Are Fancy Table Settings Worth Buying Or Should You Be Renting Them Instead?

So you're hosting a get-together — congrats! You're taking all the steps to set up your home for a memorable dinner party, like freshening up the space, collecting delicious seasonal ingredients, and arranging gorgeous floral centerpieces. But what should you do about the table settings?

There's no doubt you want to wow your guests with a fun tablescape no matter the occasion. An intentionally set table is an easy way to uplevel your party, add to the ambiance, and let your personality shine through the decor. You might wonder if it's worth going out to buy your dream dinnerware or if you should take advantage of one of the many companies that offers rentals for items like dinner plates, linens, glassware, serveware, and other accouterments needed for a killer party.

There are upsides to each approach, depending on your current situation and needs. Buying dinnerware can be worth it for smaller events of a dozen or less people, especially if it's within your current budget and you know your table settings will get plenty of future use. Renting is a great option for cost efficiency if you're throwing a large event like a wedding or for more flexibility when it comes to future parties.

Companies like tblscape, Table + Teaspoon, Hestia + Harlow, Canary, and Tablemade offer tableware rental options, some with everything you need down to salt and pepper shakers or vases. Pricing models vary, but in general, the larger your event, the more cost-effective renting becomes. This is especially true for a one-time large event like a wedding — you don't have to spend on dinnerware for dozens of people, and you won't be stuck storing or reselling those items. If green living is important to you, consider that renting helps reduce consumerism, making it a sustainable option.

Renting is also a good option if you want flexibility for future events. Need champagne flutes for a New Year's soireé now but also looking ahead to a summer bash or Halloween blowout? No need to invest in items for every season — many rental companies offer themed, festive packages. And if you're someone who loves a dishware trend that'll elevate the look of your kitchen, renting can give you some of the season's hottest items that won't go on to collect dust in your cabinet when they cool off. When you're done with your hosting duties, you can skip washing the linens — rental companies typically handle cleaning.

Of course, there are potential downsides. If your New Year's party is an annual event, the upfront cost of buying can make sense compared to yearly rental costs. Or, maybe you throw together gatherings at a moment's notice. While many rental companies make logistics easy, most require at least a few days to ship the products. If you host frequently, the rental costs add up over time and could go toward a core set of your own tableware. You could also face extra fees if the party gets rowdy and plates break.

Buying fancy table settings makes the most sense if you frequently throw intimate dinner parties and have the budget to buy a set of dinnerware pieces that will get regular use. That's especially true if you tend to go for the same classic look every time rather than following the trends or changing it up for the seasons. Over time, you can also invest in quality pieces to add to the table, like linens, glassware, and serveware. Buying also allows you to get more custom items, like monogrammed linens or hand-painted, personalized plates. Plus, you always know you have the settings you want without worrying about items being out of stock.

On the downside, consider storage and maintenance when you think about buying table settings. Along with needing enough space for your items, you may also want to invest in quilted storage containers and dividers to minimize scratches or shattering for particularly fragile products, which adds to the cost. Another downside to buying might be style. Since the dinnerware would be bought with long-term use in mind, you should opt for a more classic, timeless design rather than the trendiest dinnerware. For hosts who like to change up the look each time, that can be a bit boring. However, you can always bring your own personality and of-the-moment flair to a tablescape with rotatable elements like seasonal flowers, holiday decorations, custom napkin rings, handwritten place cards, or candles.