Blog - Cotton & Flax

trivet

What is a trivet, and why do I want one?

Felt trivet on marbleOne of the products I was excited to debut back in 2014 were the 100% Marino wool felt trivets. The material is so wonderful to work with – thick and luxurious, with super saturated color.

It quickly became apparent, though, that my friends fell into two camps: those who owned and loved a handful of trivets already, and those who immediately asked me, “What is a trivet, exactly?”

Tabletop accent - Felt trivetTrivets are similar to drink coasters, in that they protect your furniture from heat or condensation. At it’s simplest, a trivet is an object placed between a serving dish and your dining table, protecting the table from water rings or scratches. Trivets have been around for centuries, in both utilitarian and incredibly decorative designs.

How to use a trivet - Cotton & FlaxI’ve found that trivets can pose as helpful design elements beyond the dining room table. I’ll also use them under a vase of flower or a potted houseplant, protecting my coffee table from scratches. Plus, they come in handy for entertaining – they are just the right size to hold a fresh batch of coffee brewed in my Chemex, or a pitcher of lemonade.

Cotton & Flax felt trivets beautify your table while protecting your table from heat and condensation and preventing scratches. Find our beautifully modern trivets in our online shop!

How to use a trivet — protect your table in style

Modern trivet

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to host more gatherings and dinner parties, you may be looking for ways to keep your home looking fresh and beautiful for guests. Trivets are a great way to add a decorative accent to the table! If you’ve been wondering, “What is a trivet?” this post is for you!

How to use a trivet to set a modern table

The most common way to use a trivet is underneath a hot pan or other servingware that’s fresh from the oven – the trivet creates a buffer that protects your table from heat damage. In addition to being useful and practical, a decorative trivet is an easy way to dress up your dinner table and add a pop of visual interest.

Using a trivet at the dining table

You may have already known about using trivets under a fresh baked pie or strata fresh from the oven, but there are lots of other ways to use a trivet. A trivet is perfect landing place for a pitcher of water or punch bowl! Again, they provide a buffer for your table and keep water stains away from any beautiful pieces you have.

We’ve heard from customers that our felt trivets offer a quieter, more relaxing alternative to clinking your pitcher or glass on the table when sitting it down; the wool felt offers noise cancelling properties. These small design choices can lead to a more relaxed atmosphere in your home. When we asked Cotton & Flax customers what they use a trivet for, one surprising use was as a landing pad for their keys on a table near the front door.

Using a trivet under a houseplant - protect your table in stylehow to use a trivet under a plant

Your trivet can also be used as a fun and modern centerpiece under flowers or houseplants. The trivet protects your furniture from water damage or scratches from ceramic pots This adds to your plant’s decor and gives your home that extra special touch on a table, windowsill, or shelf. It’s easy to switch out a trivet with changing seasons and styles, so you can quickly add something new to your home!

Hopefully these tips give you inspiration on how to use a trivet! Take a look in the Cotton & Flax shop and see if you find any fun trivets to add in your home. We love seeing our pieces in your home, so please share with us on Instagram using the hashtag #patternathome and let us know of any unique ways you use your trivets!