How to Mix and Match Your Plate and Bowl Sets

Not very long ago, mixing and matching dishes was considered a bit gauche. It was something people did when they simply didn’t have enough matching plates and bowls to go around. It wasn’t for elegant, cultured, refined tables. No, for entertaining guests and creating truly sophisticated table settings, matched dishes were essential. 

Times have changed, haven’t they? Adding different colors, patterns, and textures to the mix gradually became more mainstream. Now, mixing and matching dishes is the latest trend, and many believe it’s here to stay. It brings personality and visual interest to the table. Beyond that, it can influence guests’ moods and enhance the entire dining experience. 

Successfully Pairing Mismatched Dishes

Though mixing and matching plate and bowl sets has become the norm, it’s not a random process. It’s an art that blends creativity and decorative flair with a bit of science and psychology. Achieving the aesthetics and ambiance you want requires thought and planning. 

Core Color Theory for Mixing and Matching Plates

You may be aware that different colors have different meanings and effects. That principle applies when you’re choosing which plates, bowls, and other dishes pair well together and which ones just don’t mesh. The Core Color Theory for Mixing and Matching Plates gives you a general guideline for base colors, which accent colors work well with them, and their meanings and effects. 

White

White represents purity, cleanliness, and simplicity. It’s a highly versatile base color that creates a perfect canvas for virtually any color or pattern. Though it’s a particularly nice backdrop for vibrant colors and bold patterns, it also blends beautifully with pastels and delicate designs. 

Although having too much white in your color palette can potentially seem cold and unnerving, in just the right proportions, it can be comforting and refreshing. White dishes can also make foods look more appealing because of the stark contrast in colors. They’re wonderful for modern cuisine and minimalistic presentations, but remember that you can mix them with an endless array of other hues and designs to create contrast and achieve varying effects. 

Black

Black is dramatic. It represents elegance and sophistication. If you’re going for a bolder, more daring look, accent colors like red and yellow will truly pop against a black background. For a more understated appeal, simple white dishes or black and white plates bearing a delicate design will fill the bill.

Black dishes often make food portions appear larger. Many people feel that larger portions, even if they’re only perceived, make meals seem more satisfying. That, in turn, can help guests feel more relaxed and receptive. Using black as a base color is a fantastic choice for upscale meals and striking presentations. 

Red

Red sparks energy and passion. Its most appropriate accent colors are white, golds, and greens. You can also pair red chargers and other base dishes with vintage red and white china patterns or other designs with hints of reds in them. If you’re taking this route, though, you may want to consider using accent pieces that are primarily white with subtler red designs. 

Being a stimulating color, red tends to increase people’s appetites. It may lead guests to eat faster as well. Red dishes are generally recommended for casual dining and exciting, energetic atmospheres. Of course, it’s also a classic Christmas color, and white, green, and gold accent pieces fit that occasion quite nicely.

Blue

Blue symbolizes trust and loyalty. It can instill a sense of calm in people. If you’re using blue as a base, white, oranges, and yellows are among the best accent colors. Silver and gray also pair beautifully with blue. While the brighter accent colors add contrast to shades of blue, gray and silver can complement them and enhance their fresh, relaxing effects. 

Whereas red stimulates the appetite, blue is said to suppress it. Blue hues are wonderful choices for seafood dishes, cold foods, and desserts. Experts advise against serving rich, heavy foods in blue plates or bowls. 

Green

Green represents nature, freshness, and good health. It can also create a sense of relaxation and happiness. Its most suitable accent hues are white, browns, and yellows though pinks, oranges, golds, and beiges can also complement it nicely. 

Green dishes suggest healthy eating. Since this color denotes well-being and often creates an air of balance, that’s a fitting sentiment. Green plates and bowls are typically best for salads and vegetable-centric dishes. 

Browns

Many people shy away from brown dinnerware because they feel it’s overly drab and mundane. Still, shades of brown are beautifully earthy and rustic. They tend to be comforting, and they can give people warm, cozy feelings. They can also exude strength and resilience. Brown dishes are welcoming bases for green, orange, or white accent pieces too. Those will bring a bit more color to your place settings. 

In line with the homey, down-to-earth feelings brown dishes generate, they’re best used for serving comfort foods. Those may include macaroni and cheese, potatoes, meats, and stews. If you’re serving a rustic meal and you want to highlight its natural ingredients and flavors, dishes in shades of brown may be best suited to the occasion. 

Venturing Beyond the Basics

All the primary colors mentioned above make beautiful bases for a variety of colors and patterns. The color combinations suggested here are just basic ideas, though. You can branch out in any number of directions from there. For bold, striking place settings, you can use contrasting colors or vibrant base colors paired with lively patterns. On the other hand, simple black chargers paired with white dinner plates and bowls adorned in muted black designs can be just as impactful. 

It’s best to start out with a couple of basic dinnerware sets: one in a neutral color and one that’s patterned. Choose pieces that meld well with each other. For example, pick a monotone blue set and one that’s white with a blue floral pattern. Another option might be red base pieces with pink confetti accent dishes. Choosing a definitive color palette and limiting it to two or three main colors is also advised. That’ll give you room for creativity and variation without making your table too chaotic. 

Mixing and Matching Dishes for an Amazing Display

Mixing and matching dishes is a sensational way to add depth and interest to your tablescapes. There are no set-in-stone rules limiting the ways you’re allowed blend different dinnerware sets. Still, the colors and patterns you choose can influence people’s moods, the atmosphere of your gathering, and even your guests’ appetites. With a couple of basic dinnerware sets, you can create amazing displays that will showcase your creativity and style as well as your culinary skills.