No matter how much you cook (or don’t), cutlery is an essential part of any household’s kitchen. From student flats and single-person households to big families, the basic line-up of knife, fork and spoon are requisite for consuming meals and snacks.
They may be basic, but do they have to be boring? Absolutely not. Matching cutlery is an easy way to update your tableware without forking out for an entire dinner set, and can give dinner party tables a quick glow-up without putting too big a dent in your finances.
There’s classic silverware: the sort you give as a wedding gift, which is timeless but costly - you might want to reserve it for push-the-boat-out occasions. Then there are themed designs in on-trend colours; think rose gold or gold-hues. They offer a chance to express your personality and make your meals - even a humble beans-on-toast - look as though they’ve been dished out of a posh London restaurant.
Cutlery can make weekday dinners feel a bit more special. Sets are typically offered for even-numbered pairs of diners: two, four, six and so on, making it easy to lay a table at dinnertime. Consider buying slightly more than you need, so there’s always a clean set in the kitchen drawer, ready to go.
There are thousands of designs out there, with costs ranging from the basic to the bougie. If you’re stuck for inspiration or want to see a quick list of the best, we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the nicest sets to buy now below.
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OKA Esio 28-Piece Faux Tortoiseshell Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 4
The faux tortoiseshell trend - a hallmark of 70s fashion - is everywhere right now, thanks to a widesweeping retro revival. While it’s normal to see it on sunglasses and vases, finding it on cutlery is a rarer thing.
It’s the star of the show on OKA’s 28-piece set, which is made from stainless steel with resin handles patterned in the brown marbled print. Made for everyday dining but infinitely chicer when rolled out for dinner parties, there’s enough for four place settings.
Buy now £295.00, OKA
Amefa Eclat 16 Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 4
Add a pop of colour to your tablescapes with this pretty cutlery set from Amefa, available at Wayfair. Summer sorbet hues are painted on each ABS plastic handle under the silverware heads. The set of 16 utensils can be used every day or saved for special occasions and picnics.
Buy now £26.88, Wayfair
Dunelm Chesterton 16 Piece Gold Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 4
If you’ve left your crockery and serving dishes a basic neutral, fancy cutlery presents the perfect opportunity to jazz things up a touch. Dunelm’s gold-coloured set has enough cutlery for four diners with a serrated knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon each. Made from stainless steel with twisty textured handles, they’re hardwearing enough to stand up to daily use.
Buy now £28.00, Dunelm
Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Set of 16 Cutlery
Number of place settings: 4
Cheerful mealtimes are in the bag with Emma Bridgewater. The celebrated British pottery brand has a multitude of options for every meal of the day with a signature multi-coloured polka dor print across the hardy handles. An easy way to brighten up your cutlery drawer.
Buy now £115.00, Emma Bridgewater
ProCook Shoreditch Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 4
For a sleek, stylish cutlery set look no further than kitchen specialist ProCook. The brand has it all, from chic serving platters to razor sharp knife sets that make light work of dinner prep. Its Shoreditch design is perfect for busy city folk with a black and gold matte finish on 18/10 stainless steel.
Buy now £54.00, ProCook
M&S 16 Piece Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 4
In a warm gold hue, M&S’s cutlery set for four diners feels far more expensive than the price tag would suggest. There are forks, knives, spoons and teaspoons to arrange around plates and placemats. They’ll last a long time but be sure to hand wash only as they won’t survive a bash around in the dishwasher.
Buy now £35.00, M&S
La Redoute Patrimony 24-Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Set
Number of place settings: 6
Love that French country cottage look? Bring an elegant edge to your dinner table with La Redoute’s Patrimony set, made from stainless steel. The gently curved handles offer a stylish dimension to tablescapes and will pair well with different set ups, being able to be dressed up as well as down.
Buy now £32.50, La Redoute
Alessi Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Cutlery, Set of 4
Number of place settings: 4
For those who don’t want lots of silverware cluttering up their tidy tables, Italian design powerhouse Alessi has a cunning plan. It presents these multi-purpose tools that act as both a fork and a spoon. While they may not be practical for every day use, they’ll save precious space in picnic baskets and camping kits while also adding a sense of much-needed ceremony to outdoor meals.
Buy now £31.00, John Lewis
Mrs. Alice Ten-piece raffia cutlery set
Number of place settings: 2
Can’t get enough of the woven wicker look? While rattan may be a perennial garden furniture favourite, Mrs. Alice is making a play for your kitchen drawers with the handcrafted look too. The brand has added woven handles to its cutlery set for two, which comprises extra knives and forks for multi-course dinners.
Buy now £110.00, Matches Fashion
SITAKE 4 Pcs Portable Stainless Steel Flatware Set
Number of place settings: 1
If you’re trying to avoid single-use plastics when you’re out or you’re deeply suspicious about the hygiene in your office kitchen, this is a great little set to keep in your bag. Not only do you get the requisite knife, fork and spoon, but there’s a co-ordinating set of chopsticks included too. Keep the set clean and safe in a carry box and mesh bag.
Buy now £10.59, Amazon
Soho Home Amsterdam Cutlery, Set of 24
Number of place settings: 6
For those hankering to emulate the private members club aesthetic, the devil really is in the details. Make everything from weeknight dinners to weekend brunches feel like An Event with Soho Home’s Amsterdam collection of cutlery. Made for six place settings, this slender design brings together a walnut veneer with stainless steel. Chic doesn’t even cut it.
Buy now £105.00, Soho Home
