Using Your Ceramic Plates for Everyday Art

It's hard to find the right dinner plates, simply because there are so many trade-offs between form and function. Dinnerware should be easy and safe to use but must also match your dining area’s aesthetic. Bowls, plates, and dishes do more than hold and serve food; they are opportunities for self-expression. Here, we’ll show you how ceramic plates turn every meal into a work of art.

Ceramic Plates: What They Are and How They Liven Up the Table

Ceramic plates and tableware are a mixture of inorganic and non-metallic solids molded and baked at high temperatures. Today, ceramic dinnerware falls into three categories, all of which can bring style and substance to your table. 

Earthenware

Earthenware plates are the perfect canvas for painted designs. Not only are these dishes a great artistic addition to your table, but they also make beautiful decorations. 

Earthenware dishes are hardened at temperatures between 1000 and 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, making them more porous and less durable than other ceramics. Users should keep these items out of the oven and the microwave, and it’s best not to use them with foods that leave stains.

Stoneware

Stoneware plates are initially baked at temperatures ranging from 2000 to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, and most contain glass for additional durability. Stoneware’s dense nature makes it the perfect candidate for daily use, as these plates can be used in the oven, freezer, dishwasher, and microwave. 

Along with its density, stoneware is thicker and less transparent than earthenware. Plates are typically finished with satin, matte, or shiny glazes, which typically contain artistic and decorative touches. 

Porcelain

Porcelain plates are fired at approximately 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, and they were first used in Tang Dynasty China. These days, porcelain plates are used in the freezer, dishwasher, oven, and microwave, because they’re less likely to crack, chip, or break.

Of the three types of ceramics we’ve listed, porcelain has the most refined appearance. Its non-porous, dense composition and its translucent, smooth, and elegant looks make it the perfect stylistic addition to your dinner table.

Making Ceramic Dinnerware Look Great

Ceramic plates, bowls, cups, and serving dishes look great alone, and their construction gives them a timeless appeal. While some plates are better put away after use, you can easily turn these dishes into wonderful display pieces. Here, we offer a few styling tips for your new ceramic dinnerware.

• Earthenware plates have a handmade, well-worn feel, which ties into a farmhouse or rustic aesthetic.
• Stoneware is a versatile choice that lies between earthenware and porcelain in terms of opacity. Stoneware plates are usually finished with shiny or matte glazes and decorative accents, which makes them an understated artistic choice.
• Porcelain plates are the most refined way to liven up your table. Their smooth, shiny, white surfaces are rarely hand-painted, but many have gold accents that lend an elegant touch to your surroundings.

Which ceramic plates are best for your table? There’s no universal answer as it depends on your home’s décor and styling. There are many ways to give these dishes an artistic flair, all of which start with an evaluation of your surroundings. For all-around good looks and versatility, it’s hard to beat stoneware.

Non-Aesthetic Benefits of Ceramic Plates

Other than their elegant, refined appearance, there are several reasons to use ceramic plates daily.

• Ceramics are safe. Humans have used ceramics for centuries, and its non-porous, non-toxic composition makes it an ideal choice for cookware and dinnerware.
• Ceramic dishes are heat-resistant. Ceramic plates are artistic and resistant to heat. Whether warming up leftovers in the microwave, heating a plate in the oven, or serving piping hot meals, ceramics are a stylistically refined, durable choice.
• Ceramics are non-stick. Ceramic plates and bowls are smooth and glassy, which makes them easier to clean with soap and water. No soaking is required!
• Plates are available in numerous varieties and styles. Ceramic dishes are sold in an endless range of shapes, colors, designs, and styles, making them an easy and cost-effective way to add style to your table and kitchen.
• Ceramics are chemically stable. Lead toxicity is one of the most substantial issues with tableware, occurring predominantly in children and teens. Ceramic dinnerware is stylish and lead-free, and it’s a great choice for young families that don’t want to sacrifice style for safety.

Ceramic plates have been used for dining and serving for hundreds of years, for good reason. Their chemical stability, stylistic variety, and durability make them an easy, affordable option for those who want to beautify their surroundings.

Using Ceramic Plates as Wall Art: Is It Possible?

It's easy to turn patterned plates and platters into gorgeous wall art. Simply arrange your most intricate designs on the wall to create an eye-catching, memorable display. The variety of shapes, patterns, and colors found in today’s ceramic dinnerware can add a stylish touch to any kitchen or dining room, making these spaces warmer and more welcoming.

Make a Statement With Ceramic Plates

Whether enjoying a meal alone or with guests, ceramic plates make an artistic statement. High-quality ceramics come in designs ranging from bold and bright to understated and elegant. By choosing ceramic dinnerware that matches the aesthetics of your home, you’ll add style to your dinner table while investing in pieces that last for years.

Ceramic Plates: A Stylish and Durable Choice for an Artistic Look

Plates, dishes, and platters do more than hold food—they allow us to express our style, they affect the aesthetics of a room, and they allow us to bring more joy into our lives every day. With a new set of ceramic plates, you can make any room more stylish.

When selecting reusable dinnerware, the saying “the more, the merrier” doesn’t always apply. Choosing the right plates is harder than it seems, simply because so many options are available. Ceramics are the healthiest, most versatile, and most artistic material for dinnerware, plates, cookware, and serving dishes. If you want dishes that feel and look good, ceramics are tough to beat.