How to Choose Tableware for Your Home
Choosing tableware isn’t just about colour or shape — it’s about how you live.
The right pieces should work for everyday meals, feel comfortable to use and elevate your table without making it feel formal. Whether you’re replacing old sets, moving into a new home or upgrading from high street basics, this guide will help you choose tableware that suits both your space and your lifestyle.
Start with How You Use Your Table
Before thinking about style, consider how your tableware will be used.
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Do you eat at the table every day?
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Do you host regularly?
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Is your kitchen open-plan?
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Do you prefer a clean, minimal look or something softer and warmer?
If you use your table daily, durability matters as much as appearance. The best tableware is designed to be used — not saved.
Stoneware vs Porcelain: What’s the Difference?
Understanding material helps you choose confidently.
Stoneware
Slightly heavier feel
More tactile and textured
Ideal for everyday durability
Relaxed, modern aesthetic
Porcelain
Lighter and smoother
Often more refined or formal
Traditional appearance
For most modern homes, high-quality stoneware strikes the right balance — durable enough for daily use while still feeling elevated.
Choosing Tableware by Interior Style
Your tableware should complement your home, not compete with it.
For Relaxed, Textural Homes
If your interiors feature natural materials, neutral palettes and warmth, textured stoneware works beautifully.
→ Explore the Arenito Collection
For Timeless, Classic Interiors
If you prefer pieces that feel slightly more refined but still practical, opt for subtle detailing and clean silhouettes.
→ Explore the Pearl Collection
For Coastal or Warm, Neutral Homes
If your space feels relaxed and inviting, softer profiles and understated finishes bring ease to the table.
→ Explore the Comporta Collection
For Contemporary, Minimal Homes
If your style is clean and uncluttered, choose simple forms with subtle texture for depth.
→ Explore the Friso Collection
Everyday Practicality Matters
Premium tableware should be practical.
Look for pieces that are:
- - Dishwasher safe
- - Microwave safe
- - Durable enough for daily meals
- - Easy to mix and match
The best choice is one you’ll reach for every day without worrying about it.
Mixing vs Matching
Matching sets feel neat and cohesive.
Layered tables feel more relaxed and considered.
You don’t need to replace everything at once. Many customers build their tableware gradually — starting with dinner plates and adding bowls or serving pieces over time.
Neutral palettes make this easier, allowing collections to work together.
When Is It Time to Upgrade?
If your current plates feel:
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Too thin
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Easily chipped
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Trend-driven
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Or simply uninspiring
It may be time to choose pieces that feel more substantial and timeless.
Upgrading doesn’t mean overly formal — it simply means better quality and better design.
Why Portuguese Stoneware?
Portugal has become known for producing durable, design-led ceramics that balance tradition with modern technology.
High firing temperatures create strength and longevity, making Portuguese stoneware a reliable choice for everyday homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tableware for everyday use?
Durable stoneware is often the best choice. It’s practical enough for daily meals while still feeling refined.
Should everyday plates be white or neutral?
Neutral tones are the most versatile. They work with different interiors and allow you to layer over time.
Is heavier tableware better quality?
Weight alone doesn’t determine quality, but well-made stoneware often has a reassuring, substantial feel.
How many place settings should I buy?
Most households start with six to eight settings and add serving pieces gradually.
Can I mix different collections together?
Yes — neutral palettes and complementary textures make mixing easy and often create a more relaxed look.
Choosing Well, Once
The best tableware isn’t trend-led or overly decorative. It’s thoughtfully made, easy to live with and designed to last.
Choosing well once means you’ll use it daily, host confidently and feel comfortable with it in your home for years to come.
Contact us
Call us
Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm so call us on 01753 883862
Chat to us
Hit the chat icon in the bottom right hand corner and a customer services representative will help with your enquiry during office hours. For order updates you can use this function still out of hours.
Email us
Email us at info@layeredlounge.com and we will do or best to reply within 12hrs of your enquiry.
Our Showroom
Come visit us at our showroom where we have a small selection of items on show. Should you wish to see anything specific particularly items of furniture then do please call us first so that we may get the item ready for you.
Unit 8, Anamax Industrial Estate, Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 7BB
Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm