December 2025/January 2026 housewareslive.net


highlights a key trend: consumers are increasingly confident in mixing everyday versatility with statement-making pieces. While neutral tableware remains a reliable foundation, particularly


for everyday use, colour is playing a growing role in driving incremental sales. Soft greens, warm terracottas and muted blues reflect wider interior trends, offering accessible ways to refresh the table without a full replacement. At the same time, bolder hues are being introduced more strategically, often through accent pieces rather than complete services. Pattern, too, is evolving. Rather than heavily decorated sets, buyers are favouring subtle motifs, textured finishes and designs intended to be mixed and matched. This approach allows consumers to build collections gradually, aligning with both sustainability concerns and more cautious spending habits. Victorinox describes this


direction as “minimalism with personality”. While clean, pared-back aesthetics remain important, today’s consumers are looking for


pieces that feel distinctive rather than stark. Soft organic shapes and refined proportions deliver a timeless look, while neutral palettes are elevated through subtle textures that add depth and sophistication. The result is tableware that feels personal yet highly versatile, simple enough for everyday use, but premium enough to elevate the dining experience when entertaining. Colour plays a similar role for Le Creuset, where iconic shades have long been central to brand identity. Bold colours such as Volcanic bring warmth and energy to the table, while softer tones like Meringue offer understated elegance. More dramatic hues, including Nuit and Garnet, introduce a sense of luxury and individuality, allowing consumers to curate tablescapes that reflect their own personality and mood.


Sustainability and longevity


Sustainability continues to shape purchasing decisions across the housewares sector, and tableware is no exception. Consumers are increasingly attentive to provenance, materials and lifespan, encouraging retailers to prioritise products that can be positioned as long-term investments rather than disposable purchases. For manufacturers, this has sharpened the focus on quality,


responsible sourcing and transparent messaging. Durable materials, dishwasher-safe finishes and reduced packaging are now baseline expectations, particularly within the mid- to premium-market. There is also growing interest in locally produced or European-made tableware, reflecting both sustainability values and a desire for greater supply-chain resilience. At Hokan Bowls, sustainability begins with durability. Mr Donald is clear that longevity is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact. All Hokan designs are produced using recycled stoneware, created from reclaimed clay and discarded material from the manufacturing process. By reintroducing this material into production, waste is diverted from landfill without compromising the strength and performance of high-fired stoneware. Le Creuset’s emphasis on longevity aligns with this thinking. Oven-to- table versatility is central to product performance, ensuring each piece


TABLEWARE


serves multiple purposes and remains in use for years. By encouraging consumers to invest in fewer, better-quality items, brands are supporting more mindful purchasing habits while reinforcing the value of tableware as a long-term home essential.


One of the most significant shifts in the category is the move away


from a strict divide between everyday and occasion-led tableware. Consumers are no longer willing to choose between practicality and aesthetics. Instead, they are seeking what many brands now describe as casual or versatile elegance. Donald observes that modern households expect tableware to be


robust enough for daily cooking, reheating and storage, while still looking refined enough for hosting. Hokan’s bowls are designed to move seamlessly from fridge to oven to table, offering sculptural forms and considered colours alongside everyday durability. Victorinox echoes this sentiment, noting strong demand for products


that feel appropriate whether used casually or when entertaining. This balance of function and premium appeal is increasingly shaping product development decisions across the sector. For Le Creuset, this duality is central to its collections. Consumers want pieces that feel special, yet practical enough for daily use. Colour- led design plays a key role here, allowing tableware to shift effortlessly from weekday dining to weekend entertaining without changing the core product.


Dining habits and flexible living


Changes in dining habits have further reinforced the need for adaptable design. Smaller living spaces, multifunctional kitchens and more informal at-home entertaining are driving demand for tableware that works harder without taking up additional room. Stackability has become essential, particularly in urban homes.


Hokan’s lidded bowls address this need directly, stacking neatly while offering clever multifunctional details such as lids that double as side plates. For alfresco dining, the heat-retaining properties of stoneware help keep food warmer for longer, while lids provide practical protection outdoors.


Outdoor living is also influencing design decisions at Le Creuset. The


brand’s BBQ Outdoor Collection reflects growing consumer interest in extending cooking and dining beyond the kitchen, onto patios, gardens and barbecues. Durable stoneware allows products to transition easily between indoor and outdoor settings, supporting a more relaxed, flexible approach to entertaining. Victorinox similarly highlights the importance of products that


adapt to modern lifestyles, offering space-efficient solutions without compromising style. As lifestyles continue to evolve and the boundaries between dining,


entertaining and living become increasingly fluid, tableware’s role within the home is set to expand further. For the UK housewares industry, success will depend on offering products that are adaptable, emotionally engaging and commercially sound.


| 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40