Finding the best fabric for coasters isn't just finding something to match the style of the room, but finding something that's going to last you a long time.
Coasters have often been overlooked, especially within the last decade. It’s a forgotten luxury that too many have forgotten about. It gives the room style, protects the table it’s on and overall shows good manners.
To let you know what the best fabric for a coaster is, we’ll have to clarify the exact purpose of a coaster, when it should be used, and what purpose it needs to fulfill.
Let’s get started.
What is The Purpose of a Coaster?
To find the best fabric for coasters, the first question we need to answer is what the actual purpose for a coaster is.
A coaster’s purpose comes down to two things
1. Protection
The majority of the tables today that we place our food and drink on are wooden. The next most common material is marble.
For our plates that contain our food, we have placemats that protect the table from the food making a mess.
Our coasters do the same thing but for our drinks.
Coasters protect the table from
- Scratches from the cup
- Discolouration caused by the temperature of the drink
- Stains or other damages.
When you own a nice table, one thing no one tells you about is how annoying it is to fix the damage done to your table. It’s a tedious process and sometimes the damage won’t be fully fixed which can make your table look awkward.
Coasters can help your table avoid getting damaged like this
2. Style
This is your home we’re talking about. Sure, we need it to be functional, but we also want it to look nice.
Coasters add a nice subtle style to your table.
At every table, you likely have the food in the centre of the table, waiting to be passed around or the centrepiece of your table. Surrounding that, we have the plates with the utensils, paired with napkins and a placemat. Finally, diagonally from every plate will be the respective glass waiting to be filled with a drink.
The coaster (like the placemat), serves to give your table a pop of colour or to match the tablecloth colour.
It’s there to give your guests a feeling of “this set looks good but I can’t tell what’s making it pop so well”.
Think of the coaster serving the same purpose that matching the colour of your shoes to your belt to make your outfit that much better.
Do People Still Use Drink Coasters?
Do You Need a Coaster for Cold Drinks?
When you have a cold drink, it’s bound to start dripping with water. The water droplets from condensation slides to the bottom of the cup. This eventually forms a water ring that leaves a stain in your table.
Trust me when I say this, that ring will not come out of your table properly. Some will say just wipe it off before it gets wet, but they don’t get it, sometimes you forget.
It only takes one moment to forget and now you’re stuck with this annoying stained ring. Also if you have guests over, you’re not going to tell them to constantly wipe under their cup are you? A coaster saves you from always having that awkward conversation.
Do You Need a Coaster for Hot Drinks?
If you don’t use it, you risk having your wooden table discoloured. The heat from the cup causes the pores of the wood to expand. The heat from the cup also causes moisture to build up, but because the pores of the wooden table have expanded, the moisture gets trapped under the surface of the table, this leads to discoloration.
For wooden tables, placing a hot drink on it can cause the wood to warp for the same reasons. Once the wood is warped, it’s extremely hard to repair.
Also, continuously putting your hot drink on glass can lead it to cracking. This is known as thermal shock and it happens because the heat is unevenly distributed across the glass table since the heat is only where the cup is placed.
What Size Should a Drink Coaster Be?
Ideally the coasters should be bigger than your glass to absorb any condensation from the glass.
But at the same time it shouldn’t be so big that it takes up too much room on the table. The ideal size is to go for slightly larger than the average glass you will use on the coaster.
We would say a good size would be 3.5 - 4 inches (~9-10 cm) in diameter
When looking at size you should also look at shape as well. The two main ones are square coasters and circle coasters. Circle coasters are common to see in households, but that doesn’t mean square coasters are secondary. They’re found to line up better with table edges and against other objects on the table as well.
Either way, shape will come secondary to the most important quality of a coaster: the fabric.
Why Fabric Choice Matters When Choosing The Best Fabric For A Coaster
Longevity
You should not be replacing your coasters frequently. Coasters are meant to be a long term item. They’re meant to last a while and maintain its functionality throughout its use.
If the fabric isn’t high quality, you’ll start to see the shape warp, or curl inward as time goes on. Investing in a high quality fabric also means the fabric won’t fray or start to pill over time. Pilling will ruin the overall aesthetic of the coaster completely.
Absorbing
If the coaster can’t absorb any heat or condensation it’s just an item for show. At the end of the day, it’s important to make sure your coaster works. One of the ways you can see if it works is by seeing if it can do one of its main functions: absorb.
You can tell if a coaster is low quality by seeing if it suffers from the “suction cup effect”. This means when you lift your drink off the table, the coaster sticks to the bottom of it. This isn’t good for coasters. For some coasters, the liquid is absorbed into the weave rather than on the surface so the suction cup effect is avoided.
Quick drying
No one likes a soggy coaster. A fabric that dries quickly makes all the difference in everyday use.
- Ready for the Next Drink – A fast-drying coaster won’t stay damp after one glass, so you don’t end up with a wet surface for your next cup or guest.
- Prevents Odours – Lingering moisture can lead to musty smells. Quick-drying fabrics like linen avoid this by releasing moisture into the air.
- Less Bacteria Growth – The longer a coaster stays damp, the more likely bacteria or mold can develop. Quick drying keeps things clean and hygienic.
- Maintains Appearance – Fabrics that dry fast are less likely to stain or discolor since liquids don’t sit long enough to soak deeply.
- Everyday Convenience – A coaster that dries within minutes is easier to use, easier to clean, and lasts longer without constant washing.
What is the Best Fabric for Coasters?
When choosing a coaster, fabric matters more than you might think. The right material will protect your table, absorb condensation, and last for years. Here’s a look at three of the most common fabrics:
Linen
Linen is widely considered the gold standard for fabric. Made from the flax plant, it’s naturally absorbent, quick-drying, and highly durable. Unlike synthetic options, linen resists bacteria and allergens easily while becoming softer and stronger with every wash. It blends elegance with practicality while protecting your surfaces. Linen is also eco-friendly, requiring fewer resources to produce compared to other fabrics. For those who want coasters that perform and last, linen is the clear winner.
Cotton
Cotton is another popular choice because it’s soft, accessible, and moderately absorbent. Cotton coasters do a fair job at catching moisture, but they tend to stay damp longer than linen. Over time, they can show wear such as pilling or fraying, especially after repeated washes. While cotton is a decent everyday option, it doesn’t offer the same longevity or crisp appearance as linen.
Bamboo
Bamboo coasters are often marketed as sustainable and stylish. While bamboo is durable, it’s not very absorbent. Moisture can pool on the surface instead of soaking in. This sometimes causes the dreaded “coaster stick” where the coaster clings to the bottom of your glass. Bamboo also tends to stain more easily if spills aren’t wiped up quickly. While eco-friendly, bamboo’s functional shortcomings make it less desirable than fabric-based options.
How Do You Know A Company Has Good Coasters
When you’re investing in household items that are meant to last (like coasters), the company behind the product matters just as much as the material itself. Here are two key things to look for:
1. How Long Have They Been Around?
Longevity says a lot about quality. A company that has been operating for decades (or centuries) has survived because people continue to trust their products. If a business has stood the test of time, it’s usually a sign they deliver consistent value and craftsmanship.
2. Are They Known for Reliable Products?
Reputation is everything. Look for reviews, customer stories, or even word-of-mouth recommendations that highlight durability and quality. A reliable company isn’t just selling products they’re building trust with every piece they create. It’s a plus if they’ve been around for a long time too.
That’s why a company like Ferguson Irish Linen stands out. They’ve been weaving since 1854, and in that time their linens have become known not just for their beauty, but for their ability to hold up year after year. It’s a legacy built on reliability and genuine craftsmanship, the kind of quality you can feel every time you use it.
