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If you love cooking and entertaining, the right tableware can make a meal feel like an event. From bold statement serving bowls to tiny prep dishes, the right pieces lift everyday food into something memorable. In this guide I walk you through standout products—like the Serax Ottolenghi Feast serving bowl and the Iittala Teema bowl—plus tips on choosing sizes, materials, and care. Think of this as your friendly roadmap to building a tableware collection that actually gets used and loved.
Tableware isn't just about looks. It impacts plating, portion perception, heat retention, and even how food tastes to our brains. A shallow wide bowl shows off a colorful salad; a deep, glazed serving bowl keeps casseroles warmer longer. Picking pieces that fit your routine—weeknight dinners, weekend brunches, or dinner parties—saves time and makes every meal more satisfying. Ready to get practical and stylish at the same time?
When you want an eye-catching centerpiece for the table, a statement serving bowl does the heavy lifting. These pieces are worth investing in because they double as decor and function. Below are a few that stand out for design, size, and presence.
This Serax Ottolenghi Feast bowl, with its striking azure stripes and warm red accents, measures roughly 11.8 inches across—perfect for salads, roasted vegetables, or a family-style pasta. It's designed to be both decorative and durable, so it performs well at a casual dinner and still looks gallery-ready when not in use. If you love bold patterns that elevate a plain wood or linen table, this is a great pick.
For a modern minimalist vibe, the Broste Copenhagen Stevns bowl in chalk white measures about 9.25 inches across and provides a clean canvas for colorful dishes. Its understated finish is perfect for everyday use and pairs seamlessly with patterned plates or natural wood chargers to create a balanced table setting.
Medium bowls are some of the most used pieces in any kitchen—salads, fruit, side dishes, and even as mixing bowls for small batches. Choosing the right diameter and depth means you won’t be juggling oversize pans when serving at the table.
The Iittala Teema bowl, at about 8.3 inches, lends a retro-modern charm while staying highly functional. Its durable glaze holds up to daily use, and the vintage blue tone is great for creating warm contrast with lighter plates and linens. Use it for soups, grain bowls, or to hold a generous portion of steamed vegetables.
House Doctor's Pion bowl, roughly 7.5 inches across, is an adaptable mid-size bowl that’s just as comfortable serving a side salad as it is holding snacks on the coffee table. Its subtle grey-white finish works well with rustic or Scandinavian-inspired decor, giving your table a calm, collected feel.
Small bowls are the unsung heroes of a functional kitchen. They’re perfect for individual desserts, dips, mise en place, and condiments. Having a few sizes on hand keeps your cooking organized and your table tidy.
The Normann Copenhagen Krenit bowl in sand measures about 3.3 inches across, making it ideal for olives, nuts, or a single scoop of ice cream. Its classic Scandinavian silhouette adds personality without drawing too much attention, and it stacks easily for compact storage.
At roughly 2.5 inches in diameter, the Muubs Vita bowl is tiny but versatile—think spices, citrus segments, or a little serving of honey at brunch. Its seashell finish gives it a tactile, organic look that complements both coastal and earthy table settings.
If you’ve got kids or just prefer durable, low-breakage dishware, silicone bowls are a smart choice. They’re lightweight, dishwasher-safe, and often come in playful colors that make meals more fun.
The Liewood Iggy silicone bowl set comes in a rose color mix and includes four pieces—great for toddlers, outdoor picnics, or travel. These bowls are soft to the touch, shatterproof, and simple to clean. They’re also great for anyone who likes to meal-prep single-serve portions without worrying about chips or breaks.
Small sets like sugar bowls and milk jugs might not be headline pieces, but they’re essential when you serve coffee, tea, or dessert. A thoughtful sugar and milk set adds rhythm to your table and signals that you care about the finer details.
For espresso lovers, the Blomus Macchiato set pairs glass with stainless steel for a modern cafe feel. The set is compact and perfect for serving after-dinner coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up. Its sleek materials match stainless cutlery and contemporary serving trays well.
Marimekko’s Puutarhakutsut bowl holds about 8.5 fluid ounces and brings bold print and color to the table. Use it for small portions, sauces, or curated tastings. Its cheerful pattern makes it a natural conversation starter at brunch or dessert service.
Mixing pattern and color is where you can have the most fun with tableware. Whether you layer a multi-colored bowl over neutral plates or match pattern with napkins, the goal is to balance energy without chaos.
