When you think about dining sets and what comprises them, it will seem like there is no way you could look more closely at it other than a bunch of plates and utensils of all forms and sizes. But these bunches of objects can actually affect the general output of a dining experience. Terracotta and International China used in a meal can give a different vibe compared to when using Pyrex dinnerware.
But first, you should understand the basics. The essential fact about dinnerware is that they are needed to make dining more comfortable and classy. What most people do not know, though, is that the dinnerware itself can define the mood of the entire meal. Whether you choose cheap dinnerware sets or the most expensive ones, there are factors that will contribute to categorizing a meal from a fun casual dining experience to a fancy and classy meal.
Different Types of Dinnerware Sets
There are basically two types of dining sets based on what occasion they can be used. There are the casual dinnerware and formal dinnerware. While they differ greatly in that aspect, the big difference can also be seen in the type of materials that make them up.
The casual dinnerware is more comfortable and homey-looking. Albeit less sturdy and considered as cheap dinnerware sets compared to the formal type, the casual dinnerware sets are very convenient with them being microwavable and dishwasher-safe. You wouldn’t need to be careful when handling casual dinnerware which is exactly the opposite of formal dinnerware sets.
The formal dinnerware is understandably made from expensive materials which most often come in a classy look. Since they are expensive, they are not replaceable like casual dinnerware sets, which makes them not suitable for microwave use. They can’t even be cleaned through a dishwasher since they require more care than usual.
Materials Dinnerware Sets Are Made From
There are different materials used for dining sets, classified as casual and formal dinnerware sets. For the casual sets, there are five kinds of materials offered in the market:
- Earthenware – albeit a bulky look, this material has a lot of pores and is very fragile because of being created at a low temperature using unprocessed clay
- Glass – looks transparent or cloudy depending on the design
- Ironstone – looks like porcelain but is actually refined stoneware
- Melamine – a durable and shatterproof plastic which makes the dinnerware sets very sturdy
- Stoneware – opposite of earthenware, created with polished clay using higher temperature
For the formal dinnerware sets, there are only two materials mostly used in the market. They are very expensive and irreplaceable at the same time:
- Bone China- looks creamy white which is made from bone ash porcelain
- Porcelain- best type of stoneware created at the highest temperature plausible
Factors to Consider When Shopping for Dinnerware Sets
The materials and types of dinnerware sets are some factors that should be considered when shopping for a set of your own. Besides this, your budget should also be taken into account. This will tell how much you are willing to pay. And whether you are going for cheap dinnerware sets or the expensive ones, other factors which you need to consider are the number of people in the house, the number of pieces you want to purchase and your preference when it comes to colors, patterns, and shapes. So whether you will go for Corelle, Campbell’s or Mikasa, you will need to consider these factors. Explore our affordable line of cheap dinnerware sets now.
* Originally published on Beckalar December 04, 2014
