One of the main attractions to any dining table is dinnerware. Having beautiful tableware enhances your meals and sets the mood for the perfect dining experience. After all, it is much more than crockery, and you get to express your style as well. You can purchase from online stores like House2Home Crows Nest and transform your dining table with stunning dinnerware. But, before that, you will have to understand the differences between the various types of dinnerware. Additionally, you will have to know which is suitable for elegant dinner parties and the key pieces for daily use. With this ultimate guide, you can ensure that you will gain knowledge and select the set ideal for your home.
What are the types of dinnerware materials?
Although it comes in various patterns and colours, your prime focus must be the type of materials. Some of the most common types of materials include bone china, melamine, porcelain, and stoneware. Below listed are the types and their benefits.
- Bone China: Bone China is made from animal bones or bone ash combined with porcelain at a lower temperature. It is translucent with a milky appearance and extremely lightweight. Additionally, it is robust and more durable than most ceramic dinnerware. It is also dishwasher-safe and can easily go in the microwave and oven. If there is a formal occasion, you can utilise Bone China.
- Earthenware: Earthenware is a ceramic that has been glazed and fired. It is reasonably priced than the other types. Although it has a thick and rustic look, it is prone to chipping. When compared to the other types, it is not durable and strong. Usually, earthenware is porous, so you must avoid submerging it in water. It can be utilised in the microwave, but it is recommended to consult with your manufacturer first.
- Porcelain: Porcelain is a versatile material, which is non-porous and incredibly durable. They are microwave, dishwasher, and oven-safe. They are great for formal dining occasions, and you can ensure they make your meals look elegant.
- Melamine: Melamine dinnerware is unbreakable and perfect for outdoor use. It is suitable for dishwashers, but you cannot put it in the microwave or oven. This material is also BPA-free.
- Stoneware: To produce stoneware, the clay is fired at higher temperatures, and glass material is added to it, making it more durable. This material is extremely versatile and utilised in casual settings. It is freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe. But make sure you don’t expose stoneware to extreme temperature changes.
- Vitrified glass: Vitrified glass is an opaque glass that is non-porous and durable. You can safely use them in the microwave and dishwasher.
How to select a set of dinnerware?
Before deciding what you want, you must consider various options or factors like place settings, open stock and so on. Keep reading to know about them.
- If you plan on building a collection, you must definitely look for place settings. It is also ideal for couples and individuals. The five-place setting pieces are salad or dessert plate, bread plate, teacup, saucer, and dinner plate.
- Dinnerware sets with multiple place settings provide for more than 4 people. Additionally, they can take care of the whole table. For example, a 20-piece set includes a salad plate, teacup, saucer, and dinner plate for each setting.
- The dinnerware that is sold piece by piece is called open stock. The open stock is definitely a great option if you want a few pieces or love to mix and match.
- As per experts, you must have 8 to 12-piece place settings for general use and entertaining. Whether to buy them for casual or formal use depends upon the size of the family, the amount of space you have to store extras, and the frequency at which you entertain your guests.
You can purchase from online stores like House 2 Home Crows Nest and make your dining table look elegant. You can pick dinnerware sets that complement your house decor. You can also look for interesting textures with a little mix-and-match of various styles. But, in the end, it also depends upon your personal taste.
