Buying a dining table isn’t as simple as it sounds. It’s one of the most important and often one of the biggest furniture pieces in a house, so you don’t want to regret your choice when buying one. In this article, we list the top considerations you should have when buying a dining table. Read on!
Size
Your dining table should fit your space. This means considering not only the size of the table itself but also the space around it. There should be at least three feet of breathing room on all sides. This lets you comfortably sit in a chair and move around the area.
Before you buy a new dining table, use your measuring tape and block out the length and width of the table on the floor. Fill that space with a piece of furniture of the same size and see how it’ll feel.
Shape and Base of the Table
Tables come in various shapes, and some shapes work better in a room than others. Generally, the rules of thumb are:
- Square and round tables are great for square rooms
- Square and round tables are awkward in rectangular rooms
- Rectangular rooms need rectangular or oval-shaped tables
- Rectangular and oval-shaped tables are awkward in square areas
Round tables have greater capacities than rectangular or square tables. Meanwhile, square and rectangular tables are great for space-conscious people who want to occupy nooks.
You should also consider the table base, which can be legs, a pedestal, or a trestle. Your legs shouldn’t hit the table’s legs; you should have enough space to scoot all the way in.
Pedestal or trestle tables are more flexible in terms of adding more people to the table. A center base is the best option for accommodating as many people as possible, while trestle tables can give you flexibility along the sides. However, trestles can limit the space at the ends of the table.
Materials and Color
When choosing the right material for your dining table, you must balance factors like price, ease of maintenance, and personal style. The most common dining table materials include:
- Wood: is durable and easy to repair but often expensive. However, remember that wood expands and contracts with heat and humidity.
- Veneer: is an affordable alternative to solid wood. Good veneer tables have clearly labeled core interiors, such as kiln-dried hardwood.
- Stone: includes marble, quartz composite, or cast stone. They’re durable, but once they chip or crack, they can be impossible to repair.
- Glass: includes clear, frosted, or tinted tables. They’re relatively affordable and aren’t susceptible to moisture. However, they can also chip or crack and show fingerprints.
- Metal: includes stainless steel, brass, zinc, and lacquered versions. They’re used more frequently as table bases than tabletops. They’re usually more affordable than wooden tables but may require specific cleaning tools.
- Plastic and laminates: are often molded into a shape or glued onto plywood. They’re inexpensive and require little maintenance. However, they’re often perceived as inelegant.
In terms of colors, the dining table should work across various interior design themes. Hues such as black, gray, brown, and white are always on trend. They can serve as reliable accent colors for whatever theme you want for your house.
Features
Nowadays, it’s quite normal to see dining tables that have tricks — they often serve multiple purposes in one space.
For instance, you can extend or collapse some tables depending on your needs and usage. Extending them lets you accommodate guests while collapsing them helps you save space when the table isn’t in use.
When buying a new dining table, consider whether or not you need such features. Other tables also have built-in storage hidden within their parts, and this helps you declutter and organize your dining room.
