Dinnerware: Elevate Your Dining Experience

Aesthetic dinnerware is a great way to showcase your unique tastes and elevate your dining experience. From sleek and modern designs to rustic and eclectic styles, the options are endless for creating a tablescape that reflects your personality. Whether you prefer bold colours or subtle neutrals, there is a dinnerware set to suit every aesthetic.

For a contemporary look, consider matte black or white dinnerware with clean lines and simple silhouettes. If you're feeling more adventurous, explore sets with reactive glazes that add a touch of soft detail and originality to your table. For a rustic vibe, opt for stoneware plates with naturalistic design details, or go for a classic porcelain set with a timeless look.

Don't forget to have some fun with your dinnerware choices! Play with textures, experiment with colourful rims, or mix and match different pieces to create a unique and eclectic tablescape.

Aesthetic dinnerware for special occasions

Choosing the Right Materials and Designs

Select dinnerware materials that align with your special occasion and personal style. Ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, and glass are popular choices, each offering unique benefits. Ceramic and stoneware are known for their durability, while glass provides a modern and sleek look. Consider the ambiance you want to create and whether you prefer traditional, timeless designs or contemporary, minimalist styles.

Exploring Different Styles and Themes

The world of dinnerware sets offers endless design possibilities. For special occasions, consider thematic dinnerware, such as holiday-themed plates, to add a festive touch to your table. Explore different colour themes to enhance your dining experience. For instance, black or white dinnerware can add either a bold or subtle elegance to your table setting.

Functionality and Extras

When choosing aesthetic dinnerware for special occasions, don't forget the functional aspects. Consider the number of guests you'll be hosting and select a set with an appropriate quantity of plates, bowls, and serving dishes. Extras like gravy boats, decorative plates, and completer sets can elevate your table setting and make your special occasion even more memorable.

Recommendations for Aesthetic Dinnerware

• Our Place Dinnerware Set: This set offers a modern and minimalistic design with a slightly rustic appeal. The pieces are made from recycled and sustainably sourced porcelain and are microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe.
• Red Vanilla Extreme Bone China Dinnerware Set: This elegant set features delicate edges and sleek swoops, providing a sturdy option for both formal dinners and everyday use. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and triangular soup bowls.
• Lenox French Perle 4-Piece Place Setting: This stoneware set exudes a charming, ornamental look, perfect for country, farmhouse, or shabby chic decor. It includes a dinner plate, side plate, bowl, and mug, and Lenox offers a lifetime replacement program for broken dishes.
• Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware: Made from renewable bamboo, this eco-friendly set comes in beautiful summery hues. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and cereal bowls, offering a cheerful pop of colour for your special occasions.
• Crate & Barrel Mercer Blue Rim Bowls: These bowls feature a delicate ribbon of colour anchored by rich, creamy porcelain. They are dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe, and you can purchase matching dinnerware essentials with the same design.
• Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates: Inspired by Portuguese ceramist Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro, these plates are shaped like cabbage leaves, adding a cheeky and unique touch to your table.
• Spode Blue Italian 5-Pc Place Setting: This patterned set exudes elegance and sophistication. It is BPA-free and safe for the oven, microwave, and dishwasher, making it a special yet functional choice for your occasions.

Aesthetic dinnerware for everyday use

Dinnerware is more than just vessels for holding and serving food. They should be functional, but that function depends on the occasion. Since they come in a wide range of different colours, textures, and materials, dinnerware sets are also an extension of your style and help create the ambiance for any occasion, no matter if it's a casual solo meal or a fancy dinner date.

• Fable: This set is made from stoneware, which is an extra-dense material and one of the most durable types of ceramic. It is available in six muted colours and one speckled pattern. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and small breakfast bowls.
• Our Place: This set includes full-size plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. The plates act as lids for the bowls, making them easy to stack and store. The set is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.
• Material: This set, made in partnership with Soil Baker, is crafted with natural Korean soil. The set includes a full plate, half plate, and wide bowl. It is dishwasher and microwave-safe.
• Staub: This set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. It is chip-resistant and dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.
• Stone Lain: This set has a minimalist design with a matte finish. It is available on Amazon and includes plates, bowls, and mugs.
• Corelle: This set is made of laminated glass, which is durable and resistant to breaking, chipping, scratching, and staining. It includes plates, bowls, and mugs.
• Gibson Home: This simple white porcelain set includes dinner plates, dessert plates, standard bowls, salad bowls, and mugs. It is durable, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant.

Aesthetic dinnerware for outdoor use

When it comes to aesthetic dinnerware for outdoor use, there are a few key factors to consider: durability, style, and functionality. Here are some recommendations and tips to help you choose the perfect outdoor dinnerware:

Melamine Dinnerware:

• Melamine is a popular choice for outdoor dining as it is durable, break-resistant, and often dishwasher-safe.
• The Williams Sonoma Sicily Outdoor Melamine Dinner Plate Set is a great option, evoking the feel of a quintessential Italian feast with its colourful plates and ornate patterns.
• For a more modern and eclectic look, the West Elm Kaloh Melamine Outdoor Dinnerware Set blends beautifully with existing tableware and is very durable.
• If you're looking for something simple yet elegant, the Zak Designs French Country House Melamine Dinnerware Set is a perfect farmhouse-style option.

