Dinnerware is an essential part of any kitchen, and choosing the right set can elevate your dining experience. From everyday meals to special occasions, your dinnerware should reflect your personal style while also being durable and functional. With a wide range of options available, from elegant bone china to rustic stoneware, you can create a tablescape that is both stylish and practical. Whether you're looking for a simple set or something more extravagant, branded dinnerware sets offer a variety of designs, colours, and materials to suit any occasion.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of pieces | 12, 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 36 |
Material | Ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, bone china, melamine, glass, plastic |
Dishwasher safe | Yes, No |
Microwave safe | Yes, No |
Oven safe | Yes, No |
Freezer safe | Yes, No |
Number of settings | 4, 6 |
Dish shape | Round, square, straight-walled rims, sloped rims, low bowls |
Dish size | Large, small |
Colors | White, Gray, Indigo, Red, Cream, Blue, Black, Cardamom, Terracotta, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Green, Multicolored |
Patterns | Polka dots, stripes, speckled, floral, concentric pattern around the rim |
What You'll Learn
Bone China
The traditional formulation for bone china is about 25% kaolin, 25% Cornish or China stone, and 50% bone ash. The bone ash is made from cattle bones with a lower iron content. These bones are crushed, degelatinised, and calcined at around 1,000 °C to produce bone ash. The kaolin component gives the unfired body plasticity, allowing articles to be shaped. The mixture is then fired at around 1200 °C.
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Porcelain
When shopping for porcelain dinnerware, it is important to consider the number of settings, the types of dishes included, the shape and size of the dishes, and the care instructions. For example, if you are looking for a set that can be used for both everyday meals and formal dinner parties, opt for a set that is microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
- Gibson Home Oslo set: This is a 16-piece, chip- and scratch-resistant, white porcelain set for four people, including dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, and mugs. It is safe for use in the microwave and dishwasher and is available on Amazon.
- Gibson Home Zen Buffet set: This is a 30-piece, scratch- and stain-resistant, simple white porcelain set for six people, including mugs, dinner plates, dessert plates, standard bowls, and salad bowls. It is microwave- and dishwasher-safe and can be purchased on Amazon, JCPenney, or Wayfair.
- Euro Ceramica Essential Collection set: This is a 16-piece, classic white porcelain set for four people, available on Amazon.
- Williams Sonoma Apilco set: This is a porcelain set that comes in sets of 5, 16, or 20 pieces, with the larger sets including soup bowls. The classic white dishes feature a wide, easy-to-grab blue rim and are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. They can be purchased from Williams Sonoma.
- Lenox Butterfly Meadow set: This is an 18-piece, casual white porcelain set for six people, available from Home Depot.
- MALACASA Flora set: This is an 18-piece porcelain set for six people, available from Home Depot.
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Stoneware
- West Elm Kanto Stoneware Dinnerware Set: This set offers a simple, rustic design with handmade appeal, including uneven edges, a textured exterior, and delicate detailing. The set includes four small bowls, four pasta bowls, four dinner plates, and four salad plates. It is available in a range of neutral reactive glazes, including white, blue, black, and cardamom, and is both dishwasher and microwave safe.
- Pottery Barn Nico Dinnerware Set: This set features a timeless, classic aesthetic with a subtle hint of grey and brown in its glaze. It includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four soup bowls, and is both dishwasher and microwave safe.
- Gibson Home Rockaway Round Stoneware Dinnerware Set: This 12-piece set comes in a grey matte colour and includes dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, and mugs. It is an affordable and durable option, suitable for both fancy dinner parties and everyday use.
- Sango Siterra Artist's Blend Stoneware Dinnerware Set: This 16-piece set features a multicolour design with round plates and bowls. It includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four cereal bowls, and four soup bowls.
- Elama Rustic Birch Stoneware Dinnerware Set: This 16-piece set features a unique design with white and brown accents. It includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four mugs, and four bowls.
- Stone Lain Lauren Stoneware Dinnerware Set: This 16-piece set comes in an off-white colour and includes plates, bowls, and mugs. It is a stylish and elegant option for those seeking a neutral-coloured dinnerware set.
Choosing Stoneware
When choosing stoneware, it is important to consider the size and shape of the pieces, as well as the care requirements. Stoneware is known for its durability, but some pieces with matte glazes may be more susceptible to scratches. Additionally, some stoneware may not be microwave or oven safe, so it is essential to read the care instructions before purchase.
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Melamine
Certified International Talavera 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set
This set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four all-purpose bowls. The design is modelled after traditional Talavera, a type of hand-painted, handmade pottery from Mexico. The plates and bowls are medium-weight and have a wholesome design that will appeal to various tastes. This set is ideal for those who want something simple yet elegant.
