Get A Taste for Tableware

Looking to liven up your dining table? Find out how with our guide to pairing tableware.

With so many designs to choose from, it's easy to get carried away by our tableware collections. Before you start selecting your new dinnerware service, be sure to consider the following factors:

• Check the size of your cupboard so you know what size plates will fit inside. Likewise, if you have a dishwasher or want to store your plates on a plate rack, you’ll need to make sure they aren’t too large
• Check to see what's included in the set - are the mugs or cups the right size, do you want pasta or salad bowls, what about oven to table serving ware?
• It's a good idea to check that the tableware you are interested in isn't discontinued or about to be. You don't want to be stuck with part of a set or be unable to replace chipped or broken items

The type of tableware you select also depends on the application you have in mind.

Quality everyday tableware is microwave and dishwasher safe, making it perfect for daily use and large family dinners. With such stresses and strains placed on the tableware, it is important that each piece is budget-friendly and easily replaceable.

At the higher end of the price scale, tableware for special occasions is often made of porcelain or fine china that, despite its natural resilience, will still be more delicate.

Once you determine how you will use your tableware, look around at your decor. Is it modern or traditional? Are there bright colours that you want to subdue with neutral coloured china or vice versa?

Whether adding accents of earthenware or creating palettes of patterned china, the style of dinnerware you choose reflects the personality of your home as much as the décor.

Porcelain: a hard, white, translucent clay body, usually with a very white and smooth surface when covered in a clear glaze. Porcelain is not reactive, so virtually any food can be stored in it and is often dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe - making it great for everyday use.

Bone China: a type of porcelain that is composed of bone ash, feldspar and kaolin. Produced using a vitrifying process that makes the surface tough, glassy and non-porous, providing durability and chip resistance. With its vivid white translucency, bone chine provides the perfect base for more extensive table decoration by allowing other colours to stand out.

Fine China: though it is a kind of porcelain, this fine china tends to be thinner and more translucent. However, it remains durable and is usually dishwasher safe.

Earthenware: one of the oldest materials used in pottery, the clay is fired at lower temperatures and does not become vitreous. As a result, earthenware will always need to be glazed to ensure it is non-porous. Although it is hard-wearing, it's best to hand wash carefully to avoid chipping.

Stoneware: less durable than porcelain, stoneware is fired at lower temperatures to give its distinctive texture. A popular and affordable choice for everyday dining as cookware and for serving.

It’s important to measure your designated area accurately to ensure your sofa makes the most of your space. Look up the dimensions of your chosen sofa and compare them to the measurements of your space.

Be sure to take into account any side tables or floor lamps that will impact the space available. It's also important to make sure your sofa can get into its new home.

To be absolutely certain that it'll fit into the space, we recommend making a thorough access check. Find step-by-step instructions here.

TOP TIP

Use masking tape or newspaper to lay out the size of your sofa. This will give you a good indication as to whether you are happy with how much space it takes up.

Sofas come in many different shapes and sizes and it’s important to choose the one that is right for your home. ​ If you’re looking for a sofa that will see a lot of use from you and the children, explore family-friendly designs that are low maintenance.

By this we mean sofas upholstered in a dark, durable fabric that won’t easily stain and with foam-filled cushions that don’t need constant plumping. If you're looking for a sofa that will make a design statement whilst also remaining comfortable and inviting, the world is your oyster.

TOP TIP

The legs of some of our sofas are able to removed, lowering the height by 15-20cm. Ask a member of our customer support team for more information.

Rather than limit yourself by trend, it’s best to discover your ‘design style’ instead. These are much broader and encompass more than just pattern, texture and material. ​

Mid-century style, for example, is characterised by tapered legs, fuss-free design and a simple aesthetic. While Scandi style also has an emphasis on clean lines, it places more of an emphasis on tactile, natural materials and organic shapes.

We suggest identifying a style that resonates with you and consider how it will fit in with the style of your home.

TOP TIP

Trends may come and go but a sofa should last a lifetime. It’s important to choose furniture that's true to your own style rather than a trend that can disappear as quickly as it arrived.

It’s important to measure your designated area accurately to ensure your sofa makes the most of your space. Look up the dimensions of your chosen sofa and compare them to the measurements of your space. Be sure to take into account any side tables or floor lamps that will impact the space available. It's also important to make sure your sofa can get into its new home. To be absolutely certain that it'll fit into the space, we recommend making a thorough access check. Find step-by-step instructions here.

TOP TIP

Use masking tape or newspaper to lay out the size of your sofa. This will give you a good indication as to whether you are happy with how much space it takes up.