The Dollar Tree Find So Good I Bought 12 (And I Still Only Spent $18)

Sometimes I get so excited about a good "look for less" that I share it a bit too quickly. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Dollar Tree's turquoise Royal Norfolk dishes as a Pottery Barn copycat—and they are. Since then, I've found an even better match with the same reactive glaze effect, deep, moody blue colorways, and artisanal vibe. I knew I'd jumped the gun on my first recommendation and had to give you the good news.

Dollar Tree's Royal Norfolk Blue Burst Dinner Plates are an even closer copycat of Pottery Barn's $129 Nico Stoneware Reactive Glaze 12-Piece Dinnerware Set. My previous find was great, but this one, my friends, is fantastic! 

Why I Love Dollar Tree's Blue Burst Dishes

The first thing that struck me about these plates is how closely they capture the aesthetic everyone is lusting after with the Pottery Barn set. Pottery Barn's Nico line is defined by its reactive glaze, which gives the surface a gorgeous, mottled, and slightly organic appearance. It's what makes each piece feel unique and hand-crafted.

The previous Dollar Tree line I love is gorgeous (and still a great dupe), but it doesn't nail that tie-dye-like effect. That's where the blue burst dishes shine; their "burst" finish mimics that multi-tonal, deep blue coloration that is the entire appeal of the reactive glaze.

When I set the Dollar Tree plates next to photos of the Pottery Barn set, the Pottery Barn version is more boldly blue and features nuanced shades of grey and brown at the rims and in the center. But the visual depth and variation that make the reactive glaze so appealing are all there in the Dollar Tree dishes—for $1.50 a piece.

The fact that they're sold individually rather than as a set is also a considerable advantage. You can buy exactly the number of dishes you need—in my case, extra bowls for soups, stews, grain bowls, cereal, etc., and a replacement piece when my son inevitably drops something.

For the cost of four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four bowls, Dollar Tree's dishes will ring up at $18 total. That's compared to Pottery Barn's $129. That's an 86% savings for a nearly identical look. Even if you buy a full-service set of eight, the price would still only be $36.

The best part of any dish dupe, though, is that they eliminate the "good dishes" anxiety. I am someone who saves nicer dishware for company or special occasions, and I worry about chips, stains, or my toddler's enthusiastic plate-stacking. I can use these beautiful dishes every single day. The investment is minimal, and replacements are easy. 

Like the Pottery Barn set, they are dishwasher and microwave-safe. But as always with budget dishware (and stoneware, in general), I recommend avoiding abrupt temperature changes (e.g., freezer to microwave), inspecting for chips before heavy use, and using the first few washes to make sure there's no glaze chipping or unexpected behavior. 

Finding these plates feels like winning the grand prize in the "Look For Less" lottery. If you've been eyeing the Pottery Barn Nico set but can't quite justify the $129 price tag, run to your local Dollar Tree. This dupe is the real deal.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}