Reinvent Your Dining Room With The Perfect Dining Table

Unlike furniture for other rooms in your house, choosing a new dining room table may feel like a very big commitment. And in some ways, it is! It’s the place where your friends and family will gather together to talk, to share stories, to laugh, to simply connect—and you want your able to be a piece that will be used for years to come.

Find the Right “Fit”: Make Sure To Measure

When looking for the right table, there are two criteria regarding “fit”—elbow room and space. The right dining table should give your guests about two feet of space so that they can sit, and eat, comfortably. A good guideline is that a 72” rectangular table will sit 6 people comfortable—two on either side, and one on each end. Sizes typically go up from there.

Regarding “fit” in your actual space, a good guide is to leave about 36 inches between the edge of the table and other furnitures (or walls) in the room. This should be the minimum, but it’s better if you can allocate two feet of clearance.

Find a Shape That Works:

The most traditional shape for a dining table is a rectangle. Rectangular tables are perfect for large gatherings, and when needed, you can violate the rule of two feet of space for guests to squeeze one ore two more chairs at the table—we all know someone who is guilty of that! In addition to space, a rectangular table also allows you to be creative with the types of seating you use, from  side chairs and arms chairs, to adding a bench or banquette.

A less traditional type of dining table is one that is round. Because they do not have edges or corners that affect the flow of the room, round tables are perfect for smaller spaces.  Round tables also offer a more intimate feel to any gathering.

Like with round tables, oval tables also create a nice flow to a dining room, while sill providing ample seating. A nice compromise with the two shapes is selecting a round extension dining table that extends out into an oval when needed—the best of both designs!

One last shape to look at is the square. If you have a square dining room, a square dining table might make the room feel more balanced. Even better if this square also extends out into a rectangle, allowing your room to be transformed from a casual cafe to a more formal dining room.

Which Material Works Best:

Most common dining table material choices include solid wood, reclaimed wood, glass, stone or metal. Consider your existing furniture when choosing the type of material for your new dining furniture and select something that blends in with your current decor. But If you are decorating a dining room for a new home, it is up to your imagination and taste. Mix and match, create a dining room that is modern, eclectic, farmhouse, french style or just simply represent you.

Whatever shape or your material you choose for your own dining room, we know that by considering all of this, you will have made the perfect choice.