A Guide To Choosing The Perfect Dining Table

If you’re looking for a new dining table for your home, you need to make sure you buy wisely.

This is a central piece of furniture for a dining room and so you need it to not only look good, but also be functional. It’s worth investing in a high-quality dining table as it’s the kind of piece of furniture that can last for years if well taken care of.

So, what exactly do you need to think about when you’re buying your next dining table?

Size

When it comes to dining tables, size really does matter. The first thing to do is measure your dining room to find out how much space you have for a table. Remember that you’ll want to leave a good amount of space around each side of the table so guests can comfortably get in and out of their seats.

Also consider how many people you usually entertain. There’s little point in buying a table that will seat eight, if you don’t normally have more than four people sitting down to eat together. If you’re worried about catering for large groups once or twice a year, you might be better off in buying a nice four-seater dining table and a foldable table that you can bring out when you need it.

Shape

Along with the size of your table, a key consideration is its shape. For four guests, a round table is nice and intimate, and can look great as a centrepiece of the room. It’s also ideal if there are usually just two of you eating together, as you won’t feel as though you’re too far apart when you’re dining.

Square tables can also work well, especially if you’d like to store them next to a wall when you’re not entertaining. If your dining room also doubles as another space, this is a particularly good option.

Larger tables tend to be rectangular or oval in shape and can look incredibly dramatic. The key with these though is making sure you’ve got sufficient space for this kind of table. They can make a room feel very small and crowded if there isn’t enough room around them.

Extendable tables and storage

If you’re the kind of person who only entertains larger groups a few times a year, an extendable dining table could be ideal. These fold out from the middle giving you a couple of extra spaces, but because they collapse down are perfect if you don’t want a large table for every meal.

For anyone who could do with a bit more storage space in their dining room, but who doesn’t have the space for extra sets of drawers or shelves, a table with built-in drawers could be ideal. These are great places to stash table mats, table cloths and other bits and pieces.

Design and style

Once you’ve decided what size and shape dining table you want, you’ll need to choose your favourite style. For a more classic look, a table made of wood is ideal. There are all kinds of finishes available, from those with ornate details to rustic-style pieces.

If it’s a contemporary feel that you’re after, a glass-topped dining table can work really well. These look incredibly stylish, particularly in a minimalist setting where the table design can shine, making them an excellent centrepiece.