Tips for Buying Dining Tables for Your Home

Photo by: Annie Gray via Unsplash

In many homes, the dining table is the ideal get-together spot to share a meal, hold gatherings and talk about important topics. However, it’s not only for eating, clinking glasses or having family discussions. It’s one of the focal points of your house and should be carefully considered. If you’re interested in buying a dining table, you’ll probably want to buy it to last, to compliment your home’s decor and only have to buy it once. Here is a guide on how to choose the best dining table material for your home.

Choosing Materials

Sturdy Wood

The ideal dining table is one that can last through years of wear and tear. A traditional dining table made from hardwood will take what you dish out. The best hardwood tables to go for are walnut, oak, mahogany or maple. Make sure that the hardwood is solid and from a reputable manufacturer to ensure its strength and durability. If hardwood isn’t your favorite option but you still want a solid table with a nice, wood finish, try composite wood. These tables are engineered from different, sturdy materials and are very economical.

Glass

Though wood remains at the top of the list, glass dining tables are also a popular choice, especially if you’re looking for a sleek or minimalist design. One of the unique advantages glass has is that it can blend seamlessly with many home decor themes. Additionally, it makes the room appear larger, lighter and brighter.

Marble or Granite

If you’re looking to impress your guests, a marble or granite dining table may be worth looking into. Natural stone has an irresistible and timeless appeal. They’re also incredibly sturdy. However, they still have their downsides such as weight, cost and upkeep. If you decide to go with a natural stone table, remember marble can stain easily and granite requires annual treatment with sealants.

Choosing the shape

One of the advantages of a round table is its ability to fit into any room, be it a small nook, large dining room, or a part of the living room designated as the eating area. They offer flexible seating for conversation; an attribute many other dining tables lack. Likewise, a long, wooden, trestle table allows for guests to sit across from each other for friendly conversation and may still give you that classic, traditional rectangle. Finally, the ever-popular pub table adds ambiance to your space with a modern yet vintage appeal. 

Finding Your Color

Just because your table may be natural hardwood doesn’t mean it can’t have a splash of color. Chalk paint finishes on wooden, farmhouse tables might be just the look to tie your spaces together. You can also stain your wood in a dark finish to give it a dramatic glow. Glass tables come in colored or frosted glass, giving you the option to stick with a clear surface or add a little color to your dining area. Marble and granite range from pale off-whites to deep red or black hues. Whatever your choice may be, be sure to let the colors accentuate your interior decor.

Getting a dining table might seem like a daunting task, but with these tips, you will be able to choose one that serves the exact purpose you envision. If you don’t have space for the table of your dreams, let me know, so I can make a larger dining area one of our priorities during your home search.

Tips for Designing a Dining Room Layout

Your dining room should provide a comfortable and pleasant place to enjoy meals and spend time with family and friends. When you’re building a custom home, it’s important to know how to choose the best layout for this room. A poorly designed dining room could cause you to get much less use out of this room over the years. Consider the following tips when you’re deciding on a layout for your dining room.

Consider the Size of the Room

The ideal layout for your dining room depends on its size. You’ll have more layout options when you have a larger dining room, since you’ll have more space to work with. For a smaller dining room, you’ll need to make careful decisions for an optimal layout that provides enough space for a table, chairs and other furniture, along with room to walk around. Depending on how much space you have, you might have room for additional items, such as a sideboard or hutch, which could affect your layout options.

Plan for Space Around Furniture

You don’t want to end up with a dining room that makes it hard for people to sit down at the table, stand up and walk around. While choosing a dining room layout, keep space and foot traffic in mind. Your dining room should provide room around the table and chairs and clear paths to doorways. Keep in mind that you should have a few feet of space between the chairs and walls for people to move around.

Determine Locations for Doorways

Where should you place doors and windows in your dining room? As you work on the layout for this room, try to have doorways placed in an area that people can easily get to. Depending on your floor plan, you might have a doorway on opposite sides of the room to allow people on both sides of the table to get in and out without having any trouble. If your kitchen is next to the dining room, place a doorway between these rooms if possible. This allows you to carry dishes to and from the dining room without having to walk far.

Add Windows for Light

While most dining rooms have a light fixture over the table area, windows are important for providing natural light. Depending on how bright you want your dining room to be, you might put large windows on more than one wall or a moderate-sized window on one wall. Windows take up wall space, which you should keep in mind if you plan to put sideboards, hutches or similar items along walls.

Think About Storage

Dining rooms don’t always have storage, but it can be helpful to include it in your layout. While you don’t have to leave room for a closet in a dining room, include an area of built-in shelving or a built-in cabinet for storage. You can store plates, place settings, utensils and other items in these for easy access when you need to set the table. Make sure you’ll still have enough room around your table and chairs for people to move around if you’re adding storage.

Dining Room Decorating Tips to Try

Does your dining room need a makeover? There are lots of ways you can show your personal style while maintaining a room’s important functionality. If you’re looking for some decorating ideas for your dining room, here are some suggestions to help:

Follow the Architecture

The best place to begin is with the design of your home. Try choosing wood styles and fabrics that mimic the existing elements in the room. For example, bring out the color of your crown molding, complement the carpet color with upholstery and choose a table shape that follows the flow of the space.

Consider Scale

As with any room, it’s difficult to know what scale of furniture you should buy for your dining room. There are some measurement guides available for different tables depending on the size of the room and the amount of chairs you want to include. No matter what, keep the scale analogous to the room itself—avoid a small round table in a long, expansive room, for example.

Mix Furniture

While it’s common to buy dining room tables and chairs together in a set, consider mixing it up. One easy option is to use matching chairs but a different table. If you have a long, rectangular table, try matching the two seats at each end of the table. This is an especially good idea if you’re wanting to create an eclectic and comfortable vibe with your design.

Find the Perfect Rug

An area rug can make an enormous impact in your dining room. It’s crucial to find the right style, shape and size of rug to go with your table and chairs, however. The best general rule to follow is to use a rug large enough for the entire table and all the chairs to be on it. This will look more cohesive in the space and avoid the annoyance of trying to move chairs over the edges of the rug.

Don’t Forget Lighting

The dining room light fixture is the perfect finishing touch to your design. There are many styles of chandelier or pendant style fixtures you can choose from, no matter what your design preference might be. Opt for a fixture that creates generous ambient light without adding glare or causing a distraction. Try out multiple options in the space to see which makes the best focal point for your dining room.

The next time you want to give your dining room a stylish refresh, keep these tips in mind. Even minor changes can have a major impact on the entire space.