An essential for daily meals, holiday gatherings, and family game nights, the dining/kitchen table is the heart of your home.  It is a gathering place for friends and family to share life’s special moments, so it’s important to choose a table that furnishes your eating area with both style and functionality.  With endless designs and sizes, from small pedestal tables to large expandable dining tables, it can be overwhelming to choose a set the best suits the needs of your home.  Consider our tips below to find the dining table that’s perfect for you and your home.

Size:

Finding the perfect balance between size and space enhances the look and function of a dining room, so scaling the size of the table to the space available in the dining room is a top priority.  It is recommended to leave a border of 24”-36” from behind your chairs to the wall or other pieces of furniture, so you and your guests can easily get up and down from the table. Mapping out where you plan to place your table with cardboard cutouts or painter’s tape can make it much easier to envision how your dining table will fit into your space.

You’ll also want to consider the number of people you want to be able to accommodate for both day to day activities and special occasions.  It’s recommended to give each diner about 2’ of space so that they have enough elbow room to eat and sit comfortably.  Seating four to six guests at a rectangular dining table requires a length of around 60”, while a round table needs 44”-54” diameter to accommodate the same number.

If you host larger gatherings occasionally, investing in an extendable table with a removable leaf or better yet a self-storing butterfly leaf can provide a great solution so you’re able to seat all your guests.  Stacking stools or folding chairs can be utilized to accommodate extra seating needs.

Shape:

Loved both for their form and functionality, rectangular dining tables are the most popular of all shapes.  Classic rectangular dining tables can accommodate more guests than round tables and square tables.  They fit well in long, narrow rooms, but are also great at defining the dining area in open-plan spaces, making them the perfect choice in modern, open –concept dining areas.

Round and oval dining tables offer versatility in a variety of settings and as of late are becoming the table of choice once again.  Whether used in a kitchen nook or small, square –shaped room, round tables can create an intimate setting and provide ample leg room when they have a pedestal base.  In order to avoid guests feeling too far apart from each other, it is best to use a round table only if you plan to seat six people or less.

Square tables work well in both long, narrow dining areas and square spaces such as the kitchen.  Square ding tables are often small and unable to seat large groups.  They are ideal for a cozy breakfast nook where only a small number of seats are needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Material:

While there is no right or wrong choice, you will want to consider your needs and space when selecting your table material.  Wood dining tables are by far the popular choice and tend to fill the room with a significant presence.  The highest quality tables are solid wood.  They are usually a higher price point but may be refinished and repaired as well as handed down for future generations to enjoy.  Veneer tables offer a less expensive option to wood but may be easily damaged so care must be exercised as refinishing isn’t usually an option.  Glass top tables are minimalist and airy, allowing other elements of your room to shine through.  Additionally they can be used without worry of staining, water or heat damage.  Stone designs such as marble and granite are more popular than ever and offer a natural, timeless look that requires a minimal amount of extra care.

Above all, the most important rule to follow when purchasing your new dining table is to pick the one that fits your space, style and needs!

 

 

Something Special?
close slider
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.