Choosing The Best Dining Table
When choosing the best dining table there are what feels like a million things to consider. There are also a huge number of dining tables out there to choose from and so doing your research before you head out shopping is going to be hugely beneficial.
Finding the right table to bring your space together is key. The dining table is often the focal point of the room where your family and friends gather for meals and celebratory occasions. Not only do you want the space to feel comfortable, you want the table to fit the décor and enhance the style of your home.
There are plenty of sizes and shapes to choose from. We take a look at the key considerations for buying and also the options available to help with choosing the best dining table.
Selecting Style
The material of the table
There are some important things to think about when consider what material you want your dining table to be made of. You will need to think about how it will be used, how often it will be used, when it will be used and who will be using it.
Wood or timber tables offer comfort and warmth and are more than suitable for daily use. It won’t show standard wear or fingerprints easily so will stand the test of time better than others. Concrete and marble tables are ridiculously hardy and are very much on trend at the moment. Glass tables require quite a bit of maintenance but look incredible when they’re shiny and streak free.
The space the table will fit into
Assessing the space is possibly your first consideration when on the hunt for a new dining table. Have a good think about what room it’s going into and whether it calls for a formal style or much more casual design. Will you be hosting dinner parties and events on the table? Or will it be used primarily for the daily family meal and not much more. An every-day use sort of table will need to be low maintenance but you won’t find a shortage of style available in this popular request.
Make sure you leave plenty of room around the table for people to walk around without banging into things. Bare in mind diners will need to be able to get in and out of their chairs without hitting walls or invading walking space too much.
In terms of shape, you could use the theory of not trying to stick a square peg into a round hole. Consider the space you’re working with to determine whether a central round dining table will suit or whether a square table will look out of place in front of a rounded bay window.
Choosing The Shape
Square dining tables
Square shaped dining room = square shaped dining table. Or does it? Generally speaking the shape of your room should strike thought for the same shaped table. They will fit together best and will offer the best seating arrangements for guests to move about. Formal dining rooms should certainly reflect this shape selection guide.
Typically, a square dining table works best if you’re seating groups of four or less. You can opt for a square table with an extension feature if you think you may have more guests at some point. Or you can put two square tables together if the space caters. Square tables offer intimacy and ease of conversation flow between people.
Rectangular dining tables
By far and beyond the most common and popular shape, rectangular dining tables are great because they can seat a larger number of diners. Most dining rooms are rectangular in shape and a matching dining table will allow walking space for all guests.
If you’re working with a tighter space you can use long benches on the two longer sides rather than dining chairs. This will create more space and still give you stunning looking dining room décor. Rectangular dining room tables are also a brilliant choice for homes with an open floor plan. The table can function as a divider between spaces or rooms, while still being complementary to the overall aesthetic and décor.
Round dining tables
If versatility is your jam, a round dining table is your one stop. Like the square table, round dining tables offer intimacy and flow. They are fantastic for small gatherings and look good in just about any shaped room.
Round dining tables have two distinct traits. They feel casual and they promote an inclusive atmosphere. They aren’t necessarily great for larger groups however, and you’ll need to keep in mind that huge round tables can make people feel super far from those directly across from them.
Oval dining tables
This style of table is considered quite old fashioned but do create exceptional visual interest. There are obvious similarities to the rectangular dining table. However, the rounded corners on an oval table create the illusion that less space is taken up.
The curves will also be more suitable to a room with minimal sharp lines. Less modern home decors will be better suited to the oval table and your best bet is to use them in a smaller room that still needs to cater for higher numbers of guests.
Choosing The Size
The size of your new dining table will dictate how many people you can comfortably fit around it. Keep in mind that each diner will need ample space for feet, eating and elbow room. The last thing you want is cutlery bumping up against the next table setting.
Extension tables are a positive consideration if you have a growing family, or have a large family that visit for meals. Larger crowds will call for you to be able to create more space if you haven’t got it ready to go already. Just make sure that even at full extension, your table will still fit and allow plenty of space around it.
If you have buffets and sideboards in your dining room, these will need solid consideration as they take up valuable space. Make sure there’s room for someone sitting in front of it to slide out and get out from their chair.
Shopping for a dining table is a very personal experience and you given it can be a pricey purchase, you want to make sure you are satisfied it ticks all boxes before you buy.
Remember, House & Garden stocks a beautiful range of dining tables in all sorts of sizes and shapes. We also stock a broad variety of other dining room furniture to suit most home decors. Choosing the best dining table for your home, whether it’s for a formal room or casual family room, is easy with our advise and range.
