Buying tableware: what should you pay attention to?

When my husband and I got married, we got a set of dishes. But in the course of time things have fallen apart. That is why I regularly bought plates at the thrift shop . Mostly because I fell for the beautiful flowers. In other words: our plates are a mess. How many plates do you actually need? And what can you choose? All plates, cups and bowls together form a service. And some people also count glasses with the crockery.

Tableware parts

• Plates for the hot meal

• breakfast plates

• dishes

• Soup board

• Pastry plates

• Cup with saucer

• mugs

How many plates do you need?

To answer the question 'How many plates do you need?' you can ask yourself the following questions!

1. How many people do you live with?

How many plates you need depends on how many people you are at home with. For example, our family consists of 7 people. So I need at least 7 large plates, 7 breakfast plates and 7 bowls for dessert.

2. What is your lifestyle?

In addition, the number of plates you need also has to do with your lifestyle. For example, are you someone who likes to give dinner parties at home? Or does someone regularly eat with them? Then you need more plates for guests.

3. Do you keep up with the household?

Also an important factor: did you wash regularly? People who are lax with washing dishes will need more dishes… But you can also consciously not buy more dishes to force yourself to wash on time, of course.

4. What are your eating habits?

There are people who are fine with spooning their custard or yogurt off the plate they just ate the stew from. In such a case, for example, you do not need dishes.

5. How much space do you have?

If you have a small kitchen, it is not convenient to have a lot of dinner set.

On average, for a one-person household, you can assume a 16-piece service: 4 breakfast plates, 4 dinner plates, 4 dishes, 4 pastry plates.

How do you choose good tableware?

If you want to play it safe, choose white tableware. And check the space in your kitchen cupboards in advance, and buy plates that fit well. You will only come home with beautiful plates, and they do not fit in your kitchen cupboard! The same goes for your dishwasher: buy plates that fit well in it. And also check whether your dishes can go in the dishwasher! Opt for porcelain instead of pottery. Porcelain is stronger and lasts longer.

The advantages of white tableware

You could roughly say that there are three styles of tableware: romantic, modern and classic. White is the safest choice:

• It goes with everything

• It's timeless

• The food looks great

• It is neutral and can be brightened up well with other plates

• No fading color or image from use