Dinner Set For A Crowd

Big dinner sets are a great way to elevate your dining experience and impress your guests. Whether you're looking for a simple 12-piece set or something more substantial like a 24-piece set, there are options to suit your needs. You can find elegant dinnerware with contrasting hues, textured designs, and clean, modern looks. Some sets also offer the convenience of being dishwasher-safe, making post-dinner clean-up a breeze. With a variety of styles, colours, and materials to choose from, you can add a personal touch to your table setting and make every meal an enjoyable occasion.

Dinnerware sets for different occasions

Dinnerware sets are an essential part of any dining experience, and choosing the right set can elevate your table and complement your meals. Here are some options for dinnerware sets for different occasions:

Everyday Use

For everyday use, you'll want something durable and functional. Consider the Gibson Home Zen Buffet 30-Piece Dinnerware Set, which offers a large and versatile set at a reasonable price. The set includes mugs, dinner plates, dessert plates, standard bowls, and salad bowls, all of which are microwave and dishwasher-safe. Another great option is the Corelle Vitrelle 18-Piece Dinnerware Set, which is chip-resistant, lightweight, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor dining.

Formal Occasions

For formal occasions, you may want to opt for something more elegant and refined. The Lenox Blue Bay 12-Piece Dinnerware Set stands out with its organic, wavy shape and gold rims. The gold rims also add a touch of sophistication to your table setting. If you're looking for something unique and subtle, the Wedgwood Gio 16-Piece Dinnerware Set is a great choice. This set is made of bone china, giving it a delicate and luminous appearance. It's also lightweight, durable, and stackable, making it perfect for special occasions.

Casual Gatherings

For casual gatherings with family and friends, you might want a dinnerware set that is both functional and stylish. The Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen 16-Piece Dinnerware Set is a crowd-pleaser, offering a classic all-white design with wide rims and small bowls. The Fable Base Dinnerware Set is another excellent choice, featuring a slightly asymmetrical design with a gently rippled surface. This set includes two bowls and is available in a range of beautiful shades.

Special Occasions

To make your special occasions even more memorable, consider a dinnerware set that adds a festive touch to your table. The Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates, inspired by Portuguese ceramist Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro, are shaped like vegetables, adding a cheeky and whimsical element to your table. For a more elegant option, the Spode Blue Italian 5-Piece Place Setting offers a classic and refined look with its iconic blue and white design. This set is also BPA-free and safe for the oven, microwave, and dishwasher.

Dinnerware colours and styles

Colours:

• White crockery is a timeless and versatile choice, allowing your food to take centre stage and suit a variety of dishes and presentation styles. White dinnerware is also easy to match with other tableware and accessories.
• Earthy tones such as sage green and darker browns can portray naturalism and an environmentally conscious attitude, promoting the wholesome nutrition of your food.
• Pastel tones like sky blue, baby pink, and mint green can accentuate the homemade nature of your food, giving your table setting a cute and retro feel.
• Bright and colourful tones can make a statement and complete the theme of your dining table. They can also be used to determine allergies during plating, such as using blue plates for gluten-free meals.
• Black plates may not be an intuitive choice, but they can create a striking impression and give the impression of generous portion sizes, according to a Cornell University study.

Styles:

• Unconventional shapes are a modern twist on traditional dinnerware. Hexagonal or asymmetrical designs can make your tableware stand out and create a unique dining experience.
• Textures and patterns can add depth and dimension to your table setting. From floral patterns to abstract designs, there are many options to choose from to suit your taste and create an impressive visual display.
• Minimalist designs are simple yet make a statement. They feature minimal patterns and neutral colours, creating a calm and relaxing dining atmosphere.
• Mix and match different styles, colours, and designs to add visual interest and personality to your dining table. Combining complementary sets can enhance the overall look of your tableware.

When choosing dinnerware colours and styles, consider your personal style, the mood you want to set, and how you can express your personality through your tableware choices.

Dinnerware materials

When shopping for a big dinner set, there are many materials to choose from, each with its own qualities, features, price points, and drawbacks. Here is a guide to help you choose the right material for your needs:

Porcelain

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is fired at very high temperatures, making it harder and more durable than other ceramic materials. It is made from fine particle clay, typically feldspar, kaolin, and quartz, and has a fine, smooth, glazed finish. This makes it non-porous, heat resistant, and suitable for use in microwaves, dishwashers, ovens, and freezers. Porcelain dinnerware usually has a delicate appearance and is often white or off-white, adding elegance and beauty to the dining experience. However, despite its fragile look, porcelain is surprisingly durable and can be used for everyday dining.

