Year & Day’s documented strength is simple, well-made tableware that takes the guesswork out of setting a table. Founder Kathryn Duryea launched the San Francisco brand after struggling to find dinnerware that wasn’t boring, overpriced or poor quality, according to Business Insider. Its ceramics are made at a Portugal factory known for ethical practices, using local clay and recycled clay scraps to conserve resources. Its glassware is made by a family-owned Italian glassmaker with more than 200 years of history, with laser-cut rims for a precise finish, according to Remodelista. Fast Company called Year & Day “the Warby Parker of dishware,” noting it costs significantly more than Target or Ikea but less than high-end designer dinnerware.
Year & Day’s design approach is deliberately simple. The brand offers a small number of colorways that mix and match across semi-matte plates, bowls and serving pieces, plus flatware in finishes like polished steel, matte black and matte gold. Duryea told WRAL the brand avoids overwhelming customers with choices. Its “Build My Complete Set” tool recommends exactly what to buy for your lifestyle, which Business Insider praised for clearing up confusion. Business Insider described the ceramics, flatware and Italian glassware as high quality, durable and beautiful, and said everything is dishwasher-friendly. The Quality Edit notes Year & Day’s ceramics are free of lead, cadmium and other heavy metals and meet California Prop 65 requirements.
Year & Day also sells vases, candles and other tabletop pieces, and is available on wedding registries like Zola, Blueprint Registry and Thankful Registry. Pricing at launch, per Business Insider, was about $6.50 to $13 per ceramic piece, $9 to $18 per flatware piece and $12 to $15 per glass, and Remodelista listed a four-person flatware setting at $180. Current prices may differ, so check Year & Day’s site. Business Insider notes free shipping on orders over $150 and a 30-day return policy.
The honest caveat: Year & Day has no Trustpilot reviews, and only four reviews on Thingtesting, so independent customer data is limited. Thingtesting’s reviews are positive, averaging 4.8 with all reviewers recommending the brand. Much of the available editorial coverage is enthusiastic, and The Quality Edit’s article is a paid partnership with Year & Day. Ceramic dinnerware can chip with rough handling, so buyers should follow care instructions, as one Thingtesting reviewer advises.
Quick Highlights
✅ Minimalist, mix-and-match ceramics, flatware and glassware
✅ Ceramics made in Portugal at an ethical factory, per Business Insider
✅ Uses local and recycled clay to conserve resources
✅ Italian glassware from a 200-year-old family glassmaker, per Remodelista
✅ Lead-, cadmium- and heavy-metal-free ceramics, per The Quality Edit
✅ Meets California Prop 65 requirements
✅ Dishwasher-friendly, per Business Insider
✅ “Build My Complete Set” tool simplifies shopping
✅ Flatware in finishes like matte gold and matte black
✅ Available on Zola and other registries
✅ Free shipping over $150 and 30-day returns, per Business Insider
✅ Thingtesting rating of 4.8, with 100% recommending
❌ No Trustpilot reviews
❌ Only four Thingtesting reviews
❌ Pricier than mass-market dinnerware
❌ Limited color and style range by design
❌ Ceramics require some care to avoid chipping
❌ Some editorial coverage is sponsored
❌ Launch pricing may not reflect current prices
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on coverage from Business Insider, Fast Company, Remodelista, WRAL and The Quality Edit, four Thingtesting reviews, and Year & Day product information. Year & Day has no Trustpilot reviews, so independent customer feedback is very limited. The Quality Edit’s article is a paid partnership, and some prices come from launch coverage, so confirm current prices on Year & Day’s site.
Safety note: Year & Day says its ceramics are free of lead, cadmium and other heavy metals and meet California Prop 65 requirements, according to The Quality Edit. Avoid sudden temperature changes with ceramics, and check each piece’s care instructions before microwave or oven use. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Year & Day that affects this verdict.
Full Review Breakdown
Design and Collection
Year & Day’s design philosophy is calm, minimal and cohesive. The ceramics have a semi-matte finish in a small set of colorways that mix and match, making it easy to build a coordinated table. The Quality Edit’s writer said the mix-and-match colors offer countless combinations for any aesthetic. Remodelista highlighted the brand’s simplicity, from Big Plates to four-person flatware settings.
The flatware comes in a handful of finishes, including polished stainless, matte black and matte gold, and The Quality Edit noted a fourth finish has since been added. Glassware includes wine, tall and short styles. Year & Day also offers serving pieces, dip dishes, vases and candles. Interior architect Emily Farnham chose Year & Day dinnerware and matte gold flatware for a client’s home, according to WRAL.
Quality and Materials
Year & Day’s materials and sourcing are a key selling point. Ceramics are made in Portugal at a factory known for ethical practices, using local clay and recycled clay scraps, according to Business Insider. Glassware comes from a family-owned Italian maker with over two centuries of experience, and rims are laser-cut, per Remodelista. Business Insider described the products as high quality, durable and beautiful.
Safety and practicality matter too. The Quality Edit says the ceramics are lead-free, cadmium-free and Prop 65 compliant. Business Insider says everything is dishwasher-friendly, so the dinnerware works for daily meals, not just special occasions. A Thingtesting reviewer advises new ceramic owners to learn how to care for ceramics properly.
