Say hello to the new season with the best dinnerware sets for spring
The days are starting to get longer and warmer, which means only one thing. The seasonal urge to make an Aperol Spritz and host a dinner party.
And while the internet will tell you that the perfect dinner party needs a themed menu, a signature cocktail and a set of linen napkins – we're here to tell you those things are give or take.
What really matters is the dinnerware. The right set can take your hosting from 'having people over' to a bonafide 'dinner party'.
Some of our favourites are so special you can get away with ordering hot chips and chicken, and your soiree will still look like an elevated affair.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Best 'spring has sprung' set
12-piece Maxwell & Williams' Garden collection
This 12-piece Maxwell & Williams' Botanic Gardens collection is a sweet nod to the season, featuring native florals in subtle pastel colours. Not only is it one of our favourites on the list, it's one of the most affordable. Buy it now to get 24 per cent off.
Best for fun and retro
Bitossi Home assorted six-set pizza plates
A dinner set doesn't have to evoke 'stuffy' or old-fashioned. You can bring some personality to the table with this set of six pizza plates from Bitossi Home. We can imagine these set out on a banquet-style table with multi-coloured candles, natural wines and a lot of loud conversation.
Best for understated elegance
Y YHY Ceramic Dinner Plates set
These Y YHY porcelain plates have just the right amount of detail to look impressive on a dinner table, while still being versatile enough for everyday use. We love the cheeky scalloped edge detail and can picture ourselves reaching into the cupboard for these many times over.
Best for impressing your guests
Les-Ottomans spring hand-painted ceramic plates (set of four)
These gorgeous Les-Ottomans mulit-coloured plates are so pretty we'd faster hang them on our wall than serve food on them. But, we don't judge. You can get them in a set of four, hand-painted in Italy and delivered from Europe.
The same brand also has this floral four-piece set on sale for half the price.
Best modern neutral
AmorArc Ceramic Dinnerware Set
Nothing like a ceramic-look neutral to represent an an on-trend household. This set from AmorArc is durable and great quality. And while we couldn't say it's spring-forward, the natural tones would work in any season, with your choice of cutlery, napkins and table accessories.
Best for a Barbie summer
Stone Lain Albie 16-Piece Dinnerware Set
A pink dinner set perfect for Hosting Barbie. The season's favourite hue is subtle but still a statement in the Stone Lain Albie 16-Piece Dinnerware Set. Almost neutral and hardly overpowering, this set will last you for many years after Barbie-mania has come and gone.
Best for impressing Mum
Portmeirion Botanic Garden 20-piece Dinner Set
The Portmeirion dinner set is a timeless classic. While the full collection is an investment, you can start with the plates and collect pieces as you go – there are endless options to choose from and they go on sale often.
Portmeirion Botanic Garden Set of 6 Dinner Plates
Best for pretending you just got back from Europe
Euro Ceramica Blue Garden 16-piece Dinnerware Set
Every household needs a classic blue and white dinner set and these ones from Euro Ceramica say, "What, these ol' things? I picked them up in Italy!".
Push the narrative even further by serving bruschetta, pasta, seafood and other seafaring foods on your decidedly warm-weather wares. Bellissimo!
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