DINING

Dining & Dinnerware

Whether you're hosting a lively dinner party or enjoying a cozy weeknight meal, the right dinnerware sets, bowls, plates, and stylish table accessories will elevate your dining experience into an affair with ambiance. From modern ceramic plates like the Hawkins New York White Porcelain Dinner Plate to hand-thrown ceramic bowls and linen napkins, our collection of contemporary tableware perfectly balances function and style, making everyday meals feel memorable. If you’re unsure where to start, this guide is for you. While we encourage you to explore what suits your personal lifestyle, we’ve put together a simple table setting cheat sheet for creating a beautifully arranged tablescape. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—the best table setting ideas reflect how you eat and entertain (just think of our tips as a starting point as you build your dream table).

Table Setting Basics

To start, it’s important to select dining tableware that suits your needs and personal style. Ask yourself how you eat. Do you sit down for dinner or perch over the kitchen island? Does your weeknight menu typically consist of comfort food like pasta, stew, and curry? You’ll want a low shallow bowl (or what we like to call a blate). Do you love late night ramen? Find a bowl that’s deep and wide. Study your eating habits and start building your collection from there. Now, onto the basics. A traditional table setting includes dinnerware, linens, flatware, and drinkware.

• Dinner Plates: Anchor your table with plates that match your color palette. Options include classic white porcelain, earthy stoneware, or bold, modern patterns. Consider full 16-piece dinnerware sets for everyday versatility.

• Salad Plates: Perfect for appetizers, desserts, or sides. Mix-and-match colors or textures for a contemporary look.

• Serving Bowls: Ideal for soups, pasta, rice, ramen, or ice cream. Use small bowls for sides and large bowls for hearty portions.

• Table Linens: Cloth napkins, placemats, tablecloths, and runners add texture, warmth, and sophistication to any setting.

From there, complement your dining collection with the perfect flatware. While a formal setting may require additional pieces, like a salad fork and soup spoon, casual meals typically call for one of each utensil, which means you should aim to have a 12 piece flatware set on hand. Finally, complete your table with glassware and barware. In our experience, one versatile glass is better than having an overwhelming collection that rarely gets used (no matter how nice it is). A simple, well-designed drinking glass can effortlessly transition from water to wine, making it a practical yet elegant choice for everyday use and entertaining.

After you have your core drinkware collection set, include cocktail glasses for festive occasions. Think stemmed glassware, highball glasses, coupes, tumblers, and champagne flutes.

Special Occasions & Gift Ideas

Planning a wedding, dinner party, or holiday gathering? Our Hawkins New York gift registry makes it simple to add modern tabletop essentials like plates and bowls, serveware, and table linens to your wishlist to ensure that your table is always beautifully set.