Shopping Experience
Year & Day makes buying a full set unusually simple. Its “Build My Complete Set” tool asks about your needs and recommends a complete kit of plates, bowls, flatware and glassware. Business Insider praised it for clearing up confusion about what to buy, and Remodelista described it as dinnerware in a box. Duryea told Fast Company she doesn’t want customers buying dishes they don’t need.
Year & Day ships free on orders over $150 and offers 30-day returns, according to Business Insider. It’s available on Zola, Blueprint Registry and Thankful Registry, making it a popular wedding gift. A Thingtesting reviewer said they first bought Year & Day when moving into a new house and needing a full set of dishes.
Price and Value
Year & Day sits in the middle of the market. Fast Company says it costs significantly more than Target or Ikea but less than designer dinnerware from luxury department stores. At launch, Business Insider listed ceramics at about $6.50 to $13 per piece, flatware at $9 to $18 per piece and glassware at $12 to $15 per glass. Remodelista listed Big Plates at $52 for four and a four-person flatware setting at $180. Prices have likely changed since then.
Thingtesting reviewers call it fair-priced for a luxury good and more fairly priced than competitors. For buyers wanting a cohesive, quality table without designer prices, Year & Day offers strong value.
Best Products Worth Buying
Year & Day’s foundational dinner plate, in semi-matte colorways that mix and match across the collection. Made in Portugal from local and recycled clay, lead- and cadmium-free and dishwasher-friendly. Best for building an everyday dinnerware set. Trade-offs: ceramics can chip if knocked, so stack carefully. Check current pricing on Year & Day’s site.
Five-piece stainless steel place settings in finishes such as polished, matte black and matte gold. Interior architect Emily Farnham chose the matte gold for a client’s home. Best for modern tables and wedding registries. Trade-offs: matte finishes may need gentler care to keep their look. Follow the brand’s care instructions.
Wine, tall and short glasses made by a family-owned Italian glassmaker with over 200 years of history, finished with laser-cut rims. Best for everyday drinking and entertaining. Trade-offs: thin rims can be delicate, so hand-wash if you’re concerned about chips.
A tailored kit of plates, bowls, flatware and glassware based on your household and how you eat, recommended through Year & Day’s online tool. Business Insider praised it for simplifying shopping. Best for new homes, first apartments and wedding registries. Trade-offs: a full set is a bigger upfront investment, so take advantage of free shipping over $150.
What Customers Actually Think
“I first got this brand when I moved into a new house and wanted to buy a full set of new dishes.” — Thingtesting reviewer (Year & Day dinnerware)
“It is fair-priced for a luxury good.” — Thingtesting reviewer (Year & Day tableware)
“Year & Day is a bit more fairly priced than other competitors on the market.” — Thingtesting reviewer (Year & Day tableware)
“I’ve been using Year & Day’s ceramic set for about a month now, and I’m very pleased with the upgrade.” — The Quality Edit (editorial, paid partnership, Ceramic set in Daybreak)
“Everything at Year & Day is dishwasher-friendly, not just pretty dinnerware you can only look at and wash delicately after the one time of the year you do use it.” — Business Insider (editorial review, ceramics, flatware and glassware)
Is It Worth It?
Yes, for buyers who want a cohesive, modern table with responsibly made ceramics and quality flatware and glassware, without designer prices. Independent reviews are limited, so start with a few pieces, check current prices, and use the 30-day return window.
Competitors Table
Feature | Year & Day | East Fork | Our Place | Great Jones | Quince | Crate & Barrel |
Trustpilot rating | No reviews | No reviews | 4.3/5 (5,054 reviews) | 3.2/5 (2 reviews) | Not checked | 1.1/5 (493 reviews) |
Made in | Portugal (ceramics) | USA (Asheville, NC) | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Flatware | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
Glassware | Italian | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
Set-building tool | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
Price level | Mid | Premium | Mid | Mid | Budget to mid | Mid |
FAQs
Where is Year & Day dinnerware made?
Its ceramics are made in Portugal, and its glassware in Italy.
Is Year & Day dinnerware lead-free?
Yes. The Quality Edit says the ceramics are free of lead, cadmium and other heavy metals.
Is Year & Day dishwasher safe?
Business Insider says everything is dishwasher-friendly.
What is Year & Day’s return policy?
Business Insider notes a 30-day return policy and free shipping over $150.
Can I add Year & Day to a wedding registry?
Yes, through Zola, Blueprint Registry and Thankful Registry.
Final Verdict
Year & Day makes setting a beautiful, cohesive table simple, with minimalist mix-and-match ceramics, quality flatware and Italian glassware. Its responsibly made, lead- and cadmium-free ceramics and handy set-building tool make it a smart choice for new homes and registries.
The main limitation is the lack of independent reviews, along with a deliberately narrow style range. Start with a few pieces, confirm current prices, and use the return window. For modern, understated dinnerware, Year & Day is a lovely option.
Scorecard
Category | Score |
Design & Cohesion | 9.0/10 |
Material Quality | 8.4/10 |
Material Safety | 9.0/10 |
Ease of Shopping | 9.2/10 |
Sustainability | 8.2/10 |
Value for Money | 8.0/10 |
Review Evidence | 5.0/10 |
Returns & Shipping | 7.6/10 |
Overall | 8.0/10 |
