Give the bread a place at the edge
AI-generated editorial illustration for myAudience · Generated for myAudience; not a photograph of a real home or event
A bread basket can sit near the edge of the shared area rather than occupying the table's whole centre. A clear position makes it easier to pass while leaving the larger serving space available. The useful location depends on the table and people, so test it from a seat.
Choose a basket or plate intended for serving food and keep it within comfortable reach. If using a liner, use something suitable and clean. Avoid an arrangement where the handle catches a glass whenever the basket moves.
Place individual bread plates where they make sense for the meal; conventional settings put bread to the left. Keep the pieces small enough to fit comfortably beside the main plate. A simple shared serving arrangement can then move around without requiring people to rearrange their whole place. This is a layout suggestion to adapt, not an etiquette test for a relaxed supper.