When choosing a dining table, you should consider such factors as size, shape, color, material and some others. Read this article to find out how to pick a top-notch piece of furniture!
A beautiful dining table can become the main focal point of your living room. You can use it to have meals, it can double as a home office and your kids can do homework on it. From this article, you’ll get to know how to select a top-notch dining table for your house or apartment.
Ask Yourself Whether You Need a Dining Table At All
Here are the questions that you might want to ask yourself before the purchase:
- Do you live alone or together with other people?
- What do you normally do in your living room?
- How often do you have meals at home?
- How frequently do you invite guests and how many?
If you spend most of your time alone in front of the TV, it doesn’t make sense to buy a large dining table.
Decide on Your Budget
The price of a dining table might depend on the following factors:
- Brand
- Size
- Material
- Style
- Craftsmanship
Vintage tables and furniture made of recycled materials are very much in vogue now. It’s one of the trendiest ways of cutting down expenses — if you find it acceptable to use second-hand items.
Measure the Size of the Room
Here are the parameters that you should consider:
- The size of the door
- How the space of your dining room is organized
- Margins around the table
If a table physically fits the room, it doesn’t mean it will look nice there. It might seem too bulky and swallow too much space. That’s why you might want to use existing stools and tables to build a lifesize pseudo-replica of the piece that you’re planning to buy.
Some dining tables come along with chairs. Think twice whether you really need them. A full set of chairs is indispensable if you have a large family or like to frequently invite guests. If not, you might consider moving the table close to a wall and flanking its other side with chairs. This trick should help you to save some space.
Besides, you can think of buying an extendable table of one of the following types:
- With hinges
- With drop-leaf extensions
- With extendable ends
- Equipped with any other mechanism
Such a furniture item will occupy very little space — and when needed, it will be able to accommodate more people.
Consider the Material
Let’s briefly analyze the most popular materials a contemporary dining table can be made of.
Wood
Solid wood is much stronger and more durable than its engineered wood (plywood and MDF) counterparts. If you don’t want to buy a table with a wooden surface, you might consider one whose legs are made of solid wood. Such a furniture item should last you for a very long time.
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Not the cheapest option |
| Easy to repair | Can show signs of wear and tear |
| Contracts and expands with humidity or heat |
Glass
Glass is available in multiple varieties:
- Clear
- Tinted
- Stained
- Frosted
A table with a glass surface makes the room look full of light and air.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Prone to chips and cracks |
| Can last decades with proper maintenance | Can easily reveal stains and fingerprints |
Stone
The most popular types of stone used for table manufacturing are:
- Marble
- Composite
- Cement
- Quartz
They look sophisticated but require frequent cleaning and regular resealing.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sturdy and durable | Prone to chips and cracks, difficult to restore |
| Easily absorbs stains due to its porous structure | |
| Might be very expensive |
Laminate
Manufactures would typically use laminate as an overlaying decorative layer for a core material like plywood or MDF. This is the most budget-friendly material on our list. You shouldn’t expect it to last long or look classy.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tends to resist staining | Doesn’t look premium |
| Requires little maintenance | Is not too durable |
Metal
It’s typically used for metal bases but not surfaces. In most cases, that would be stainless steel, zinc or brass. It can be plain, painted or lacquered
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Requires special cleaning tools |
| Not easily damaged | It might be tricky to repair damaged painted metals |
| High shine might reveal smudges and fingerprints |
Evaluate Ease of Maintenance
Look under your table to assess its joints. If there are too many joints and hooks, such a construction can’t be characterized as strong. There should be no gaps in the joints and the table shouldn’t be shaky. Wood joined to wood is a sign of sturdy build quality.
Select the Shape
A quadrilateral dining table offers limited seating on the two short sides. Only one person will be able to take a seat at either end of it. An oval or round table can easily accommodate more chairs all around. The round shape creates a more intimate atmosphere because all the guests (or family members) will be sitting close to each other. They won’t need to talk loud to be able to hear each other.
Round tables look especially stunning in evenly shaped rooms. Their oval or rectangular counterparts are better suited for elongated spaces.
Match the Overall Aesthetics of the Room
The dining table can become the main focal point of your dining room. It’s up to you to decide whether you would like it to become a contrasting accent to the interior or blend with it harmoniously. If you’re planning to use the table for many years, it would be wise to stick to a neutral and timeless palette. Natural wood, glass and gray surfaces will never go out of fashion. To brighten up the room, you’ll be able to add delicious colorful accents — such as statement lighting or works of art that you can hang on the walls.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you found this article informative and now you better understand how to select a top-notch dining table for your house or apartment. You should pay attention to such factors as your budget, the size of the room, the material, color and shape of the table. An ideal furniture item should require little maintenance and fit the overall aesthetics of the room.
