Foldable Wooden Table Mat

A good table mat has two jobs, and this foldable wooden mat from Velora handles both without looking like a compromise. The slatted surface lifts hot pans, casserole dishes and teapots clear of the table, while the natural wood grain adds a warm, considered finish to the setting. It works as easily under a quick weekday dinner as it does across a fully laid table for guests.

The clever part is the hinged construction. Each mat folds down along its slats, so a whole set stores flat in a drawer or slides upright beside the chopping boards rather than taking over a cupboard shelf. Unfolded, it spreads wide enough for a serving dish; folded, it all but disappears. Choose rich walnut for a deeper, more traditional look or pale beech for a lighter Scandinavian table.

Wood brings something to a table that plastic and cork cannot. It softens the look, warms up a monochrome scheme and pairs naturally with linen, stoneware and matte ceramics. Use the mats as individual place settings, or set two together down the middle of the table as a trivet run for a Sunday roast. Wipe with a barely damp cloth after use and keep them out of the dishwasher to protect the grain.

• Wooden slatted construction
• Finishes: Walnut, Beech
• Foldable design stores flat
• Heat resistant for pans and serving dishes
• Protects tables from scratches and marks
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth
• Not dishwasher safe, do not soak