Weekly Design Inspiration: How to choose the perfect dining table

Every home needs a place where families and friends can connect over meals, conversations, homework for your kids or a makeshift home office. The dining table is often the hub of the home so it is important that you choose the right one.

A dining table shouldn’t only enhance the general design of your home, it should also be comfortable.

This week, we will run you through the things you should consider when choosing or designing your ideal dining table.

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Functionality

How frequently do you intend to use the dining table? What will use the table for? Will it be for daily family gatherings, for meal preparations, or for your kid’s to do their homework? Irrespective of what you need it for, you will need a strong and durable dining table.

If you only use your dining table for special occasions like Christmas and Thanksgiving, you can opt for a fancier table or an antique as you know that it won’t be put through the wear and tear of a table used daily.

Uniqwa

Shape

The functionality you’re looking for will determine the shape of your dining table. Based on research, Candace Plotz Design suggests a few dining tables shapes:

Rectangular Dining Tables

Definitely a classic! A great choice for most size rooms, but if your dining area is long and rectangular, this is the shape for you! Rectangular dining tables are easy to personalise to match your style - switch out seating with a long bench for a more casual style, or more extravagant seating at the head of the table. If you entertain regularly, choose a table with a leaf which extends to fit more guests.

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Round Dining Tables

Round dining tables are perfect for smaller spaces or odd shaped rooms as they don’t take up a lot of room. Rounded edges give the illusion of the table being smaller than it is in a room as it provides more room on all sides of the table. No more shimmying past the heads of the table to get to your seat!

Round tables are great for conversation, with easy eye contact regardless of where you’re sitting. Without a head of the table, this style of dining table keeps the room feeling casual.

Amber Interiors

Size

When choosing any type of furniture, you must consider the size of the piece in comparison to your needs and the space you have available to you. It’s easy to go to a store and think a piece is perfect, only to bring it home and have it be massive or way too small! That is because stores are much larger in comparison to your home, and gives the illusion of the pieces being a different size to what they are.

When measuring your room to decide on a perfectly sized table, ensure that you have between 42 and 48 inches between the table and the wall. This will give you room to get up from your seat without hitting the wall, or forcing your guests to move so you can get up from the table.

It’s tempting to buy a bigger table than you need with hopes that you will suddenly become an excellent and regular entertainer if you buy this new bigger table! Make sure you’re being realistic with what you actually use the table for before buying.

Studio Shamshiri

Material

Consider the theme of your home, and the look you’re aiming to achieve while also considering the strength and longevity of the table. And of course, only consider what you can afford.

Hardwoods like oak or maple are beautiful and sturdy options for a dining table. But consider a more affordable wood if your table is likely to experience extra use (or if you have kids that draw on the furniture). Pine is an affordable option that can be painted and stained to enhance the wood to achieve the look you’re going for.

Glass tops are beautiful and modern, but make sure to consider the care instructions before purchasing. Glass can be easily scratched and of course will show everything, so it will need to be wiped off regularly!

Marble and stone are long lasting options that can look beautiful in your space. These are more expensive options but can be beautiful if done correctly!

Concrete is taking the world by storm with designers using it in all the places you would never even think of! It’s an acquired taste but it can be so beautiful if poured and maintained well!

Restoration Hardware

For more dining rooms that we love, check out this blog post.