here at Linen Rental, we offer a huge range of table runners, tablecloths, napkins and more. When you're looking for pristine, crisp and beautiful linens to set your table with, we not only provide the best, but we deliver to your door. Take a look at our range today. read more

25 Jan

The Colour Of Love: Why Red Is Everywhere On Valentine’s Day

Posted on 25 January 2017 by Linsey S

Roses Are RedViolets Are BlueChoose Our Wonderful LinensAnd Transform Your Venue! We’ve got the love bug already here at Linen Rental. It only seems like Christmas was yesterday, and already the shops are a riot of reds and awash with hearts, cupids and roses. It can only mean one thing - Valentine’s Day is almost here, and it’s one of our most favourite and busiest times of the year. Whether you are planning a Valentine’s corporate event or you’re getting married on Valentine’s Day, choosing appropriate decor and themes will no doubt be at the top of your agenda. In this article, we’ll take a look at why red is the colour of romance, and how to ensure your guests fall head over heels in love with your venue. Meaning Of The Colour Red Red has long been associated with love, but why? Well, it is a very emotionally intense colour that has links not only with love and desire, but also with energy, war, strength, power and passion - all incredibly strong emotions and feelings. It is also a very dominant colour and one that has been jumped upon by the consumer industry to promote Valentine’s Day and the sending of cards, gifts and flowers to declare feelings of love. The Perfect Colour To Decorate With Red is a fantastic colour to work with if you are planning a special event. It’s bold, bright and beautiful, especially when used together with ivory or white. For Valentine's, we’re offering our wonderful red chair covers plus white bows or bands for just 80p per guest! The effect is nothing short of stunning, and at such an affordable price, you can order and decorate any number of chairs without the financial heartache. In addition to chair covers and sashes, we can also supply elegant table linens in the colours of your choice. Our red and burgundy napkins are the perfect choice for any Valentine’s ball, dinner or wedding reception, and we can also supply table runners in the same colourways. It’s so simple to order, too. Just call us on 0203 805 1256 to place your order and we’ll do the rest. Order Your Valentine’s Table Linens and Chair Covers Today - From Only 80p Per Guest! Here at Linen Rental we offer our customers fantastic choice, the highest quality and amazing value when it comes to choosing table linens and chair covers. Our linens and your event are a match made in heaven, and we’d be delighted to tell you more about our services or give you a cost effective quote. Let a little love into your life by hiring from Linen Rental today. We have everything you need to ensure your event is one to remember and that your guests will have the time of their lives. Place your order with our team today and we’ll deliver high quality linens direct to your door. read more

18 Jan

All About Linen: Our 5 Favourite Pinterest Accounts

Posted on 18 January 2017 by Linsey S

Here at Linen Rental, we love to be inspired, and we love inspiring you too! This week we’re sharing some of our favourite Pinterest accounts with you. Pinterest is our go to place on the web when we are looking for new ways to promote our products, or demo our products to our clients. If you haven’t already checked out this wonderful hub of ideas, now is a great time to start. Who knows, you might find a table linen or table setting idea you’d never thought of before and when you find it, come right on back to hire your linen from us. We have everything you need to create something wonderful. La Tavola Linen https://uk.pinterest.com/latavolalinen/ La Tavola takes ordinary tables and turns them into extraordinary creations. You’ll find bags of inspiration here in the form of themed table settings. From Roma to Sequins, there are so many ideas that will make your event one to remember. There are also lots of ideas for long banqueting tables which can often be a challenge to theme effectively. The Wedding Of My Dreams https://uk.pinterest.com/theweddingomd/ This is such a great account if you are planning a wedding, either for yourself or for a client. From table layout advice to creating your own chalkboard table plans, you’ll find plenty of boards just bursting with wedding ideas. Oh, and they have an online shop too! Norah Sleep Events https://uk.pinterest.com/norahsleep/ Norah is an expert in event planning, and she’s captured some of her favourite ideas on her fantastic Pinterest account. Here you’ll find some great ideas for dressing chairs with covers, bows and other accessories and table name ideas that leave guests in no doubt where they are sitting. Floristry & Arrangements https://uk.pinterest.com/clink0545/floristry-arrangements/ It’s not only our linens that can transform tables. A stunning centrepiece or individual floral arrangements at each place setting can work wonders too! This Pinterest account has a wealth of ideas on how to use flowers to the best effect. Whether you are arranging an awards dinner, an elegant dinner party or a wedding reception, you’re sure to find the right look to suit your needs. TABLESCAPES https://uk.pinterest.com/weddingsparrow/t-a-b-l-e-s-c-a-p-e-s/ We love the TABLESCAPES boards. If you’re currently staring, or soon to be staring at a plain table with no idea how to dress it, this account is for you. We love that there are indoor and outdoor ideas, and while an outdoor tablescape (our new favourite word by the way!) may not be entirely practical during winter months, these are great ideas to bookmark for when the warmer weather comes around. Looking For More Inspiration? We hope we’ve given you some ideas for your next event. No matter what you are planning, the secret to a good table layout lies in the quality of the linens you choose. Here at Linen Rental, we offer a huge range of beautifully crisp and elegant linens that we deliver to you, so that you can add a touch of magic your way. It’s a great way to get your hands on the best linens, and we’ll even take care of the washing too! read more

