How to Choose a Stylish and Practical Dining Room Table
Your dining room table will likely be many things to many people over the years – the scene of memorable get-togethers and holiday feasts, midnight snacks over desperate study sessions, that marathon Risk game that turned your brother and uncle into sworn enemies (and the sequel that reconciled them), and of course the thousands of everyday mealtime conversations that add to what life is all about for you and yours. When you’re looking to buy a dining table, you want one that’s going to be versatile enough to fit whatever context and purpose you see your household using it for. You want a quality piece that’s going to last through many different seasons as your family grows. And, of course, you want to find the right style, size, and shape that’s going to blend into your space and look like it really belongs there. Dining Table DimensionsWhen you’re considering your dining area, it’s a good idea to think about ideal table dimensions in terms of shape and size together. As well as determining how many people you can seat, the size and shape of the table will also influence the mood and level of intimacy or formality you want to have in your dining room. ShapeRectangular If you think of a big feast, you’ll likely be imagining a rectangular table. They’re simply the most practical for bigger groups, and large rooms. Unlike with square or circular tables, you can increase the size without losing a sense of connection between your guests, as well as proximity to food in the centre of the table. You’ll also be able to keep enough room for walking around the table. With rectangular tables being the most popular, you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of styles, materials and sizes, including extendable versions. SquareIf you’ve got a square dining area, it makes a lot of visual sense to go with a square table. As there is no ‘head’ of the table, square tables create a sense of equality and greater intimacy than rectangular tables, and work really well for medium to smaller scale dining areas. By the same token, they are limiting in terms of size and number of guests. You wouldn’t want to go bigger than an 8 seater at most, because once the table gets too big, your guests will start to feel estranged from each other – and the food! RoundRound tables provide an even more social and relaxed setting than square or rectangular tables. While you also want to avoid going to big with a round table to avoid everyone getting too far removed, the round shape is a more efficient use of space, and allows you to squeeze in some extra chairs, especially since most round tables tend to have pedestal bases. SizeThe space where you want to use the table and the number of people you want to seat on any given Sunday will naturally be the main factors in choosing the perfect size table. Deciding based on seat numbers can be a bit of a balancing act – ideally you want to be able to accommodate a few extra guests from time to time, but you don’t want a table that feels oversized and awkward for day to day family dining. Ultimately, the table size you choose should feel right for your dining space, and as a rule of thumb, be big enough to seat your usual mealtime gatherings plus an extra two guests. If you’re short on space but want to accommodate more guests from time to time, here are a few options to make it work:
MaterialAside from shape, the material you choose will be your dining table’s most defining feature. While you may be in love with a particular look, it’s best to have a few favourites on your list, then make a final decision based on what will be most practical for your needs and lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of popular table materials. WoodWood is a timeless classic that offers charm, versatility and in most cases, great durability. For day-to-day use, you may want to steer away from cheaper, softer woods like pine which tend to dent, stain and wear more easily, but even these can be repaired and refinished with relative ease. Wood that develops a weathered look will also fit perfectly with a more rustic family home. GlassGlass table tops are versatile enough to work with any décor style and will lend an open, bright and airy feel to your space. Naturally, glass can be prone to chips and scratches, but with many tables these days constructed from hard-wearing tempered glass, it’s much less of a concern. Glass will show fingerprints, though, so if you’ve got little minions leaving their marks everywhere, be prepared for frequent cleaning (as if you weren’t already). Stone & MarbleMarble, cast stone, slate and quartz composite tabletops give stylistic weight to a room, offering a unique blend of modern and classical elegance – serve some grapes and you’ll feel like you’re dining in ancient Greece. Just be careful not to spill the wine on a stone table as these tend to be very porous and prone to stains. Although sturdy and durable, these tables will be tough to repair if they chip or crack, and are obviously not the easiest to move around. MetalYou likely won’t find an all-metal dining table, but table legs or supports made from stainless steel, silver, brass, zinc, iron, and anything in between, make a stylish complement to glass and wooden table tops in particular. Metal is versatile and generally more affordable than wood, stone or marble, and blends well with urban, modern or contemporary home design. Style & ColourWith an idea of your ideal dimensions and favourite materials for your dining table, you can start shopping around and honing in on the finer details, like style and colour.
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For more on the dining table & chair matchup, read our detailed guide on Chairs to Dine For. |