Stoneware

Stoneware is another type of ceramic that is fired at high temperatures, although not as high as porcelain. It is made from coarse-grain clay and is less delicate than porcelain. Stoneware is thicker and more opaque than finer materials like porcelain and china. It can be finished with various glaze textures such as shiny, satin, or matte and is typically used for casual, everyday place settings. Most stoneware is versatile, easy to maintain, and safe for use in microwaves and dishwashers, but it may discolour over time and should not be exposed to sudden or extreme temperature changes. Stoneware dinnerware usually comes in neutral pastel colours like blue, grey, green, mauve, black, and beige.

Bone China

Bone china is produced by combining bone ash, made from animal bones, with porcelain clay and firing it at a slightly lower temperature than porcelain. This results in dinnerware that is very lightweight, delicate, and translucent with a milky appearance. Despite its fragile presentation, bone china is the strongest and most durable ceramic dinnerware. It is generally safe for use in dishwashers, microwaves, and ovens, unless it has metallic banding. Bone china can be used for both daily dining and more formal occasions.

Earthenware

Earthenware is a type of ceramic that is fired at a lower temperature than porcelain and stoneware. It has a thick, heavy, rustic look and feel but is more fragile and prone to chipping. It is also the heaviest type of dinnerware. Earthenware is often porous, so it should not be left submerged in water and is not suitable for microwaves or dishwashers. However, most glazed earthenware is dishwasher-safe. This type of dinnerware is commonly used for hand-painted designs and usually comes in red or orange colours.

Melamine

Melamine is a lightweight, sturdy, and glossy plastic material that is virtually indestructible, making it ideal for children and outdoor use. It is dishwasher-safe but should not be used in microwaves, ovens, or heated with food in it.

Vitrified Glass

Vitrified glass is glass that has been fired at ultra-high temperatures, making it nonporous and extremely durable. It is safe for use in dishwashers and microwaves and will not break or chip, even when dropped.

Dinnerware sets for different numbers of people

When shopping for dinnerware, it's important to consider the number of people you plan to serve. A larger set is always a good idea, as it can accommodate unexpected guests and reduces the need to wash dishes in a rush before serving dinner. Here are some options for dinnerware sets for different numbers of people:

Dinnerware Sets for 4 People

A standard 12-piece dinnerware set typically includes four dinner plates, four side plates, and four bowls. This size is perfect for a small family or a group of four individuals. It can also be a good option if you're looking for everyday dinnerware for a larger household, as it provides enough settings for multiple meals before running the dishwasher.

Dinnerware Sets for 6 People

For a household of six, it is recommended to go beyond the standard 18-piece set and opt for a larger 24-piece dinnerware set. This will ensure you have enough settings for six people and allows for additional pieces in case of breakage or when accommodating extra guests.

Dinnerware Sets for Larger Groups

If you frequently entertain large groups or host dinner parties, consider investing in multiple dinnerware sets. You can keep a smaller set for everyday use and a larger set for special occasions. Look for sets with 16 or more pieces to accommodate 8 or more people. Some options include a 16-piece set from Openook and Corelle, or a 28-piece multi-coloured set from Big Lots.

Dinnerware Sets for Individual Place Settings

Sometimes, you may only need dinnerware for a single place setting. In this case, you can opt for a 4-piece set that typically includes a dinner plate, a side plate, a bowl, and a mug. This can be useful when adding to an existing set or replacing broken pieces.

Dinnerware for everyday use

When choosing dinnerware for everyday use, it's important to consider both style and practicality. Here are some factors to keep in mind when selecting dinnerware that will suit your daily needs:

Durability and Maintenance

Look for dinnerware that is durable and easy to maintain. Materials like stoneware, porcelain, and tempered glass are known for their durability and are often dishwasher and microwave safe, making them convenient for everyday use. This will save you time and effort in the long run.

Quantity and Versatility

Consider the number of people in your household and how often you entertain guests. It's generally advisable to have more dinnerware than the number of people in your household to accommodate guests and reduce the need for frequent dishwashing. Choose a set that includes plates, side plates, and bowls, ensuring you have what you need for different meals throughout the day.

Design and Style

Opt for a clean and versatile design that complements your existing tableware and fits your personal style. Neutral colours like white, grey, beige, and pastel shades of blue, green, and mauve are timeless and can easily match various décor styles. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also explore dinnerware with textured designs or contrasting hues, such as the Openook 12-piece dinner set, which features a black outer and white inner design.

Cost and Value

Finally, consider your budget and the value you're getting for the price. IKEA, for example, offers affordable dinnerware sets in various styles and materials. The FÄRGKLAR 18-piece dinnerware set is an excellent option for everyday use, providing a good balance between cost and versatility.

Remember, choosing dinnerware that suits your lifestyle and personal taste is essential. Whether you prefer a simple and elegant design or something more bold and colourful, there are plenty of options available to elevate your everyday dining experience.

Frequently asked questions