The dining room is a place where you spend time with loved ones, hold beautiful events, and host private gatherings. Your decor choice reveals a lot about who you are as a person and how much you like entertaining guests. For various reasons, shopping for a new dining table is a very personal experience for you. This piece of furniture will serve as the highlight of a dining area where you entertain friends and share important meals with your family and loved ones.
Dining tables, more than any other piece of furniture in the house, are an investment that should not be taken lightly.
Table choice should also depend on how you want your dining room to appear, whether you are more on the functional space or the formal type. When it comes to dining rooms, functional and formal dining rooms are very different. Furniture and lighting selections, accessories, decor, and table arrangements form the environment and differentiate between these two unique rooms. The way you use a room makes a big difference in whether it’s considered formal or plain practical. You wouldn’t overindulge in simple foods such as pizza in a fine dining establishment. For your community’s elite, you wouldn’t serve a black-tie dinner at a table with a clear view of your kids’ artwork taped to the fridge. If you look at the room, you should be able to tell if it is intended for formal or informal dining.
Shape
In general, the shape of your table should be the first thing you consider. After deciding on a form, you can move on to selecting materials and a design aesthetic.
- Rectangular. The rectangle is the most common table shape, making it the most crowded category. Because of its versatility, the rectangular shape has given rise to a vast range of table designs. Since most dining rooms are rectangular, rectangle tables are most common. They are ideal for big-scale entertaining because they can seat many guests. They are also easy to walk around because of their straight lines. Rectangular tables should be 36″ to 42″ wide to accommodate two place settings. However, it would be best to keep in mind that this table design can be too large for small areas, even with the chairs included; however, you can still make it work. As an alternative to chairs, utilize long benches that can be tucked under the table when not in use.
- Square. The square table design is the most straightforward. There are four equal legs on this creature. These are ideal for four diners in a small space. Having square tables provides closeness and a pleasing solution for seating a small group of people. Since most meals are shared by no more than two or three individuals, a wide rectangular table might give the impression of a chilly dining room.
- Round. Round tables allow for various sitting arrangements, and many have features such as hinged edges or a leaf that transforms the table into an oval shape.
- Round. You don’t have to settle for a square table if you have a small or square room. Another option is a round dining table, ideal for small groups since it allows everyone to see each other, makes talking simpler, and creates a cozier, more intimate atmosphere. However, for larger groups, a circular table is not the best option; to be heard, you may have to shout across a vast round table, even though you can still see everyone. Most dining rooms don’t have the space for enormous round tables, so they’re not ideal. Getting a round table with an extension leaf is a good idea if you prefer a circular table to a rectangular one and expect to need to accommodate more people on occasion. You can use your round table for most events, but you may extend it when you have guests around. Round tables allow for various sitting arrangements, and many have features such as hinged edges or a leaf that transforms the table into an oval shape.
- Oval. One of the most used table designs is oval, which has a more extended surface area but provides enough room for meals. The features of an oval dining table are nearly identical to those of a rectangular one. The rounded corners appear to take up less space than a rectangle, which also means a smaller surface area. Consider an oval table to accommodate more people in a smaller room.
Material
The dining tabletop is where you’ll spend the most time and have the most direct contact with your meal. It is the most critical component in the designing of any table. When you’re satisfied with the table’s look, you can remove the tablecloth. Some tables have a different top material than the frame build.
- Wood. A wood table is an immediate classic that can be incorporated into any color scheme.
- Glass. A dining room with glass tabletops has an open, airy feel, making it easier for diners to see and interact with the area.
- Laminated. Using a multi-layered design, laminate tabletops provide a durable, visually pleasing surface.
- Metal. Tabletops made of metal add a contemporary, hard-edged look to any dining area. It is an excellent choice for industrial or modern-styled interiors because it is stain-resistant, durable, and pleasant to the touch.
- Marble. It’s not uncommon to see marble countertops in kitchens, but they may also be seen on some more opulent dining table models. Tabletops made of marble will add a rich, sophisticated tone to any room while also easy to clean and maintain.
- Tile. Tile is one of the more unconventional materials used in tabletop designs. Tile can be used in various ways, from covering the entire surface to highlighting select areas (sometimes framed in wood) artistically.
Style
Lastly, evaluate the style options when looking for a new dining table. The visual language of your new furniture will be decided upon in this section.
- Traditional. The traditional design is still the most popular when it comes to dining tables. This design is timeless and powerful because of its delicately carved wood, exquisite textures, and rich proportions.
- Modern. When it comes to contemporary design, clean lines, sharp angles, and uncomplicated surfaces are hallmarks of the 20th century. Any room can benefit from this table’s slender, light design.
- Rustic. Rustic design is popular in cabins and cottages all around the country because it uses unpainted wood in more natural, hand-carved shapes.
- Industrial. Metal and bold, robust wood shapes are combined in an industrial design that evokes the sight and feel of factory machinery.
- Shaker. Shaker furniture emphasizes functionality above everything else, with no needless adornment.
- Contemporary design can take many forms, as long as they convey an appearance of “of the today” and up to date. Modern tables can be available in various materials and a wide variety of shapes.
Next time you set up a dining room, whether functional or formal, consider these helpful suggestions. Formal dining room furnishings should be handled carefully. The table is frequently more prominent than those used in casual settings and made of exquisite timbers that need continual maintenance. The table’s chairs also determine its formality. Formal chairs have soft, padded seats, elegant detailing, and names like Chippendale or Queen Anne. Formal dining rooms may have a china cabinet, sideboard, or buffets.