Complete Dinnerware Sets: Elevate Your Dining Experience With A 100-Piece Collection

Dinnerware sets the table for memorable meals and offers an opportunity to express your personal style. They come in a wide range of different colours, textures, and materials, and can be expensive. However, there are plenty of great options at a variety of price points.

When choosing a dinnerware set, it is important to consider your budget, the size of your household, and the desired material. Porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, and bone china are the most common types of dinnerware materials. Porcelain is made from clay fired at high temperatures and is typically white and shiny. Bone china is a type of porcelain that includes bone ash in its composition, giving it a translucent look and lightweight feel. Earthenware is made from clay and has a more porous surface than stoneware, while stoneware is fired clay with a non-porous surface and can be finished with a matte or glossy glaze.

Other factors to consider when choosing a dinnerware set include the number of pieces included, the availability of additional place settings or individual pieces, and the overall design and aesthetic. Some sets may also offer coordinating serving pieces, such as platters or serving bowls.

It is also worth noting that some materials may be more durable than others and that not all dinnerware sets are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, so it is important to check the care instructions before purchasing.

Ultimately, the best dinnerware set for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and specific needs.

Porcelain vs. Bone China

Porcelain and bone china are both ceramic materials used for making household and decorative objects, and both are known for their high-quality finish. However, there are some differences between the two.

Composition

Bone china is made from a combination of china clay, china stone, and bone ash, while porcelain is made from feldspar, quartz, and kaolin. The bone ash in bone china gives it a unique combination of strength and beauty, making it highly sought-after for fine tableware. Porcelain, on the other hand, is harder and denser due to its higher firing temperature, but this also makes it more prone to cracking and chipping.

Weight and Durability

Bone china is more lightweight and delicate compared to porcelain, which tends to be heavier and more brittle. This makes bone china more resistant to wear and tear, as it is less prone to chipping and scratching. However, porcelain is stronger and more durable due to its higher firing temperature.

Appearance

Bone china typically has a creamy, soft colour, while porcelain is stark white. Bone china often has a more delicate, refined, and luxurious appearance, while porcelain can have a more formal or traditional look.

Price

Porcelain tends to be a bigger investment than bone china due to the artistic procedures required to manufacture it. Bone china is more expensive because of the materials and labour involved in its production, which requires multiple steps such as mixing, forming, drying, firing, and glazing.

Usage

Both porcelain and bone china are suitable for everyday use and special occasions. However, bone china is often preferred for its lightweight and durability, while porcelain is favoured for its strength and resistance to heat.

Stoneware

Durability and Maintenance:

Design and Aesthetics:

The beauty of stoneware lies in its rustic and handmade appeal. It often features uneven edges, textured exteriors, and subtle speckling, giving your table setting a unique and artisanal look. Stoneware comes in various colours, ranging from classic neutrals like white, black, and grey to more vibrant options like dusty blush and rich cardamom. You can choose colours that match your style and personality.

Functionality and Versatility:

When selecting a stoneware set, consider the number of pieces included and their functionality. A standard set should include dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. Some sets may also offer additional pieces like pasta bowls, cereal bowls, or serving platters, providing more versatility for different meal occasions.

Brand Recommendations:

Several brands offer high-quality stoneware sets that are worth considering:

• West Elm Kanto Stoneware Dinnerware: This set is praised for its simple, rustic design and generous sizing. It includes small bowls, pasta bowls, dinner plates, and salad plates, and it's available in a range of neutral reactive glazes.
• Pottery Barn Dinnerware Set: This collection offers a timeless and classic aesthetic that can easily be mixed and matched with other pieces. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls, and it's both dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
• Hawkins New York Essential Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set: This set provides a versatile and modern look, perfect for both casual and fine dining occasions. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and cereal bowls, and you have the option to purchase additional coordinating accessories.
• Arhaus Twilight Dinnerware: This galactic-inspired collection features a unique hand-painted glaze in a range of blues. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and mugs, and you can also purchase separate serveware pieces.
• Jono Pandolfi 4-Piece Place Setting Bundle: Jono Pandolfi is known for its versatile and approachable stoneware, often found in top restaurants. This set includes entrée plates, salad plates, cereal bowls, and Alaska bowls, and you can purchase additional serving pieces to create a comprehensive tablescape.
• East Fork 7-Piece You're-All-Set Set: East Fork offers a rustic and timeless design with its traditional stoneware set. The 7-piece set includes a mug, dinner plate, side plate, cake plate, everyday bowl, breakfast bowl, and bitty bowl. They release limited-edition glazes seasonally, allowing you to grow your collection with unique colours.
• Casafina Modern Classic Ceramic Dinnerware & Serveware: This set is handcrafted in Portugal and features a smooth and silky glaze. It comes in muted and deeper tones, and you can purchase it as a 5-piece set or individual pieces, allowing you to create your own colour palette.

Ceramic

Mora Ceramic Plate and Bowl Set

This colourful set allows you to get the trendy, colourful pottery look for a fraction of the price. The set comes with six plates and four bowls, featuring blue, pink, purple and green. It is made with paladin clay, making it more durable, and lined with a scratch-resistant glaze.