11 Jan

Spring Wedding Linen Ideas

Posted on 11 January 2017 by Linsey S

Yes, we know you've probably scraped frost from your windscreen this morning, and you're probably not in the most spring-like of moods, but the dark mornings are getting lighter and the light evenings are getting longer. It won't be long before you're bouncing around like a newborn lamb and enjoying the sun shining on your face! Spring is a wonderful time for planning a wedding, and calls for all things pastel, light and beautiful. It's also a great time for choosing flowers and celebrating the natural beauty that is starting to awaken at this time of year. If you are planning a wedding at this special time of year, why not take a look at our wonderful range of Table Linens? We've selected some of the prettiest options from our range, and given you lots of wonderful ideas for dressing your tables. Pretty Pastels And Fantastic Florals There are some wonderful colour palettes available all year round, and its pastels and bright shades that shine through during the spring. Many brides favour light greens and pale yellows to suit the spring theme, and our Mint Green Chair Bow is the perfect shade to use to decorate chair covers. Our Chair Covers are perfect for creating a consistent feel across your entire venue, and are also lifesavers if your chairs are somewhat corporate, lacking in style or even mismatched. Why not dress up your bows even more by adding a small posy of spring flowers! The Perfect Centre Piece When it comes to creating the perfect centrepiece for your wedding tables, you have so much choice at this time of year. If budget is a factor, a simple and affordable bouquet of daffodils and tulips tastefully arranged will add a cute and pretty feature to any table. If you want to blow the budget, consider large, flouncy flowers bursting with colour and arranged professionally into large bouquets. Our Gold Table Runner will make a beautiful addition to any table and is available in a range of colours. Runners are perfect for adding a touch of colour, especially to white tablecloths. If you cannot see the colour you require on our website, our linen rental experts are always happy to help, and we will do our utmost to source the colour you need. Mix And Match Linens Or Keep It Consistent Why not mix and match your Napkins and Tablecloths in complementary spring shades? Baby pinks, yellows and pale greens look wonderful together and will add a soft and elegant touch to your tables. We recommend White Tablecloths if you opt for this look, as they will show up the colours to the best effect. When teamed with fabulous spring blooms, this look can look nothing short of stunning. If you are planning a spring wedding this year or further in the future, take a look at our wonderful linen collections. We take care of everything for you. All you need to do is tell us what you would like to order, and our helpful team will take care of the rest. read more

4 Jan

A Guide To Choosing The Right Wine Glasses

Posted on 04 January 2017 by Linsey S

Have you ever wondered why there are so many different kinds of glasses for wine, champagne and port? Every restaurant or bar has its own selection of wine glasses in a range of different shapes and sizes. Whether you own a restaurant, are thinking of starting your own catering business or you are arranging the catering for an event, it’s important to know which glasses are used where. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the different types of glasses on offer and when they need to be used. Is It Really Important To Choose The Right Glass? A glass is a glass, right? Well, in some cases where water or soft drinks are being decanted into them this would be true, but alcoholic drinks are a different matter entirely. If you were to visit a good quality cocktail bar, for example, you would be amazed at how many glasses are on display around the bar. In fact, most cocktails have their own recommended glass. Flavour is also very important, and certain glasses are said to bring out the best in a wine or champagne. A champagne flute is said to keep the bubbles streaming to the surface in a steady flow, thus improving the sparkle, texture and taste of the drink. Red wine glasses are often wider than a white wine glass allowing the drinker to swirl their wine around to release the aromas and taste. The Parts Of A Wine Glass Understanding the different parts of a wine glass will help you to choose good quality glasses and understand how important the glass is to the wine it will contain. The parts of a wine glass are: ● The base - this is the part of the glass that keeps it supported and standing. ● The stem - this is the part that the guest holds and connects the bowl of the glass to the base.● The bowl - this is the part that can vary in size and shape quite considerably. It is the part that holds the wine, and you should aim to fill a glass to approximately one third full, or to wherever the bowl is widest. This will ensure the wine’s contact with the air is maximised. Red Wine Glasses Red wine glasses generally have a wider, larger bowl. This ensures that as much oxygen as possible comes into contact with the wine allowing it to breathe and release its complex aromas and flavours. Syrah and Shiraz glasses are some of the smallest red wine glasses. The sharply tapered rim helps to bring out the aromas of the fruit first and then the tannins. Cabernet and Merlot have a stem of average length, a wider base and a wider bowl that allows a lot of oxygen to hit the wine. The more oxygen, the better the fruit flavours and aromas come out. Pinot Noir glasses are designed to direct the intensity of the wine flavours straight to the nose and tongue. These glasses have a stem that is shorter than other glasses, and a wider bowl than any other glass too. White Wine Glasses The aromas of white wine are much lighter than white wine, and this calls for a smaller and more delicate glass. Chardonnay glasses offer a top that slightly tapers and a wide bowl. It is almost a smaller version of the Pinot Noir glass. Sauvignon Blanc glasses have a narrow bowl and a longer stem. The slim and tall design of the glass ensures easy detection and appreciation of the wine aromas. The amount of oxygen to the glass is also minimised helping to keep the wine fresh and cool. Riesling glasses are narrower and taller than traditional Chardonnay glasses. The tapered design of this type of glass ensures guests can focus on the intense fruity aromas at the top of the bowl. The long stem also helps to keep the wine cool. Champagne And Sparkling Wine Glasses Champagne glasses, or flutes, are the perfect shape to deliver bubbles and liquid directly to the tip of your tongue, and also to keep the bubbles from dispersing too quickly and making the fizz go flat. The narrow flute is perfect for Champagne, Prosecco and other sparkling wines. If you are serving vintage champagnes or planning a vintage event, a wider bowl is often preferred. A wider bowl will allow the more complex flavours to come through. The wider base also helps to keep these glasses stable. However, these wider glasses are most likely to cause bubbles to dissipate quickly. Crystal Or Glass? Is There A Difference? It might surprise you, but the material of your wine glasses matters too! If you are looking to really impress your guests, lead-free or leaded crystal is the only choice. Crystal causes light to refract, giving your glasses a shimmering sparkle that looks highly sophisticated and will show your wines in their best light. However, these glasses can often be very delicate, and washing over time can make them appear cloudy. If you are opting for glassware, look for clear glasses as frosted glasses can obscure the wine’s appearance. Experienced wine drinkers can tell a lot by the colour of a wine, and will appreciate a clear glass. A Match Made In Heaven Trends come and go, and the same applies to glassware, but you will usually find that tradition wins through where wine is concerned. By investing in a good set of glasses that are matched to the wine you will be serving, you can be sure your guests will enjoy your wine at its very best. Here at Linen Rental, we appreciate good tableware and glassware as it is the perfect complement to our high quality linens. A beautifully set out table with elegant glassware and crisp linens will truly set out your event or establishment apart from the rest, and is so easy to achieve with our linen rental services. read more

