Another important consideration is the size of the dinnerware set. Sets are often designated by how many pieces come in the set. The smallest size that's the most common is a four-piece set that usually contains a bowl, a mug and two plates of different sizes. Larger sets often have more bowls, plates and cups. You'll also see 12-piece, 16-piece and even 40-piece sets. Other sets may be more customized and contain five pieces, such as a teacup, a saucer and three different sizes of plates.
In general, choose the number of dinnerware pieces you think you'll need for how many people are using it. Many sets spell out how many people you can serve with the set. For instance, a 12-piece or 16-piece set is usually a service for four.