How Many Place Settings Should I Buy?

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One common question I often receive from our readers is, “How do you decide on the number of place settings to buy for a particular china set?” Here's just a few examples of the inquiries we've gotten:

1. “When I come across dish sets that are usually sold in sets of four, I struggle with whether to buy just one box or two. My family consists of three members. Are your table setups typically for four or six? Could you guide us on making these decisions? Especially for daily use to make our home meals feel special." PS: I am referring to places like Home Goods or Marshalls."

2. “How many place settings should I buy when I find a pattern that I love? I often think I should get either six or eight, but storage is an issue. Is there an optimal number you recommend?”

3. “I’m new to tablescapes and want to get started. Do you buy everything on clearance? Do you stick to a budget? How frequently do you add to your collection? I am very keen to learn but not sure where to begin.”

It's about time I address this prevalent question. Deciding on the right quantity of place settings isn't straightforward, but I use a method that I hope will help: C.A.P.

C for Cost: While shopping for china, cost is an inevitable factor, but not the sole one.

A for Availability: Over the years, I've realized the future availability of the china is crucial. More on that below.

P for Purpose: What will this china be used for?

Now, let's apply C.A.P. to some typical situations:

For instance, if I'm buying Christmas-themed china for holiday gatherings, I understand that my P (Purpose) is specific to Christmas. Given that holiday dinners can be quite large, I aim for at least 12 place settings. Have you considered mixing and matching different Christmas patterns? It’s a delightful idea to make any festive gathering more exciting!

Regarding C (Cost): If the china is expensive, I might split my purchase—buying six settings one year and six the next. Department stores sometimes offer 12-month interest-free plans. Informing family and friends about your collection can also yield gifts that complement it. Be cautious with interest-free deals, as they require discipline to avoid additional charges.

For A (Availability): If the china is currently produced, I feel comfortable buying six settings initially and adding more later. Vintage or discontinued patterns found on platforms like eBay might require an upfront bulk purchase due to rarity. I once bought 12 settings of Spode Tower from one seller simply because it was unlikely I'd find them again. Doing so ensured pieces from the same era and color batch, saving on multiple shipping costs.

Consider a scenario where you find china at Marshalls, TJMaxx, or HomeGoods:

P (Purpose): For example, china for porch dining would lead me to buy seven settings. Why seven? A table on my porch seats six, and having an extra setting accounts for any future breakage.

A (Availability): Stores like Marshalls, TJMaxx, and HomeGoods have limited stock for any pattern. Once sold out, it's rare they get restocked.

With C (Cost): These stores often have affordable china, usually priced at $3-$5 per plate, making it less daunting to purchase the necessary quantity. Hence, C.A.P. becomes a handy guideline for making informed decisions.

My Advice:
Whether you're actively shopping for china or come across some while browsing, always be guided by C.A.P.

1. P (Purpose): Will it be for everyday use, a bridal shower, or regular holiday meals? Knowing the purpose helps determine the quantity.

2. A (Availability): Is the china regularly stocked, or should you buy now before it's gone?

3. C (Cost): Can you afford it? Do you need to stagger your purchase over time?

All these factors must be balanced together.

Real Examples:

If I find a beautiful pattern at HomeGoods that I adore for porch dining, I’ll buy seven place settings immediately due to limited availability at reasonable prices. Waiting might mean higher costs and difficulties in locating the same pattern elsewhere. The Ma Maison china I collected demanded trips to several HomeGoods stores within a day because availability was so fleeting.

The same urgency applied to my Alice in Wonderland set. Limited stock necessitated prompt purchases from various locations to amass the desired settings.

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Similarly, with Kohl’s “beach” china, anticipating limited restocks prompted the purchase of seven settings for the porch at an affordable price.

When investing in Christmas china like Lenox, Winter Greetings, I bought 12 place settings for large holiday gatherings. While costly, its ongoing production provided the comfort to buy six initially and additional settings later. Keep in mind, though, that patterns can be discontinued anytime, making spare settings less critical when buying for larger tables.

A recent find was Valerie Parr Hill’s 12 Days of Christmas china at an antique shop—eight place settings with serving pieces for just $45! Even without an immediate need, the irresistible price made it a worthwhile addition.

Everyday China:
For daily use, I recommend at least 12 place settings for a family of three or four to avoid constant dishwashing. More may be necessary for larger households. Affordable options like the white Gibson china from Big Lots allow bulk purchases—$60 could secure 18 place settings back then!

Seasoned collectors often know approximate quantities needed from experience. However, if you’re new or still figuring things out, hopefully, this guide offers clarity. How do you determine the number of place settings for your china purchases? Share your tips below!

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