Your dining table is amongst the most significant furniture pieces in your home. It tells many stories, as it has been a witness to many of your important life events. Perhaps it’s where your children spent their birthday celebrations, where your son loved to do his crafts, where you opened that letter saying you’ve been promoted at work, or where you engaged with your family for some of your meaningful conversations. Whichever it is and what other activities you might have done, lots of memories have been entrenched at your dining table.
As such, it’s highly important that you select the best dining table for your home should you be getting a new one for your home. Apart from the size and capacity, you should also consider the type of the dining table based on its shape, tabletop material, and overall style. Remember that the decision should never be made lightly as your dining table will be one of your houses’ focal points. So, read on below and discover the types of dining tables to help you choose which blend suits your family, lifestyle, and home.
Shape
Shape is the initial consideration you need to make when looking at a dining table. It may be rectangular, square, round, oval, or in free form, all of which have their own functionality, and purpose.
1. Rectangular
Rectangle is the most common table shape. No surprise, as rectangular dining tables tend to be more functional and versatile. First, they are fit to hold big families and best suited to fill the void in long, narrow rooms. With so much space, rectangular tables allow better movement from in and out of the table, without bugging other people. They also provide big opportunities for personalization and style, sans affecting its functionality. You can place them against the wall or use impressive benches as replacements for its chairs. It will still be as useful as it can be, despite changing some things up.
2. Square
Square dining tables are ideal for compact rooms or small spaces. Though similar to the rectangular-shaped tables in most ways such as in crispness and strong appearance, the main difference is that square dining tables feature equal distance between the four diners. Thus, providing more intimacy as a table setting. By breaking the proximity, the dining experience tends to be more easygoing and conversations become more rewarding.
3. Round
While the first two shapes boast intense form, circle round tables provide the opposite by softening the room’s atmosphere instead. These tables are also more inclusive as no edges will restrict your family, meaning you can sit arm to arm around the circumference. It’s perfect for smaller and smaller dining rooms, as it provides a “closely-knitted” and cozy ambiance. If your family loves games, round tables are also ideal as they can unify everyone around.
4. Oval
Oval dining tables are now a rising choice among many homeowners, who are looking for the stunning curves of the round table, but yearning for the length and space provided by the rectangular table. It’s a hybrid that combines the best of both worlds, ideal for larger rooms yet also suitable for tighter spaces.
5. Freeform
Freeform dining tables are those that do not follow the standard shapes. Its main draw is that they provide more freedom, as these tables are commonly personalized or custom-made. Some examples are L-shaped, leaf-shaped, or trunk-shaped tables. These tables are incredibly unique and stylish, accentuating the dining room and making it stand out.
Material
Dining tables also vary depending on the material used for their construction. While tables can use different materials, the one used for the tabletop is the main basis for classifications. Some are very attractive yet can be hard to clean, while others may be simple but are more manageable. On the other hand, there are materials that are classy yet brittle, others are more durable and exude a different appeal.
1. Glass
Glass dining tables emanate an elegant, modern feel to a dining room. It provides an ample amount of delicateness while extending the visual space of the room. In return for sophistication, having glass dining tables entails providing extra effort in cleaning and maintenance. Plus, you also need to devote more caution, especially if you have young, frisky kids, as these tables are breakable and may lead to accidents. If you can shoulder the task and keep your children safe, you won’t regret getting these glass tabletops as they make a stunning addition to any room.
2. Wood
Wood is the classic and widely-used material for dining tables. They are pretty sturdy and durable, lasting longer than most types of dining tables. Though they commonly appear in rectangular, square, or round shapes, you can modify them by painting or applying a different finish to suit the style of your home. Simply add decorative plates, linens, or runners and you can follow new trends, proving that wooden tables can never be outdated.
3. Metal
Metal dining tables are one of the latest trends for dining tables. They fit homes leaning on contemporary or industrial style. Though well-loved for their aesthetics, metal dining tables are also adored for their hardiness, practicality, and easy cleaning and maintenance. They also come in different colors, shapes, and sizes, you never have to worry about finding one that can match your dining room.
4. Stones
Stones like marble, granite, and quartz are commonly used for countertops but are now also being used for tabletops to achieve an elegant, rich, timeless appeal. However, they can be quite expensive as they are often custom-made to perfectly match the interior design of the home. Plus, these stone table tops tend to be pretty heavy, requiring suitable, sturdy bases to support their weight. Despite that, they are best if you want to provide that luxurious feel to your dining room.
5. Laminate
Laminate dining tables are made from layers of plastics, such as melamine or PVC, which are then attached with kraft paper or particleboard to make a solid surface. They often imitate the look of wood, but may also appear in plain shades, such as white, brown, or black. It’s an excellent choice if you want the classic feel of wooden dining tables, but looking for a cheaper yet still durable and wear-resistant alternative.
Style
Style is the last factor to consider when choosing a dining table. Aligning the style of the dining table to the overall scheme of your room or home provides coherence or harmony, which unifies all aesthetics and brings the best out of the design. Style is basically a visual language, allowing you to express yourself through your pieces of furniture.
1. Traditional
Traditional styles are the most prevalent style you can see on dining tables. Typically, the design is pretty basic featuring wood, rich proportions, and a powerful and timeless design. They go great in dining that also possesses a classic scheme, subtle shades of paint, and modest accessories.
2. Contemporary
Contemporary style is the opposite of the traditional dining tables, wherein it provides more freedom, promoting the use of mixtures of colors, textures, and angles. They are available in almost any type of material and also come in all sizes and shapes. Often, they don’t need to match the shades of paint of your dining room to provide that airy, stylish ambiance.
3. Rustic
Rustic dining tables appeal to country-style lovers, as it makes use of unpainted wood, in its utmost natural and bland appearance, to attain a homely, back-to-nature feel. They are popular in cottages and cabins, but you can also incorporate these solid and reliable tables in your home and expect them to last for generations.
4. Industrial
If you’re fascinated with factories, machinery, and tools, industrial dining tables are your best bet. These dining tables utilized naked metal and strong wood structures to achieve the chic look that has been the trend in recent years. It’s commonly found in urban areas, like lofts and cities, adding that striking rugged intensity to the dining room.
5. Shaker
Hailing from the late 1700s’, the shaker style purposely threw out ornamentation and instead focused on functionality, craftsmanship, and simplicity. These dining tables are characterized by minimalist design, tapered legs, and clean lines, providing their timeless and elegant divining charm.
Takeaway
Your dining table has long been and will always be one of the most essential features of your home. Take time to choose the best type that will suit you and your family, based on the shape, material, and style while considering its size and capacity. That way, you can pick the best dining table for your dining room and start enjoying delicious meals and more bonding moments with your beloved family.