The 13 Best Dinnerware Sets for the Design-Obsessed — To Bring Your Dinner Party A-Game

From ceramic to reactive glaze stoneware, these are the dinner sets that will bring style to your table

Five dinnerware sets from various brands with a lifestyle image in the centre and two displayed sets either side
(Image credit: Marks & Spencer; Farfetch; French Connection; John Lewis; Artemest)

It doesn't matter how good a cook you are; if your dinnerware set is not up to scratch, you'll lose prime hosting points (and if you're not a good cook, then all the more reason to make sure your table at least looks the part). Sure, a dinnerware set needs to be practical and durable, but it needs to look good, too.

We don't do 'basic' here at Livingetc. Even a classic dinnerware set has to have an edge — it needs to elevate your table. And there are plenty of design-forward options available in a range of styles and price points to suit your aesthetic; with classics from high street fave John Lewis to artful designs from Completed Works.

"There are options you can go for that will elevate your table settings without breaking the bank," says our editor, Hugh Metcalf. "Think artisanal designs that have a handmade quality to them, or plates that introduce interesting textures or glazes that can bring more of a 'quiet' quality to them than all-over prints and loud colors."

I recently bought new dinnerware myself, so I have studied the full breadth of stylish options available right now. Luckily for me, working with a team of interiors experts, I am constantly exposed to all the latest in design, from furniture and decor to the kitchen brands you need to know about. And so, without further ado, here are the 13 best dinnerware sets for a design-forward dinner table.

Best Artisan Dinnerware Set

Best Ceramic Dinnerware Set

Best Clay Dinnerware Set

Best Stoneware Dinnerware Set

Best Reactive Glaze DInnerware Set

Best Glazed Rim Dinnerware Set

Best Bone China Dinnerware Set

Best Splatter Print DInnerware Set

Best Earthy Dinnerware Set

Best Classic Dinnerware Set

Best Dinnerware Set for One

Best Build-Your-Own Dinnerware Set

Best Dinnerware Set as Art

Best Dinnerware Sets FAQ

Choosing the best dinnerware set can be difficult and there are a few things that you need to consider when making your choice. Our editor, Hugh Metcalf, has some tips to help with some of the most frequently asked questions.

How to Choose a Dinnerware Set?

A dinnerware set is a very personal choice, and it ultimately comes down to your style preferences. As our editor, Hugh Metcalf, advises, "This is where I'd generally keep it simpler with the design, looking towards softer, more neutral colors, and avoiding patterns (or choosing plates with patterned rims, only). You eat with your eyes first, and a plate of food that looks chaotic set against something too garishly bright or patterned isn't going to get your appetite going."

There are other ways that you can introduce color and pattern into your table set-up, such as your serving plates, of which you can have a variety to mix things up. "In my experience, no matter how much you spend on a dinnerware set, if you choose a plain white set, it's going to end up feeling a little more basic," says Hugh.

And outside of how your dinnerware set will look on the table, if you have open shelving, you need to be even more mindful of how the set will look on display. "I love a plate with an irregular shape that doesn't necessarily stack so neatly — it makes stacks of plates feel less functional and more like a piece of decor or art," Hugh continues. And I wholeheartedly agree — my dinner plates are irregular in shape, and I love the added interest the lack of uniformity creates in the stacks.

Does a Dinnerware Set Have to Match?

Again, this is largely down to personal preference. However, as Hugh explains, "I'm still a proponent of a matching dinner set, so still invest in plates, side plates, and pasta bowls that match at least. This makes layering them up on the table more cohesive, and we can avoid things like charger plates. Dessert bowls aren't so much of a must for matching, given it's always served separately, and this can actually be somewhere to experiment with design a little bit more.

"I'd never worry about mugs matching dinner sets, too — it's too limiting in the design, and mugs are your opportunity to buy into ceramics that act as great decor, too," Hugh continues.

A lot of it comes down to how you want your table to look and your styling preferences, but I agree on, at the very least, your main dinner plates and side plates matching.

What is the Most Durable Type of Dinnerware Set?

China is generally considered the most durable; however, "China, porcelain, and stoneware are all durable materials as they are vitrified at very high temperature," says Louise Rosie, Head of Design at Wedgwood, the British heritage tableware brand.

You will also need to consider how much you are planning on using your dinnerware set — will it be for everyday use or special occasions only? And ensure that you care for the set as advised (i.e., no sneaking it in the dishwasher if it's not dishwasher-safe)!


Hopefully, you've found the best dinnerware set for you in this edit — all that's left now is to make sure you're up to speed with the rules for entertaining.

Debbie Black
Deputy Editor (Digital)

Debbie is Livingetc's deputy editor (digital). She embarked on her career in the publishing industry almost 20 years ago, with experience spanning interiors and fashion brands across both print and digital platforms.

She has worked for titles including ELLE Decoration, World of Interiors, ELLE, Condé Nast Traveller, GQ, and Glamour, among others. She is a lover of all things interiors and loves planning a makeover project. She can often be found moving furniture and decor around her house for the millionth time or else watering her 50 houseplants!