Outdoor Dinnerware Takes the Worry Out of Dining Al Fresco

As the weather warms up and your thoughts turn to leisurely dinners under the setting sun or afternoon barbecues full of friends and family, it may be time to assess your outdoor dining needs. Nothing disrupts a carefree summer dinner or festive backyard BBQ like a shattered plate, so it's best to avoid the risk altogether. Fortunately, shatterproof dinnerware has come a long way in recent years, so you won't have to sacrifice style for safety.

The Details

The outdoor dinnerware in the Williams Sonoma Canada collection is primarily made of melamine, a nitrogen-based compound used to make shatterproof, food-safe plastics. In addition to being shatterproof, melamine is scratch-resistant, incredibly durable and in most cases, dishwasher-safe on the top rack. It's no surprise then that BPA-free melamine is the go-to material for outdoor dinnerware. What many will find surprising is just how much this hard plastic material can be made to look just like your everyday, indoor dishes. Many of the outdoor dinnerware collections available at Williams Sonoma Canada could easily be mistaken for earthenware or glazed ceramics. Read on for more about a few of the available options.

• Rustic® Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware Collection - This outdoor dinnerware collection takes advantage of new production techniques that make it possible to capture the unique beauty and depth of glazed earthenware in shatterproof melamine. Available in a range of vibrant colours with subtle rubbed edges, the collection includes chargers, plates and bowls as well as serving pieces.
• Sicily Outdoor Melamine Dinnerware Collection - Inspired by Sicilian maiolica ceramics, which have graced Italian tables for more than five centuries, these boldly patterned pieces feature intricate mosaics, colourful fruit and elaborate floral designs, all in rich, saturated hues. Made of easy-care melamine, this collection includes dinner, appetizer and salad plates as well as small and large dipping bowls and an array of coordinating serving pieces.
• Kinto Modern Melamine Dinner Plates - Perfect for setting a modern, minimalist table outdoors or in, these plates feature sleek, faceted lines with a subtle finish reminiscent of a matte glaze. Created by a Tokyo-based company known for its contemporary style and focus on sustainability, this collection is perfect for everyday meals as well as casual entertaining. Coordinating bowls are also available.

Complete the Look

Once you've got your shatterproof outdoor dinnerware, you'll want to make sure that you have a full collection of outdoor drinkware, including a pitcher, wine glasses, tumblers and specialty drinkware like martini or margarita glasses. If you plan on entertaining during the warmer months, you may also want to invest in an outdoor tablecloth and a few pieces of outdoor serveware so that you can stay focused on your guests without worrying about the possibility of broken platters.