The ultimate guide to choosing your crockery

Choosing your crockery (glass, plate, platter, etc.) may seem simple at first glance, but with the variety of materials, designs and styles available, it can be more complicated to know where to turn. Here's a complete guide to help you decide which criteria to take into account when choosing your crockery.

Understanding your crockery needs

Whether you're cooking a family dinner every night or reserving your crockery for special occasions, understanding your needs is the first step to choosing the perfect crockery and knowing exactly what you need.

Evaluate frequency of use

If you're looking for crockery for everyday use, durability and ease of maintenance will be your key criteria, as you don't want to have to change your crockery every year. In this case, we advise you to opt for resistant materials such as glass, and for neutral colours or transparent crockery. On the other hand, if you're looking for table settings for more formal meals, opt for unique and more original crockery sets, such as coloured crockery.

Selecting crockery for special occasions

For special moments and occasions such as Christmas, New Year's Eve or a birthday, you can opt for more distinguished or original tableware that will help you create a beautiful table decoration. Porcelain and glass (or tempered glass) are popular choices for elegant tableware. When it comes to the model and number of items to buy, think about the size of your table and the number of guests you're used to welcoming on these occasions.

Preferred crockery materials

Materials play a key role in the functionality and aesthetics of your crockery: some offer a better finish but are less resistant to scratches from cutlery or the dishwasher, for example. The ideal solution is to find a good compromise between aesthetics and quality.

Porcelain vs ceramics: which to choose?

Porcelain is often seen as synonymous with elegance and finesse, ideal for special occasions but still very fragile. Ceramic, on the other hand, offers a more robust and practical option for everyday use, but can be perceived as less elegant. These two materials therefore represent interesting solutions, with their own advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to choose what you think best suits your desires and your budget.

Tempered glass tableware: benefits and uses

At Duralex®, we've opted for tempered glass, a modern, hard-wearing option that's perfect for everyday use. Available in a range of colours and patterns, our tempered glass tableware is ideal for everyday use as well as special occasions, and will complement any style of décor or existing tableware.

Design and aesthetics: the art of the table

The design of your tableware contributes to the overall ambience of your table and can help you create a unique setting to suit your tastes and the occasion (Christmas, birthday, date night, etc.).

Colours and patterns to match your decor

Choosing colours and patterns that match your home's decor is a good way of ensuring that you can easily create a unified and particularly sophisticated decoration. You can opt for coloured glass, which adds a vibrant, original touch, or transparent glass, which will help you to show off other decorative elements such as a colourful centrepiece or placemats.

Shapes and sizes: adapt to your dishes

The ideal way to present your meals beautifully is to have dishes that are the right shape and size for your needs. When you place your order, make a mental list of the dishes you often prepare: salads, meats, tarts and quiches, stews, cakes, creams, etc. By thinking about this, you'll be able to decide more easily which serving dish or ramekin to choose for your table presentations. Good to know: Duralex® serving dishes have a lot going for them (100% French, 100% tempered glass, microwave-safe) but they are not oven-safe. So make sure you only use them for serving, as the name suggests!

Practical advice on buying crockery

Before you finalise your order, here are a few practical tips that can make all the difference when choosing your crockery.

Where to buy your crockery: channels, shops and selection criteria

Tableware is available in a wide range of outlets, from hypermarkets to specialist interior design shops. At Duralex®, you can find our tableware in many shops, so you can touch it and see the colours for yourself, or you can buy it directly from us. With online purchases, on the other hand, you can benefit from a wider choice or even free delivery over a certain purchase amount.

Care and durability: tips for crockery that lasts

To ensure that your crockery lasts for years without becoming scratched or losing its colour, we recommend that you choose quality crockery and follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially when it comes to dishwashing. You should also avoid excessive thermal shock, such as going from the freezer to the oven, and avoid using sharp objects directly on the dish to prevent scratching. Finally, to avoid traces of limescale, you can use special products or a water softener. As you can see, choosing your crockery can be more complicated than it seems, but by taking certain simple criteria into account, you can easily find all the items you need to complete your cupboards, and have what you need to entertain your loved ones. To find out more about Duralex® tableware and discover our flagship collections (Le Picardie® or Le Gigogne® for example), please feel free to browse our site.