A Buyer’s Guide: What To Look For in Everyday Dinnerware

Choosing the perfect everyday dinnerware is about more than just picking out simple plates and bowls. When curating your dishes, you want them to blend seamlessly into your daily routine while elevating your dining experience. Selecting the proper dinnerware set can bring practicality, style, and versatility to your table, making every meal, from quick breakfasts to family dinners and celebratory gatherings, a little more special.  

What is Everyday Dinnerware? 

You keep these dishes in your cabinets year-round – the ones you reach for during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. These include the dinnerware staples that you use daily, like your go-to cereal bowls and dinner plates. The fundamentals of dinnerware include durability, versatility, and easy maintenance while still offering designs that complement your space and style.  

Along with dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs, everyday dinnerware can include the serveware you use often, depending on your family’s specific needs. It doesn’t include seasonal designs, like your special holiday dinnerware or fragile designs {unless that’s your “thing”} of course. 

What to Look for in Everyday Dinnerware? 

The best everyday dinnerware strikes a balance between function and style, providing you with well-made dishes that can easily transition from weeknight meals to gatherings with friends. Designs that feature unique edges or beautiful patterns appeal to your guests and bring an elevated look to any meal.  

Top Considerations When Choosing Your Everyday Dishes 

Durability – Your dinnerware should be made to withstand frequent use that fits your family’s lifestyle, whether you need microwave-safe dishes for heating up leftovers or dishwasher-safe designs that make cleanup a breeze. Materials like ceramic {we use stoneware and earthenware} are popular choices for their strength. 

Functionality and practicality – Look for shapes and sizes that fit your eating habits. Larger plates can be great for serving full meals, while you may want to stock up on bowls if your family enjoys a side salad with dinner.  

Style – The design is just as important when curating your everyday dinnerware. Choose styles that reflect your personal taste, whether that’s a neutral palette or a more modern pattern. Colorful glazes and designs can add a pop of personality to your table.  

Longevity – Opt for timeless designs and collections that can be expanded upon over the years, giving you flexibility as your needs or style evolve. While it may be tempting to choose the featured favorite, starting with something more classic that you can add on to with additional styles as you build your collection can increase the longevity of your dinnerware. 

Common Dinnerware and Serveware Materials 

There are multiple options for dish materials, like earthenware, stoneware, wood, porcelain, glass, or plastic. When choosing the right material, you want to consider the durability of the dishes while also considering the ease of cleaning them {dishwasher-safe is always a plus}.  

Earthenware and stoneware – Both made of clay and considered ceramics, you’ll find that these are commonly used for everyday dishes. The key difference is that stoneware is fired to a higher temperature.   

Porcelain – Usually thought of for special occasions and for your China cabinet {we love Herend fine China}. Porcelain dishes are chip- and crack-resistant and can withstand high temperatures.  

Melamine – Lightweight and incredibly durable, melamine dishes often feature vibrant, fun, and eye-catching designs. Melamine dishes are dishwasher-safe and won’t chip, crack, or craze, making them a great option for setting a kid’s table 

Wood – Wood dishes bring a more casual and natural look to your table while remaining an excellent choice for aesthetic appeal and practicality. They are durable, lightweight, and resistant to breaking, making them ideal for everyday use and outdoor dining. Wood dishes should be hand washed to increase their longevity.  

We offer dishes in several types of material. While most come in earthenware, we do offer stoneware designs, wooden dishes, and melamine plates for the kiddos. 

Does Dish Size Matter? 

You want dishes that are appropriately sized for their purpose and the meals you serve. Dinner plates should be large enough to hold a main dish and a couple of sides, and bowls should be deep and wide enough to hold your go-to soup and pasta recipes. After all, if your dishes can’t be used for their intended purpose, what’s the point of having them {even if they look good}? 

Are Your Dishes the Right Size? 

Dinner plates – The dinner plate is one of your collection’s most essential designs. Traditionally, a dinner plate should be 10in, but they can be 11in or 12in, depending on the intended purpose. This sizing will ensure the dinner plate does not entirely cover a charger in your place setting.  

Salad plates – Much like the dinner plate with the charger, you want to ensure that the salad plate does not wholly cover the dinner plate and can hold one standard serving of salad. Therefore, anywhere from 6.5in to 9in is the ideal salad plate size. Salad plates are an excellent way to add color to your overall collection but can also be used for dinner side dishes or smaller portions at breakfast, lunch, or dessert.  

Dinnerware Shape and Edges 

When choosing your dishes, you’ll want to consider the dish shape for the practicality of dishes with the meals you commonly serve in your home. For example, the raised edges of a plate can be helpful to keep your favorite sauces or dressings from spilling.  

Why is Plate Shape Important? 

Round plates are the most optimal choice as they are easily layered with salad plates and bowls when needed for special occasions. They are also considered more traditional, and the curved edges can help prevent chipping. Square plates add a more contemporary look to a table setting and can create a visually interesting plating arrangement by using the extra space in the corners.  

The Importance of Bowl Shape 

Bowl shape can affect the presentation of the food and, in some instances, how the flavor of the food develops. Much like plates, round bowls are the most common choice as they offer a classic and timeless style while allowing for even distribution of food. While square, oval, and triangular bowls bring a visually appealing design, they do not evenly distribute food as well and are more challenging to clean.  

Does Mug Shape Matter? 