Stone Lain Coupe Dinnerware Set

This set contains four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls and four handled mugs. It comes in a wide range of colours, from neutrals to fun-coloured sets, and its trendy, futuristic design also has an element of "rustic elegance".

Amazon Basics 18-Piece Kitchen Dinnerware Set

If a simple white dinnerware set is what you're after, this 18-piece set from Amazon Basics is ideal. It comes with dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal bowls that can do double-duty on pasta night.

Laurie Gates by Gibson Hand Painted Tierra Mix and Match Dinnerware Set

This very colourful painted set is made from all-natural clays, making it very durable. The unique colours and designs are perfect to serve as a pop of colour or complement a colourful kitchen space. The set was designed to reflect a wide range of globally inspired ceramic traditions and contains four dinner plates, four dessert plates and four bowls.

Corelle Portofino Round Dinnerware Set

This 18-piece set contains dinner plates, lunch plates, appetizer plates and bowls that are resistant to chips and cracks. It draws upon brilliant blue colours and eye-catching designs, bringing the rustic charm of the Italian coast to your dinner table.

Stone Lain Jade Stoneware Dinnerware

This versatile set has a fun, speckled design and is made of very durable stoneware. It comes in white, light grey and taupe, and features four dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs. It is casual enough for everyday dinners, while also being contemporary enough to host more upscale events.

Wisenvoy Dinnerware Set

This set is a funky, modern take on a classic floral design. With its fun bold colour scheme, this set is perfect for someone looking for unique plates to serve as an accent in their dining room. With its hand-painted design and easily cleanable material, this 12-piece set is fun and affordable. It includes four dinner plates, four dessert plates and four salad bowls.

ONEMORE Coupe Plate Set

This set contains six rustic, hand-decorated large plates. The plates come in an assortment of colours, including green, white, red, yellow and blue. Each plate has a chestnut brown speckle and a rustic brown edge. This modern, urban look is rising in popularity, and this affordable option will allow you to stay on trend without spending too much.

Gibson Home Oslo 16-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set

This Nordic-inspired dinnerware set is chic and fits comfortably into any kitchen aesthetic. The black-rimmed plates and bowls bring something a little more elevated to the table, too. The set comes with four entrée bowls that work well for big salads, pasta and more.

Melamine

When choosing melamine dinnerware, consider the weight of the pieces. While lightweight options are great for picnics and outdoor dining, heavier sets can add a touch of elegance to your table setting. Look for sets that include versatile pieces such as bowls and serving platters, and choose designs that match your taste and the occasion. Some melamine sets even come with matching cups or mugs.

Gibson Home Brela 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set received excellent reviews for its durability and stylish design. It includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, and it is safe to use in the dishwasher. With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, it is a great choice for those seeking a balance of style and functionality.

Lenox Blue Bay Melamine Dinnerware Set

The Lenox Blue Bay set offers versatility with 16-piece, 20-piece, and four-piece dinner plate options. It received top scores for attractiveness and durability, with various blue patterns that are both stylish and cohesive. This set is also dishwasher-safe and offers a replacement promise for any breakage during normal use.

Williams Sonoma Sicily Outdoor Melamine Salad Plates

If you're looking for durability and style, the Williams Sonoma Sicily set is an excellent choice. These plates performed exceptionally well in scratch and drop tests, with only a few invisible scratches. This set includes four salad plates and offers a variety of purchasing options, making it a great choice for those seeking durability without compromising on aesthetics.

Gufaith 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

The Gufaith set offers a classic, boho-inspired aesthetic perfect for al fresco dining. It is lightweight yet sturdy, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and generously sized bowls. While it doesn't include cups, it is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.

Craft & Kin Woodgrain Melamine Dinnerware Set

For a rustic, casual dining experience, the Craft & Kin Woodgrain set is an excellent choice. The pieces look like they're made from wood but are crafted from durable melamine. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and uniquely shaped bowls. While it is dishwasher-safe, it is not suitable for microwave use.

Earthenware

When shopping for earthenware, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the glaze. A good glaze will give your dinnerware a shiny finish and protect it from stains and scratches. Earthenware is more porous than other types of ceramic, so a quality glaze is important to prevent staining and make cleaning easier.

Second, think about the weight and thickness of the dinnerware. Earthenware tends to be heavier and thicker than other types of ceramic, so if you're looking for something lightweight, this may not be the best option. However, the heft of earthenware can also be seen as a positive, giving it a more substantial feel.

Finally, consider the design. Earthenware often has a more rustic or handcrafted look, which can add charm to your table setting. You can find earthenware dinnerware in a variety of colours and patterns, so you can choose something that fits your style.

• Certified International makes a variety of earthenware dinnerware sets in different colours and patterns, including the Indigo Rooster 16-piece set and the Sweet Bunny 16-piece set.
• Portmeirion's Botanic Roses 3-piece dinnerware set is made of earthenware and features a beautiful floral design.
• Johnson Brothers' Devon Cottage 20-piece dinnerware set is a classic blue and white earthenware set that would add a touch of charm to your table.
• Barbary & Oak's Verona 16-piece dinnerware set is crafted in terracotta stone and would make a stunning addition to your dinner table.
• Spode's Blue Italian salad plates are made of fine earthenware and feature a beautiful blue and white design.

Frequently asked questions