Setting a table for a meal isn’t just about laying out cutlery and crockery. Instead, it is a type of art that dictates the dining experience. Whether gathered for a day-to-day meal or a soiree` with friends, the right tableware never fails to set the tone of the evening. If you are looking to enhance the vibe of your dining area or want to buy dinnerware online that suits your persona- here is a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right dinnerware for your dining table.
Understanding Dinnerware Materials
The first thing to understand about dinnerware is that it comes in different materials. While each material has its benefits, it’s important to choose a set that ticks your personal preferences, including look and function. Here are a few common materials used:
Bone China
Lightweight, elegant, and super strong, bone china is the most common dinnerware material available in the market. Being a type of porcelain, it gives a delicate appearance and is translucent too.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a popular choice for its elegant look, lightweight and durable nature. Being highly chip-resistant, it is suitable for both formal and informal settings. Porcelain has the additional benefit of having a non-porous surface, making it easier to clean too!
Stoneware
The most trending and stylish option in dinnerware materials, stoneware has a glazing finish with an impervious finish. Premium brands like Wakefit use this material not only for their stoneware dinner set but also for their kulhad set of 6 to serve hot cups of coffee or tea in an earthy aesthetic appeal!
Earthenware
With immense sturdiness as its superpower, earthenware is one of the oldest materials that can potentially last a lifetime!
Melamine
Want to impress your guests in style without fearing a shattering accident? Choose melamine plates to enjoy a shatterproof meal as it’s harder to break.
Glass
Glass is a common and durable option in dinnerware as it has been fired at different temperatures. Both tempered and vitrified glass are great non-porous options for dinner sets.
What is Included in a Typical Dinner Set?
While there are no restrictions on how you choose to set your table, here are a few basic must-haves that complete the luxurious look while offering optimal functionality.
- Salad plates: Smaller than the main meal plate, these are served at the beginning of a meal and are often plain in design. As the name suggests, these are perfect in size to serve a small serving of salad.
- Dinnerplates: A dinnerplate set is a type of plate used to serve the main dish of the meal. Every home requires a basic dinner plate set to be able to host people over meals. Although the term used is ‘dinner’ referring to the last meal of the day, it is coined to refer to the heaviest or main dish of the course served on the plate.
- Cutlery: This includes the regular forks, spoons, and knives used to navigate through your meals. Colour co-ordinate these to your dinnerware and you’ll instantly have a win!
- Mugs, Cups and Saucers: No dinnerware is complete without the signatory cup of tea or coffee to follow. A gorgeous cup and saucer set in porcelain or stoneware can instantly uplift the décor of your space while offering a great opportunity to bond with your guests over a hot beverage. Grab a tea cup set in polychrome to get a bit of both colours. Alternatively, ruffle the look by choosing unique coffee mugs that can assist a steaming conversation too!
- Bowls: Bowls are useful to serve dishes or even eat from. Round-shaped, they fit in exceptionally well when paired with a plate when serving soup. Additionally, bowls can be used to pair ingredients, toss salads, serve gravies and much more. A top tip for those looking for portion control eating- invest in veg bowls online so you can keep track.
How to Choose the Perfect Dinnerware for your Dining Table
When choosing the most suitable dinnerware sets for 6 for your home, it’s important to consider a few factors apart from just the material, style and colour. For one, how many members of your home will be dining there regularly? How frequently do you host people? Do not let the misconception that a casual two or four-person seating cannot enjoy the benefits of a stunning dinner set. Even a set of 4 dinner plates can organize the meal process, offering a minimalist but stunning look. Here’s how you can choose the perfect dinnerware no matter how large or small a group you wish to host.
- Frequency of use: Are you looking for a set to use daily or only during formal events and festivals? It is always advisable to keep two different sets with one being used for a daily setting that is chip-resistant, shatter-proof, re-heat friendly, and easy to wash. While the other set can focus on being more decorative and entertaining.
- Durability: It is worth purchasing durable options for homes with busy small hands of children. Chances are you will be using dinnerware daily that could be at risk of chipping, shattering and needs to withstand daily use.
- Storage: Storing multiple sets can be a challenge, especially, if you are cramped on space. Ensure to plan where extra dinnerware can be stored and consider storage solutions in attics or garage spaces.
- Maintenance: Delicate dinnerware can be difficult to maintain, especially, if it must be handwashed daily. So make sure to pick dinner settings that are easy to clean, sturdy, and non-porous.
- Versatility: Dinnerware that can be used for multiple occasions makes them a big hit! Versatile pieces like quarter plates set of 4 and multipurpose bowls allow flexibility in different dining experiences.
- Add on: While dinner sets come with a complete pack of essentials adding on pieces like platters and serving bowls increases functionality.
- Budget: Dinnerwear with exotic materials and designs can be very expensive. Explore options that offer the best value for the investment made. Consider shopping during festival sales and promotions to save!
Whether you like the rustic charm, pure elegance or minimal modern, the right dinnerware can enhance the overall look of your space. As with any other piece of furniture and accessory, its important to invest in the set that is most suitable to your need.
