Adding Style and Function with Unique Salt and Pepper Shakers

Today, salt and pepper shakers are more than just functional serveware accessories - they are a reflection of personal style and an easy way to enhance your dining and hosting experience. Whether setting the table for a festive gathering or simply adding flair to your daily meals, incorporating your unique salt and pepper shakers can shake up any table. 

The Invention of Salt and Pepper Shakers

 

Before salt and pepper shakers were invented in 1858, people kept their salt in little bowls and sprinkled it over their food with a spoon. Once a way to prevent salt from clumping was discovered, people started using salt and pepper shakers to conveniently shake a perfect portion of seasonings onto their dishes. Today, the history of salt and pepper shakers continues to be shaped by the additions of stylish designs, collections, and even a unique salt and pepper shaker museum.

Why Use Unique Salt and Pepper Shakers?

 

We love to add our personal style to the table wherever we can, and one way is with subtle tabletop accessories. Unique salt and pepper shakers are functional little accents that can go a long way in supporting a theme or adding visual interest to the tablescape. There’s a time and a place for traditional salt and pepper shaker sets, but we love to shake it up with shaped shakers and sets that blend beautifully with your place settings and serveware. 

Unique Salt and Pepper Shakers as Table Accessories

 

Accessorize your tablescape with unique salt and pepper shakers to elevate any occasion. These table accessories can pull your whole look together, reflecting your theme in a thoughtful and unexpected way. Smaller table accessories like shakers can also be a small and affordable way to switch up your table without a big investment, so your guests are impressed with simple changes.

Sparking joy and starting conversations are easy when a seemingly mundane object is transformed into a festive design element of your tablescape. You may even find that collecting unique salt and pepper shakers is a fun new hobby - one that lets you search for a set for every season! 

Our Seasonal and Holiday Salt and Pepper Shakers

We enjoy switching out our dishes for each season to refresh our surroundings. Include your unique salt and pepper shakers in the swap. It’s a simple way to elevate your tablescapes or kitchen countertops for your seasonal and holiday gatherings. Some of our favorites include:

Rabbit Salt and Pepper Shaker 

Adorable rabbit-shaped salt and pepper shakers will enhance your Easter tablescape. The neutral white makes them a cohesive addition to a spring color palette or your Easter dinnerware. 

 

 

Turkey Salt and Pepper Shaker Set 

Guests will be delighted to season their meals with these turkey-shaped shakers. While ideal for Thanksgiving, they are perfect for the autumn season with a neutral color palette that can be incorporated into any tablescape. 

 

 

Holly Ruffle Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

This shaker set features a more traditional shape with ruffled edges as a unique accent. The holly illustrations in white, red, and shades of green match perfectly with the Balsam and Berry Collection and also coordinate with other red and white dinnerware.

 

 

Tree Salt and Pepper Shaker Set 

This unique salt and pepper shaker set spruces up any table it sits on and pays homage to the natural beauty of the winter season. Shaped like a classic Christmas tree and neutrally colored, this set pairs beautifully with any color scheme and is durable enough for everyday use. You can use these picturesque mini trees during the holiday season as a festive addition to your table, or all year for a tablescape inspired by nature. 

Santa Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Even your holiday table can get a visit from Santa with these Christmas salt and pepper shakers. Perfect for the festive season, these unique salt and pepper shakers are hand-painted a clean white color, so they blend in seamlessly with your other Christmas décor and table dressings. 

Christmas in the Village Salt and Pepper Shakers 

Add a punch of red to your seasonal tablescape with this Christmas-themed salt and pepper set. Featuring a wraparound illustration of a vintage Christmas village with red tops, these shakers are sure to add a festive feel to any meal. Display the set alongside the rest of our Christmas in the Village collection or with any serveware that could use a lively sprinkle of holiday cheer. 

Everyday Salt and Pepper Shaker Sets

 

Unique salt and pepper shakers aren’t limited to your holiday designs. Everyday salt and pepper shaker sets can be added to your table as a bold or complementary accent throughout the year. The best part about shaker sets is that with just a little effort, you can switch them out and customize the table to elevate your every day.  

Deco Gold Scallop Salt and Pepper Set 

This unique salt and pepper shaker set is practical yet undeniably glamorous. Handcrafted with metallic gold detailing, these shakers complement the rest of the Deco Collection beautifully or can be woven into a tablescape alongside any Coton Colors collection that speaks to you. 

Iris Blue Pip Pedestal Salt and Pepper Shakers Set  

These white and blue shakers add the right amount of playfulness and elegance to your table year-round. You can use these unique salt and pepper shakers with the rest of our beautiful Iris Blue Collection or incorporate their soft colors into any other Coton Colors collection.  

Signature White Ruffle Salt and Pepper Shaker Set 

In our Signature White Collection, we combine function and style to make a lovely set of refillable salt and pepper shakers. These shakers feature our signature ruffled edges and hand-painted brush strokes so that they catch the eye even with their neutral hue. Our white ruffled edge salt and pepper shakers make a versatile staple on your table as they complement any collection or theme. 

