Every culture around the world has its own way of setting the table and decorating dishware, giving meals a unique vibe wherever you go. Different countries and regions have their own traditions—sometimes it’s delicate hand painting, sometimes vivid ornaments featuring ethnic patterns, and so on. Ornamental patterns, color palettes, and artistic motifs serve as a direct reflection of history, geography, and cultural aesthetics. Today, designers and collectors are bringing ethnic-inspired patterns back in style, turning them into a modern trend for table décor. That’s why we’re highlighting some of the most popular brands and collections you can use for elegant kitchen or dining projects, as well as for everyday and festive settings.
Popular and Uncommon Decorative Trends in Dinnerware
The diversity of decorative motifs in dinnerware is impressive, since traditions are defined not only by countries but also by specific regions. Certain motifs are so original and exquisite that they have gained global recognition. You can spot them not only in ethnic workshops but also in dinnerware lines from prestigious porcelain and dinnerware manufacturers. We asked the experts from the MDMAISON luxury décor project which ornaments are popular and where to find them, and here is what they shared with us.
Chinese Blue & White Porcelain
Chinese blue-and-white porcelain is one of the oldest décor trends—so iconic that even people who don’t know much about tableware recognize it. This design has inspired decorators across the world for many centuries and represents both timeless classics and Eastern elegance in table décor. These pieces often feature classic floral and landscape scenes brought to life with delicate hand-painting.
Such motifs look equally beautiful in traditional interiors and in modern minimalist spaces. This aesthetic is now actively used in the collections of leading manufacturers in Europe and Asia. You’ll see that blue-and-white vibe in the work of big-name porcelain brands, like:
- Meissen (the legendary Blue Onion (Zwiebelmuster)
- Royal Copenhagen (Blue Fluted Plain, Blue Elements)
- Herend (its Blue Garland collection)
- Wedgwood (Blue Heritage)
Portuguese Azulejo
Azulejo is that classic Portuguese pattern you see all over the place, usually on faience tiles and surfaces. It’s no wonder that many plates and bowls are richly decorated with it. Their signature blue-and-white palette, with geometric and floral patterns, brings a fresh Mediterranean vibe and pairs beautifully with natural wood, linen, and simple furniture shapes.
This trend has now spread from handmade ceramics to mainstream dinnerware brands. Among them are:
- Vista Alegre (Tiles)
- Luisa Paixão (Azulejos Collection)
- Classic Crockery (Azulejo Collection)
Japanese Minimalist Motifs
When it comes to Japanese minimalism in tableware, you’ll see simple lines, soft wave shapes, and details like sakura or cranes, usually matched with calm colors and natural textures. Such décor resonates beautifully with contemporary interiors defined by restraint, pure forms, and an ambiance of serenity. These days you’ll find those motifs not only from Japanese makers but also from big Limoges names, like:
- MUJI (Japanese Tableware)
- Nikko Ceramics (Blossom, Sensu)
- Bernardaud (Aux Oiseaux, Kintsugi)
- Pinto (Vieux Kyoto)
Scandinavian Nature Prints
If your place is all about minimalism, loft vibes, or a modern look, then Scandi-style tableware works best—it’s all about earthy shades and being super functional. This aesthetic is defined by pure lines, matte textures, and motifs drawn from Nordic nature—delicate leaves, slender branches, and snow-inspired patterns. This is one of the most popular directions in dinnerware, so here are a few great examples:
- Iittala (Teema collection)
- Rörstrand (Mon Amie series)
- Broste Copenhagen (Nordic Marsh, Nordic Sea, Nordic Sand)
- Marimekko (Siirtolapuutarha series)
- Hering Berlin (Pulse, Orbit)
- Fürstenberg (Fluen luminea, Blanc White, Wagenfeld White)
Moroccan Geometric Patterns
People are crazy about Moroccan geometric designs—they’re stunning to look at and have that high-end vibe. These are intricate symmetrical compositions with repeating stars, polygons, zigzags, diamonds, and interlacing lines. Numerous luxury houses have adopted these motifs at the core of their collections, reinterpreting them with exclusive pigments, refined finishes, and lavish details in gold and platinum.
Such cultural motifs weave a luxuriant visual texture, elevating dinnerware into a striking accent within the interior space. Notable examples of Moroccan mosaic patterns can be found in collections such as:
- Caskata (The Geometrics Collection)
- Fürstenberg (Auréole Clair de Lune)
- Haviland (Souffle d’Or)
- Jaune de Chrome (Nymphéa, Song Ocre)
- Raynaud (Trésor)
- Robert Haviland & C. Parlon (Syracuse Turquoise, Home Platinum, Océan)
- Rosenthal (Francis Carreau)
Italian Amalfi Style
The Italian Amalfi style is associated with the bright Mediterranean sun, the aroma of lemons, and green olive branches. In porcelain, such motifs are expressed through vibrant yellow and golden hues, harmoniously contrasted with deep cobalt blues and natural green accents. The decoration often includes lemon clusters, branches with leaves, and ornamental borders, very often accented with platinum or gold elements that add luxury. These bright, cheerful designs are commonly chosen for daily tableware or for vacation homes and yachts.
What’s worth checking out:
- Ceramiche d’Arte Parrini (Blue Lemons)
- Fratelli Mari Maioliche (Agrumi)
- Labache Capraiano (Amalfi Coast Lemons)
- Haviland (Portofino)
- Robert Haviland & C. Parlon (Toscana Indigo)
- Ginori 1735 (Oriente Italiano)
African Tribal Patterns
A pretty popular dinnerware trend—especially in eco style—is the use of patterns with African roots. First of all, these are bold, high-contrast designs with woven-in geometric shapes, ethnic symbols and masks, natural elements like leaves or weaves, rich textures, and often hand-painted details. Within interior and dining design, such décor serves as a refined accent, particularly striking against neutral palettes or minimalist forms.
- Here are some interesting examples:
- Corelle (African Tribal)
- Excelsa (Tribal Ceramic)
- Vancasso (BoHo African Tribal)
- Wayfair (Safari)
Exploring New Ideas
One last thing we want to say is that this, of course, isn’t a full list of patterns from around the world. There are still plenty of beautiful, vibrant, and eye-catching dinnerware sets that can bring a whole new vibe and mood to your home—both for table settings and for décor. Just do a quick search and you’ll find plenty—Provence-inspired patterns, Greek-style pieces, Mexican vibes, and so on.
For those who do not have the time or who are uncertain about the effectiveness of their search, we recommend consulting experts. These expert teams swiftly source the desired pieces and collections, ensuring prompt delivery directly from the manufacturer or authorized dealer, accompanied by full assurance of authenticity.