Bamboo Dinnerware:

• Bamboo is an eco-friendly and lightweight alternative to plastic.
• The Lekoch 16-Piece Bamboo Dinnerware Set from Amazon is an attractive and durable option, with a white colour that fits any occasion and existing decor.
• The Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware Set is another stylish choice, offering seven beautiful matte colour options that can be mixed and matched to create a customised set.

Enamel Dinnerware:

• Enamelware is strong yet lightweight, and often oven- and dishwasher-safe.
• The Falcon Enamelware Set is a great example, with colourful edge options added to classic white plates.

Other Options:

• For a unique, rustic look, the Wood Outdoor Dinnerware Set made from acacia wood is a high-quality option that will last for many summers.
• If you're looking for something more affordable, the Focusline 175-Piece Silver Dinnerware Set from Amazon is disposable yet reusable, and adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor gathering.

When choosing outdoor dinnerware, consider the weight of the plates, especially if you plan to carry them around. Additionally, look for scratch-resistant and stain-resistant options to ensure the longevity of your dinnerware. Most outdoor dinnerware is not microwave-safe, so hand-washing may be necessary to maintain the quality of the plates.

Aesthetic dinnerware for kids

Dinnerware for kids should be practical, durable, and fun. There are many options available that tick these boxes, with a variety of colours, patterns, and materials to choose from.

For parents who want to avoid plastic, bamboo dinnerware sets are a popular choice. These are often dishwasher-safe and environmentally friendly, with some options including cute animal patterns. Bamboo sets are available from various retailers, including shopwithgreen, Grow Forward, and Klickpick Home.

For parents who want something a little more durable, there are plenty of plastic options. Wheat straw dinnerware is a common choice, with some sets including up to 36 pieces. These are often lightweight, unbreakable, and dishwasher-safe. Wheat straw dinnerware is available from a range of retailers, including DeeCoo, Mfacoy, and FOODLE.

For something a little more fun, parents might want to opt for a themed dinnerware set. For example, Amazon offers a Disney Minnie Mouse dinnerware set, while Etsy has a Jemima-Puddleduck heirloom china set. Zak also has a range of themed dinnerware sets, including Marvel Universe, Baby Shark, and Gabby's Dollhouse.

Finally, for parents who want something simple and understated, there are options such as the Harriet Bee Behnke plastic dinnerware set, available from Wayfair. This set includes 24 pieces in bright, colour-coordinated, non-disposable cups, plates, bowls, and cutlery. The set is designed with small hands in mind and is easy to grip, break-resistant, and lightweight.

Aesthetic dinnerware for holidays

The holidays are a time to bring out the best dinnerware to complement your festive meals. Whether you're looking for something luxurious or playful, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas for aesthetic dinnerware to elevate your holiday celebrations:

Festive Patterns and Colours

If you're looking for something that screams "holiday cheer," consider a dinnerware set with festive patterns and colours. The Mikasa Holiday Traditions Dinnerware Set features mugs, plates, and bowls adorned with green and white hues, perfect for evoking a festive spirit. For something more whimsical, the American Atelier Holiday Christmas Round Dinnerware Set combines classic red and white with a stoneware party collection, including dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. Certified International's Holiday Wishes 16-piece Dinnerware Set offers a multicoloured, festive-themed set, while Pfaltzgraff's Winterberry 24-piece set brings a similar cheery vibe to your table.

Vintage and Classic Styles

Vintage-style dinnerware can add a unique touch to your holiday table. The Emporium Ltd. Cinnabar Dessert Set, with its bright red hue and gold medallion embellishment, is perfect for after-dinner coffee and cake. For a more classic option, consider the Wedgwood Intaglio Dinnerware Set, known for its intricate Georgian patterns that add texture without being too loud. If you're a fan of tailored suits and cashmere sweaters, the Brunello Cucinelli brand offers dinnerware with a rustic vibe through neutral colours and textured surfaces.

Nature-Inspired Designs

Bring the outdoors to your table with nature-inspired designs. British artist and designer Lou Rota has collaborated with Anthropologie to create a unique holiday collection, including the Twelve Days of Christmas Dessert Plates. Each plate is inspired by the beloved carol, with vibrant designs and unique rims, colours, and patterns. For something more subtle, the Este Ceramiche Mixed Border Plates, made in Italy, add a pop of colour to your table with hand-painted borders. Gucci's Herbarium Dinner Plates offer a classic feel with a green motif derived from vintage fabrics, perfect if you're craving spring during the winter months.

Modern and Minimalist

If minimalist and modern is more your style, there are plenty of sleek options. The Design Within Reach Oco Dinnerware Set is a fine bone china collection that lets the food take centre stage. The Mikasa Dinnerware Set offers an artisanal look with a watercolour-inspired colour palette and fine lines. Neiman Marcus's Sahara Dinner Set adds a touch of gold to your table, making it perfect for special occasions or a fun twist on holiday metallics.

Holiday-Themed Collections

For the ultimate holiday enthusiast, consider a themed collection. The Gibson Home Christmas Toile 16-piece Dinnerware Set and Pfaltzgraff's Christmas Day Dinnerware Set are perfect for those who want their dinnerware to shout "Merry Christmas!" The Spode Christmas Tree Holly 12-piece Dinnerware Set is another festive option, featuring dinner plates, salad plates, and mugs adorned with Christmas trees and made of fine earthenware.

No matter your aesthetic, there are endless options to choose from to create a memorable and stylish holiday table.

Frequently asked questions