The dining table is one of the central pieces of a home. It’s where families share memories and meals and friends gather to share companionship and stories. But knowing how to choose a dining table for your space and your needs is not always as easy as it seems.
In this dining table guide, we’ll take you through the important considerations and options to help you learn how to pick a dining room table that’s right for you.Â
Types of Dining Tables
A table is more than just a table when it comes to your dining rooms.
Size
Size does matter in the context of dining tables. You need to have enough room for not just the family and friends sitting at the table but also for accessing the table.
Consider the shape and size of your room, as well as the different pieces of furniture elsewhere in the space. Think about how many people you are likely to be entertaining and how often.
When you are considering the size table that you need, we recommend allowing roughly 60 centimetres of space per person. This allows for enough elbow room between seated individuals.Â
Shape
The main dining room table shapes include rectangle, round, square and oval.
If you’re after a classic and simple dining table with a large amount of surface area and greater flexibility for accommodating more guests, the versatile rectangular shape is ideal.Â
Square dining tables offer similar aesthetics to the rectangular one but are more amenable to compact, modern spaces.
While the round dining table creates a greater sense of intimacy and cohesion, especially if your dining room is relatively small.Â
Lastly, the oval table is suitable for larger spaces and offers a unique blend of the benefits of a rectangular table with the style of a circular one.
Material
The reality is that there is no one best material for dining tables. Each type of material comes with its own stylistic and functional benefits, and a lot comes down to personal taste and intended use.
Wood, for example, comes in various shades and is both durable and versatile. A wood dining table is perfect for adding warmth to a space.Â
Metal tables offer easy maintenance, a unique industrial aesthetic and can complement a contemporary interior design.
Similarly, glass is sleek and modern whilst offering an illusion of spaciousness and airiness by reflecting the light around it.
Natural stone, such as marble, brings an element of luxury and elegance for those seeking to elevate their dining rooms up a notch in terms of sophistication.Â
Colour
There really is no limit to the different colours and shades available for your dining table.Â
It’s all about choosing a colour that complements your decor and aesthetic preference. You might be after a neutral tone that is versatile and timeless–easy to match with the rest of a home.Â
Or you may want to inject some personality into the space and use your dining table as a statement piece or feature of the room, in which case a bolder colour may be suitable.Â
Style
Last but not least is style. In addition to shape, colour and material, there are a range of finishes and edging that can transform the humble dining table into something special.Â
Ornate details in a wooden table or marble table can bring a sense of elegance and refinery to the dining room. On the other end of the spectrum, clean, strong lines in glass and metal tables can reflect a modern aesthetic and preference for minimalist styling.Â
How to Pick a Dining Room Table
To best assist you in finding the right table option for your home, ask yourselves these questions:
What Sort of Lifestyle Do You Lead?
Everyone will use their dining room table slightly differently. If you love hosting dinner parties with lots of guests, a larger table with extension capabilities might be the best option.Â
If you plan on mostly just having you close family around, a more practical, compact and easy-to-maintain option could be the better bet.
From shape to material, your choice of dining table should complement your lifestyle and the type and frequency of use you intend for it.
What Type of Table Can Your Space Accommodate?
This consideration is about practicality and functionality. Take measurements of your dining room or the area in which the table will sit. Consider the amount of space you will need for accessing doors and windows or even other furniture.Â
By understanding what will and won’t work in your dining area you can strike out the table options that are just impractical and narrow your choices down to the ones that are feasible.
How Do You Want People to Sit?
For starters, similar to the first question, you need to consider how many people you typically expect to be seated around the table.Â
Your choice of table will need to accommodate the number of people you intend to have sitting around it. But there’s an additional consideration as well as size: Shape.
If you’re planning on having a full table often, you may want to consider table shapes that offer maximum flexibility for that arrangement, such as square or rectangular tables.Â
What Is the Decor of the Room?
Your dining room should complement the existing interior design of the dining room. Consider what your chosen decor is and what you are trying to achieve with the decor of the space.
Your dining room can be a stylish addition to the room in and of itself but the best and most suitable dining rooms for your home will be one that doesn’t just match the room around it but elevates it aesthetically.
For example, if you’re looking to achieve a rustic or farmhouse aesthetic, you won’t want to include a metal or glass table. If you’re looking for something more traditional and glamorous, you’ll want to opt for something like marble stone over timber.Â
What Do You Find Comfortable?
Tables come in all different styles: Some are taller, some have a single pedestal leg in the centre, and some have intricate edges.Â
Make sure you sit at any table you are considering to find what works with you. Is there enough legroom? Can you adequately reach into the table itself? Do you find the accompanying chairs comfortable?
You’re undoubtedly going to be using your dining table every day so comfort is more than a luxury here.
Does It Need to Suit Any Other Activities?
Dining tables can often double as furniture used for more than just dining.Â
If you’re planning on using your dining table for crafting or sitting at work purposes, make sure you choose a style and material that suits your intended activity and can withstand the inevitable wear and tear of frequent use.Â
What Is Your Budget?
Last but not least comes your budget. Different tables and materials come with a wide range of price tags.Â
Factory-manufactured tables will cost significantly less than custom, hand-made tables. Make sure you set and bear in mind your budget so that you can focus on the realistic options within your price range and can then best maximise the durability and utility of your chosen dining table investment.