Which Shaker is for Salt, and Which Shaker is for Pepper?

 

Which shaker you use for salt and pepper is totally up to the user and can differ by country and culture, along with your taste preferences. In Europe, pepper was historically a rare spice, so it was often stored in the shaker with fewer holes. Those wishing to decrease their sodium intake may place salt in the dispenser with fewer holes because it flows more easily than pepper, and this can slow it down, so you have more control over your sprinkling. 

Most Coton Colors salt and pepper shaker sets include a shaker with one hole and a shaker with two holes. Our family prefers the salt in the shaker with more holes. The jury is still out on this one and you can pick what’s best for you.

How Many Salt and Pepper Shakers Should You Have?

 

Because shakers are small table accessories, we recommend having a couple of salt and pepper shakers on hand. They’re a great option for a design that can change up how a table looks and feels, plus they’re easy to store. At a large family gathering, no one likes waiting for the salt or pepper to be passed, so having multiple options is a plus. 

If you’re just starting your serveware collection, having at least one everyday shaker set is a must. Depending on which gatherings you host seasonally, you may want to add one or two festive and unique salt and pepper shaker sets to your collection. 

The Best Salts and Peppers to Fill Your Unique Shakers

 

We recommend fine-ground seasonings to ensure they flow easily through the shaker holes. Sea salt is a more natural option and comes in a variety of coarseness levels, but table salt gets the job done just fine. 

For your pepper shaker, you can use pre-ground black pepper. While we know many love freshly ground pepper, pre-ground pepper is wonderful for its consistency {you’ll get the same in every teaspoon for your recipe} and its ability to easily mix with other seasonings for delicious new creations. If you’re looking for something different than plain black pepper, consider using finely ground white pepper, which has a milder flavor profile {and won’t be as visually noticeable in your recipes for those pepper-averse kiddos at your table}. 

Where to Place Salt and Pepper Shakers on the Table

While you can place salt and pepper shakers anywhere on your table, they are most functional somewhere everyone can reach. Try placing your shakers at the center of your table, regardless of whether you have a small round table or a large rectangular one. This way, your unique salt and pepper shakers can be visible and easy to grab and pass. When putting your shakers on a countertop or buffet while hosting a gathering, remember that salt is typically kept on the right and pepper on the left. 

 

Can You Put Other Seasonings in Salt and Pepper Shakers?

 

Don’t let the name limit you in your use; fill your unique salt and pepper shakers with seasonings you use frequently, and enjoy the convenience of having them always on hand. With your favorite spices in shakers, you’ll be more likely to remember to use them, and you won’t have to get up from your meal to add a dash. 

     

Suggestions for Alternative Shaker Seasonings:

• Cinnamon sugar – Keep this on your kitchen counter as a delicious addition to your morning bagel or next to your coffee maker to top your latte foam.
• Seasoned salt – Whether you make it yourself or pre-purchase, keep it easily accessible on your counter in your unique salt or pepper shaker.
• Popcorn flavoring – Make movie nights even more exciting by filling your shaker with a tasty topping to sprinkle on your freshly popped popcorn. 

Cleaning your Unique Salt and Pepper Shakers

You don’t have to clean your shakers often, but if the taste is off or you’re noticing that the seasoning isn’t flowing well, it might be time for a scrub. It’s also a good idea to clean them out before swapping from one spice to another.

 

Steps to Clean Shakers:

1. Make sure all seasoning is emptied out by opening the shaker and thoroughly dumping out any remaining spices. 
2. Fill a bowl with warm water and mild dish soap. 
3. Place the shakers and lids in the warm water and let them soak for 3-5 minutes.
4. Use a tiny brush {like a bottle brush or a toothbrush} to scrub the inside and outside of the shakers.
5. Thoroughly rinse each of the shakers and lids with warm water.
6. Let the shakers air-dry upside down on a towel! {You’ll want to ensure they’re fully dry before refilling since moisture can cause your seasonings to clump.}

Other Ways to Serve Seasonings

If your seasoning is too coarse for a shaker but perfect for your meal, you have other options. Consider pairing a small appetizer bowl with an appetizer spoon as a makeshift cellar. Add your signature seasoning for a pretty presentation.

Some of our other favorite seasonings to use on dishes include:

• Garlic salt
• Lemon pepper
• Truffle salt

Other Unique Ways to Accent Your Table 

Unique salt and pepper shakers aren’t the only way to personalize your table; many other table accessories and décor are must-haves for hosts. Some of our favorites include:

• Fun candles can make all the difference in lighting and ambiance.
• Different plants and floral displays can liven up your table. 
• Practical placemats and cloth napkins can make your guests feel like they have a valued place at your home. 
• Butter dishes, toothpick holders, cake stands, and ice buckets are all functional table accessories that can be used to style a table. 

Salt and pepper shakers may seem like small details, but they can have a big impact on your tablescape. Customizable for any occasion, unique salt and pepper shakers are more than just tools – they are conversation starters, collectable objects, and the perfect finishing touch for any gathering. Switch up your shakers depending on your mood or the season, and add a touch of personality and style for every occasion.