8 Budget Dinnerware Sets That Will Add A Pop Of Color To Your Meal

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From caramel pecan French toast in the morning to bok choy in black bean sauce for dinner, your plates, bowls, and other dinnerware do some serious heavy lifting in your kitchen, coming out every time you cook (or even nuke!) a meal or snack. There's research corroborating the idea that the material, texture, shape, and even color of your dinnerware can impact the perceived taste of your food, so purchasing a new set can feel like a weighty decision. This holds doubly true if you are on a budget and want to get the nicest set your money can buy.

The following sets of dinnerware are affordable, pretty, and will make a great addition to your cabinets. Why not enjoy plates that will make you smile with their cheery color when you are eating off them or washing the dishes over and over again? Of course, how many table settings you require will ultimately be a factor in your final costs, but our selections will provide a brightly hued vessel for whatever delicious food you're dishing up ... all under $100 for at least a four-person setting.

Ree Drummond didn't just teach us our new favorite way to make toast; she also designed an expansive line of affordable kitchen and home fixtures for Walmart. We're in love with this dainty scalloped set with a spray of wildflowers, which retails as of this writing for $29.98 for a four-person table setting. One small downside? This set is made of melamine, which should not be used in the microwave. 

Orange you glad it's not a plain white plate? This set from Macy's retails for $57 for a four-person set, although you might get lucky and find it on sale. The orange-bedecked dinnerware set is ideal for the home cook who loves the everyday functionality of white but the whimsy of blooming citrus fruit and blossoms. It's made of porcelain, so it's safe for both your dishwasher and microwave. Best of all, it will bring a little kiss of sunshine to every meal. 

IKEA has a cheaper food court hot dog than Costco, and it also has a great deal on this delightfully named dinnerware set, which retails for $79.99 for a six-person set. IKEA doesn't just sell flat-pack furniture and Swedish meatballs, as you'll find that it also carries a full range of kitchen necessities. Currently, it's not long on dinnerware sets, but we don't think you need to look further than the glazed stoneware GLADELIG set, which is pleasingly hefty and looks lovely with its earthy blue-and-bronze colorway. 

Love the classic, rainbow-hued mix-and-match vibes of Fiestaware, but can't justify the price tag? Wayfair is selling this bright, beautiful set by Vancasso that invites you to create a unique color story with each component of the 18-piece set, which provides service for six people. Unlike the viral trend towards chunky plates, dinnerware in feel-good, cheerful colors is timeless, and the price tag of under $90 (exact pricing will depend on Wayfair's current promos) can't be beat. 

Rachael Ray hates a certain store-bought condiment, but, judging from her line of affordable, lovely dinnerware sold at Walmart, she appreciates color just as much as we do. Despite the descriptive name, this purple is much earthier than lavender, coming in a gorgeous aubergine that is surprisingly neutral with a wide range of décor choices. The glazed stoneware couldn't be more adaptable to everyday life — it's even oven-safe up to 250 degrees! It's also super cool that this set comes with matching mugs for four people.

How perfect is this riotous floral set of "dinner bowls" from Pfaltzgraff? Able to contain more foods than mere plates, we're a little obsessed with the fluted shape ... to say nothing of the pops of color inside. This dinnerware will bring you as much cheer in the dead of winter as it does dishing up your favorite "swicy" summer foods. And, at $99.99 for a four-person set, it won't break the bank the way that fine china will, despite being just as unique and elegant. 

Creamy and dreamy, this pale yellow service for four people from Kirkland's Home reminds us of the vanilla bean flecks in high-end ice cream. The price, however — $79.99 — is giving "budget babe." We love how it's still a more daring choice than plain white but incredibly close to a true neutral as well. And, with dinner plates, salad plates, pasta bowls, and cereal bowls, this 16-piece set has all the components you need to host in style. 

At just $29.99 for a four-person set, it doesn't get much more price-conscious than this gorgeous dinnerware set from Target, which, as the name suggests, evokes the tranquil waters and calming vibes of a long weekend at the lake. It's made of melamine, which is incredibly hardy for daily use — just keep it out of the microwave! You could definitely mix-and-match the pieces for a tablescape that is deliberately casual. The price is awesome, but even fast food or fast casual dining will taste like fine dining on these plates.