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Dinnerware: Types, Materials, and Styles

Having the right dinnerware is just as essential for everyday dining as it is for formal occasions, celebrations, and hosting guests - everything from chic dinner parties to casual outdoor entertaining. Let's explore the various dishware options that showcase your personal style, whether it's an eclectic mix-and-match approach or a totally coordinated look. From traditional porcelain dinner plates to modern patterned serving bowls, and everything in between, you can set an unforgettable table.

Types of Dinnerware

Everyday Dinnerware

Everyday dinnerware includes the pieces you use on a daily basis for family meals. It’s robust, practical and frequently dishwasher- and microwave-safe. While low maintenance is key for quick and easy cleanup, you don’t have to sacrifice on sophistication. Stoneware and earthenware dishes are popular in this category, and families with kids will often add in some shatter-proof melamine dishes.

Formal Dinnerware

Intended for special occasions like holiday dinners and other formal celebrations, this type of dinnerware is often made of more traditional and high-quality materials, like porcelain or bone china. Exuding timeless and classic style, you can choose a more minimalist aesthetic or opt for something that’s handcrafted and features a special finish or an intricate pattern. Usually more delicate than everyday dishes, these more formal sets tend to include additional pieces, such as teacups, saucers and serving dishes.

Children's Dinnerware

Specifically for kids, these sets are often made of plastic or melamine, which is durable and less likely to break if dropped. Including everything from plates and bowls to cups, they may feature fun designs or characters that appeal to youngsters. Aiming to make mealtimes more fun, they can also be holiday-themed or linked to a seasonal celebration.

Specialty Dinnerware

These sets are designed for a specific purpose, for example, sushi plates or pasta bowls. Created with a particular food in mind, they may feature unique shapes or designs that enhance the dining experience. You can also use them with other foods and for other purposes, simply to add a charming global vibe to your table setting.

Materials Used in Dinnerware

What your dinnerware is made of can affect not just its appearance but also its durability and weight. Do you want something that's easy to store and chip-resistant when stacked? Or are you looking for something that can be carried outside without much effort? Here, we explore some common materials and lay out their pros and cons:

Ceramic Dinnerware

A popular choice for both everyday and formal settings, ceramic dinnerware is made of clay and fired in hot ovens, which makes it durable and able to withstand high temperatures. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, from monochromatic to hand painted to singular reactive glazes, it can be a relatively affordable choice.

Porcelain Dinnerware

Elevate mealtimes with porcelain dinnerware, considered one of the finest and most durable materials for dishes. Made from a mixture of clay and other substances, it’s fired at high temperatures to create a hard, glossy finish that adds simple elegance to any tablescape. Often more expensive than other types of dinnerware, porcelain can last for many years with proper care.

Melamine Dinnerware

A popular choice for families with young children, melamine dinnerware is made of durable and break-resistant plastic and comes in a range of chic colors and designs. Lightweight and frequently dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleanup, it’s a perfect choice for stress-free dining either indoors or outside.

Acrylic Dinnerware

Designed with both plain and textured finishes, acrylic dinnerware has the look and feel of glass, but is break-resistant, so makes a more practical choice for the patio and taking on picnics. Full of European alfresco-dining style, it brings an elevated modern vibe to mealtimes without the stress and worry of more delicate dishware.

Styles of Dinnerware

An easy way to update your dining room style, your choice of dinnerware also has an impact on the ambience you’re trying to create at any given mealtime. With a range of styles to consider, choose one with just the right vibe:

Traditional Dinnerware

Characterized by classic designs in soft pastel tones and often featuring delicate trims, traditional dinnerware is perfect for formal occasions or for anyone who prefers a more elegant look.

Contemporary Dinnerware

Featuring clean lines, simple shapes, and bold colors or patterns, contemporary dinnerware is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to everyday dining. Dress it up or down by adding table linens in complementary hues.

Rustic Dinnerware

Made of natural materials such as stoneware or earthenware, rustic dinnerware often features textured finishes or earthy colors. It's perfect for casual and cozy meals with family and friends, or pair it with simple linens in complementary tones to bring a chic country-modern aesthetic to more formal mealtimes.

Artisanal Dinnerware

Handmade and unique in shape or design, artisanal dinnerware can be used as a matching set or as an accent to more simple dinnerware to add a touch of artistry to your tablescape. Often inspired by different traditions or cultures, it’s a charming way to add interest and global appeal to your table setting.

From porcelain to plastic, practical everyday use to elegant fine dining, there’s a dinnerware option to suit your needs. Choose the right one to match your lifestyle and personal aesthetic and create a dining experience that’s just right for you.