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Buying Everyday Dinnerware
Everyday Dinnerware Buying Guide
If you've ever attempted purchasing a set of everyday dishware, then you'll know that this seemingly simple task can become quite confusing at times. There's such a wealth of materials, shapes and designs to choose from today that the selection seems positively endless. Who knows how to decide between floral Corelle dishes and geometric earthenware ones? Between square stoneware bowls and round ones? That's when having a shopping guide to simplify things a bit comes in handy. Below we've provided you with the lowdown on all the variables and your different options:
Materials
Every day flatware is available in four basic materials, all of which are affordable, durable, easy to care for, and both microwave and dishwasher safe (unless otherwise noted by manufacturer). They include: Stoneware stoneware is a man-made version of stone, created from clay that is fired at extremely high temperatures, causing the material to be incredibly durable. Stoneware is highly scratch resistant (which is particularly great if you have little kids), impervious to water, and brownish-grayish in color, with a surface that is generally glazed.
Earthenware this material is made from kaolin clay, fired at a lower temperature. The result is a slightly porous dish which is quite pretty and fairly inexpensive, however not the height of durability. Earthenware can absorb up to 10% water, and for that reason it is not freeze resistant. It also is fragile, due to its porous composition, and is prone to breaking more easily.
Corelle this popular brand of dishware is quite unique in its composition. Corelle is known for the laminated, tempered glass from which it is made, known as Vitrelle. The substance is both extremely inexpensive and durable, while at the same time thinner and stronger than the other three dinnerware materials.
Glass - this option is nice and cheap, available in a full range of colors. Glass is, however, hard and brittle and therefore easily breakable. If you don't have little kids and are looking for a pretty, yet cheap, set of dishes, glass makes an excellent choice.
Beauty & Design
The design options available for everyday dinnerware are quite extensive. Below are some of the variables you should expect to come across:
Dish shape you'll find everyday dishes available in just about every shape, ranging from traditionally round, to funky square, to what can only be described as a retro-looking misshaped parallelogram. When it comes to the option of choosing a shape, you'll find that the sky's the limit!
Pattern everyday dishware is available in all sorts of fun prints and patterns. Some of the various patterns you're likely to come across include striped, polka dotted, floral and geometric print to name a few. Should you prefer purchasing a funkier print, make sure you really like it before you take it home or you may just wake up two weeks later with a cabinet full of dishes wondering, What was I thinking??!!
Color you might want to coordinate this with the general colors found in your kitchen, or perhaps according to your favorite tablecloth.
Some people prefer choosing a neutral white or ivory. The colors are plain, simple, and blend with everything around them. Other people prefer neutral earthy shades such as browns, terracotta or muted green. Then there are those of us that like to show off our personal style, springing for a bright blue or green, or perhaps even some red. You'll be eating off of them daily, so have fun with the color and choose what makes you happy.
Mix n' Match don't feel the need to confine yourself to one color or pattern. Feel free to mix and match. Try getting square bowls and round plates, or vice versa. Or how about striped plates and solid bowls? Or if you prefer to have all your dishes in one shape, then maybe you'll want to mix up your colors.
Try mixing up red dishes with white ones to soften the bright color, or mix a light green with a darker one, yellow with orange, or ivory with brown. Some sets even offer the option of mixing and matching three different patterns to form your own, personalized place settings. So don't feel the need to limit yourself to the traditional. Be creative and have fun.
Place Setting and Sets
This topic depends on the individual company and design. Many companies prefer to sell their dishes individually. Some companies sell their dishes both individually and by the place setting and/or the set. The average place setting ranges from four to five pieces. A four piece place setting will typically include a dinner plate, a salad plate, a cereal/soup bowl. and a mug. A five piece setting will typically include a dinner plate, a salad plate, a soup bowl, a teacup and a saucer.
You may wish to take into consideration purchasing a entire set of dishes, as it often proves to be the most economical of choices. Dish sets also have the added advantage of including various serving pieces. Sets are typically available with service for four, eight or twelve diners. They may include (or you may wish to purchase separately) any number of the following extras: a sugar bowl, coffee creamer, cereal bowls, lasagna dish, round platter, square platter, rectangular platter, salad bowl, dessert tier, pie plate, condiments tray, salsa and chips plate..
