Serving Bowls

Serving bowls are not just for dinner parties; even if you don't entertain that often, every family can find a function for a salad bowl. A general serving bowl is a great multi-use tool, since it allows you to bring large portions of food to the table for self serving. Other serveware, including sugar bowls, fruit baskets and candy bowls, can sit out on your counter for everyday use, which makes them very practical purchases.

For those who do entertain often, here's what you need to consider:

What serving bowls do I need for frequent entertaining?

Since you will be serving food in large quantities, you'll want to buy several different sizes of serving bowls. Small candy or nut bowls are ideal for little snacks, while larger bowls are great for salad and pasta. You'll also want to have individual-sized bowls on hand for guests to serve themselves. And don't forget the punch! Punch bowls and small glasses ensure that everyone at your party has a drink on hand.

Should I buy ceramic, glass or porcelain serveware?

The type of serveware you buy depends on your style of entertaining. Formal occasions deserve formal dishes, so you'll want to invest in porcelain or glass. Ceramic is more casual, and it often comes in fun colors and patterns. For a trendy approach, you can always opt for something like stainless steel or wood.

Browse Houzz products for a large selection of formal and casual serving dishes.