The Art of Buying Dinnerware
Whether eating with family or having guests over, chances are you will eventually be setting the table for dinner. And call them what you will – plates or dishes – dinnerware can be a focal point of your table. And it’s much more than just for serving food. Beautiful dinnerware complements your meals, sets the tone for your at-home dining experiences and expresses your personal style.
Regardless if you’re looking to upgrade or purchasing your first place settings, taking it step by step makes the process easier. Now, let’s find out what to look for when buying dinnerware:
1. Size of your cupboards should match your dishes
The first and most logical factor to consider beforehand is the size and space in your kitchen where you would keep your dishes. Yet despite the fact that this is an obvious consideration, it is actually an often overlooked point.
Before you buy plates, ask yourself if you have enough space in your cupboards and cabinets to serve as its place for storage. This is also important in choosing whether to go for stackable dishes or not. And even in deciding whether to buy one set of plates that is already for both everyday use and special events or separate sets to be used for specific occasions, the storage space could be the swing vote to help you decide on what to purchase.
2. Know your Materials
Before you start thinking patterns and colors, it’s helpful to begin your search by focusing on the material you like. China, melamine, porcelain, glass, slate, or paper– your options are endless. However, the point is every material has its advantages and disadvantages. Some are more practical than others, while some look better with certain types of food. Make sure to keep these in mind in making your selection:
- Bone China: It is lightweight and sophisticated. It has the distinct ingredient of bone ash which gives the body of the plate a unique milky white color. Aside from translucency, it makes the dish more resilient and less likely to brittle. Bone china is a durable option for both every day and special occasion dinnerware because it resists chipping. But because of the hefty price that comes with it, most people use it on special occasions only. If you are looking for high quality, better appearance, and most importantly, the healthiest tableware, bone china is your answer.
- Porcelain: In the ceramics family, porcelain is the supreme material. The properties of porcelain such as strength, elasticity, permeability and translucency has made porcelain a very durable kitchenware and a complete value of money. It is heat resistant and easy to clean making it both oven-safe and dishwasher-friendly. It has a visually pleasing appearance perfect for formal events.
- Stoneware: Because of their durability, stoneware dishes are of immense value to any cook. It is their clay composition that is treated at very high temperatures that give these vessels that particular look. They keep the food warm for a long time because the material has an inherent ability to store heat. They are much more resilient than china and porcelain dishes. The heavy coating of glaze applied to the clay base that makes these dishes so much more resistant to cracking or chipping. The special finishing glaze gives the material a smooth appearance and an impermeable finish that makes it family-friendly and ideal for everyday use.
- Melamine: Today, melamine is seeing a rise in popularity, and for good reason. Why? Because not only are designer melamine products fire and heat-resistant, easy to clean and virtually unbreakable, but it still serves as an elegant alternative to fine porcelain and ceramic. It is any entertainer’s dream to have shatterproof and break resistant dinnerware, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. They are typically dishwasher-safe however not suitable for your oven or microwave.
3. White plates are must-haves
Selecting a color for your dishware seems pretty straightforward. Get something you like, right? Well its not that simple really. Believe it or not, the color of your dishes, as well as the shape and the size have a huge impact on how you eat, as does the tablecloth, and decor. Shoppers should coordinate the color scheme with all of these as well as the stemware and flatware. It is easy to find both of the latter items in simple and contemporary designs. And so choosing a light, neutral color for plates is advantageous because it can be used at all major holidays and events, even with diverse table décor. In addition to that, food looks best on white plates. You don’t have a color or pattern on white dishes that competes with that gourmet meal, or fancy dessert you created. And so white is always, always a safe bet.
4. Invest in one quality set for both everyday use and formal dining
You don’t need to buy two sets of dishes. Invest in one nice set, and then dress it up or down with linens and extra serving pieces. You’ll save storage space and money! If feasible for you, instead of getting separate sets, buy one group of dishes that you’ll be pleased with for any occasion. That’ll let you enjoy your best dinnerware all the time.
However, buy enough pieces to host a big dinner party. There may only be two to four people in your household right now, but it’s wise to plan ahead for bigger families, parties, and gatherings. You’ll be so glad you did! If you have the space and can afford it, get at least enough settings in case pieces break. I think it’s important to get a good number. The recommended number of place settings is at least 12, for large families or frequent guest entertainers.
Ultimately, no shopper should feel limited in his or her choices for dinnerware. With these basic guidelines, you can find something that suits your individual tastes and preferences while staying within your budget. And in no time you’ll be setting the table in style with dinnerware that you love.