We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Plus, Kelly Hoppen's top tips on styling your dinner table.

A decent dinner plate set is an essential purchase, but just because they're functional doesn't mean they can't also be aesthetically pleasing. If you're throwing a party, a tasteful, well-considered table scheme, finished with some pretty crockery and serveware can really help set the tone for the evening – and impress guests. But whether you're entertaining or not, mealtimes mark an important time in the day to take some time out and recharge. Using quality plates or bowls can make this pause a bit more pleasurable.

'Dinner sets are important for setting a mood, with textures, materials, colours and trim all playing a key part,' says interior designer and TV personality Kelly Hoppen CBE. 'I like to rotate my dinner sets, using classic yet well-made, simpler designs in white or black for every day use and more unusual ones for special occasions.'

Many retailers offer individual plates for sale so you can build up your own scheme exactly as you like. But if this daunts you, or you prefer a more uniform aesthetic, we've rounded up 20 of the best dinner plate sets available to shop now – along with some must-read tips from Kelly Hoppen on the best ways to style them.

Here's our House Beautiful edit of the best dinner plate sets for your dining table in 2022.

Smooth and shiny, this is a great price for such a comprehensive 12-piece set. It's available in white, too.

What's included? 4 bowls, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

No dinner plate roundup would be complete without a classic set of porcelain crockery. It will go with all schemes, giving your table a crisp, elegant feel. This one is currently on sale with £50 off.

What's included? 4 pasta bowls, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Sage green is really soothing. These muted plates will give your table a breezy look. Pair with white, seagrass or rattan placemats to finish the scheme perfectly.

What's included? 4 bowls, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

From the brand that brought us the Always Pan comes these roomy dinner plates, in colours to match your skillet. A lip on the edge ensures no sauce-based mishaps or spillages and they look very smart too. There are matching side plates and bowls to finish off the set.

What's included? 4 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

These contemporary stacking dinner plates, from the House Beautiful collection at Homebase, is made from stoneware and with a natural coloured hardwearing glaze – it will elevate even the most minimalist tablescape. Complete this set with our matching stacking bowls and side plates.

What's included? 2 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Boost the aesthetic-factor of Sunday brunches at home with these juicy orange plates in joyful bright colours. Mix-and-match with the brand's lemon cake plates to complete the look.

What's included? 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? No

We love these minimal plates, made more interesting with sweet wobbly edges and a contrasting black rim. You can save an impressive £40 currently in Made.com's big end-of-season sale at the moment, too.

What's included? 4 bowls, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Pink is undoubtedly the colour of the season, and these charming dusty rose-hued plates make a gorgeous way to introduce a pop of 2022's shade du jour into your home.

What's included? 4 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

We've seen these pretty scalloped edges everywhere recently but this sweetly feminine H&M set is one of the most reasonably priced. It'll turn your table into a setup fit for a mermaid. Just add some gold cutlery and delicate fluted glasses to finish.

What's included? No sets, but there are also bowls, cups, side plates and saucers in the range Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Unusually, this neutral offering from Made.com features plates and bowls in different colours. This gives you the convenience of buying an all-in-one dinner plate set yet gives your table additional creative flair with individual pieces. We love! It's available with these lovely deep ochre side plates, or there's an option with pale pink ones as well.

What's included? 4 bowls, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Dark, stormy and mysterious, these dinner plates will create a moody Nordic vibe at your next dinner party. The black and white marble effect gives this extra design points.

What's included? There are no sets, but you can coordinate with dinner plates and salad bowls Dishwasher safe? No Microwave safe? No

For a breezy alfresco dining setup, these lemon grove plates are a great option. Layer up with rattan placemats and larger charger plates to create a properly summery scheme to enjoy outside.

What's included? 4 small dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes

The terrazzo-inspired design on these plates add a bit of fun to an otherwise simple design. Finish your scheme with the matching side plates, bowls and mugs.

What's included? 6 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

More scalloped designs here. This charming, almost floral, selection from Graham & Green is almost too pretty to eat off.

What's included? There are no sets, but in the range there are teacups, dinner and side plates, large, small and salad bowls available Dishwasher safe? No Microwave safe? No

We've not seen a cheerier, more colourful and comprehensive dinner plate set than this one. It'll create a joyfully eclectic scheme, perfect for sunny afternoons sat around the table with friends.

What's included? 4 mugs, 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates, 4 cereal bowls Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

Beloved chef Yotam Ottelenghi has worked together with Serax on his first range of tableware, including plates, mugs, bowls and serveware, in vibrant rich hues. We love these cheery dinner plates – and make sure to pick up a set of side plates below to finish the look.

What's included? 4 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

These beautiful plates, finished with a smiley face design, are dramatic and playful all at once.

What's included? 4 side plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

This set of service for two is expensive, but each has been hand-painted with a one-of-a-kind sea-themed design (again, in this season's pink shade) and polished up until it shines beautifully. Each piece is handcrafted for you to order – something to keep in your cabinet for special occasions!

What's included? 2 dinner plates, 2 side plates, 2 bowls Dishwasher safe? No Microwave safe? No

If we're looking for something luxurious and tasteful, we always head to Soho Home. These delicate sea-green plates more than fit that bill.

What's included? 4 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

We're getting vintage vibes – almost an Alice in Wonderland feel – from these cheeky cake plates.

What's included? 4 cake plates Dishwasher safe? No Microwave safe? No

These veggie plates have been handmade and fired in Stoke-on-Trent and feature a selection of some of our favourite British veg on the rim. A good gift for a vegetarian friend!

What's included? 4 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes

These cloud plates are so pretty! Style with a frilly lace cloth and some chunky diamond-cut glassware for a truly dreamy scheme.

What's included? 4 cake plates Dishwasher safe? No Microwave safe? No

We're obsessed with the rich green colouring here – it would work equally well with other deep tones or offset against lighter hues to lift the scheme. Finish with the matching side plates, bowls and mugs. All pieces in the range are on sale at the moment, too!

What's included? 2 dinner plates Dishwasher safe? Yes Microwave safe? Yes