The Elegance Of Porcelain Dinner Plates: Elevating Your Dining Experience

Porcelain dinner plates are a versatile and durable option for your tableware. They come in a variety of colours, from classic white to black matte, and in different shapes and sizes. Porcelain plates are also available in sets, with some being dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making them a convenient choice for everyday use. For formal occasions, you can dress them up with charger plates, linen placemats, and place cards. Porcelain dinner plates are a beautiful addition to any dining table, whether it's for a casual meal or a special occasion.

Porcelain dinner plate sets

Porcelain dinnerware sets are a great way to elevate your dining experience, blending functionality with style. When choosing a porcelain dinnerware set, consider the size of your household, the occasions you'll be hosting, and your personal style. Here are some options to get you started:

Gibson Home Oslo Set:

The Gibson Home Oslo Porcelain Chip and Scratch Resistant Dinnerware Set is a great option for a family of four. It includes 16 pieces, is scratch-resistant, and comes in a classic white colour.

Euro Ceramica Essential Collection:

If you're looking for something more elegant and sophisticated, the Euro Ceramica Essential Collection Porcelain Dinnerware and Serveware set is a wonderful choice. This 16-piece set services four and is perfect for those who appreciate the classic elegance of white porcelain.

Lenox Butterfly Meadow Set:

For those who enjoy a pop of colour, the Lenox Butterfly Meadow 18-Piece Casual White Porcelain Dinnerware Set is a delightful option. This set services six and features a beautiful butterfly design that will surely impress your guests.

Gibson Home Rockaway Set:

If you're seeking a more modern look, the Gibson Home Rockaway 12-Piece Dinnerware Set is an excellent choice. This set services four and comes in a stylish grey matte colour. It's also scratch-resistant, ensuring your dinnerware stays in pristine condition.

Noritake Lodi's Morning Set:

For a touch of sophistication, consider the Noritake Lodi's Morning 12-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set. This set services four and features a timeless white and blue design. It's a wonderful choice for those who appreciate attention to detail and want to make a subtle statement with their dinnerware.

When choosing a porcelain dinnerware set, it's important to consider your personal style, the number of people you typically host, and the level of durability you require. These options provide a range of choices to suit different tastes and functional needs.

Porcelain dinner plates for special occasions

Porcelain dinner plates are available in a range of sizes, from bread and butter plates to dinner plates and bowls. They can be purchased in sets or individually, with some retailers offering place settings for up to eight people. Some porcelain dinnerware is also dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe, adding convenience.

For those who enjoy floral prints, there are porcelain dinner plates with cascading petals, hummingbirds, and butterflies. These designs can bring a scenic countryside feel to the table. For those who prefer abstract designs, there are also true-to-life graphics and geometric patterns available.

A broader assortment of solid-coloured porcelain plates is also available, with options ranging from light to dark and vibrant to soft hues. For formal meals, white plates can be elevated with bands of platinum or gold. Holiday dinnerware is also available, featuring wintery designs and summery flowers.

Whether shopping for everyday use or special occasions, porcelain dinner plates offer a range of options to suit different tastes and needs.

Porcelain dinner plate shapes

Porcelain dinner plates come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most common shape is round, especially for dinner plates and saucers. However, square plates are also available and are more common in Asian traditions like sushi plates or bento, adding a modern style to the table setting. Another shape is the squircle, which holds more food than a round plate but takes up the same amount of space in a cupboard. A coupe plate is a round dish with a smooth, steep curve up to the rim, although some argue that this is a type of bowl rather than a plate. A ribbon plate is a decorative plate with slots around the circumference to enable a ribbon to be threaded through for hanging.

Porcelain plates also come in various sizes, including dinner plates, entrée plates, dessert plates, side plates, salad plates, soup plates, cereal bowls, luncheon plates, platters, and chargers. Dinner plates are considered the main individual plate and typically measure between 9 and 13 inches in diameter. Entrée plates, also known as half plates, dessert plates, or fish plates, have an 8.5-inch diameter. Dessert plates usually measure 8 inches, while side plates, also known as bread and butter plates, are 7 inches in diameter. Salad plates can be round, measuring between 7 and 8.5 inches, or crescent-shaped, designed to be positioned to the right of a full plate.

When choosing porcelain dinner plates, consider factors such as size, shape, colour, and design. White dinnerware is a classic and timeless option, while black or grey plates add a contemporary touch. Blue plates evoke a casual and intimate feeling, and colourful rims or reactive glazes create unique finishes. For a modern dining room, square-shaped dinner plates can add a bold touch, while round plates complement similarly shaped drinking glasses. Additionally, consider the lip or rim of the plate, which can vary in width and slope. Almost all plates have a rim to prevent food from falling off the edge, and it is often decorated, for example, with gilding.

Porcelain dinner plate colours

Porcelain dinner plates come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. White porcelain plates are a timeless classic, allowing the colours of the food to take centre stage. They are also a good investment as they are always in style.

For a natural, environmentally-conscious look, plates in earthy, rich tones such as sage green and dark brown are a good choice. Pastel colours like sky blue, baby pink, and mint green give a cute, retro feel, and are perfect for a homey meal.

Patterned porcelain plates can complement different cuisines and styles. A patterned rim on an otherwise plain white plate is a subtle way to add ornamentation. Patterns can also make simple-looking food appear more colourful.

Bright and colourful plates can be used to complete the theme of a restaurant or to determine allergies during plating. Blue plates, for example, can be used for gluten-free meals. Yellow plates have been shown to encourage people with Alzheimer's to eat larger portions, which is also why bright colours are often used for children's plates.

Black plates are an unusual choice, but they give the impression of generous portion sizes and make a striking impression on the table.

Gold or platinum rims on white plates elevate the dish for formal meals, while bands of other colours create a more casual, geometric design. Holiday-themed porcelain plates are also available, featuring wintery or summery designs.

Porcelain dinner plate patterns

Porcelain dinner plates are available in a wide range of styles, from simple white plates to those with opulent decorations. Here are some design ideas and patterns for porcelain dinner plates:

Plain White Porcelain Plates

The classic white porcelain dinner plate is a timeless option that never goes out of style. White dinnerware sets create a sleek and elegant tablescape, especially when paired with traditional silver utensils and soft-hued fabric napkins. For a more modern look, try pairing white porcelain plates with black matte tableware.

Coloured Rim or Glaze

For a subtle pop of colour, consider porcelain plates with coloured rims or reactive glazes. This adds a unique touch to your table setting while still maintaining a neutral palette. Reactive glazes create subtle patterns on the surface of the plate, making each piece one-of-a-kind.

Blue and White Patterns

Blue and white porcelain plates have a long history, dating back to the Islamic expansion into Spain and Mallorca in the 13th century. This Spanish-Moorish "majolica" style became popular during the Renaissance, especially in Italy, where it was known as "faience." Today, blue and white porcelain plates can be found in a variety of patterns, from traditional designs to more modern interpretations.

Gold and Platinum Accents

For a touch of luxury, look for porcelain plates with gold or platinum accents. These metallic details elevate the elegance of your table setting, making them perfect for formal occasions or special events.

Mix and Match

Don't be afraid to mix and match your porcelain dinner plates. Designer Stefanie Hering, known for her innovative approaches to porcelain plate design, encourages combining different patterns and styles to create unique tablescapes. This "Mix & Match" system allows you to shape your own dining experience and showcase your personal taste.

Whether you prefer classic white porcelain or more ornate patterns, there are endless options to choose from when selecting porcelain dinner plates. These design ideas can help inspire you to create a tablescape that reflects your unique sense of style.

Frequently asked questions