The Food52 Guide to Mixing & Matching Your Tablescape

When it comes to design, the concept of mixing and matching can quickly become intimidating. For someone who isn’t used to playing around with different patterns, colors, and textures, it might seem impossible to seamlessly pull contrasting pieces together to create an eclectic design that feels cohesive—not chaotic. And attempting to build a multifarious display on a smaller surface like a dining table? It’s only natural to be unsure of where to begin.

Whether you’re a seasoned mix-and-matcher looking for new inspiration or a first-timer searching for a simple how-to, we can help. We spoke with Kayla Roolaart and Casey Simring, our head tableware buyers on the Food52 Shop team, about what there is to love about switching things up, pulling colors and textures into your table setup, and why you should try it if you haven’t already.

The main thing to remember, according to Kayla and Casey: It's all about having fun. Take different approaches when setting your table and introduce unexpected pieces or colors into the mix. Alongside the perk of just playing around with your creativity, building your dinnerware collections in this different, yet still compatible, way is an opportunity to build a unique collection that’ll last for years. “I’m not one to buy a full set of dinnerware or flatware all at once,” Simiring says. “I like to create a collection over time, and mix and match really allows you to do that.” The eclectic approach to everyday essentials like plates, bowls, cups, and flatware allows you to experiment with aesthetics and design without committing to a set of the same pieces. “It gives you more of a canvas to make it your own,” she says. “It’s important to be trend aware, but we try to create and build a Shop that will outlast trends,” Roolart adds.

By filling your cabinets with various pieces you really love, instead of opting for 16-piece set of identical dishes, you’re curating a sustainable collection that is more versatile than you’d think. “With this, you’re taking what you use every day and figuring out how to elevate it or bring something special to the table when you have a specific occasion (like a dinner or a party),” Roolart continues. “You know, breathing new life into what you have already.”

If your cabinets are currently filled with the same white plates you had in your first apartment, maybe it’s time to swap in some dishes that feel more like you. “It’s important to find something that you’re rooted in,” Roolart says about getting started. “For me, it’s color.” When Kayla dreams up different dinnerware designs, she thinks about color stories that she gravitates towards. “For example, choosing a specific product type that you want to mix (like bowls, glassware, or linens) and then introducing a bunch of different colors to see what works.”

Lean into pre-curated color sets, like this colorful French collection from Luminarc, that can be purchased as a pre-designed 18-piece collection perfect for any warm or cool-toned kitchen.

“Kayla and I really love color, so we’re always thinking about how the pieces we sell can be layered with other colors,” Simring says. The Luminarc glass dinnerware collection has been live and on the market in single-color options for decades. Anyone could buy a set of their baby pink, bright tangerine, and dusty rose plates and bowls. But Simring and Roolart wanted to make playing with color easier and more accessible for our community members, so they’ve curated the collection in our Shop to have ready-to-buy mixed-color sets. “It’s a special way to take what’s been working for [Luminarc] that heritage French brand and bring it into the modern day.”

Design tip #1

When you integrate pops of color into designs, it’s important to sort everything into colors that complement each other nicely—it should be a thoughtful assortment. But don’t forget: You don’t have to be obsessed with bright colors or eye-catching patterns to have a standout table design. Neutrals and simple textures are beautiful, too. “You can still think through the color story with neutrals,” Roolart says. “That’s a color story in of itself. Don’t force it, go with what you’re attracted to and lean into it. That’s what’s going to spark joy and make your serotonin jump. Focus on what you like and you’ll actually use.”

Design Tip #2

The table-design duo also loves to incorporate dark dinnerware to help other colors, patterns, or (the real star of the table!) the food pop. “I think black dinnerware can be kind of hard and really modern, but when you bring in different textures of colors, it can really soften it and make it nice for everyday,” Roolart says. Simring loves black plates because they’re great for layering colors. “It can make your setup really unique,” she adds. “Even just a pop of pink shines through so much better and so much food [stands out] with it.”

Simring argues accessory pieces are the ultimate starting point for any beginner. “Dinnerware and flatware become a much larger purchase and something you probably want to have a little more consistency with if you’re new to mixing and matching, but napkins, table linens, and glassware are really easy ways to pull in texture or color,” she explains. “When you start playing around with how colors work together, you start coming into different palettes and take your table through the seasons.” A simple linen swap can take your table from spring into a fall holiday feel.

If you like the idea of playing around with glassware, swapping out traditional clear glasses with a colorful, uniquely shaped, or textured vessel can go a long way. “I have amber glassware at home that really ties my [warm-toned design] together,” Simring says.

Once you’ve decided on the color story you want to tie everything back to, then you’re free to run and experiment with exactly how you want to bring it to life. Even smaller details can make a big impact, too. “I love Champagne-colored flatware because it’s not as bright as gold, but you still get that warmth that you sometimes miss out on with a shiny stainless [fork, knife, or spoon],” Simring explains. “It goes well with creamier colors.” The key the pair wants you to keep front of mind? Know what you’re rooting in. “What your anchor is,” Roolart says. “It doesn’t have to be color, just know what you like and know what’s driving. Your taste is always going to outlive trends.”

Now that you know the basics of how to create a dinnerware collection and dining table design that feels authentic to you, you’re set to start experimenting and having fun. “Once you have the confidence, you just need the cabinet space,” they agree.

If you want a more in-depth look at how Roolarrt and Simring set up their tables, watch their live breakdown on our Instagram.

Words by Julia Gómez Kramer. Edited by Anabelle Doliner.