8 Dec

Transforming Venues Across The UK

Posted on 08 December 2016 by Linsey S

Here at Linen Rental, we specialise in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. From transforming humble tables with crisp, beautiful tablecloths to adding a touch of class with our chair covers and bows, we are the masters of creating magical venues and wonderful memories before your very eyes. Our chair covers are one of the most simple methods of revamping ordinary looking chairs and without breaking the bank. In this article we’ll take a look at how you can use chair covers and linens to your advantage and leave your venue practically unrecognisable. Getting It Right On The Night (Or Day) It’s so important to get your event decor right, especially if you are using a number of contrasting pieces. For example, if you are opting for ivory tablecloths, steer clear of white chair covers. The brightness of the white will clash against the ivory making your tablecloths appear dirty. In this instance, look to match your linens and chair covers perfectly. You can use a bow to add a splash of colour if you wish. It’s also a good idea to hire all of your items from the same company so you know the colours will be a good match - some ivories can be off-white whilst others can appear almost yellow. The last thing you want is to take delivery of linens only to find nothing matches. Be Experimental With Colours And Designs There is no reason why you need to be tied to the same colour chair cover for all of your chairs. Chair cover hire is the perfect way to experiment with colours and styles without it costing a fortune. We have taken care to ensure that the colours shown on our website are as closely matched to the actual colour of our chair covers and bows as possible. This means you can choose to alternate the colour of each chair with harmonious shades, choose a monochrome palette or choose the same colour covers but different colour bows. We give you the freedom to hire your covers and bows your way. We don’t believe you should pay to have different colour bows either, and starting at just 39p per week for one bow, you can afford to choose whichever colour scheme you like across a rainbow of different shades. Alternatives To Chair Bows If you want something a little unique for your chair covers, why not consider creating your own alternative to chair bows? Flowers, pinecones, raffia and lace are just some of the options you might want to consider. Tradition is great, but our chair covers can act as the perfect blank canvas if you want to try something a little different. Take a look at our chair cover hire and bow hire categories today to find your perfect style. We can give you lots of advice on the right colours if you are not sure, or give you a quote for your chair covers and table linens at the same time. All items are delivered and collected for your convenience leaving you to plan the rest of your event. read more

1 Dec

Christmas Opening Times

Posted on 01 December 2016 by James R

Linen Rental will be open for business between Christmas and New Year as follows: Saturday 24th December - 08:00 - 12:00 (delivery cut-off 13:00) Sunday 25th December - Closed Monday 26th December - Closed Tuesday 27th December - Closed Wednesday 28th December - 10:00 - 15:00 Thursday 29th…

24 Oct

10 Fun Ideas For Dressing A Perfect Halloween Table

Posted on 24 October 2016 by Linsey S

If you’re going all out with your Halloween celebrations this year, good for you! We love Halloween here at Linen Rental. It’s a great excuse to dress up, and we’re expecting a big surge on our black tablecloths and chair covers! Have you put much thought into your table decorations, or how you are going to dress your tables? If pumpkins and spiders are a little too cliched for you, why not take a look at our 10 table setting ideas that are sure to give your guests a real fright!... 1. Bloodied Tablecloth White tablecloths spattered with fake blood or red food colouring is a great way to dress your tables. Zombie apocalypse or vampire attack? Leave your guests to decide! 2. Terrifying Prints Whether you need to print guest lists, menus or name cards for your tables, choosing a spooky font will add an edge to your event. There are plenty of Halloween fonts available, including those that mimic gravestone engravings and dripping blood. 3. Dripping Candles What Halloween bash would be complete without some dripping candles on the table? If you are worried about a fire hazard, there are many LED dripping candles available, and the best thing with these is that they can be used again next year. 4. The Midnight Graveyard Recreate the dark and dank feel of the midnight graveyard with moss table runners and gravestone table decorations. A smoke machine swirling smoke around your guests’ ankles will only add to the ominous feel. 5. A Table With Bite This is a fun idea for your napkins, especially if you are having a vampire theme. Get some white plastic vampire teeth and use them as napkin holders for folded red napkins. 6. Monochrome Mania If you're going for a monochrome look this Halloween, why not give your pumpkins a dark and deadly transformation by painting them with glossy black paint? Mini pumpkins or squash work well here, especially when arranged as a table runner interspersed with a few white skull decorations. 7. Snakes Alive Okay, this might not be appropriate for guests with a ophidiophobia - that’s a fear of snakes - and so you might need to tread carefully. Plastic snakes make great Halloween table decorations, and can be entwined around glasses, left slithering along the table, or used as a name card holder with the card held in the snake’s mouth. 8. Witch’s Brew Looking for a fabulous centrepiece for your table? Look out for plastic cauldron decorations, or make your own, and fill them with green, orange or purple LED battery operated lights. If you can get hold of some dry ice, this will add to the effect, but make sure you follow the instructions properly as this material can be dangerous. 9. Shriek And Chic If you’re going for a gothic feel for your party, a horrific, yet glamorous centrepiece is called for. White roses are beautiful, but are instantly transformed into a nightmare with a sprinkling of plastic bugs, spiders and cobwebs. 10. The Seance This is one for the brave. Decorate each table with old fashioned artefacts such as old timepieces and cameras. These can usually be hired from prop companies for a good price. In the centre of each table place an ouija board with instructions. Will they dare you use it? That is the question. Dress Your Tables With The Best Your tables may be dastardly, but it doesn’t mean your linen has to be. With our quality tablecloths, napkins and chair covers, you can create the perfect blank canvas for your Halloween props and decorations. read more