Next: Buying Dinnerware for Special Occasions
Previous: Dinnerware Buying Guide Intro
If you've ever attempted purchasing a set of everyday dishware, then you'll know that this seemingly simple task can become quite confusing at times. There's such a wealth of materials, shapes and designs to choose from today that the selection seems positively endless. Who knows how to decide between floral Corelle dishes and geometric earthenware ones? Between square stoneware bowls and round ones? That's when having a shopping guide to simplify things a bit comes in handy. Below we've provided you with the lowdown on all the variables and your different options:
Materials
Every day flatware is available in four basic materials, all of which are affordable, durable, easy to care for, and both microwave and dishwasher safe (unless otherwise noted by manufacturer). They include: Stoneware stoneware is a man-made version of stone, created from clay that is fired at extremely high temperatures, causing the material to be incredibly durable. Stoneware is highly scratch resistant (which is particularly great if you have little kids), impervious to water, and brownish-grayish in color, with a surface that is generally glazed.
Earthenware this material is made from kaolin clay, fired at a lower temperature. The result is a slightly porous dish which is quite pretty and fairly inexpensive, however not the height of durability. Earthenware can absorb up to 10% water, and for that reason it is not freeze resistant. It also is fragile, due to its porous composition, and is prone to breaking more easily.
Corelle this popular brand of dishware is quite unique in its composition. Corelle is known for the laminated, tempered glass from which it is made, known as Vitrelle. The substance is both extremely inexpensive and durable, while at the same time thinner and stronger than the other three dinnerware materials.
Glass - this option is nice and cheap, available in a full range of colors. Glass is, however, hard and brittle and therefore easily breakable. If you don't have little kids and are looking for a pretty, yet cheap, set of dishes, glass makes an excellent choice.
Beauty & Design
The design options available for everyday dinnerware are quite extensive. Below are some of the variables you should expect to come across:
Dish shape you'll find everyday dishes available in just about every shape, ranging from traditionally round, to funky square, to what can only be described as a retro-looking misshaped parallelogram. When it comes to the option of choosing a shape, you'll find that the sky's the limit!
Pattern everyday dishware is available in all sorts of fun prints and patterns. Some of the various patterns you're likely to come across include striped, polka dotted, floral and geometric print to name a few. Should you prefer purchasing a funkier print, make sure you really like it before you take it home or you may just wake up two weeks later with a cabinet full of dishes wondering, What was I thinking??!!
Color you might want to coordinate this with the general colors found in your kitchen, or perhaps according to your favorite tablecloth.
Some people prefer choosing a neutral white or ivory. The colors are plain, simple, and blend with everything around them. Other people prefer neutral earthy shades such as browns, terracotta or muted green. Then there are those of us that like to show off our personal style, springing for a bright blue or green, or perhaps even some red. You'll be eating off of them daily, so have fun with the color and choose what makes you happy.
Mix n' Match don't feel the need to confine yourself to one color or pattern. Feel free to mix and match. Try getting square bowls and round plates, or vice versa. Or how about striped plates and solid bowls? Or if you prefer to have all your dishes in one shape, then maybe you'll want to mix up your colors.
Try mixing up red dishes with white ones to soften the bright color, or mix a light green with a darker one, yellow with orange, or ivory with brown. Some sets even offer the option of mixing and matching three different patterns to form your own, personalized place settings. So don't feel the need to limit yourself to the traditional. Be creative and have fun.
Place Setting and Sets
This topic depends on the individual company and design. Many companies prefer to sell their dishes individually. Some companies sell their dishes both individually and by the place setting and/or the set. The average place setting ranges from four to five pieces. A four piece place setting will typically include a dinner plate, a salad plate, a cereal/soup bowl. and a mug. A five piece setting will typically include a dinner plate, a salad plate, a soup bowl, a teacup and a saucer.
You may wish to take into consideration purchasing a entire set of dishes, as it often proves to be the most economical of choices. Dish sets also have the added advantage of including various serving pieces. Sets are typically available with service for four, eight or twelve diners. They may include (or you may wish to purchase separately) any number of the following extras: a sugar bowl, coffee creamer, cereal bowls, lasagna dish, round platter, square platter, rectangular platter, salad bowl, dessert tier, pie plate, condiments tray, salsa and chips plate..
Next: Buying Dinnerware for Special Occasions
Previous: Dinnerware Buying Guide Intro
