Mix and Match: A Complete Guide for Hospitality Venues
Today’s hospitality venues are increasingly embracing a mix and match concept across their menu styles. This concept creates distinctive tabletops that help reflect the brand identify of venues and enhance the overall dining experience.
When executed well, combining complementary colours, textures and finishes can achieve a more visual interest by helping chefs dishes stand out.The key is selecting collections that work together whilst maintaining consistency across service.
Why Mix and Match Continues to Grow
Modern diners are drawn to authentic, character-led experiences. Tableware featuring reactive glazes, organic shapes and handcrafted aesthetics allows venues to create unique presentations that feel individual without compromising professionalism.
Mixing collections can also provide greater flexibility, allowing operators to refresh menus, introduce seasonal concepts or adapt presentation styles without replacing their entire tabletop offering.
Building a Foundation
The most successful mix and match concepts begin with a versatile base collection. Matching tones and textured finishes provide an excellent starting point, allowing accent pieces to complement rather than compete.
DPS Tableware offer such collections which provide this strong foundation for a variety of menu styles, for a moodier, darker approach explore Flint or Rune. For something slightly lighter and neutral, explore Nude or Scorched.
From casual dining through to premium hospitality environments, DPS offers a concept for each, discover some ready made concepts here.
Combining Colour and Texture
Contrast is often the best start t creating the most striking results. Pairing darker collections with softer tones can help individual dishes stand out whilst adding depth to the tabletop.
Popular combinations include:
Each pairing introduces subtle contrast whilst maintaining a cohesive overall appearance. However, your menu should always influence your tableware selection.
Rustic sharing dishes often suit earthy reactive glazes and textured finishes, whilst contemporary tasting menus may benefit from cleaner shapes and more restrained colour palettes.
Combining Colour and Texture
Mix and match styling can extend beyond plates alone.
Beverage ware ranges such as Evolve, Nordic inspired sharing dishes from Nordika, or even complementary glass pieces can contribute to completing at tabletop that feels intentional and professionally curated.
At DPS Tableware, we’ve developed a range of moodboards and inspirational concepts to help venues discover new pairing opportunities. Our Tabletop Visualiser also allows you to experiment with different collections and build a tabletop suited to your venue and menu style.
For a more hands-on experience, come visit our showroom and explore our diverse portfolio.
Sign up to our mailing list
Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest in tableware launches, important information and spotlights on our product ranges straight to your inbox.
There’s more to read!
Autumn Menu Inspiration: Preparation for the Seasons Ahead
APS Valo, Essentials for Hotel Buffets