12 Oct

7 Ways To Make Your Wedding Truly Unique

Posted on 12 October 2016 by Linsey S

Nobody wants a cookie-cutter wedding, so to give you a little inspiration on how to make your big day truly unique, we’ve put our heads together to bring you quirky, unusual and wonderful ways to really make your day a day to remember. Revive The Disposable Camera You don’t see them so often these days, but the disposable camera is a great way to relive the special times. When you’re busy speaking to your guests, you may miss out on the hilarious or endearing activities that are happening across the room. Let your guests capture these memories for you on their own disposable cameras. At the end of the night, or after your honeymoon, you’ll have hundreds of prints to look through and stick into your photo albums. In the digital age, it’s lovely to have something tangible to hold onto from your special day. DIY Cocktail Bar Get your guests involved in the evening reception by letting them mix their own drinks. Make things easy and affordable for yourself by choosing 4 or 5 cocktails that share common ingredients, such as the Martini and Cosmopolitan. Leave cocktail recipes on display for your guests, and let them mix and mingle to their heart’s content. RSVP Song Requests At the same time as sending back their RSVP, ask your guests to send you a song request. This will save you creating your own playlist, will make your wedding more personal to your guests and will have them all up and dancing to their own songs. Hire A Tipi Tent For a magical wedding reception, a tipi tent strewn with fairy lights will stun your guests. Add a live band, low seating and blankets if it’s likely to get chilly and you have all the ingredients for an entertaining night under the stars. The Midnight Snack Pack Once the night is over, and your guests are ready to head home, they may be feeling a little peckish. Give your guests a midnight snack pack of goodies to eat on their journey home or when they arrive home. Nuts, sweets, wedding cake and a high end juice are just some of the things you can pop into a little gift box to hand to guests as they leave. Hire A Video Kiosk You may have been to events where there is a video kiosk, and had a great time dressing up and leaving a video for the hosts. A video kiosk is a great alternative to the traditional guest book, and if you want to save yourself some money, you could even set up your own using an iPad and good quality microphone. Dress Your Room With Chair Covers If you are looking for an elegant and affordable way to dress your reception venue, hiring chair covers is the perfect option. We stock a wide range of chair covers and bows, designed to complement our linen range and create a truly magnificent look to your venue. Take a closer look at Linen Rental today, and make your wedding day a truly unique event. We deliver all of your linens to you and pick them up once you are finished with them. No fuss, affordable prices and a wonderful way to dress your tables and chairs. read more

5 Oct

Laundry Included - Save Time & Money With Linen Rental

Posted on 05 October 2016 by Linsey S

Tablecloths do an excellent job of protecting tables from stains, scratches, knocks and marks, but they can come under a fair amount of heavy use as a result. Food and drink stains can be hard to shift, but using a few tricks of the trade, you can restore your tablecloths, napkins and table runners back to their original glory. Fortunately, when you hire linen from Linen Rental, you don’t need to worry about washing your tablecloths or removing stubborn stains. We do the hard work for you, and once your event is over you can simple bundle up your linens and hand them back to us. It couldn’t be easier! A Quick Inspection Before Washing Before washing tablecloths it’s wise to carry out a quick inspection before bundling everything into the washing machine. Check that no cutlery is hidden inside the folds of your tablecloth. This could do serious damage to your washing machine. Remove any solid food residue, and any other objects such as table confetti. Never mix different fabrics together. Washing cotton with items that are 100% polyester could result in dye transfer or lint being left all over your cotton tablecloth. Lint can be very difficult to remove. Don’t mix heavily soiled items with lightly soiled items. Heavily stained tablecloths and napkins, or linen with stains should be put to one side. We’ll look at how to tackle these in a moment. Always wash white polyester tablecloths and napkins separately to prevent dye transfer from other coloured items. Tackling Stubborn Stains Heat can 'set' a stain, making it very difficult to shift. For this reason, put all heavily stained items through a cold wash first. This will help to loosen and agitate the food particles without setting them in the fabric. Adding sodium percarbonate to your wash can also help this process. Wash your tablecloths and linen on a 60 degree wash, followed by a cooler wash. This will help to prevent, or at least reduce creasing. It’s no fun ironing tablecloths and so the less time you need to spend on this the better. For a really crisp and elegant finish, you can add starch into the machine at this stage. This will help to improve the look and feel of your linens as well as adding a protective barrier to the fabric that will help to repel food debris and stains. Save Yourself The Hassle With Linen Rental Looking after tablecloths is a worthy task when you step back and see your elegantly dressed tables, but it is hard work! Why spend hours laundering table linens when you can hire them easily and at an affordable price direct from Linen Rental? We offer a wide range of tablecloths, napkins and table runners, and we will deliver them direct to your door, and pick them up when you are finished. No fuss, no energy costs and no standing over a hot iron trying to remove creases! Take a look at our range today. read more

21 Sep

Chair Cover Hire For Weddings

Posted on 21 September 2016 by Linsey S

The Importance Of Chair Covers & Bows At Your Wedding. Chair covers are a great way to add elegance and style to your wedding chairs. At Linen Rental, we offer a wide range of chair covers and bows that are sure to transform your wedding chairs from a practical seating solution into seating with a real wow factor. Transform Your Chairs Instantly There is another practical use to our chair covers, too. Many people choose to hire wedding furniture, or to use the furniture available at their venue. This furniture can often show signs of wear and tear, or you may even have mismatched furniture you need to disguise. Chair covers in the same fabric and colour will mask these problems perfectly, creating a beautiful, matching look that won't detract from the rest of your decor. No matter what your colour scheme or theme, we are confident we have the right chair covers to suit your needs. Our chair covers are fitted too, and will cover the entire chair. Once finished with a stunning bow, they really add a touch of class to any venue. Our most popular chair cover is our white cover, finished with a coloured sash bow. We offer a wide range of bow colours, allowing you to complement your theme perfectly. Choose Matching Linens Another way to add elegance to your tables is to choose tablecloths or table runners in the same colours as your chair bows. This can look spectacular, and we have many images in our gallery showing examples of how good this can look. Add Your Own Accessories We give you everything you need to dress your wedding tables, but that doesn't mean you can't add your own special touch. One of our customers recently added diamante brooches that she'd picked up at an inexpensive costume jewellery chain. She placed them in the middle of each bow, and the look was beautiful. Even better, each female guest got to take the brooch from her chair home as a little gift. We've also seen flowers entwined with the bow, and this looks particularly beautiful at country weddings, or weddings with a shabby chic feel. Make The Top Table Stand Out Another idea we have seen for the top table is for the bows to be tied across the top of the chair with the bow at the side. This can really make your top table chairs stand out, or you could even choose a different colour that complements the rest of your theme. The sky really is the limit when it comes to chair covers and bows. No matter what your personal taste, we have your needs covered quite literally with our gorgeous and cost effective chair covers and bows. We offer fast delivery, and some of the best hire prices online. read more

