A dinner plate of 26 to 28 cm, a side plate of 20 to 22 cm and a deep bowl for soup and pasta together make a complete setting. Three pieces per person is enough for everyday and for guests; the fourth and fifth plate in most cupboards never leave the stack.
What each size is for
| Plate | Diameter | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner | 26-28 cm | Main courses |
| Side / breakfast | 20-22 cm | Bread, starters, dessert |
| Deep bowl | 20-24 cm | Soup, pasta, curry |
| Serving platter | 30 cm and up | The middle of the table |
Going above 28 cm for the dinner plate looks generous in a shop and then does not fit the dishwasher rack or the cupboard shelf. Measure both before you commit to a large set.
Microwave and dishwasher
Glazed ceramic without metallic decoration works in both. Plates with a gold or silver rim stay out of the microwave - the metal sparks. In the dishwasher, plain glaze is fine; hand-painted decoration keeps its colour longer washed by hand.
Keeping a set looking new
Two habits do almost all the work. Put a felt pad or a napkin between stacked plates, because glaze against glaze scratches under its own weight over years. And avoid dragging a sharp knife across the surface: the fine grey lines that appear on old plates are metal deposits from cutlery, not wear in the glaze.
Ordering more later
As long as a range is in our assortment you can order more. With handmade earthenware, expect a slight variation in colour from your earlier set rather than an exact match - the glaze differs per firing. If exact uniformity matters to you, buy the full number at once.
Complete the setting with bowls and table linen.
By Meike van Dongen · Veem, Amsterdam · 24 August 2026