This week on the Strategist, we’re covering all things tabletop: the best plates, yes, and also everything that goes around (and underneath) them. Welcome to Tabletop Week.
Much like place mats, trivets serve a purpose both practical and decorative. They act as the final resting place (other than your stomach) for whatever roast or braise you pored over for hours. And while their first job is to provide your pot with a landing pad and protect your tables from heat-induced damage, they can also add some color and texture to your dining scape. So, whether you’re the owner of a brand-new table, in the process of zhuzhing up your kitchen, or simply looking to replace an old trivet, you’ve come to the right place. I scoured the internet and rounded up trivets for all sorts of tastes, including one bona-fide cork option from Muji and a few that are shaped like fish.
Update on October 22, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
A decidedly dainty option, this ceramic trivet is adorned with hand-painted flowers. I’m taken by the sunny yellow one, but the red trivet is pleasantly autumnal, too. Best of all, they’re dishwasher safe.
Fun fact: Wool is heat- and stain-resistant, so this soft trivet is actually quite practical. And since the floral design on this one is laser-cut rather than hand-painted, it’ll add extra dimension to your table.
Like most things from Muji, this trivet is unobtrusive and utilitarian. If you’re looking for a simple and affordable trivet that’ll protect your surfaces, it’s hard to do better than this.
Made of stainless steel, this adjustable trivet expands up to nearly 20 inches to support even your largest Dutch ovens. And since it’s heat-resistant up to 640 degrees Fahrenheit, the trivet won’t limit your pan size or heat aspirations.
If you’d rather an expandable acacia trivet, there’s this one from Zara Home. It doesn’t expand as wide as the Joseph Joseph, but it’ll certainly save room if you’re short on drawer space.
And if you have plenty of space, consider a trivet with feet. It’s best for your prized dish that deserves to stand above the rest.
Like all the pieces from Sin, the Brooklyn-based home-goods store run by designer Virginia Sin, this trivet is hand-crafted. This piece from the line features twisted stoneware coils.
Another trivet-slash-design piece worthy of leaving out on your table between meals.
Here’s a rectangular trivet dotted with ogling fish, which I find especially charming.
Unsurprisingly, Le Creuset makes many trivets. This one is crafted from the same enameled cast iron as its Dutch ovens and has a price tag to match. So if you’re not loyal to a matching set, you might consider the more affordable silicone trivet.
If you’re partial to Staub, the Dutch-oven competitor also makes its own trivet. This one is double coated and dainty despite being made of enameled cast iron.
A simple choice: This stainless-steel trivet makes cleanup easy.
I’m loyal to this Petit Beurre–themed trivet, which is still on the table of my family’s home. It’s modeled off the rich, buttery, and pleasantly crunchy Petit Beurre cookies that were a staple of my childhood.
This rustic trivet looks like it stepped out of the early 20th century and is accordingly sturdy. It’s made of solid iron and designed after a storm grate.
Consider this one if you like the ruggedness the iron will bring to your kitchen but would rather something less overtly old fashioned.
And for the durability of cast iron with none of the roughness, these trivets are abstract depictions of a bird and a fish designed by Swedish artist and silversmith Gunnar Cyrén and crafted by midcentury design house Dansk. Coincidentally, the designer popularized tiny taper candles, which would look right at home next to these whimsical trivets.
[Editor’s note: This item is currently out of stock, but we’ll let you know when it becomes available again.]
There are plenty of animal-shaped trivets out there, and it seems that fish-shaped ones are some of the most popular right now. Given this one’s high price, I’d say you can use it as a kitchen art piece if you hang it by the eye.
If you fancy a tablescape that spans the globe like Lichen co-founder Jared Blake, try this trivet, which is made in Japan. It’s hand-braided from straw and is the perfect size to hold a moka pot while you enjoy your morning coffee.
This one is satisfyingly geometric. Like the braided one above, it’s also made in Japan — specifically from the workshops of woodshop company Tosaryu in Kochi, Japan.
These are some of the more attractive trivets that you can find on Amazon and have been on our radar since 2018. They’re made of beechwood, which is durable enough to withstand daily use, and they’re a good value, too: For $10 you get a set of two.
This trivet looks like a pastry chef just funneled it out of their piping bag. The pleats do more than just look pretty, though — they facilitate airflow between hot food and surfaces, so you can put your hot dishes and pots on it without worry as long as they’re at 425 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
Crate and Barrel makes a number of elegant trivets, including this slatted acacia one.
To match your marble counters, consider this sculptural trivet that’s actually hand-carved.
This one is magnetic, so it’ll stick to your pan or dutch oven if you can’t decide where to let it rest.
For those charmed by Mackenzie-Childs’s signature checker, there’s this pig-shaped trivet. The ceramic trivet is hand-painted, so each one will be unique.
For a true maximalist: a gold-plated trivet with a flight of butterflies. If you’re willing to splurge, Michael Aram makes a whole collection of butterfly-topped kitchenware, including a teapot, cake stand, and platter.
These trompe l’oeil tiles can be used to make one big trivet or six separate coasters.
But if you can’t handle the moving pieces, consider this geometric trivet. You’ll get the same cubic vibe without the fear of losing a tile.
Finally, these trivets are made to order by Italian ceramist Giovanna La Falce. While I’m drawn to this turquoise one that matches the color scheme of my kitchen, I’m also eyeing this deep green one adorned with floral accents and this dainty blue one that looks like it’s centuries old.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
