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[spiderw]

I always have a table cloth on my table.  In fact I change the design to fit the seasons.  I think a table cloth brings a warm feeling to my room and I have always loved the look.

[AnikaBrodie]

Tablecloth with coordinated placemats.  Sometimes placemats only.  I have a large assortment of tablecloths and use them according to the season.  Christmas and Thanksgiving are my favorite.

[Still Raining]

Just with a cloth and hot pads.  Used to have a proper full sized pad which is a good thing once you settle on a table size.  Use it regularly and always with matching cloth napkins.  Makes a nice treat.

[LindaSal]

I have a felt backed table cover also.  When we downsized to our townhouse I only had room for one table and that was the one I was taking.  It was expensive and it's beautiful!

On top of the cover I always use placemats which I change with the season

[wilma]

We remodeled our kitchen & dining and knocked out part of the wall separating the 2 rooms. Now we eat at the dining table for every meal. The protective felt pads stay on the table al year. I swap out different tablecloths and coordinating placements for the different seasons & holidays. 

[RedTop]

My dining room table is the catch-all for everyones stuff, and is always loaded down. It needs protected from thrown keys, sweaty drinks, bags of heavy items, far more than spilled food. I cover the table with a quilted pad, tablecloth, and a plastic cover; otherwise, my table would be beaten to death or damaged by a corrosive substance by now!

[cotton4me]

I enjoyed reading everyone’s reply.  Part of me wants to leave the table exposed and part of me wants to cover it.  I was wondering what others did. 

Thanks everyone.

[faeriemoon]

On our dining room table I use one of those cut-to-fit white vinyl, flannel backed covers, with a table cloth over it.  We only use the dining room on holidays or special events.  When not in use, I don't cover the table.

Our kitchen table is reclaimed wood which IMO only gets better with use.  Most of the time I place the dishes right on the table.  Sometimes if I'm creating a theme, I'll use placemats or runners. Most of the time the wood is naked. 

[bluetail fly]

I use tablecloths every meal.  I wipe up spills when they happen and put a dry cloth under the wet spot if we're still at the table.  I use trivets under hot dishes.

My trivet collection is extensive.

We laugh and celebrate stains on the tablecloths, i.e. "I'll bet David spilled that red wine."

Family dinners are fun and I am sure sad about this year's holiday prospects.  I'd LOVE to have a 2020 gravy stain.

[haddon9]

I have an oak table in the dining room that stays uncovered except for a center piece.  When we entertain I add table pads & a cloth.  I add a runner over the cloth.

For everyday, I have a wooden farmhouse style table that my DH managed to "distress" which wasn't intentional.  I plan on having the top refinished at some point.  For now I just use placements on top and if people are over I'll add a tablecloth.