Silver, steel, plate, modern or traditional? It's worth thinking before you shell out (literally). You can, of course, find the perfect cutlery cheaply and easily at most department stores and supermarkets. But if you feel like it's time to upgrade to something a little more luxurious, consider how much you'd like to spend, the type of design you like, and finally how many rooms you might need. Cutlery sets like silver bowl can cost between £10 and £10,000, so make sure you set your budget before you start shopping. Keep in mind that if you choose a design that is available in individual pieces, you can always add little by little to your service, which can be a more affordable way to build your collection.

Materials: what to choose

There are three main options: stainless steel, silver plate, and sterling silver (which is usually custom made). Each of them has its own advantages, but the cost varies greatly.

80 percent of the cutlery is made from 18/10 stainless steel, an iron alloy with chromium and nickel added to make it resistant to corrosion. This combination makes it dishwasher-safe, making it convenient for everyday use. Stainless steel cutlery tends to be more varied in design than silver plated cutlery.

Silver does not react with most foods and is resistant to staining and corrosion, making it particularly suitable for cutlery. However, because it is a soft metal, it is not suitable for knife blades that will be made of stainless steel unless they are antique. Both sterling silver and plated cutlery require polishing from time to time.
Resin handles have replaced bones (which are now illegal) and are dishwasher safe, whereas bone handles can only be bought as used items and should always be washed by hand.

The design you choose, of course, depends a lot on your own style and taste, but all experts agree that touching and holding cutlery is absolutely essential. “The choice of cutlery is very personal,” says Holly Verrill of David Mellor. “Most people like heavier cutlery, but it all comes down to personal preference.” If you are choosing a modern design, remember that modern items should be easy to use. “Our designers take models home to test them,” says Tony Miles of Richardson Sheffield. “The feel of the cutlery is very important – it should not only be functional, but also stylish.”

Consider how well the design will stand the test of time, as there's no point in splashing out if it looks outdated in a few years. If a design is discontinued, it will be difficult for you to find additional replacements or accessories to add to your collection.
To avoid this, opt for a modern classic like David Mellor's Pride series.

If you prefer the traditional model, you can opt for the new service, which will allow you to choose the number and type of items you want, or a used or antique set.

Traditional or "parochial" patterns as they are known include Rattail which dates back to the 1700s, Bead, Old English, Fiddle and Kings, just to name a few that are often passed down from generation to generation. These generic patterns are patent free and can be made by any company and are still very popular today.

Buying antiques - what to look out for

Used items can be cheaper and better quality than new ones and often have an element of history. “A fun way to create a dining room is to buy it piece by piece, either in sets of six or by the piece. More common patterns can be bought cheap at boot sales and antique fairs,” says Gary Bottomley of Reign Beau Ltd, a silver company that specializes in buying and selling antique silver. Visit Portobello Market, Alfi Antiques Market, or ask a specialist dealer for larger sets.

Condition is perhaps the most important criterion when buying an old flask. The tines on the forks should be the same length, and the spoons should retain their original shape and not have sharp ends.
Look for clear embellishments on more intricate designs (such as kings) as this will make them more valuable. Lots of used silver-plated flasks, but they can be damaged. Breathe on vulnerable areas (such as the back of a bowl or tines) to reveal differences in the color of the base metal.

How many cutlery should I buy?

“The rise in the number of single households means that the amount of cutlery bought depends less on the number of people in the house and more on how many times the dishwasher is loaded before running out of cleaning supplies,” explains Tony Miles of Richardson Sheffield. . “People buy furnishings based on both that factor and family size.” With this in mind, consider how many spaces and what components you will need. Are you often entertained or are your meals more casual? Do you really need a full service or will it just collect dust? Why waste precious space on soup spoons if you never serve soup? However, if you are setting a formal table, then stock can be a good investment. Rachelle Blindt of John Lewis says: “If you have people coming over regularly for dinner, buy two sets of knives and forks so you don't have to wash the dishes between meals. Similarly, if you're constantly losing teaspoons, buy 12 instead of eight." For this reason, designs that allow you to buy individual components are a good idea - you can also replace the odd spoon or fork, which will inevitably go astray.