A Guide to Buying Tableware

At the end of the manufacturing process for stoneware dinnerware, a special finishing glaze adds a layer of sheen, shine and strength to the product. Not only does this give the product a smooth finished look, but it also makes it virtually impenetrable when it comes to drops, breaks and cracks. Stoneware is a strong material, however, it can’t be exposed to high heat or freezing temperatures, so it’s important to take this into account when considering purchasing a stoneware dinner set. 

Our friends at Royal Doulton have a fantastic range of stoneware dinnerware available, including their popular Ellen Degeneres and Gordon Ramsay collections. Explore sets like the Gordon Ramsay Maze - Light Grey 12 Piece Stoneware Dinner Set and the Ellen DeGeneres Soft White 16 Piece Dinner Set (perfect for a family of four!)

Porcelain is traditionally made from a silicone material called kaolin that gives porcelain products their flexibility, plasticity and strong structure. Porcelain dinnerware is also made from pottery stone, which gives the material its hardness and translucency, as well as its non-porous surface. Porcelain is an extremely strong dinnerware material, as it is:

• Capable of being fired at up to 1200 degrees centigrade
• Dishwasher safe
• Oven safe
• Microwave safe (however if the piece has a metallic accent, don’t put it in the microwave) 

Looking to Royal Doulton again, our friends there have been manufacturing ceramics and porcelain since 1815, so when it comes to porcelain dinnerware, they’re the highest quality choice. Our personal favourites from Royal Doulton’s porcelain collections include 1815 (a vibrant and colourful range of porcelain) and Pacific (rigorously tested porcelain that’s highly durable and perfect for everyday use).

When choosing a dinnerware set for everyday use, you’ll need to be focused on keeping things practical and ensuring the items you choose are durable. Your everyday dinnerware set will probably be exposed to chips, cracks and breakages, so opting for a beautiful fine china or bone china dinnerware set could be a good option. This material is world-renowned for its strength and durability, and is likely to stand up better to the chips and cracks it may be subjected to being used every day. This is especially true if your countertops are stone or granite and your dinnerware might be subject to some rough handling. 

When it comes to the style and color of everyday dinnerware- the only limit is your imagination! You can indulge your creativity and mix and match pieces or sets to create a unique and beautiful table setting. Adding color, texture and flair to your everyday dinner set makes every day feel that little bit more special. After all, life is an occasion, so why not celebrate it!

With everyday dinnerware, you also want to make sure that you’re choosing a set that’s of superior quality such as our Gio collection, which was especially designed for everyday use.

It’s a much better idea to spend a little more and choose a dinner set that’s going to last you a lifetime, rather than skimping at the beginning and then having to fork out for a new set in a few years (not to mention the cheap plates that always seem to smash in the dishwasher!)

‘Always remember that any everyday tableware can also be used for formal occasions with thoughtful mix and matching with other formal tableware and glassware pieces.’

‘There is no wrong or right way in selecting a tableware set. However, it is important to think of the various occasions and style of occasions it will be used for, and the type of food that will be served in it. The personality of a tableware set has an important role in setting the mood of an occasion.’

There are many different items that can make up a dinnerware set, such as:

• Dinner plates
• Multi-purpose bowls for cereal, soups, noodles, stir-fries and so on
• Side plates for salads, starters, desserts and tapas-style meals
• Bread and butter plates
• Mugs and teacups
• Saucers
• Trays
• Serving platters
• Knives, forks and spoons

You can have your favourite pieces that you use every day, or you can have a special set that comes in handy when hosting friends and family. The choice is up to you! 

A good idea is to buy a dinnerware set that accommodates the number of people in your household, such as the Wedgwood Gio Set for four people or the Wedgwood Gio Gold Set for a single diner. 

Wedgwood dinner sets come in a host of different sizes and configurations, ranging from two to twenty-six piece sets. Here are some examples of what is included in a variety of our standard dinner set sizes.

Offering complete service for four people, as well as a rectangular tray and oval platter to really enhance your table setting.

• 4 x dinner plates
• 4 x 9 inch salad plates
• 4 x bread and butter plates
• 4 x teacups
• 4 x saucers
• 4 x soup/cereal bowls
• Rectangular tray
• Oval platter

Perfect for everyday use and offering complete dinner service for four people.

• 4 x dinner plates
• 4 x 9 inch salad plates
• 4 x soup/cereal bowls
• 4 x mugs

The perfect dinnerware set size for one person, this size of set includes:

• 1 x dinner plate
• 1 x salad plate
• 1 x soup/cereal bowl
• 1 x mug

Wedgwood china dinner sets are strong and durable in their essence, however there are still measures you can take to make sure you are serving your family and friends on your Wedgwood china dinnerware for years to come.

Here are some tips for washing your Wedgwood china dinnerware set:

• Wash dishes straight away to remove any acidic or sticky food residue.
• When handwashing, wash each dish individually using a mild liquid detergent and a non-abrasive cloth. Having a plastic tuc in the sink is also a good idea, as it will protect the china from the harsh stainless steel of the sink.
• If using a dishwasher, take care not to overload the rack, and keep metal items away from your fine bone china - even light contact can scratch, chip or crack your dishes. 

Here are some tips for keeping your Wedgwood china dinnerware in stunning condition:

• Soak your pieces in white vinegar for three minutes before rinsing and towel drying them to remove hard water spots.
• Remove coffee stains from mugs (as well as fork marks from plates) by rubbing a paste of baking soda and water over the dinnerware before rinsing and drying. 
• To prevent scratching and chipping your fine bone china dinner set, put it in a fabric storage case, or put segments of fabric, tissue paper or napkins between each piece when stacking. 

You can see our full Care Guide and Bone China material guide to ensure your Wedgwood products last the test of time.

As well as being exciting to buy for yourself, dinnerware sets can also make a fantastic gift for a family member or friend. Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, Christmas, graduation or any kind of special occasion, gifting a loved one with a stunning piece of dinnerware that they will cherish and enjoy for years to come is a beautiful feeling. Browse the Wedgwood range of dinnerware to choose the perfect pieces for you to spoil that special someone with.