Plates With A Beautiful Twist

Dinnerware is about more than just functionality – it's an extension of your style and can help create the right ambiance for any occasion. From elegant, classic designs to fun, brightly coloured plates, there's something to suit every taste and budget.

If you're looking for a full dinnerware set, you might opt for porcelain, an affordable and durable option that's dishwasher and microwave safe. For something more stylish and modern, stoneware is a trendy choice, while delicate bone china is perfect for formal dining or special events.

Whether you prefer a timeless, matching set or an eclectic mix-and-match scheme, investing in a beautiful set of plates can elevate mealtimes and make your food look even more appetising.

Best Overall

When it comes to choosing the best overall plate set, there are a few key factors to consider: versatility, durability, design, and value. While personal preferences will play a role in the decision, there are some stand-out options that tick all the boxes. Here is a detailed look at some of the top contenders for the best overall plate set:

Fiesta 4-Piece Dinnerware Place Setting

This set stands out for its classic, festive style and extreme durability. It includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug, and comes in a variety of bold, beautiful shades. The lip of the plates keeps food from slipping, and the dishes are microwave, dishwasher, and oven-safe. With proper care, this set will last a lifetime. The only minor drawback is the small handle on the mug, which requires careful handling when filled with hot drinks.

Amazon Basics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set

This set offers a timeless, minimalist appeal with its classic white colour palette. The set includes dinner plates, bowls, dessert plates, and mugs, and the pieces are lightweight yet sturdy. They are microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher-safe, making them practical and easy to care for. While the plates may vary slightly in thickness and evenness, this set offers excellent value for money.

West Elm Textured Stoneware Dinnerware

This stoneware set from West Elm is anything but boring, with a warm cream colour and textured patterns that make each piece unique. The set includes dinner plates, bowls, side plates, and mugs, and the textured stripes and dots bring visual interest to the table. While the heavyweight stoneware material is prone to chipping, the set is dishwasher-safe and resistant to scratches and marks. However, there may be some glazing defects and imperfections.

Our Place Set the Table Dinnerware

Our Place is known for its trendy, minimalist designs, and this 20-piece set delivers on style and functionality. It includes full-size plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. The plates double as lids for the bowls, making storage a breeze. The set is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe, and the pieces stack neatly for attractive and simple storage. However, the plates and bowls can get very hot in the microwave.

Red Vanilla Extreme Bone China Dinnerware Set

This elegant set from Red Vanilla features delicate edges and sleek swoops, adding a touch of refinement to any table. The 16-piece set includes dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and triangular soup bowls, and smaller sets and serving platters are also available. The pieces are lightweight, durable, and dishwasher and microwave-safe. While they are sturdy, care must be taken when stacking and storing to avoid chipping the corners.

Best Budget

If you're looking for beautiful plates on a budget, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some suggestions for the best budget-friendly plates that will add a touch of elegance to your dining experience:

Amazon Basics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set ($35)

This classic white dinnerware set offers a timeless and contemporary appeal. The dishes are lightweight yet sturdy and safe for use in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher. The set includes dinner plates, bowls, dessert plates, and mugs, making it perfect for everyday use or for those moving into their first apartment. While some minor imperfections in the glaze were noted, this set provides excellent value for money.

Fable New York Colorful Bamboo Dinnerware ($32)

This eco-friendly dinnerware set is made from organic bamboo fibre, non-GMO corn starch, and food-grade BPA-free melamine. It comes in a range of beautiful summery hues, bringing a cheerful pop of colour to your table. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and cereal bowls, with additional pieces available separately. While the finish may feel a bit dull, it effectively keeps food in place and resists scratching and staining.

Amazon Basics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set ($160)

If you're looking for a more comprehensive dinnerware set, the Staub Ceramic Dinnerware Set is a great option. This 12-piece set offers a subtle matte finish and a minimalist design that will complement any table setting. The set is available in a range of colours, including white, cherry, indigo, and turquoise. While it doesn't come with mugs, it includes dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, perfect for everyday use or special occasions.

Our Place Set the Table Dinnerware Set

Our Place is known for its trendy, minimalist designs and bold colour palettes. This 20-piece set includes full-size plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. The unique design feature of this set is that the plates act as lids for the bowls when stored, making it a space-saving option. The pieces are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and the raised sides prevent food from rolling off the plate.

Stone Lain Lauren Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set ($56)

This set offers a subtle hint of colour with its nearly-sage green hue and ribbed texture. It includes dinnerware for four people, with dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs. The pieces are dishwasher-safe and can also serve as attractive serving ware.

With these budget-friendly options, you can elevate your dining experience and make every meal feel a little more special.

Best Stoneware

Stoneware is a type of ceramic that is more durable than earthenware but heavier and thicker than porcelain and china. It is also versatile and easy to maintain, making it a great option for both indoor and outdoor dining. Here are some of the best stoneware sets available:

West Elm Textured Stoneware Dinnerware Set

This set is part of a larger coordinating kitchenware collection. The dishes are a warm cream colour and each piece is adorned with different textured patterns that bring visual interest to the table. The set includes four dinner plates, four side plates, four bowls, and four mugs, and is both dishwasher and microwave safe. However, stoneware is prone to glazing defects and chipping, so use extra caution when handling it.

