Types of Plates Every Home Needs: A Complete Dinnerware Buying Guide

You may have a range of plates but some are used regularly while others are piled at the far end of the cabinet. Not all plates become a part of your serveware collection just like that. Some, you bought out of necessity others came as a part of a dinnerware collection. Now, you don’t know how to effectively use them.

So, we have prepared a guide to let you know all the plates you need in your home. This way, you can keep the necessary pieces and create a dining experience that perfectly defines your home.

Essential plate types for every kitchen

You may have a number of plates sets in your kitchen but one may wonder which ones are essentials. One complete set that belongs to each isle across the dining table. Let us help you to pick the ones from the pile so that you can curate a clean and wholesome experience. To let the food be the hero and serveware may humbly sit in the servitude.

The first one in that list will be the dinner plate. It is for main course or for full course meals. A dinner plate is important to curate all the ingredients and meals where you want to have chapatti, rice accompanied by dal or curry.

A salad or appetizer plate will be required for lunches, side salads, desserts or toastes. It is perfect for smaller meals, appetizers and keeping sides separate from the mains. A pasta bowl, also known as blatter or soup plates which are rimmed and shallow. It features high sides thus, making it ideal for saucy meals, pastas and grain bowls. Thus, containing the sauces well.

Lastly, a side plate or a bread/ butter plate will prevent clutter or main plates and works as a quick surface for small bites. Therefore, easily managing snacks, breads, condiments or smaller sizes.

When it comes to materials, ceramic and stoneware offer the perfect combination of durability, scratch resistance and microwave or dishwasher safety. We will recommend keeping at least 6 to 8 of each type in your household. This would not only cover your standard meals but can spare some extras when a few are in dishwasher.

These are some of the tableware essentials that make up the types of plates for dining you are most likely to use every day.

Ceramic vs Stoneware Comparison

Stoneware is ceramic but not all ceramic is stoneware. They are different materials and play a significant role in the kitchen. Which one should belong among your serveware? First, let’s try to understand each of them through this table.

This ceramic vs stoneware plates comparison can also help you understand which material suits your everyday dining needs and preferences.

Plates for daily use vs entertaining.

Just like other families, daily plates and serveware collection are different from the ones that are reserved for the times when you are hosting guests. You can prioritize them based on functionality, lightweight, hassle-free cleanup and chip resistance. Following table can help you differentiate the two on various parameters.

For everyday meals, the best dinner plates for everyday use are those that balance functionality, durability and ease of care.

Choosing the right plate size

Picking the right sized plate is important, especially when it comes to Indian cuisine. Following which, at one point, you are trying to curate multiple ingredients in one plate and at another point you are serving one complete meal like biryani or khichdi.

Another important aspect regarding choosing the right sized plate is the portion served should not be too much so that it looks overwhelming or too small that it does not look appetizing enough.

Therefore, it is only important to invest in different kinds of plates but also of the appropriate size.

For instance, the size of a standard dinner plate would be 10 to 10.5 inches. It is also the modern standard for daily use that can easily fit in any dishwasher or kitchen cabinets. A large dinner plate of about 11 to 12 inches can encourage larger portion sizes. A dessert plate of size 8.5 to 9.5 inches can easily carry sandwiches, side salads as well as portion-controlled ingredients. They can also be your go-to choice for lighter meals.

Similarly, appetizer plate at around 6 to 7.5 inches is ideal for bread, small size appetizers, individual desserts. They are ideal for keeping side items separate from main sauces. A blatter or a bowl plus platter combines the area of 9 inches plates with 1.5 inches high walls making it suitable for curries or soupy meals, preventing any spills.

Lastly, a charger plate may only serve decorative purposes and are largest in your plate collection at 12 to 13 inches. These are right for multi- course formal meals and may collect crumbs.

Matching Plates with Table Décor

On an orchestra of a served table, plates may play a tiny role, but it should be in harmony with the rest of the pieces. Here are some suggestions to achieve the same.

1. Match the mood, not the colour.

Plates may not simply be in sync among themselves but also complement the table runner, the table mat, the centrepiece or the material of the table.

2. Try mixing different textures.

If your table is patterned, match it with simple plates or vice versa.

3. Coordinate with seasons.

Try brighter colours during spring & summer and darker tones as the slowly transition into autumn & winter.

4. One connecting element.

One colour, detail or pattern across the table can help you give a comprehensive layout. For example, pair golden rimmed plates with yellow runner or flowers as a centrepiece.

5. Layering can be the secret ingredient.

Curating same kind of plates and bowls may look boring. Therefore, mixing complementary pieces may make things interesting and carry your personal expression.

Ellementry handcrafted dinnerware collection.

Understanding the varied nature of families across the country, we have designed our dinnerware to carry all kinds of food and ingredients that are cooked at the hearth of your kitchen.

We acknowledge that the food should be served with equal grace and heart, the way it is cooked. That is why, in our dinnerware range we have brought together form and function. So, that meals are not only served but shared amidst joyful conversations and heartfelt laughter.

Ellementry’s dinnerware collection is rooted to hold all the cuisines and perfectly refined to serve your culinary and complement your hosting skills. Even if it is your regular meal or moment shared with you loved ones, we are here to elevate your living experience.

Explore our shop dinnerware collection to find pieces that bring function and character to the table. Buy ceramic plates, shop stoneware plates, or explore tableware collection to discover pieces suited to everyday meals and special occasions.

Discover ellementry dining and find the essential plates for every home, thoughtfully chosen for meals, gatherings and everything in between.

FAQs

Which type of plate is best for daily use?

Stoneware and ceramic dinner plates are ideal for daily use because they are durable, practical and easy to maintain.

What is the difference between ceramic and stoneware?

Stoneware is a type of ceramic fired at a higher temperature, making it denser, less porous and more durable than standard ceramic.

How many types of plates should every home have?

A well-rounded dinnerware collection should include dinner plates, salad or appetizer plates, pasta bowls or soup plates, and side or bread-and-butter plates.

Which dinnerware lasts the longest?

Stoneware dinnerware is among the longest-lasting options thanks to its dense construction and excellent resistance to chips and everyday wear.

How do I choose quality dinnerware?

Choose dinnerware that is well-finished, durable, food-safe, and suitable for your everyday needs, while matching your dining style and table décor.