IKEA's $5.49 Dinner Plates Look Straight Out Of A High-End Designer Catalog

Table settings are functional, sure, but they also serve a decorative purpose. The right dishes can truly transform and elevate your kitchen or dining room vibe, but at what cost? High-end designer dishes might look pretty in the stores (and in your home), but if you're on a budget, it might not be feasible to spend well over $100 just to update your dinner plates. The good news is that you don't need to head to a pricey kitchenware supplier to get that luxurious look you've been craving for your dining room table — you might strike gold at IKEA.

A new release from IKEA's dish collection — the PELARKAKTUS line — has some undeniable similarities to more expensive dishes from designer brands. The dishes are affordably priced (the deep dinner plates/bowls are only $5.49 each) and feature a rich green color that works year-round, as well as for special occasions or the holidays. The PELARKAKTUS line looks surprisingly similar to the much pricier dishes, including the Williams Sonoma Provençal dinnerware set and the Pottery Barn Cambria Handcrafted Stoneware Dinnerware Sets. Customers who have purchased the IKEA dupes praise the appearance of the dishes; multiple reviewers write that the dishes are beautiful to look at, while another states that the deep bowls are ideal for saucy meals and offer great quality.

While the PELARKAKTUS dishes are affordable and accessible, they avoid having that cookie-cutter, mass-produced feel that often comes at a lower price point, thanks to the manufacturing method. Similar to the aforementioned lookalikes, the PELARKAKTUS pieces are made with an expressive glazing effect  — sometimes known as reactive glazing — which not only helps to make the dishes durable but also gives each one a slightly unique appearance. What's more, the rippling effect of the stoneware looks anything but ordinary, offering consumers an attractive, handmade feel, while keeping the price reasonable.

Considering an IKEA affordable dinnerware set? You may be interested in the eco-conscious manufacturing of the PELARKAKTUS pieces, which are made with recycled stoneware; defective products are ground and reused, along with some virgin materials, creating a dish that is made of 65 to 70% recycled materials. They can be paired with their matching side plates, dinner plates, and bowls — each priced at well under $6 — for an affordable upgrade of your current dishes. 

If you love the look of the PELARKAKTUS, it's a good idea to map out how you'll style your new dishes for the biggest impact. For a simple table setting that doesn't shake things up too much, consider purchasing complete place settings from the PELARKAKTUS line: you can snag a dinner plate, deep bowl, side plate, and small bowl for just under $20. 

If this is too steep for your budget, however, you can absolutely pick up a curated selection of dishes from the collection, while still creating a fun tablescape for any occasion. Already have some neutral dinner plates that work with your dining needs? Consider purchasing only the deep bowls as accent pieces to create a layered place setting — don't worry, creams, beiges, and other natural hues work well with the dark green IKEA dishes. Unsure about mixing and matching? It might help to know that you'll never see matching dishes in Joanna Gaines' kitchen.

As far as the rest of the items for the table settings go, IKEA has some good designer-looking options to consider. The deep green hue of the PELARKAKTUS plays perfectly with browns and natural fibers, like the IHÅLLIG place mats ($7.99). Some linen or natural-colored napkins can help tie the entire table together nicely. Since the PELARKAKTUS dishes are going to be the focal point of the place setting (but are also versatile enough to work with whatever glasses you already have), you'll be able to keep the high-end designer look affordably within reach.