Dinnerware on a table is the main attraction of a meal. It expresses the personal style of a homeowner, and it sets the mood for a dining experience. Choosing the right dinnerware for a home is important. Read on to find out what you should look for when shopping for new dinnerware.
Materials for Dinnerware
When you want to find a dinnerware set, the first thing you should look at is the material that it is made of. Bone china is durable, elegant, and lightweight. It is an excellent choice for everyday use because it is chip resistant and does not break easily. It is the strongest kind of china, and unlike fine china, it is also dishwasher and microwave safe. Porcelain is another durable everyday option. it is also non-porous, dishwasher and microwave safe.
Earthenware, on the other hand, has a sturdy, casual appeal and is usually quite heavy. It is best to keep this type of material from hot temperatures, such as microwave ovens, to keep it looking its best. Stoneware is more durable than earthenware because it is has a special finishing glaze from high firing temperatures. It should not be exposed to high heat or freezing temperatures, and some pieces may require hand washing.
Melamine is an entertainer’s dream, as it is shatterproof, and difficult to break or chip. Melamine dinnerware is perfect for outside picnics and dinner on the deck. It is safe for the dishwasher but is not suitable for the microwave.
Styles of Dinnerware
It is important to consider what you will be using the dinnerware for. It may be helpful to have several sets of dinnerware for different occasions. Porcelain and bone china make great formal dinnerware sets, while earthenware and melamine are perfect for everyday and casual use.
In addition to choosing dinnerware on the formal to casual spectrum, there are other style factors to consider. Dishes can be hand-painted, solid, patterned, or banded. Using colors and patterns is a great way to personalize your kitchen and dining rooms. However, neutral creams or white dishes are the most versatile of all dinnerware sets.
How Many Place Settings to Buy
The term place setting refers to the number of items included in the set to be placed at the table for one person. Dinnerware is available in three, four, or five-piece (and sometimes more) place settings. A 3-piece place setting consists of a dinner plate, saucer, and cup. A 4-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, saucer, cup, and salad plate. A 5-piece place setting adds a bread-and-butter plate or a soup bowl.
The number of place settings to buy depends on the size of the family and the type and frequency of entertaining that is done. Eight place settings can last a single person several days, but a large family might use the entire set in one day. A family that often entertains may enjoy having one, or even two, twelve place settings.
Complement with Open Stock
Although dinnerware is usually sold in sets, it can also be purchased in open stock. This means that pieces are sold individually, rather than in a full set. When dishes are broken or lost, adding to a set by buying in open stock can be a frugal way to complete sets again.
There is great variety in style and design with dinnerware sets. Keep the above tips in mind as you look around for the perfect set.