Gibson Soho Lounge Sofia Coupe Stoneware Dinnerware Set

This elegant and sleek set serves four and comes with 10-inch dinner plates, 7.5-inch dessert plates, and 5.75-inch bowls. The coupe-shaped edges give it a modern look and are also functional, making it easier to scoop up food. It comes in various colours and patterns, including black, white speckled, and two-toned grey.

West Elm Kaloh Stoneware Dinnerware Set

The Kaloh Stoneware Dinnerware set from West Elm is a contemporary and elegant option for daily use and hosting. It has a textured look for a rustic flair with a modern design and colour options. The set of 16 includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four cereal bowls, and four pasta bowls, and is both microwave and dishwasher safe.

Stone by Mercer Project Hekonda Debossed Stoneware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set

This set will impress any guest with its organic elements of natural curvature and shape and a contemporary textured beige tone. The set serves four and includes a salad plate, dinner plate, bowls, and cups for each guest. It is both dishwasher and microwave safe.

West Elm Reactive Glaze Stoneware Dinnerware Set

This set adds a splash of colour to your table with its reactive glaze technique that produces unique colour variations and patterns. You can choose between a black-and-white or blue-and-green colourway. The set of 16 includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four cereal bowls, and four pasta bowls.

Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Matte Dinnerware Set

If you're looking for something contemporary and minimalist, this set is a timeless choice with a modern demi-matte finish. The 16-piece set contains four sets of dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs and comes in black, grey, and white.

Best Melamine

Melamine is a type of hard plastic that is lightweight, sturdy, and nearly indestructible. It is an excellent option for outdoor dining, especially if you have kids, as it is almost impossible to break. Melamine plates are also often dishwasher-safe, but they are not suitable for the microwave.

Gufaith 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set features a classic, boho-inspired aesthetic with a turquoise stoneware design and brown accent rim. It is lightweight yet durable, making it perfect for eating outdoors. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls, although it does not come with cups. It is dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe.

Craft & Kin Woodgrain Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set is an excellent choice for casual dining, featuring a striking wood-grain print that gives the illusion of wooden plates. The set includes four dinner plates, four salad/dessert plates, and four bowls. While the bowls are an unusual shape that some might not prefer for soup or cereal, the set is dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe.

Aidio Melamine Dinnerware Set

This set has a shabby chic design that will look good both indoors and outdoors. It includes four dinner plates, four smaller plates, and four bowls, although it does not come with cups. While the design might not be to everyone's taste, the set is dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe.

Certified International Sedona 12-Piece Dinnerware Set

This colourful set features rich hues and bright pops of colour, with red-orange and blue-green plates that are perfect for mixing and matching. It includes four dinner plates, four smaller plates, and four bowls, all of which are dishwasher-safe and break-resistant. However, the plates do have barcodes that need to be removed before use and are prone to superficial scratching.

Zak Designs Confetti Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set

This playful and attractive set is made with 40% recycled material and is available in six different colours. It includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls, although it does not come with cups or mugs. The plates are quite spacious and sturdy, but food can slide around due to the ultra-smooth finish. The set is top-rack dishwasher-safe but not microwave-safe.

Best China

When it comes to the best china, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, bone china is the thinnest, most expensive, and most delicate type of china, making it ideal for formal dining and special occasions. If you're looking for something more durable, porcelain is a great option as it's affordable, sturdy, and safe for use in the dishwasher and microwave. For a trendy and affordable option, stoneware is a popular choice, although it requires a bit more care as it can mark easily.

Red Vanilla Extreme Bone China Dinnerware Set

This 16-piece bone china set is both elegant and sturdy. The delicate edges and sleek swoops of the design make it a beautiful addition to any table setting. While it looks refined, it is also durable and dishwasher-safe. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and triangular soup bowls, with smaller sets and serving platters available in the same collection.

The White Company Symons Bone China Dinner Plate

If you're looking for a simple yet elegant option, this bone china dinner plate from The White Company is a great choice. At £16, it's an affordable way to add a touch of sophistication to your table setting.

Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Dinner Plates

For something a little more unique and playful, these dinner plates from Bordallo Pinheiro are shaped like cabbages. Inspired by the ceramic art of Portuguese ceramist Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro, this set is perfect for those who want to add a bit of whimsy to their table.

Our Place Set the Table

This 20-piece set offers a bold and trendy option for those who want a fully matching set. It includes full-size plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. The plates also act as lids for the bowls, making it a space-saving option.

Leeway Home The Full Way

Leeway Home offers a 44-piece set that includes four complete place settings with stackable mugs, dinner and salad plates, bowls, and elegant stemmed wine glasses. The stoneware dishes are available in solid earth tones or with colourful striped rims, adding a fun twist to your table.

So, whether you're looking for something elegant and delicate like bone china or something more durable and affordable like porcelain or stoneware, there are plenty of options to choose from to create a beautiful table setting.

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