7 Sep

How To Fold A Napkin Like The Professionals

Posted on 07 September 2016 by Linsey S

Ever wished you could accomplish those fancy napkin folds that magically turn a piece of ordinary fabric into a wonderful swan, or elustrous fanned creation? Well, wish no more! We’ve done the hard work for you and found some of the best napkin folding videos on the planet. After a little practice, you’ll be whipping up a bishop’s hat in no time - that’s a napkin fold by the way. You don’t need to go bothering any bishops. First, A Little History… Napkin folding really only came into fashion during the early 1800s when decorative folded creations were used to adorn the tables or royalty, and other upper classes. It was during the Industrial Revolution in around 1880 that the artform really took off. If you can find a copy of Mrs Beeton’s Book Of Household Management published in 1861, you’ll find lots of information on early napkin folding, with many of the classics referenced in her book still in use today. Today, you’ll find folded napkin designs on many restaurant tables, and even though there is skill in folding a napkin, there is one secret we can let you in on - you need to start with a starched, pressed and crisp napkin to get the best results. Fortunately, it’s what we specialise in, and so hiring your napkins from Linen Rental is a great start on your journey towards becoming a napkin folder extraordinaire! 1. The Bishop’s Hat We thought we’d start with one we’ve mentioned already, and which is often seen in the UK. The bishop’s hat is a classic napkin fold that looks great standing up or lying down. 2. The Rose This has to be our favourite napkin fold of all. Not only does it look impressive, but it looks like you spent a long time crafting it when actually it can be achieved in just 6 steps. It’s the perfect napkin fold when you want to impress, and will look great on a wedding table with white, ivory or darker coloured fabrics. 3. Bird Of Paradise The bird of paradise napkin fold is one of the more advanced, but it does look amazing. If you are planning a summer event, or an event with a tropical or beach theme, this napkin fold using bright coloured napkins will look fantastic on each place setting. It might take longer to master, but the results will be worth it. 4. The Silverware Pouch This is a great way to display and hold cutlery, and will look great too. Not only do they look great on formal table settings, but they are also very handy for outdoor events where you are using plastic cutlery and good quality paper napkins. They are also very easy to put together quickly once you know what to do. 5. The Elf Shoe Yes, you did read that right. You can turn an ordinary napkin into a cute little elf shoe. This is a great way to decorate a Christmas table, especially since you can pop little favours into the top of the shoe. You’ll need a bit more patience with this one, but this is a great design to add to your napkin folding repertoire, and will definitely be a talking point! Start With The Best Possible Blank Canvas As we mentioned before, to get the best from your napkin folding, you need the best quality napkin. We have a great selection available in a wide range of colours, and we would be delighted to arrange delivery to suit your needs. read more

31 Aug

How To Choose The Right Colour Linen For Your Wedding Tables

Posted on 31 August 2016 by Linsey S

Congratulations! You’re planning your wedding. What an exciting time, and hopefully it will be a happy time for the most part. Planning can go swimmingly well, or it can go horribly wrong, and sometimes either of those situations is out of your hands. There is one thing you can take full control of, and that’s your table linen, especially when you come to Linen Rental. But what colour should you opt for, and are there colours or styles you should avoid? We’re here to help you with those questions, and with every aspect of dressing your tables to perfection. In this article we’ll give you a little colour inspiration to guide you. Choose Colours That Complement Rather Than Clash As you might expect, the most popular linen colours are ivory and white. Black tablecloths are also gaining in popularity as more and more couples opt for a monochrome look. If you have already chosen your wedding theme colours, then you may already have a good idea which linen colours you are going to choose. It’s also worth checking the colours at your venue to ensure your linen colours don’t clash horribly with the decor. If you’re thinking rose pink tablecloths, and the venue is decked out in dark green walls and red carpets, you may want to think again. If you love strong and bold colours, but don’t want to overdo things, why not choose a white or ivory tablecloth, and a table runner or napkins in a bolder colour? Hot pink and white go so well together, as do navy blue and ivory. Mixing and matching is a great way to mute your look, and to pull more colours into your wedding theme. Take Lighting Into Account Lighting can make such a difference to the type of table linen you choose. Is your wedding reception going to be held outdoors or indoors? Are you planning a romantic and dark setting? Does the venue have dim lighting? If the lighting is going to be fairly subdued, you may want to avoid darker colours as these can make it harder for your guests to see what they are reaching for on the table. Light colours on the other hand, work in all settings and situations, and can also be complemented with a darker runner for contrast. Changing With The Seasons The seasons can largely dictate your colour scheme. If you are planning an autumn or winter wedding, you might opt for warmer tones such as gold and burgundy. Spring and summer both play host to lighter, pretty colours such as pinks, light greens and lavender. Look at the colours of your wedding flowers to see which colours are going to sit well within your theme. You can use a colour wheel to show you which colours naturally go well together. Take A Closer Look At Our Range Whether you are looking for white or ivory tablecloths, napkins, chair covers and bows or stunning colourful runners, Linen Rental has your tables covered, quite literally! We would be delighted to tell you more about our range, and to help you tick one more thing off of your wedding planning list. Take a look at our range of crisp and elegant table linen today. read more

