There's a lot to think about when looking for dinnerware. You have to consider your home's existing décor scheme and decide if you want to keep the dinnerware out of sight or show it off through a cabinet with transparent glass doors. Other than the style factor, you must also think about size and weight. While most high-quality dinnerware is made from heavy-duty materials that are hard to carry, this doesn't have to be the case. There are plenty of lightweight dinnerware options made from durable materials.
You want your guests to enjoy their food without fretting about the dinnerware breaking, and it must be easy for you to clean and maintain too.
Lily is a modern designer with great appreciation for sleek architecture, a love for art in its many forms, and a passion for sharing her experience with people. If you’re looking for advice on how to modernize your old-fashioned place or make your new restaurant a visual blast, she’s definitely the one to ask.
With a design resembling rustic terracotta, this set is actually made from melamine meaning it’s not going to be as easy to break. Furthermore, the set is then topped with a gloss finish that is completely safe for food while it’s also BPA free. Lightweight and very durable, you can throw this set of bowls, dinner plates and salad plates into the dishwasher without any problem.
Classy dinnerware set made from melamine and featuring exotic blue and white touches of color. The set includes three pieces; a large blue plate, one smaller blue and white plate, and of course a bowl. The pieces are all designed to give your dining table a colorful update.
High-quality 12-piece dinner set made from heavy-duty, and BPA-free melamine. The set also comes with a durable break and chip resistant design and should be enough to serve four. The pieces are all dishwasher safe and come in beautiful blue pallets with touches of white accents.
Extra light dinnerware set featuring up to 12 pieces, including plates, cups, and bowls. The set is made from melamine and comes with a break and chip-resistant design. It is also available in several color palettes and should be ideal for daily use.
Simple in design, and with an array of more pastel-like colors, this set can add a touch of vibrancy without being too loud in the process. Dishwasher and microwave safe, it is lightweight, durable and also chip-resistant as an added bonus. With this set, you receive bowls, dinner plates and salad plates.
These ornately designed plates have a scrollwork design either around the borders or on the heart of the plate and resemble having being painted by hand. Made from premium melamine, it means they are chip and break-resistant while they are also safe to be thrown in the dishwasher. However, thanks to the pattern, you should not place them in a microwave. Elegant and Mediterranean in style, you receive bowls, dinner plates, and salad plates.
Impressions Urban Grid 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Corelle Lightweight Chip Dinnerware |
Incorporating a quite traditional design, this set is predominantly white with a blue floral design around the edges. Made from melamine, this set is also dishwasher and microwave safe while it is BPA free meaning you have no need to worry about any toxins. Resistant to chips and cracks, you receive mugs, bowls, dinner plates and side plates with this set.
Complete with a tropical fauna and butterfly design, this set is certainly colorful and a whole lot of fun at the same time. The melamine used means it can be put in your dishwasher but you need to avoid the microwave with it to be on the safe side. The set does contain bowls, salad plates and dinner plates with each piece being difficult to chip or break.
Available in 5 different colors, this enamelware has a marbled effect design which is quite cool and funky. Designed to last for years, the pieces are shatterproof while you can also clean them in the dishwasher while they are also oven safe. Complete with mugs, bowls, dinner plates and side plates, you have everything you need for entertaining 4 people.
Finished in a mix of blue and green hues, this set has a rather simple design and comes complete with dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal bowls. Lightweight and even chip-resistant, they should only be hand washed rather than placed in the dishwasher.
Complete with a colorful floral and butterfly design, this set is durable as well as being resistant to chips and cracks thanks to being made from melamine. For some, it looks like it is actually real pottery while every piece is safe to put in the dishwasher without worrying about it being damaged. With this, you receive bowls, dinner plates and salad plates.
This set has a cool, geometric and abstract design to it around the border which does give it something of a funky feeling. The set is also both dishwasher and microwave safe while it is also resistant to chips. BPA free, it means there are no issues with toxins while the set provides you with everything you need to serve 4 people.
Available in cotton candy, sanguine and lime colors, there is a real vibrancy associated with this set. Complete with bowls, dinner plates and salad plates, this set can be cleaned in your dishwasher but it’s not recommended to put them in your microwave.
With a pleasant, vibrant floral pattern this set is capable of making a real statement. Made from melamine, it is also coated with a gloss cover that is completely safe with food. Durable and chip resistant, it can be cleaned in the dishwasher although we do not recommend you using your microwave with this set.
Available in teal, cream or red, this set has an abstract wash design covering it that does make it somewhat modern in style. Made from melamine plastic, it is resilient, lightweight and can be placed in the dishwasher. However, it is not safe for the microwave.
With a vibrant, rustic pattern, this set will certainly brighten up your dinner table. The set is made from bamboo fiber melamine which does mean it is going to be resistant to chips and cracks while you can also place it in your dishwasher, but not the microwave. If you love the idea of a set that includes various shades of blues, greens and yellows, then this will be perfect.
