Many shoppers are overwhelmed when trying to decide which dinnerware to choose for their home. Dinnerware is a necessary household staple that conveys personal style and can add style dimensions to a kitchen and dining room. When buying dinnerware, shoppers should take special consideration regarding the use, size, cost and care of dinnerware.

The first thing to consider when buying dinnerware is how it will be used. Dinnerware is primarily divided into two categories: formal and casual. Some people may opt to buy something that is in between, however, many people choose to eventually have two sets. One set is used for everyday and the other set is used for holidays and special occasions. It is most common to find brighter colors and patterns on casual dinnerware and more muted or plain colors on formal dinnerware.

Once you have decided on formal or casual dinnerware, another thing to think about is size and place settings. To utilize already existing kitchen space without having to buy a buffet or additional storage, it is important to measure your cupboards before you purchase dinnerware because sometimes new dishes just don’t fit. Obviously, place settings for six will take up more space than place settings for four. A more common problem to be aware of is not being able to close the cupboards because the plates are too big. Additional space will also be needed for any extra serving items that may come with the dinnerware such as a serving bowl, a platter, a sugar bowl or a creamer.

It is also important to consider your budget when deciding on what kind of dinnerware to purchase. Most commonly casual dinner ware is less expensive than formal dinnerware. Place settings also come into place with budget as well as space. Depending on their budget and needs, shoppers may purchase a set with six or eight place settings, or they may buy individual place settings.

The material that the dinnerware is made of is another factor that should be weighed in the decision-making process. The most popular kinds of dinnerware are made from bone china, pottery or earthenware, porcelain, stoneware and glass. All of these types of dinnerware are made of clay, but they differ in how long they are fired in a kiln and what kind of clay is used.

Stoneware, pottery and earthenware are all made of similar clay. However, stoneware is fired at a very high temperature so it tends to be more scratch resistant than the other clay options. Porcelain is made of high quality clay that tends to be brittle and may break or chip easier. Bone china is a type of porcelain that has bone ash added to it, causing it to be very strong.

The most important thing to remember is that a dish will get broken. It is not recommended to buy closeout dinnerware because replacement pieces may be hard to come by. It is important to check with the manufacturer to find out if individual replacement pieces are sold separately.