24 Aug

Laying The Perfect Formal Table

Posted on 24 August 2016 by Linsey S

When you’re planning the perfect party or event, it’s all about the smallest detail. You may have laid a thousand tables or more at home in your lifetime, and consider yourself quite the expert. However, when it comes to formal dining, it pays to go back to school. The most important thing to remember is to give yourself sufficient time, especially if you have a number of tables to arrange. The result will be spectacular, and when you step back to survey your work, you’ll feel the pride swelling up inside you and know that you did a great job. What’s more, your guests will also be in awe of the time and care you took. So, let’s take a look into the art of table laying, and how to create a setting that is fit for royalty, or at the very least your discerning guests. It’s All About The Linen Linens such as tablecloths, napkins and table runners create the perfect blank canvas for your formal setting. Crisp, freshly laundered and pressed linens are the only option here, and will create a great backdrop for the items to follow. It can be a good idea to lay felt or fleece under the tablecloth as this will not only prevent stains such as red wine soaking through to the surface underneath, but it can also help to soften the sound of plates and cutlery being placed back on the table - perfect when you want a quiet, formal setting. An underlayer like this can also prevent the tablecloth from becoming wrinkled. Tip: The tablecloth should fall at least a foot below the tabletop. Sometimes tablecloths can fall lower than this, and a general rule is to ensure that it falls no less than 6 inches above the floor so as not to inconvenience your guests. The last thing you want is a guest tripping on a rogue tablecloth. Everything In Its Place If you’re stressing about the correct order of cutlery, or where to place glasses, never fear. There are some very basic rules that are easy to master, and you’ll be laying a table like the professionals in no time. Plates And Glasses Plates need to be placed 1 to 2 inches from the edge of the table, and only one plate should be present when guests first arrive. There is one exception to this rule, and that is if you are serving a starter or soup, in which case this plate or bowl can be placed on top of the main course plate. Glasses are placed above the cutlery and plates, and at a diagonal angle to the place setting, or just above and to the right. If you are using more than one glass, order them by size. For example, from right to left you could have a white wine glass, a red wine glass and a water glass. If you are also planning a champagne toast, this glass will usually be placed behind the glasses on its own row. You’ll get the hang of it, and we’ve also included a handy diagram below to illustrate where everything needs to be. The Cutlery If you’ve ever found yourself in a position like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, you’ll know how daunting a formerly laid table can appear to the uninitiated. Once you know the rules of cutlery, you’ll never be confused by a formal place setting again, and you won’t confuse your guests either. Spoons and knives always go on the right of the place setting. Always place the knife so that the blade is facing towards the place setting or plate. Forks are always placed on the left, no matter how many forks are required. Cutlery is always arranged in the order it is to be used from the outside in. For example, a soup spoon will be the first piece of cutlery to hand if there is to be a soup course as a starter. The dessert spoon or fork will usually be laid above the place setting, although sometimes these spoons will be laid just before dessert is served, and the rest of the cutlery has been cleared. Relax, We Have Your Table Linens Covered If all that talk of formal table laying has you breaking into a cold sweat, don’t worry. Once you’ve completed a few place settings it will become second nature. What’s more, we’re here to help with the linens, and so that’s one thing ticked off of your list before you even get started. We have everything you need to create the perfect blank canvas for your formal settings, and we would be delighted to assist you with laying the perfect table. read more

3 Aug

The Humble Napkin

Posted on 03 August 2016 by Linsey S

The Humble Napkin And How It Became Table Art They are a staple object on most restaurant tables, but did you know that the first napkin was made of dough. We also used to wipe our mouths on a piece of bread before cloth napkins came along? Step back in time with us to find out more curious facts about the humble napkin through the ages. Invented By The Romans The Spartans were the first people to use a napkin although it’s a far cry from what we use today. This one was made out of dough. It was constructed out of two small pieces of dough and kneaded at the table to form a flat pancake that could be used to wipe the hands. The sudarium, Latin for “handkerchief” followed and consisted of a small piece of fabric kept in the pocket, and used to mop the brow during meals in the hot climate. Diners would also carry their own lap napkin called a mappa and this would also be filled with leftovers from the feast, a custom that can still be seen today in the guise of “doggy bags” in restaurants. Adapted In The Middle Ages It was during the Middle Ages that the napkin disappeared from the table altogether, and was replaced with whatever was close to hand, whether that was the back of the hand, a piece of bread or a piece of clothing. A short while later, communal napkins were used (yes, we pulled a face too!), and hung from the edge of the table ready for everybody to use. Not so bad if you were the first, but we wouldn’t want to be the last diner at the table. Seventeenth Century Neatness Napkins of a kind were still being used in the seventeenth century, albeit rather large in size - 35 inches wide by 45 inches in length, in fact. That’s almost the size of a small tablecloth! During the eighteenth century, the French court imposed an elaborate code of napkin conduct such as how far to unfold the napkin on your lap, when to use it and how to use it appropriately. A piece of text from this time states “It is ungentlemanly to use a napkin to wipe the face or scrape the teeth, and a most vulgar error to wipe one’s nose with it.” Quite right too. Around 1740, the world was introduced to what is now known as ‘table service’ - twelve napkins, a large tablecloth and a smaller one laying on top. This combination has largely remained unchanged over the years, and although napkins have got much smaller in most establishments, table service is still the same today. The Latest In Napkin Design Right Here! Okay, so we haven’t revolutionised the napkin, but we do believe in keeping with tradition and helping our customers to dress their tables elegantly with high quality table linens. From matching tablecloths and napkins to decorative chair covers and bows, we give you the freedom to dress your tables beautifully in a range of different colours and styles. Our linen hire is affordable, convenient and of the highest quality, giving you confidence that your venue and furnishings will look stunning. read more

