The dining table is one of the most important furniture choices you will make for your home. It is the place where family and friends, gather to share a meal, whether it is a dinner during the week or to celebrate a special occasion. Children may use the dining table to do homework, and you can even use it as a makeshift office, if you work from home. No matter what your individual needs are, there are essential criteria that must be met when choosing a dining table. You must choose the table according to its main elements. These guidelines will help you find the appropriate model and style.
Dimensions and Measurements
Each dining table needs about 60 cm wide – about 10 cm more if the chairs have arms – and about 40 cm deep to be comfortable. With these clear measurements, it is easy to calculate how much the table of your extendable dining room should measure or not, depending on your daily use and the space you have. For example, the ideal size of a rectangular table for four people would be 120 x 80 cm. In the round tables, the distances are reduced a little: one of 120 cm in diameter can accommodate between 4 or 6 people and between 6 and 8 if it measures 150 cm.
The Design
The design of the table must be taken into account once the most practical issues have been analyzed. It responds to an aesthetic criterion, which is important. You can choose a table of the same style as the rest of the decoration or a design that breaks with the prevailing trend. And anything goes!
The Material
Just as glass tables are lighter and cooler because of their material, wooden tables are extra warm. Lacquered tables are somewhat more delicate and fit into design environments. A nice table lends itself to meals without a tablecloth as long as it is resistant to stains. The material is related to style, but also to more practical aspects such as strength or durability.
The Square Table
They are the most voluminous. Square dining tables occupy a lot of space, and so, in general, we tend to decorate with them the most spacious dining rooms. However, there are mini models for small spaces. The minimum for a square table is 70 x 70 cm for two people. 100 x 100 is already comfortable for a family of four.
The Rectangular Table
Both in modern and classic dining rooms, this dining table is versatile. It fits in wide places as well as narrow. They are perfect for showing off in an exempt way, like an island, with the chairs around. Remember that the ideal for the passageway to be fluid is that between the table and the nearest wall or furniture there is a space of at least 90 cm free to move without feeling corseted.
The Round Table
A good option for small dining rooms is to opt for a round dining table. It can be fixed or extensible. The advantage is that by not having corners, the steps are more fluid and the corners will feel lighter. It is perfect whether it occupies a passage area or if it is in a corner. Round dining tables can be large in dining rooms where there are no space problems. They favor communication at the table as all diners are more integrated and with the possibility of seeing each other’s faces.
The Oval Table
Halfway between round and rectangular, oval ones can also be expandable, extendable, or fixed dining tables. They eliminate edges and corners and are visually lighter. They usually have a single central leg which favors the distribution and placement of the chairs.
The Expandable Table
The advantage of an extendable dining table is that you can play with its capacity. On occasion, you can open the table when there are guests. It is better if the design has the expansion piece integrated so you don’t have to store it in a closet. It can happen that the wings are on the sides of the table, or it can work as a centerpiece. If you usually organize meals at home, it is your option.
Conclusion
If the sofa is the star of the living room, the table is the center of the dining room. We eat, we chat, we fix the world during endless after-dinner with friends or family, and we even work or the little ones scribble their first works of art. Wherever you look at it, the dining table is a staple of family and social life. Nevertheless, its practical function should not overshadow its decorative value. If it is going to be the star of the dining room, it must shine with its own light! Learn more by reading this table buyers guide.