The Bloomingville Jules bowl, at about 6.1 inches, is a multi-colored option that adds instant playfulness. It works great as an accent piece—think bright fruit, layered dips, or a side of roasted peppers. Pairs well with plain linens to avoid visual overload.
Blomus’s Sablo bowl measures roughly 3.9 inches and is excellent for dips, small sides, or decorative serving. Its clean lines and neutral tone make it a go-to for both minimalists and those who enjoy mixing textures.
Small plates are endlessly useful for salads, desserts, bread, or an artful arrangement of cheeses. Buying multi-packs saves money and ensures you have matching pieces for casual gatherings.
The Njrd Lines small plate set includes six white plates, each about 8.3 inches across, making them ideal for starters, cakes, or as multipurpose side plates. The classic white finish is versatile and serves as an unobtrusive backdrop to colorful dishes.
Materials determine durability, heat handling, and aesthetic. Ceramic and porcelain feel classic and often have rich glazes, but can chip if knocked. Glass looks delicate and allows you to see the food, which is great for layered dishes, though it can be heavy. Stainless steel brings a modern, long-lasting option that’s nearly unbreakable and perfect for outdoor use. Silicone is flexible and kid-friendly. Think about how you use each piece—heavy-duty prep or delicate presentation—and choose materials accordingly.
Picking the right sizes eliminates clutter and keeps your table functional. Large serving bowls in the range of 10 to 12 inches are great for family-style meals. Medium bowls around 7 to 9 inches work for salads and mains, while small bowls under 4 inches are perfect for condiments and side dishes. If you entertain often, aim for at least one large, two medium, and several small bowls to cover most scenarios.
Simple care extends the life of your tableware. Many ceramics and glass pieces are dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing delicate patterned or metallic-trimmed items helps preserve their finish. Avoid sudden temperature changes—don’t move pieces from freezer straight to oven. For stainless steel or glass, a gentle scrub keeps surfaces gleaming. Silicone bowls are typically dishwasher-safe and tolerant of rougher handling, which is why they’re great for kids.
Don’t be afraid to mix textures and finishes. Use a neutral base—white or chalk-tone plates—and layer in one statement piece like the Serax bowl or a colorful Marimekko accent. Add natural elements such as wooden chargers or linen napkins to soften modern metallics. When in doubt, repeat one color or pattern in two or three places on the table to create a cohesive look without matching everything exactly.
Building a curated tableware set doesn’t need to break the bank. Start with essential sizes: small plates, medium bowls, and one large serving bowl. Look for multi-packs (like the Njrd Lines 6-pack) for staples, and allocate more budget for one or two statement items that will anchor the aesthetic—think Serax or Iittala. Watch for seasonal sales and be open to mixing high and low pieces for a layered, collected-over-time style.
Before checking out, run through this checklist: Will the piece be mostly decorative or used daily? Does the size meet your usual serving needs (large = ~10–12 inches, medium = ~7–9 inches, small = under 4 inches)? What material will withstand your lifestyle? Do the colors and patterns match your existing items? Answer these and you’ll be less likely to end up with single-use items gathering dust.
Whether you’re refreshing a full set or adding a few standout bowls and plates, a thoughtful approach will give you a flexible, attractive table that feels personal and practical. Mix materials, pay attention to size, and let at least one piece be the conversation starter.
Good tableware brings meals to life—transforming simple food into a shared experience. From the bold Serax Ottolenghi serving bowl to practical silicone for everyday family use, a smart mix of sizes and materials gives you the versatility to host, cook, and enjoy with confidence. Choose pieces that match how you live, and don’t be afraid to pair a polished statement item with durable, everyday companions. Your table will thank you.
| Tableware - Other | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Byon Oyster Serving Bowl Grey | £ 5,40 | |
| Broste Copenhagen Nordic Sea Bowl Ø 15 Cm | £ 7,20 | |
| Rörstrand Swedish Grace Bowl Small Snow White | £ 8,80 | |
| Normann Copenhagen Krenit Bowl Sand Ø8.4 Cm | £ 10,24 | |
| Iittala Taika Bowl 30 Cl Blue | £ 14,62 | |
| Design House Stockholm Poppy Bowl 50 Cl | £ 16,80 | |
| Iittala Taika Bowl 60 Cl Blue | £ 17,90 | |
| House Doctor Rustic Bowl 21 Cm | £ 19,80 | |
| Liewood Iggy Silicone Bowl 4 Pieces Rose Mix | £ 23,20 | |
| Rosenthal Rosenthal Heritage Turandot Espresso Cup With Saucer Blue | £ 58,22 |