27 Jul

DIY Wedding Tables

Posted on 27 July 2016 by Linsey S

Decorating Wedding Tables For Under £15 Each DIY-ing your own wedding tables is a fantastic idea, and one that will certainly help you to keep the costs down. We all know how they can quickly mount up! There really is no need to spend lots of time and money on your wedding tables, and you certainly don’t want to be fiddling with decorations or primping flowers on the morning of your big day. Our easy ideas will ensure your wedding venue gets your tables just right with some simple instructions, or that you can have your tables easily decorated yourself the night before. The result will be nothing short of perfect, and the best thing is you will have saved yourself a fortune without compromising on style. Let’s Talk About Linens Shabby chic may be all the rage, but do you really want bare and possibly scratched tables as part of your big day? Linens such as tablecloths and napkins can make a big impression, and add a touch of elegance to any plain table. Our wedding tablecloths and napkins come in a range of beautiful colours, and come pressed and ready to use the moment they arrive with you. Crisp, pristine and utterly gorgeous, our tablecloths give you the perfect blank canvas on which to style the rest of your table. Atmospheric Candles We recommend that you steer clear of scented candles on the tables where food is to be served, but they are most certainly fair game anywhere else. Try adding some candles to your fireplace if you have one in your venue room, or have them dotted around on side tables. Once the sun goes down, and they are lit, they will add a shimmering romantic feel to the room. Plain candles on the table are also a lovely idea, but place them inside hurricane lamps or similar jars to prevent people getting singed sleeves as they reach for the sugar bowl! Cost Effective Centrepieces If you have a college nearby, you could enquire to see if students would be happy to make your centrepieces for you. Colleges are often looking for willing people to experiment on, and you could even get your flowers for free. Otherwise, look for flowers on the cheaper end of the scale such as gerberas, sweet williams and carnations. These can look beautiful when mixed with green foliage, and nobody will ever know you didn’t spend a fortune. You can also add a sprinkling of natural petals to your tables instead of table confetti. This looks especially effective on wedding tables with a traditional English theme. Transform Your Venue On A Budget It would be great to have a bottomless budget when it comes to wedding planning, but sadly for most of us this is just a dream. The good news is there are lots of wonderful ways you can transform your venue without spending a small fortune. Our table linens are just one way to do that, and we have a wide range of colours available. Mix and match, set a theme or go for all out elegance - our linens give you the freedom to choose your perfect look. read more

8 Jun

The Perfect Baby Shower

Posted on 08 June 2016 by Linsey S

The myth or indeed truth of afternoon tea perhaps holds no more legendary status than in Britain. The birth of the afternoon 'tete a tete' or what is perhaps more informally referred to as having a natter over a cup of tea has a long history, the British being one of the most predominant countries to import and export the tradition. The British empire spread its wings vast and wide and so did our customs, the habit of taking afternoon tea generally with an accompanying snack, like a scone or selection of biscuits has evolved over many years, into a past time that still exists today. Renowned for Tea Drinking In fact it is quite ironic that although we are not mass market tea growers the English are still renowned for the custom of tea drinking. However despite the fact that we are not major producers there is one corner of England, Cornwall in fact where the entrepreneurial spirit has taken hold and has fostered an interest and indeed small business in tea production. The location is not a place that would immediately spring to mind as an area for tea growing, yet the climate which is generally warm and wet, (a perfect micro-climate combination) has enabled a small tea production business to increasingly expand so that is now able to export to both India and China. This perhaps above all else is one of the strongest indications of the quality of the tea that is being grown, and is testimony of the fact that it cannot always be assumed that English weather dominates the growth of particular crops. Famous Afternoon Tea Perhaps one of the most famous locations for afternoon tea is the Ritz yet this enduring past time means that many other hotels, bars and tea rooms offer a range of packages that include both tea, cake, scones and sandwiches. Comfort of course is of the essence, it is therefore wise to ensure guest areas are made as stylish and comfortable as possible. Keep it Calm at Baby Showers It is becoming more and more popular now that events like Baby Showers are also taking an afternoon tea twist. Sophistication and elegance are sought after and provide a calming environment for the ‘mummy-to-be’ whilst offering all the guests a relaxed and pure indulgent experience. With Love from Linen Rental It was our absolute pleasure to supply crisp and clean tablecloths and white chair covers for this particular baby shower. With thousands of chairs bows also in stock – you can choose to theme your event with either baby blue or baby pink bows. Mind you, we’re finding many women these days are keeping baby showers very neutral and not necessarily stereotypical. Colours are being varied and mixed which some might say makes a refreshing change. Did you know that we also collaborate with a furniture hire supplier so obtaining the most appropriate tables and chairs is just part of the service we deliver? We’re here to ensure your whole event is perfect from beginning to end so ensuring our linen rental service is as hassle free and straight forward as possible is our ultimate goal. We hope to work with you soon. read more

6 May

Co-ordinating a Birthday Bash

Posted on 06 May 2016 by Linsey S

It’s easy to think that organizing a birthday party might be a simple walk in the park – but it’s important that you remember every aspect to ensure the whole occasion is perfect from the start. Have you remembered all the small details that people talk about for weeks after the event? When they reminisce about ‘that party’. When they talk about how the venue looked and what stood out the most. Was there enough food for everyone or did it run out half way through the night? Did you remember to order the all-important birthday cake and don’t forget – adults like a little party bag these days too? Creating an atmosphere and something a little bit different is what makes events stand out and leaves people talking about them for months after. Tick the Tick List We’ve put together a list of everything we believe is needed to make an event perfect. What’s on your list? Sort venue, date and time Decide on colours and theme Send invites Order furniture Choose linen Think about food and drink Arrange music Sort tableware Fresh flowers? Petals? Ribbons? Balloons? Guest gifts Takeaways for guests Collaborating with Others Bringing groups of people together is special in itself, especially if many of those individuals generally wouldn’t socialize together. You have family on one side, your gym crew on another and people from work gathered around the bar. Nonetheless – occasions such as birthdays, weddings or a party just for the hell of it allows friends and colleagues to interact in a relaxed and enjoyable environment in which the mood has already been set. A recent client of ours made contact and explained what kind of party they were hoping to throw for their daughter. They were collaborating with a huge number of other suppliers and we were only too pleased to be part of the event. Balloons, ribbons, fancy pottery, cupcakes, water jars and decorative tableware including love jars, flowers and petals had already been sourced for the occasion to name just a few. Make it Pop! It was the pleasure of Linen Rental to supply exactly that – linen. With hundreds of black and white tablecloths in stock in a variety of sizes to suit functions of any size, we had plenty available for the dates specified. Our client also requested chair covers and bows, which we have in abundance. Simply covering a chair, which doesn’t match your party’s theme or concept, can make a massive difference to the feel of the whole event. Using our organza chair bows adds a splash of colour to the occasion and allows your setup and furniture to pop upon arrival. The Whole Package At Linen Rental we also offer a full installation service. This means our team will arrive with all the goods ordered, fit the chair covers and tie the bows as well and the throw the tablecloths on if you’re ready for them. We know how stressful it can be pulling all the final party elements together – so we’re here to help. Just a Few Words We were really touched by the kind words from our client and they really do go a long way. We look forward to working with them again soon. “A fab service from start to end! We simply chose the items we needed and ordered them, delivery was quick easy and on time. Each of the items was packed neatly into a large linen bag, once we had finished we simply folded them up and placed them back in the bag ready for collection - a perfect, easy convenient service. The tablecloths, chair covers and bows made all the difference to the look of our venue, they made our party look so professional and beautiful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Linen Rental and we will be using them for our future events too. Thanks again!” read more

