IKEA’s understated picnic set is the classiest I’ve seen, as well as being practical and cheap — I’m not surprised it’s selling fast

When it comes to picnicware, it looks like all the designers got together and decided ‘bright and colorful’ was the order of the day. As much as I like a rainbow-hued cups and plates, sometimes the occasion calls for something a little more classy — and IKEA has unexpectedly delivered.

The Swedish homeware giant’s Simkrabba and Vitabborre outdoor crockery ranges are available in understated shades of oatmeal, sage gray-green, muted navy and pale butter yellow. You could mix and match, or pick a hue and keep things consistent. They’re practical, too; they’re all made from bump- and scratch-resistant polypropylene plastic, and are dishwasher-safe, for easy cleaning when you get home. Plus, because it’s Ikea, the pricing is pleasingly affordable — individual pieces start from just 59 cents. Almost the full range has a ‘Selling fast’ flag attached, and I’m not surprised.