How to Choose Luxury Dinnerware: A Comprehensive Guide
Some plates and dishes have the magic to instantly turn an ordinary family dinner or a casual gathering with friends into an unforgettable fine dining adventure. We want to share with you what these pieces are and how to choose luxury dinnerware to create a little magic of elegance and beauty anywhere—whether it’s in your apartment, your villa, your yacht, or your private jet. Explore all the details right now, guided by our experience in fine dining and décor projects.
Luxury Dinnerware: Tableware as a Way of Life
Did you know that the phrase luxury dinnerware has a much deeper meaning than just a beautiful kitchen plates set or traditional handcrafted dinnerware?
These are elite essentials, brought to life through the talent and painstaking work of true masters who transform the creative visions and ideas of real artists and lovers of beauty into reality. The range of tableware as an art of luxury is vast, but all these pieces share one purpose: they are made not just to serve food, but to bring aesthetic pleasure and to reflect the lifestyle, status, and even the family history of their owner.
The True Value of Luxury Dinnerware
All luxury dinnerware sets carry sense, the signature design, the quality, and the durability of the materials. At the same time, exclusive pieces create a special kind of mysticism, transforming any space, setting a distinct mood, and leaving unforgettable impressions.
For example, Raynaud porcelain brings the cozy spirit of a countryside château and the warm charm of old-world Europe; meanwhile, the crisp, minimalist geometric designs on modern Nymphenburg porcelain give the feeling of an art gallery and conceptual sophistication.
Isn't that a kind of magic?
Steps to the Perfect Choice: How to Choose Luxury Dinnerware
Selecting your first—or next—luxury dinnerware set is a journey where every step matters, so you have to be sure your deluxe table setting brings you the result you dream of. Our creative team at MDMAISON is ready to share a few secrets that will help guide you in choosing dinnerware.
Understanding Your Style and How to Choose Dinnerware Color
Some of our clients are guided by the traditional design choices. Some are open to trying something new—especially when it comes to décor and color, like opting for bold, lavish classics or ultra-modern minimalism in muted tones. Therefore, take time to understand your own style and design preferences.
So, how to choose dinnerware color:
- Neutral tones create a calm backdrop that highlights the beauty of any dish.
- Watercolor-inspired shades add softness and a touch of delicate elegance.
- Deep, rich tones are perfect for a festive atmosphere, adding drama and visual weight.
- Gold or platinum details are perfect for festive and prestigious occasions.
For example, the refined floral patterns and traditional French tones from Haviland pair beautifully with classic interiors and events like anniversaries or weddings, while the modern, understated look of white porcelain with matte and glossy textures from Hering Berlin feels right at home on a yacht or in a sleek, contemporary kitchen.
Choosing Dinnerware: Picking the Right Materials
For every luxurious dinnerware collection, the true markers of extravagance are the quality and type of material used.
- The most popular dinnerware material is porcelain. The purest whiteness comes from hard-paste porcelain, like the unique Limoges porcelain from France: such items like Bernardaud or J.L Coquet give a clear, bright ring when lightly tapped, gently letting light pass through.
- Another top material is bone china or imperial porcelain. The secret behind its delicacy, aristocratic charm, soft touch, and unique milky hue is bone ash.
- Faience and ceramics—terracotta and majolica—are more porous and textured materials, carrying an old-world charm, a touch of Provençal elegance, and a warm, rustic feel.
- Stoneware, with its high density, serves as the foundation for larger pieces that have a satisfying weight and a solid, substantial feel. Such designer plates are excellent for boho or Scandinavian-style settings.
Remember, when it comes to materials, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe—just keep your needs and lifestyle in mind as you choose.
Thinking About Practical Use
Beauty is important, but your dishes should also fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. When buying a high-quality dinnerware set, you should first picture how and when you’ll be using it.
Here are a few practical questions to help guide your thoughtful choice:
- For what occasion? (for special celebrations, beautiful dinnerware for everyday use, plates for decoration, or versatile pieces for any purpose).
- For how many people? (classic full sets for 6 to 12 guests, or custom sets with exactly the number of pieces you need).
- What pieces do you need? (a full or basic set, or collections where you can handpick exactly the tableware items you want).
- How should it be cared for? (delicate plates that require hand washing with gentle cleaners, or modern dinnerware with refined, durable décor suited for everyday life, microwave and dishwasher use).
The biggest mistake you can make is buying something beautiful and never using it. You should choose a design that brings you joy every day, not one that simply sits untouched in a cabinet.
Paying Attention to Brand Heritage and Craftsmanship
When you buy legendary brand pieces, you step into a world of beautiful creations rooted in the historic art of table setting.
So, how to choose a dinnerware set with brand heritage and craftsmanship in mind?
Take a little time to explore the history—a journey spanning decades or even centuries, with handcrafting techniques, passed down through generations, that adds true value to every plate and cup.
For example, the oldest European manufactory, Meissen, has been creating exquisite plates since 1710, and to this day, each one is hand-painted, following the centuries-old traditions established at the Saxon court. But modern labels are also full of unexpected success stories and offer equally refined parts for luxury table settings, following trends—just like Non Sans Raison and Marie Daâge do.
Chasing Emotion, Not Trends
In the rush to find the perfect dinnerware, it’s easy to get swept away by big names, trending styles, and sleek online showcases.
But how to choose the best dinnerware that will truly speak to your heart? Look for emotion!
Luxury premium dinnerware will truly bring you joy only when it resonates with you on an emotional level. Trends will come and go, but you should own pieces that you’ll love to admire, no matter the time or occasion.
Mix and Match Art
One of the pleasures is learning how to blend different luxury dinnerware collections with the pieces you already own. The mix-and-match art will open up a whole new and exciting world of style and beauty for you.
Where to start if you want to combine different designer tableware collections later on?
Here are a few tips from us:
- Find a common thread or concept to keep the mix looking elegant (color palette, material, or shape).
- Create a balance between textures and decorative elements.
- Play with color (mix shades and contrasting tones, but do it with balance).
- Create stylish eclecticism (incorporate different eras to enjoy the contrast between tradition and modernity).
There are no strict rules—trust your sense of beauty, and experiment with a touch of grace and harmony.
What You Should Mention When Buying Luxury Dinnerware
Finally, let’s look at what you need to mention when buying porcelain dinnerware sets:
- Every famous brand is wonderful, but you should really love the set and enjoy using it: buy for your feelings instead of just for the name.
- Consider how a luxury set will fit into your daily routine and lifestyle.
- Select the items you will use instead of buying a full set if you don’t actually need it.
- Mention the size and storage: think about how to keep your new dinnerware and showcase it.
- Follow more than just fleeting trends, but future prospects and heritage opportunities.
A Few Final Thoughts
You are learning now how to choose the best dinnerware—to make a thoughtful purchase you’ll never regret, one that feels truly worth it all.
We understand that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re faced with so many prestigious brands, luxurious designs, and high-end collections. That’s why we, the experts at MDMAISON, are always ready to guide you in selecting the perfect sets for any style, purpose, and price range. Choose the form of contact that’s most convenient for you—from online consultations to private meetings and enjoy our expert advice, professional support, and reliable delivery anywhere in the world.
Let your choice be thoughtful, and may your luxury dinnerware bring you nothing but joy—we’ll take care of all the details.
FAQ
Which dinnerware set material is best?
The finest materials are considered to be Limoges porcelain and bone china.
What is the most durable dinnerware?
The most durable dinnerware is made from bone china.
What color dinnerware does food look best on?
Food always looks its best on fine porcelain—whether it’s pure white or vibrant, colorful tones.