31 Mar

Lights, Camera, Linen! We’re Heading To The National Film Awards.

Posted on 31 March 2016 by Linsey S

The National Film Awards 2016 are due to take place on 31st March, and Linen Rental is proud to be sponsoring one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment calendar. The UK National Film Awards, now in its 2nd year, is an annual awards ceremony that celebrates the achievements of the movie industry’s actors, actresses, filmmakers, production companies, casting directors and crew. One of the interesting things about these awards is that nominations are made by movie fans, and so there can be some really surprising results and definitely less controversy compared to other events. The awards ceremony promises to be a star-studded event with big names such as Michael Fassbender, Sienna Miller, Helena Bonham Carter, John Boyega, Colin Firth, Daniel Craig and Helen Mirren topping the list of nominees. Get The Lowdown Before The Event Unlike many closed envelope awards ceremonies, the National Film Awards is quite open about the results before they are announced on the night. Over 1.3 movie fans took to the voting system to cast their votes across a total of 18 categories. We weren’t surprised to see ‘Star Wars - The Force Awakens’ at the top of the Best International Film nominations. With the hype and popularity this movie received last year you’d be forgiven for thinking there were no other movie releases in 2015! Fancy grabbing a piece of the action and the chance to rub shoulders with the rich, famous and highly talented? Tickets are still available so why not grab a stageside seat? Don’t forget to come along and say hello to the Linen Rental team! Dressed To Impress - A Prestigious Event Deserves The Best Linen We’re excited and very proud to be part of such a glittering event, and you can bet we’ll be taking along our autograph book, as well as a few business cards! Here at Linen Rental, we have attended many special events, and we understand the hard work that goes into event planning and the dressing of the venue. When you have so many high class guests to impress there is no room for cutting corners or compromising on quality. Choosing the right linens for a special event is an important consideration. You want your guests to feel like VIPs and that no expense has been spared - even though it has with our amazingly affordable prices, but your guests would never know! We choose only the finest linens for our range and each item from tablecloths to napkins is delivered and presented in pristine condition, ready for you to transform your tables from plain and practical to stunning and stylish. It’s A Wrap! All The Linens You Need In One Place Take a look at our range today. As London’s premier linen supplier, we offer the most beautiful linens, laundered and pressed with care, and available in a wide range of colours. We’d be delighted to arrange linen rental to suit your exact needs. Pictures to follow. read more

30 Mar

Looking For Beautiful Linens? We Have It Covered

Posted on 30 March 2016 by Linsey S

Good quality linen has the power to transform ordinary furniture and events into something truly spectacular. It gives us great pleasure to introduce our linen hire service to you. As event and linen hire professionals, we understand what makes a great occasion and that means ensuring everything is perfect down to the very last detail. From crisp white napkins to gorgeous chair covers and bows, we can offer you a wide choice of linens that will delight your guests and ensure your function is remembered for all the right reasons. How Does it Work? At Linen Rental, we believe in keeping things simple. We stock thousands of items and can obtain specific colours depending on your requirements and your event theme. We're totally transparent with our service too by publishing prices on our website so you can easily budget for your event and calculate your costs upfront. There are no hidden charges with us! Here's how our site works: Browse our linen selection Choose a tablecloth(s) Decide if you'd like to add runners and bows for a splash of colour Call our team directly on 0203 805 1256 to place an order Within minutes we'll send you an official quote via email which you can accept online and before you know it - your linen's booked. The Future As a company we envisage being able to offer our customers the ability to not only quote via our website but also transact completely online too. We'll always have a team member on hand, at the end of the phone to talk you through any queries or questions - but our aim is to make things as simple as possible for you - our client. Watch this space! Benefits Of Hiring Linen Over Buying There are many great reasons to choose linen hire over purchasing outright. Here are just some of them: Ordering from a reputable linen hire company saves time. Hiring is cost effective - the more you hire and the longer you hire for, the cheaper your linen gets! You get access to a wide range of linen items in one place. Your linens will be delivered quickly (often on the same day) and collected after your event. If requested - we set everything up for you - tablecloths, runners, napkins and chair covers and bows - leaving you free to deal with those last minute emergencies. Passion And High Quality Where It Counts We are passionate about linen hire and it shows in everything we do. Our team also appreciates how stressful event organisation can be and will do everything in their power to make things easier for you. From rolling up our sleeves to rolling out the red carpet, we are here to help! Beautiful Linens That Are Sure To Impress As with every service and item we offer, you can be sure that the linens we supply will be presented in pristine condition, fresh and ready to dress your tables and chairs in style. We have chosen some of the most popular linen colours allowing you to mix and match or choose one block of colour to suit your colour scheme or theme. You won’t believe the transformation tablecloths, napkins, runners and chair covers and bows really do make. We’d be delighted to show you some great design ideas or you might like to share your own with us! We are always looking for new ways to use our linens. Linen To Suit All Budgets And Tastes One of the best things about hiring linen is how cost effective this can be. Compare this to buying your linens outright and it’s a no-brainer, especially when you consider you may only use the linen once! Instead, why not consider choosing your linen with ease online, placing your order in seconds and having us take on the delivery, setup and collection? It makes so much sense, doesn’t it? read more

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