TABLEWARE


December 2025/January 2026 housewareslive.net


Dining done right


Tableware is evolving beyond function, with versatile, design-led collections driving sales and supporting retailers in meeting modern consumer expectations. Housewares Magazine explores.


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n an increasingly competitive homewares market, tableware has emerged as one of the most dynamic and commercially significant categories. For UK retailers, brands and suppliers, this evolution


presents both opportunity and complexity, as consumers seek curated, design-led collections that reflect lifestyle aspirations as much as everyday dining needs. The segment is being reimagined for a new era of living. As the boundaries between cooking, dining and entertaining continue to blur, the category’s commercial importance shows no sign of slowing. The pandemic-era resurgence of home entertaining accelerated a shift that was already underway. Dining tables became spaces for creativity and self-expression, and while the frequency of formal entertaining has since normalised, the appetite for considered table settings has endured. Today’s consumer expects tableware to work harder, transitioning seamlessly from everyday meals to special occasions, and sitting comfortably within open-plan living spaces. This change in mindset has placed renewed emphasis on versatility and emotional connection. For Alistair Donald, Founder of Hokan Bowls, current tableware


trends are rooted in a desire for calm, functionality and longevity. He notes a clear move towards pieces that balance considered design with everyday usefulness, as consumers increasingly seek tableware that feels reassuring, versatile and easy to live with. Colour palettes, he observes, are becoming softer and more nature- led, with gentle blues, mineral greens and warm neutrals bringing a sense of ease to the table. These hues are designed to feel both timeless


and seasonal, allowing pieces to work year-round rather than following short-lived trends. In terms of form, rounded, tactile shapes are proving particularly popular, with comfort and usability now key drivers of design. Sculptural silhouettes that feel good in the hand are increasingly valued, particularly when paired with clean, minimal lines. Hokan’s stackable, lidded bowl reflects this broader shift. Its success


mirrors a growing appetite for minimal, multifunctional designs that move easily between cooking, serving and storage, a practical response to modern living, but one that also supports a more relaxed, informal approach to dining.


Tablescaping


Once dismissed as a fleeting social media trend, tablescaping is now firmly established as a commercial merchandising strategy. Coordinated tabletop stories encourage higher basket spend, prompting consumers to purchase complementary items such as chargers, linens, napkin rings and centrepieces alongside core dinnerware. For bricks-and-mortar


retailers, tablescaping offers strong visual impact and practical inspiration. Fully styled tables help customers visualise products within their own homes, providing context that traditional shelf- led presentations often lack. Many independents and department stores report that dressed tables significantly outperform conventional tableware displays, particularly when refreshed seasonally. From a supplier perspective, this has driven demand for cohesive collections rather than standalone products. Brands that can offer layered ranges, spanning dinnerware, serveware, glassware and accessories, are increasingly well positioned to support retailers with ready-made stories that can be updated throughout the year. Le Creuset has seen this appetite for curated, mix-and-match tablescapes grow significantly. Consumers are embracing layered looks that feel personal and expressive, combining core pieces with seasonal designs to mark moments and occasions. Whimsical introductions, such as heart or pumpkin motifs, have proved particularly successful, adding charm and playfulness to the table, while bolder collections like Nuit bring drama and sophistication. The coexistence of these styles


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