Swapping cups and plates.

We've just moved and downsized so lots of China, glassware ...linen and household others went to a lovely charity in Southampton who help homeless people who have been given accommodation with items they need to set up home. Then my lovely friend found out she was going to be moving and no longer needed her Portmerion China ( which I had always coveted) and asked me if I would like it... We now have 14 dinner plates and the same number in 3 other sized side plates... bowls... Cups... Saucers... Mugs ( tea and coffee) along with serving dishes... Gravy boat... Etc etc. I love it and yes I do try and rotate so the bottom plates etc get used but it's like weight lifting trying to get to the bottom of the pile. Having given away all my towels bar 2 sets...I had to whizz to Dunelm to get another set when DOH parents came to stay. I can't say I rotate knickers though as my underwear has to match. ( I've been known to change my outfit if I couldn't find appropriate matching bra and pants). My daughters used to love to wind me up by saying they were wearing unmatched sets. Lol

I try to rotate dishes but don’t do a very good job! I live alone so tend to use the same ones for myself every day. When all or some of my family come over for a meal they all get used so I do need quite a few. I have a couple of favourite large mugs and am strict about not having too many, although I do have an exquisite set of three which I rarely use; they are just too beautiful to let go! My favourite piece of china is a blue and white bowl which was part of an old set my mum had. She always ate her cereal in it as she loved it. I do the same now and hope it lasts forever as it reminds me of her.

I blame Beauty and the Beast

I've got so many mugs that I've run out of hooks to hang them on. Please don't give me any more mugs!
I used to rotate plates etc, but now, because of my pesky back, I keep a little collection of small plate, medium plate, large plate, and 2 bowls out permanently on the worktop to save bending down into the cupboard, for everyday use.

I never used to rotate things much just grabbed the nearest to hand however recently saw how tatty my underwear was getting and resolved to get some new ones only to discover some lovely unworn ones further down the drawer so am now being more selective. I have to admit though I do use my favourite 2 mugs constantly and visitors get 1 of the rest out of the cupboard !

When my new kitchen was installed I replaced all the cupboard style base units with pull out drawers, which show all the crockery casseroles, etc etc when I pull them out.

Now I can see everything, I am using a wider range of cooking pots. serving dishes and bits and pieces. Items that previously mouldered quietly at the back of cupboards, unseen and unused are back in use.

Our plates are very heavy (Portmeiron) so I keep taking the top two from the pile, while telling myself I really must bin the one with the faint crack and buy a replacement. I like to have a dozen of all plates and bowls - can easily get through them when even just a couple of people are staying.

Mugs are all on two mug trees, one or two extras in a cupboard, so no problem there. Cups, just one or two, remnants of former crockery, only really used for a bit of leftover sauce or gravy (to be added to a soup) or for cracking an egg into.

Dh and i use the same mugs/plates/dishes overand over again.
The same with cutlery.
I think it`s time for a kitchen de-clutter.
I`m pretty much the same with clothing too,i have a double wardrobe i haven`t opened in ages.

Most of my regularly used crockery gets used before the dishwasher is full so they all get an outing, but when I worked full time and lived alone, some of the mugs got dusty as I had most cups of coffee away from the house. Now my daughter is back living with me and working from home a lot, some of the mugs from the back of the cupboard get regular outings. She has different mug preferences too so some have been used that I never use myself! We are such creatures of habit though. My favourite mugs are on racks on the wall while the ones she likes are in the cupboard!

My two daughters have their own mugs when they visit. Put away in a cupboard in between times. My son is not bothered which mug he has. I also have a summer, winter and Christmas mug to use. Mr R uses the same one all year round.

I have a few chipped ex favourite mugs dotted around that get used for pen holders, loose cash and bits and bobs. I somehow don't like to part with them

We have set of crockery for 12, mostly large plates used, small dishwasher is run every 5/6 days, the small plates don’t get moved about. Both have our own mugs with about 5 spare, visitors are often for meals, so more likely to be a glass than a mug.

About ten years ago I replaced all our everyday stuff with an Emma Bridgewater design, eight of everything, doubling up on tea plates.
Unlike Emma Bridgewater they very quickly dropped the design, so every time I see anything in their sale pages, or anywhere else, I buy it.
I’ve also been buying slight variations, so I have quite a quantity of never been used at all.