This vibrant green set is actually made from bamboo fiber melamine, so there are no issues with toxins coming from the material. They are lightweight and resistant to both chipping and breaking while also being safe to go in the dishwasher. With this set, you receive bowls, dinner plates and salad plates that all have ruffled sides to add a nice touch to the design.
Simple and elegant in its design, this set is made from porcelain China. Mostly white with a band of taupe around the edge, it has a minimalist feel to it all while each piece is chip-resistant and safe for both the microwave and dishwasher. The set comprises of mugs, bowls, dinner plates, and salad plates.
Avalos 12 Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Roque Jacquard 12 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Cordoba 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Bone China 57 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
Vive Reminisce 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Hidalgo Braided 12 Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 (Set of 12)
Tia 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Bone China 57 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
Bone China 57 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
La Luna Bone China 57 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
Dancer and Prancer 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Sardegna 30 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 6
Modena 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Dorinda 12 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Sardegna 5 Piece Place Setting Set, Service for 1
Maret Bone China 32 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 6
La Luna Bone China 57 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8
Bosse 16 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
Melamine Dinnerware Set - 12 Pcs Dinner Dishes Set for ...
Corelle Livingware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set Aqua Tiles ...
Gibson Couture Bands 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
Pfaltzgraff Sylvia 32 Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 8, White
Dinnerware Set Melamine Lightweight Unbreakable Marble ...
Lightweight Dinnerware Set:
Fookei shop: Lightweight Dinnerware fine enough grass Bowl ...
Melamine Dinnerware Set - 12 Pcs Dinner Dishes Set for ...
Porcelain Dinner Ware Set 16PC 4person Set Lightweight ...
Melamine Dinnerware Set - 12 Pcs Dinner Dishes Set for ...
Whether you frequently entertain or you just want a classy table setting at home, dinnerware sets are a great investment for adding style, function and class to mealtime. But dinnerware sets range from classy to casual. So below we'll cover the pros and cons of different types, which styles work the best in certain situations and what size of set you should get.
You have a few main types of materials to choose from in dinnerware sets:
Bone china
This combines both worlds of looking delicate and being quite strong. It usually comes in styles of white. Some drawbacks are that it could look too dainty and high-end for casual styles and sometimes must be hand washed. It's also quite expensive.
Porcelain
This is a heavier type of dinnerware that is more affordable than bone china. It's very durable. It's also usually rated for microwaves and dishwashers. However, it also has an upper-class style that might not work in casual dining environments. Even the most durable porcelain can also crack or shatter if put down too hard on stone surfaces or dropped.
Melamine
This resin-type dinnerware is made to be extremely durable. It's resistant to shattering and chipping. It's also known for the wide variety of styles it comes in. It's made to mimic ceramic, but it also might look best in more casual environments, especially if the pattern is very colorful.
Stoneware
This has more of a casual look to it and is more chip-resistant. It comes in a wide variety of styles, as well. However, you do have to be careful while washing and heating food on it. It often needs to be hand washed. It can also heat up in the microwave.
Earthenware
This is the most affordable on the list. It's often glazed for added waterproofing, which makes for some fun and unique styles. It's less strong than the other options and is best for casual dining environments.
Dinnerware is often an artistic purchase that comes in a wide variety of styles. Below are some of the top types and in which situations they work best.
White
The most common style you'll see dinnerware come in is a basic white. These are often sold as part of home essential collections. Choose a white style if you're going for an upscale, classy look or party. These are often fine china or mimic the look. They also work well in sleek, modern table settings because of how bright and basic they are. White dinnerware with no ornamentation and basic shapes can also work in casual dining.
Black and white
If you have a more modern home that makes use of high contrast, a stark black and white dinnerware set can fit in with the overall style.
Neutrals
This covers dinnerware sets that come in understated tans, grays and the like. These work in casual dining situations because of how understated they look.
Pastel solid
Choose a solid pastel shade if your table setting makes use of light and bright coloring. Examples could be artistic styles that use high color, seasonal spring table settings or styles with a pastel accent color.
Colorful geometric pattern
This covers anything that has a colorful pattern on it. Some get quite intricate to the point of looking like a mandala or have a cultural look to them. Choose these for artsy styles or a home style that makes use of cultural items for a traveled look.
Theme picture
Some will have pictures on them, like woodland animals. Themes should fit your home's style, for example, woodland creatures would look nice in a rustic/cabin style. You might also select a holiday theme for parties.
Old-world cultural styles
Some dinnerware is made to mimic styles that were popular in years gone by in certain countries to give the look like the dinnerware is a family heirloom. For instance, it might have designs that make it look like old-world Italian china. Choose these sets for cultural styles or classic styles.
Bright solid color
Dinnerware of this style will either come in one bright color or with each piece in a different color for a primary color rainbow look. These look good in artsy homes or styles that work with accent color.
Dark solid color
These are a more understated and classy way to get some color into your home. These versatile dinnerware sets look good in timeless styles, regal styles or classic looks.
Glaze patterns
This type of dinnerware set has colors that bleed together in a ceramic glazing effect. These are great for casual table settings.
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.