Dinnerware Styles

Dinnerware sets are available at home goods stores, department stores and even online.

Choosing the style of dinnerware you have in your kitchen can vary with the season along with your kitchen's overall theme and atmosphere. The style of your dinnerware will add to your kitchen's overall decor and presence. Dinnerware styles range from basic plain dishes to extravagantly patterned plates and bowls, depending on your own personal tastes and preferences.

Modern and Simple Dinnerware

Choose a simple color scheme with one to three colors, or a scheme to match your kitchen's colors. Some modern color schemes include a simple black and white, along with white, black and traditional red. You can find an array of color schemes in craft books and on websites, such as Colour Lovers. Purchase square plates and square-shaped glasses to match your kitchen's modern theme. Appliances are often sold in black, white and red--along with stainless steel, which you can also incorporate with the modern style of dinnerware.

Tuscan Dinnerware

Purchase or create your own Tuscan-themed dinnerware for any kitchen with a Tuscan or vineyard atmosphere. Use yellows, browns, greens and reds in your dinnerware. Use rounded yet irregular-shaped (rigid edges and bumps) plates with patterns of fruit and bright patterns to represent Tuscany and to use for your main dish plates. Smaller plates in bright yellow and green will not distract from your main attraction plate with designs. Square tall glasses for drinking and a variety of wine glasses will complete your Tuscan-themed dinnerware set. Wrap your silverware in brown or red fabric napkins, securing them with copper or cast iron napkin holders.

Summer Dinnerware

Choose a summer dinnerware theme by reviewing your location's own summer weather, atmosphere and surroundings. Purchase summer dinnerware that matches your kitchen's current theme, but add brighter colors that also match and blend. Tropical patterned plates (both plastic and ceramic) are available during the summer season. Purchase bright and colorful plastic plates and cups for outdoor summer evenings and quick summer meals indoors. Add a colorful pitcher along with bright kitchen utensils to liven up your home's kitchen for the summertime. Bright summer-themed napkins are also available in a variety of colors at grocery and party supply stores.

Patterned and Themed Dinnerware

Choose a dinnerware set based on a specific theme you enjoy or a pattern, such as matching stripes in your kitchen's current setting. Some themes for dinnerware might include a floral pattern theme, with bowls, plates and drinking glasses with flowers and decorative floral patterns throughout. Other dinnerware themes might stem from a favorite movie of yours, a "retro" theme (based on a favorite decade) or even another culture you admire (such as Japanese dinnerware, Indian or Spanish-themed).

References

• Dinnerware Directory: Dinnerware Patterns & Brands

Resources

• Dinnerware Depot Inc: Dinnerware Depot, Inc.
• Gracious Style: Choosing Your Dinnerware
• Pfaltzgraff: Dinnerware Sets
• Colour Lovers: Color Trends + Palettes