The Good Design Journal
10 Modern Serveware Pieces That'll Make You Want to Host a Dinner Party, ASAP
The urge to have people over can strike like lightning. One minute you're scrolling your phone, the next you're planning a full-blown dinner party in your head. The only thing that stops you? The sudden vision of all the work.
But here’s a thought: what if you had a few clever accomplices? We're talking about beautifully designed objects that do half the work for you, making you look like a hosting genius while you actually get to relax and enjoy your own party.
We’ve found ten brilliant pieces of modern serveware that are so much fun to use, you'll be looking for any excuse to have people over.
1. The Plate with a Built-In Photo Filter
HAY Barro Plates, Off-White
The glaze on these plates has this soft, mineral quality that just makes food look better. Seriously. It’s like a built-in Instagram filter for your dinner, dialing up the colour and texture of a simple salad or a slice of pizza into something that looks deeply intentional.
2. The Fork That Takes Pasta Seriously
OYOY Yuka Fork, Steel (Set of 4)
There's a surprising heft and balance to this fork that makes you feel like you should be making important pronouncements between bites. It’s the kind of satisfying, well-made tool that feels custom-built for swirling the perfect mouthful of spaghetti. It’s cutlery that commands a little respect.
3. The Napkin That’s Allergic to Ironing
DESIGNSTUFF Napkin w/ Fringe, Coffee Bean/Light
These napkins look their best when they're a little bit rumpled, like they’ve already been to a few good parties. They bring a soft, textural vibe to the table that says, "a little spilled wine isn't a crisis, it's part of the story." They're effortlessly chic, mostly because they require zero effort.
4. The Carafe That Thinks It’s a Lava Lamp
FERM LIVING Ripple Carafe Set, Smoked Grey
This carafe’s main job is to play with light, and it's very, very good at its job. The ripples in the glass create a mesmerizing, ever-changing pattern that makes your tap water look like it’s auditioning for a leading role. It’s pure, hypnotic fun for your table.
5. The Decanter That Means Business
TOM DIXON Tank Decanter 1L, Black
Okay, the geometry on this thing is seriously intense, like it’s here to conduct a very important experiment in deliciousness. It’s a handsome chunk of glass that, through sheer force of will, makes any bottle you pour from it seem ten times more interesting and expensive.
6. The Shaker That Sounds Like a Good Idea
EVA SOLO Liquid Lounge Cocktail Shaker
You can tell this shaker is good before you even taste the drink. The pieces fit together with a solid, satisfying 'thunk', and the sound of the ice shaking inside is clean and sharp. It’s the kind of beautifully engineered tool that makes you want to invent new cocktails just as an excuse to use it.
7. The Glass That’s Basically Cheating
NORMANN COPENHAGEN Whiskey Glasses (Set of 2)
This glass is so clever it almost feels unfair. The little bubble of glass at the bottom isn't just for looks—it creates a pedestal for your ice cube, lifting it up so it chills your drink with less watery melt. It’s a tiny piece of genius that guarantees a better sip from start to finish.
8. The Carbonator with the Satisfying Pssssh!
AARKE Carbonator 3, Matte White
That crisp, pneumatic pssssh-tunk! is an absurdly satisfying sound. This gorgeous machine lets you feel like a 1950s soda jerk and a minimalist designer all at once, turning boring H₂O into something celebratory. Plus, having fizzy water on demand is a low-key superpower.
9. The Tray That’s Your Hosting Co-Pilot
STELTON ARNE JACOBSEN Cylinda Serving Tray 33.5cm
This tray is your calm, circular co-pilot for a busy party. It wrangles all the chaotic energy of glasses, bottles, and bowls into one graceful, manageable trip from the kitchen. You'll feel impossibly suave, gliding through the room like you've been hosting elegant soirées your entire life.
10. The Trivet You Can Play With
EKTA LIVING Table Frame Trivet, Black Oak
Let’s be honest: most trivets are boring. This one is not. It’s basically a small, elegant puzzle made of black-stained oak that happens to be great at protecting your table from hot pans. It’s so sculptural and fun to fiddle with, you’ll probably just leave it out as a permanent art piece.
What are the absolute essentials if I'm just starting my modern serveware collection?
The best approach is to think like a minimalist and start with a versatile foundation. Before you buy niche items, focus on a core set of hosting essentials: a fantastic set of everyday dinner plates that you love (like the HAY Barro plates), high-quality cutlery that feels great to hold, a multi-purpose serving tray, and elegant, all-purpose glassware that works for water, wine, or a simple cocktail. This core "capsule" will cover you for 90% of situations and give you a stylish base to build upon over time.
How can I mix different materials like glass, ceramic, and steel without it looking messy?
The key to a beautifully layered and minimalist table setting is to find a common thread. The easiest way is through colour. By sticking to a cohesive palette (like the warm neutrals and smoked greys in the Open Invitation capsule), you can mix textures freely. Think of the ceramic plates as your warm, matte base, the polished steel cutlery as a sharp, metallic accent, and the glassware as a translucent, light-catching element. As long as the colours complement each other, the mix of materials will feel intentional and sophisticated, not chaotic.
Is there a real benefit to using a decanter or a special carafe?
Absolutely, and they each have a distinct job. A carafe is your all-rounder for serving; it’s perfect for water (with lemon and mint, perhaps?), batch-made cocktails, or fresh juice at brunch. It's about elevating the presentation and making serving easy. A decanter, on the other hand, is a specialist tool primarily for wine and some spirits. Its wider base is designed to increase the liquid's surface area, exposing it to oxygen. This process, called aeration, softens the tannins in red wine and opens up its aromas, dramatically improving the taste.
What’s the best way to care for these beautiful pieces to make them last?
Investing in high-quality design means you want it to last a lifetime, and proper care is simple. For dinnerware and everyday glassware, always check if they are dishwasher safe—most modern pieces are. When you do use the dishwasher, opt for a gentle detergent and avoid high-heat drying cycles, which can dull glass over time. For special items with hand-painted details (like the Tom Dixon decanter) or unique finishes, hand-washing with a soft cloth and mild soap is always the safest bet to preserve their character for years to come.
So, Who Are You Inviting Over?
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that hosting needs to be a grand, perfectly executed performance. The pressure can build until that fun, spontaneous thought of "let's have people over!" gets quietly shelved for "another time." But as we've seen, the real magic isn't in flawlessness; it's in the simple, joyful act of gathering. The takeaway is that having a few clever, beautiful, and functional pieces in your corner changes the entire equation. They do the heavy lifting of making a moment feel special, so you can focus on the actual fun part: the people.
That’s the entire philosophy behind what we call the Open Invitation capsule. It’s not just a random list of products, but a curated collection of modern serveware designed to take the stress out of hospitality. Each piece has been chosen for its ability to blend high-end design with effortless function, creating a toolkit that’s ready for anything. Think of the capsule as your official permission slip to host more, fuss less, and embrace the kind of warm, generous gatherings that make a house feel like a home.