We were super interested to find in our research, that in fact, the mug’s shape is important because it can affect the taste and flavor of the beverage inside. Who knew?! Tall, narrow mugs can keep the drink hot for longer due to the decreased surface area and bring out more of the aroma. Shorter mugs tend to make the drink more bitter and powerful, whereas wide mugs will make it taste sweeter.  

Dishes You Want in Your Dinnerware Set 

When curating your dinnerware sets for everyday meals, you’ll want to at least cover the basics. The “most wanted” designs usually include a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and sometimes a mug or platter. However, your dish sets should fit your family’s dining needs and preferences. To help, we offer a selection of dinnerware sets {at a discount!} that may make it easier for you to get started and stock up much more easily than buying one at a time.  

Selecting the Right Dish Set Option 

First, it’s important to decide the overall look you’re going for! If you want your dinnerware to match, you can buy dinnerware sets as a complete place setting with your dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and matching mug. If you’re going to mix and match or don’t need everything in a place setting, buying a set of four plates or four bowls can be the better way to build your everyday dinnerware collection.  

What’s Included in a Dish Set? 

Dish sets can make it easy to set your table in style – coordinating a dinner plate and bowl set can effortlessly bring a table’s theme together.  

Pro Tip: When shopping, start by exploring some of the beautiful imagery to get inspired. We've curated our Table Settings gallery just for this purpose! Then, browse the the variety of sets offered, taking care to read the fine print of the pieces included in the set. While the corresponding pictures can show dinnerware in different settings to inspire you, each design pictured may not include everything shown. 

Our 3 Types of Dinnerware Sets 

The 4 Piece Set – Includes one matching dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug or charger. Our four-piece dinnerware sets come at a lower price point than our individual dishes, so they are a great option if you're just starting to build your dinnerware collection or beginning a gift-giving tradition at a set price point.  

12 Piece Set – Includes four of each matching dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. A twelve-piece dish set creates a complete and beautiful tablescape for family dinners or entertaining guests. It equips you with plenty of dishes to choose from for your unique hosting wants and needs. One click and done for a family of four! Or, up your purchase quantity to two sets, and you have a complete set of 8 instantly! 

Sets of 4 – Includes four of the same design, whether that’s four matching bowls, plates, or mugs. With sets of four, you can completely customize your dining experience. Pair a set of 4 dinner plates in one style with a set of four salad plates of another design to curate a unique table setting you're proud of. 

Everyday Dinnerware Trends 

Modern dinnerware for everyday use often features bold colors, mixed textures, and unique patterns or shapes. We are seeing a shift toward colors such as dark indigo or forest green to create a dramatic and eye-catching tablescape. Changing dinnerware collections with the seasons is also gaining popularity as more people look to make mealtime a memorable experience.  

Choosing a Dinnerware Design 

When selecting your everyday dinnerware, you also want to consider your decorative accents and the overall aesthetic of your home. Your dishes should feel like a natural extension of your personal style.  

Whether you lean toward classic styles, modern minimalism, or a more rustic look and feel, your dishes should reflect you. Choose designs that go well with your home and any dishes you already own {and are keeping} so you can build onto your favorite existing dinnerware.  

Some options for choosing dishes that match your style include picking colors and designs that pair well with your current décor and dishes. Or if you’re drawn to bolder patterns or textures of serving dishes and home décor, a simpler set of neutral dishes can balance the look.  

Timeless Dinnerware Styles 

Neutral-colored dinnerware such as white, brown, blush, ivory, or black complement any dining room setting and work well with every home décor style, allowing your dinnerware to stand out. Natural wood dishes are also timeless options that look beautiful in any setting.  

Our Classic Dinnerware Options 

Signature White Collection – Simple yet elegant, our Signature White Collection can take your tablescape game to the next level while keeping it timeless and classic. Signature White adds a breath of fresh air to any table and is ideal for any celebration, whether you set your tablescape with an all-white dinnerware look or use these dishes as the backdrop for bright place settings.  

Fundamentals Collection – The acacia wood dishes from our Fundamentals Collection make your table stand out with warmth and the subtle texture of the natural wood grain. This collection offers flexible table options, with a stylish ruffle edge, which allows you to mix and match your dishes and linens to create a look that is your own.   

Bold Colored Dishes 

Adding vibrant hues and eye-catching details can enhance any table while complementing your style. Make a statement with colorful designs that bring your tablescape to life. If you love vibrant home décor, don’t hesitate to use bright hues in your dinnerware, too. 

Our Favorite Colorful Dish Options 

Buffalo Collection – This bright red and white check pattern is striking on any table. The Buffalo Collection dinnerware designs have become a customer favorite due to their versatility and style. Mix the dinner plates or bowls with neutral styles or let them stand on their own.  

Crew Collection – This collection features a bold black-and-white design with scalloped edges that make your table stand out. The Crew Collection combines a refined style with a bold tone to create a sophisticated look. Serve up this modern-meets-classic design the next time you entertain.  

Iris Blue Collection – The combination of bright white and gentle but impactful blues makes a bold statement on any table. The Iris Blue Collection designs feature patterns loosely inspired by a plant’s life stages from seedling to sprout. From a holiday party to summer entertaining, this collection will inspire stylish place settings.  

Coordinating your Serveware with your Everyday Dinnerware 

The serving dishes you use in your home should also complement your everyday dishes. If your serveware features vibrant patterns or colors, choose dinnerware that echoes those tones or provides a subtle contrast to enhance your table’s visual appeal without clashing. 

Incorporate Serving Platters 

Consider the versatility of serving platters when selecting new styles for your collection. Most households prefer to have a few different serving platters in various sizes to make hosting a bit easier.