Casual Table Settings That Elevate the Everyday
SOS GUIDES
Setting the table, or just serving food, with special plates and glasses, can turn the daily routine of meals into meaningful rituals. Practicality is still the priority (dishwasher safe is a non-negotiable for everyday dishes and glasses), but I also urge you to consider character and quality in your choice of tableware – eating or drinking from beautifully designed craftmade (yet durable!) pieces can make a huge difference in your daily life. The table settings below curate everyday dishes, glasses, and other pieces you can use and enjoy day in and day out.
Overview of Casual Table Setting
From daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner to casual dinner parties, you want your everyday dishes and glasses to be versatile. But that does not mean they have to be white and basic. Consider adding a little color or pattern or if you do keep it white, then look for pieces with a unique detail that makes them stand apart. The pieces do NOT need to match either — the curated styles below suggest different sets of dishes, glasses, and more that look good together. Finally, it’s not all or nothing – you don’t have to get complete sets of dinnerware or glasses. Say, you could get a couple of different glasses in smaller amounts, so you can rotate them throughout the week. Same with napkins or tablecloths, it can be nice to have some options.
Components of A Casual Table
The casual table settings below include the following, but it’s up to you what makes sense for your lifestyle.
Drinkware: wine and water glasses (water glasses can be used for wine too, the European way), pitchers to bring water or juice to the table, mugs
Dinnerware: dinner plates and smaller plates for lunch or dessert, made of durable, sustainable materials like pottery and enamel
Linens: tablecloth, napkins and placemats – these are optional; it can be nice to use even just one, or a combo of them, on the weekend to mix it up or for dinner parties to make everything feel nice and pulled together
Decorative accessories: a simple candle holder or a small vase can be a nice touch, but is not needed
Images: The India Edit, @mariaharmuth
Artful Touch
This look is all about layering pattern and color to create an artfully casual table setting. The focal point is ceramics painted with beautiful patterns and glassware in unique shapes and hues. They look great with linens in bright colors and ornate patterns. Don’t worry about clashing!
Image: Caroline Irving
Unique Simplicity
Basic but never boring. The trick is to feature pieces that are simple yet offer some additional visual interest — for instance, a hint of color along the rim or a little design detail like a rick rack or polka dot. Above all, they must be thoughtfully crafted items; when things are simple, the difference in quality really shows.
Image: Lucy Williams
Punchy Pastels
A splash of color can have a joyful effect in daily life. So why not embrace it on your table! A combo of pastel hues actually subdues the impact of color without muting the joy. Depending on your comfort level, you could opt for a single accent piece, like a colorful glass, or mix and match several pieces.
Image: @by_alice_home
Elevated Earthy
Artisanal tableware in earthy hues is inviting and cozy-feeling yet still refined. This look combines everyday pieces made of natural materials like linens, hand painted ceramics and woven abaca. In addition to style and texture, the color palette of mustard, browns, deep purple and olive green unifies all of the pieces.
Image: Cutter Brooks Shop
