Furnishing a Room

Choosing the perfect dining table for your home requires some thought since there are so many to choose from. You'll want a table that matches your home's decor, so that's an important consideration, but you'll also need to consider size and shape. Here are some tips for buying a new dining table.

Measure The Space First

Taking the correct measurements is important so you know what size to buy. Measure the width and length of the room. Also, if you have a pendant light that will hang over the table, measure its location since a hanging light needs to be in the center of the table. You can use these measurements to help you determine the maximum size for the table you buy. You always need to add to the dimensions of the table to allow room for people to sit in chairs and walk behind the chairs when others are seated.

Select The Best Shape

If you have a large room to fill, you may want a rectangular table. If you have a big family or do a lot of entertaining, a long rectangular table might be ideal. You could even buy one that has a leaf so it can be extended when you have guests and kept smaller for daily use. If your space is small, you may prefer a square or round dining table. A round table can fit in a small space without making it seem too crowded, but if you plan to use the table for kids doing homework or using a laptop, a round table may not be too comfortable since there is no place to rest your arms while you work. An oval table could be a good choice if you need more seats, but want to take up less space in the room.

Choose Your Height

You might want a classic dining table at the standard height, but you can also find counter-height tables. You might want one of these if you feel more comfortable sitting at a taller table or if space is tight in your home and you need to use the table to help with meal preparation. Since these tables are the same height as countertops, you might be able to position your table to use as extra counter space when needed.

Select The Chairs

You'll have more decisions to make when it comes to choosing chairs. If you have space, chairs with arms are nice since they're attractive and comfortable. However, you may not have enough space, so choosing simple wooden chairs might be the best choice, although you might want to get chairs with padded seats. If you have several children and don't have space for a long table, consider using benches rather than chairs since you can fit more kids in the same space on a bench rather than in individual chairs.