THE PERFECT DINING TABLE
Arguably the most crucial piece of furniture in your home is the dining table. Selecting the right dining table is an exercise in finding the correct balance between form and function. Use this guide to find the table that compliments your decor, serves your dining needs and withstands the test of time.
From rectangular, to oval.to square to round, these basic tips will help you choose the perfect dining table for your space.
SIZE OF TABLE
Allow for 24" between the table and the wall for easy access.
Allow 38" if people are going to walk around the table .
The maximum width of the table should not exceed 48" else you will not be able to pass things across and conversation becomes strained.
The minimum width should be 36", any less and you will not be able to place serving dishes in the middle.
PERSONAL SPACE
Ideally each person sitting on a table requires 2 feet of elbow room.
LIGHTING
A statement light over the dining table should hang at least 30" to 36" from the top of the table. This could be a chandelier or a decorative pendant light.
ON THE SURFACE
Solid wood tops are the most conventional since they can take a lot of wear and tear, however it should be melamine polished so as to avoid stains. The best solid woods to use are Mahogany, Walnut, teak or Oak. Avoid using tables made from engineered or composite woods such as plywood and MDF as they are less durable.
Glossy surface coatings have a tendency to crack when hot dishes are placed directly on them hence mats and tablecloths are essential.
Glass tops are are an excellent choice in smaller rooms as they make the space look brighter and lighter. Make sure you use tempered safety glass as this is scratch resistant and shatter proof.
Marble tops are nearly always show stoppers. However marbles timeless appeal does have a few drawbacks. Firstly they are bulky and heavy, secondly they need a lot of care as marble tops can crack and stain.
SHAPE OF TABLE
DROP LEAF TABLES
A drop leaf table has a fixed section in the middle and a hinged section (leaf) that can be folded or dropped down. This is ideal if you have a small space but want to host more people.
ROUND TABLES
Round tables look good in compact rooms with square shaped dining zones. They also offer flexible seating, if you have a 6 seater you can squeeze in 8 chairs in a pinch. The larger the diameter the more people can be seated. This creates a more casual and informal dining experience.
RECTANGULAR TABLES
This is the most popular shape of table, its well defined straight lines plays the perfect host. It's ideal for accommodating a large number of people.
SQUARE TABLES
This the best choice for a square dining room, it ideally seats 4 to 8 people. This table requires a lot more space , also passing dishes across is a problem unless you place a lazy suzan in the center.
OVAL TABLES
This shape combines the linear layout of a rectangular dining table with the intimacy and flexibility of a round table, resulting in a table that pretty much works anywhere. Pedestal legs solve the problem of leg banging in oval tables.
Arguably the most crucial piece of furniture in your home is the dining table. Selecting the right dining table is an exercise in finding the correct balance between form and function. Use this guide to find the table that compliments your decor, serves your dining needs and withstands the test of time.
From rectangular, to oval.to square to round, these basic tips will help you choose the perfect dining table for your space.
SIZE OF TABLE
Allow for 24" between the table and the wall for easy access.
Allow 38" if people are going to walk around the table .
The maximum width of the table should not exceed 48" else you will not be able to pass things across and conversation becomes strained.
The minimum width should be 36", any less and you will not be able to place serving dishes in the middle.
PERSONAL SPACE
Ideally each person sitting on a table requires 2 feet of elbow room.
LIGHTING
A statement light over the dining table should hang at least 30" to 36" from the top of the table. This could be a chandelier or a decorative pendant light.
ON THE SURFACE
Solid wood tops are the most conventional since they can take a lot of wear and tear, however it should be melamine polished so as to avoid stains. The best solid woods to use are Mahogany, Walnut, teak or Oak. Avoid using tables made from engineered or composite woods such as plywood and MDF as they are less durable.
Glossy surface coatings have a tendency to crack when hot dishes are placed directly on them hence mats and tablecloths are essential.
Glass tops are are an excellent choice in smaller rooms as they make the space look brighter and lighter. Make sure you use tempered safety glass as this is scratch resistant and shatter proof.
Marble tops are nearly always show stoppers. However marbles timeless appeal does have a few drawbacks. Firstly they are bulky and heavy, secondly they need a lot of care as marble tops can crack and stain.
SHAPE OF TABLE
DROP LEAF TABLES
A drop leaf table has a fixed section in the middle and a hinged section (leaf) that can be folded or dropped down. This is ideal if you have a small space but want to host more people.
ROUND TABLES
Round tables look good in compact rooms with square shaped dining zones. They also offer flexible seating, if you have a 6 seater you can squeeze in 8 chairs in a pinch. The larger the diameter the more people can be seated. This creates a more casual and informal dining experience.
RECTANGULAR TABLES
This is the most popular shape of table, its well defined straight lines plays the perfect host. It's ideal for accommodating a large number of people.
SQUARE TABLES
This the best choice for a square dining room, it ideally seats 4 to 8 people. This table requires a lot more space , also passing dishes across is a problem unless you place a lazy suzan in the center.
OVAL TABLES
This shape combines the linear layout of a rectangular dining table with the intimacy and flexibility of a round table, resulting in a table that pretty much works anywhere. Pedestal legs solve the problem of leg banging in oval tables.
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