Sandia Melamine Dinnerware
This 16-piece set includes pasta bowls, cereal bowls, salad plates, and main plates, ensuring that you can serve your entire meal on matching dishes. The white set has a unique, irregular edge and a high-shine glaze, making it a chic and simple choice for a dinner party. However, the cereal bowl has a narrow base, which may make it less stable.
Zak Designs Confetti 12-piece Dinner Plate, Salad Plate, and Bowl Set
This lightweight 12-piece set comes in a speckled white colourway, resembling a Funfetti cake. It includes 11-inch dinner plates, 9-inch salad plates, and deep cereal bowls. This set is a great option for children or for those who prefer lightweight and easy-to-carry dinnerware.
The Pioneer Woman Country Splatter 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set
This inexpensive melamine set has a charming, old-fashioned look styled to resemble enamel graniteware. The set includes a fun pattern and petal-like edges, making it perfect for casual gatherings such as potlucks or birthday parties. The bowl is on the larger side, making it suitable for various purposes.
Modern Melamine Dinnerware (Set of 16)
This 16-piece set from West Elm features a deep teal colour called "silver pine," which beautifully sets off food. The plates and bowls have a modern, angular shape that adds a touch of sophistication to your table. However, keep in mind that steak knives can scratch the plates, and the pieces may smudge easily.
Sur La Table Maravilla 12-Piece Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware Set
This set features glossy pieces with floral designs. It includes shallow pasta bowls, salad plates, and dinner plates, but lacks a cereal bowl option. While these pieces are of good quality and do not scratch or break easily, they may not be ideal for those who prefer simpler designs.
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Dinnerware Sets by Colour
Dinnerware sets are available in a variety of colours and styles to suit your dining aesthetic. From rustic farmhouse to modern and elegant, there is a set to elevate your dining experience.
White Dinnerware
White dinnerware is a classic choice, and Corelle offers bundles with a touch of colour to accent the match-all lean of the white. The Portofino Round Dinnerware Set for 6 and the Ocean Blue Dinnerware Set for 6 are excellent choices for those wanting a simple yet stylish set. Corelle's all-white dinnerware set is another popular option, and all their dinnerware is chip and scratch-resistant.
Coloured Dinnerware
For a pop of colour, the Gibson Soho Lounge collection is an excellent choice, with a contemporary square shape and stunning colour design. The set comes in many colours, making it easy to find the right set to go with any table setting. Gibson also offers the Casa Azul 16-piece set and the Elite Althea 16-piece set, which bring a coffeehouse style to your table.
Stoneware
Stoneware is a durable option, thicker and heavier than porcelain, and often has a rustic or minimal look. Fable is a great brand for understated stoneware, crafted by artisans in Portugal using traditional techniques. Their Base Dinnerware Set comes in an assortment of colours and includes four dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and breakfast bowls. For a more luxurious option, Lorenzo and Royalty Porcelain offer regal-looking sets, such as the Vintage 47-piece Gold Dinnerware Set.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a glossy and elegant choice for dinnerware, although not as durable as stoneware. Stone Lain has multiple options for porcelain dinnerware, including the beautiful swirled 16-piece Marble Porcelain Dinnerware Set and the Modern Gold Splash 16-piece Dinnerware Set.
Glass
Glass dinnerware is a modern choice, although more fragile than other materials. Luminarc is a French brand that offers dishwasher and microwave-safe glass dinnerware.
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Frequently asked questions
Some dinnerware sets that are suitable for everyday use include the Gibson Round Stoneware 16-piece Dinnerware Set, the Williams Sonoma Apilco Porcelain Dinnerware Set, and the Corelle Vitrelle 18-piece Dinnerware Set.
For formal occasions, you may want to consider the Lenox French Perle 4-piece Place Setting, the Wedgwood Gio 16-piece Dinnerware Set, or the Red Vanilla Extreme Bone China Dinnerware Set.
Dinnerware sets can be made from a variety of materials, including bone china, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, glass, and melamine. Bone china, porcelain, and stoneware are generally considered more durable and suitable for everyday use, while melamine is a good option for outdoor dining or families with young children.
When choosing a dinnerware set that matches your style, consider the colour, pattern, shape, and design of the set. White dinnerware sets are common and can give you a lot of flexibility, but you can also find sets with simple designs or in various colours to match your personal style.
When purchasing a dinnerware set, consider the number of settings, the types of dishes included, the dish shape and size, the care instructions, and the durability of the set. It is also important to read the fine print to ensure that the set is microwave and dishwasher-safe.