How To Choose The Right Dining Table To Perfectly Fit Your Space
Modern dining room created by Plush Design Interiors
Maybe you haven't given too much consideration to how to choose the right dining table. After all, a table is a fairly standard piece of furniture, right? Flat top, several legs, what's to choose?
There is a lot to choose, as it happens. Not simply for eating, the right dining table is an important element in the interior design of your home. The wrong table may adversely influence how your room flows and whether you enjoy the space to its maximum.
Whether you have a formal dining room, an open plan kitchen hub or a small dining nook, choosing the right dining table is a good investment.
The Right Dining Table Should Have The Style You Want
Before you start looking, have a good idea of the style of dining table you want. For example, are you after something traditional and formal or something industrial and edgy. As a guide;
Traditional: dark timber with turned or carved legs
Industrial: utilitarian feel with a combination of metal and weathered wood
Contemporary: sleek and simple in a modern timber with a glass top or metal base
Transitional: traditional materials but with a casual or relaxed feel
Farmhouse: solid in time-worn timber or with hand-carved details or antique patterns
Dining area designed by Plush Design Interiors, Adelaide
The Shape Is More Important Than You May Think
Whilst rectangular dining tables are very popular they are not always the right solution for a space. When choosing a dining table think about how you entertain. Are large platters placed in the middle of the table? Are dishes passed over the table? Can items be easily reached?
The right dining table must be right for your needs, not simply a design statement (unless you never eat at your dining table).
With round and oval tables no-one is sitting at the end and conversations can be more inclusive, especially with six people or fewer. These table bases also take up less room and can fit more easily into a small or awkward space. In my experience, round tables are better for small spaces such as a corner area dedicated to dining or a small dining room.
Square tables can offer the best of both worlds but do require a generous space to move around the dining table and chairs.
Test out how far in you can push the chairs and how much leg or thigh room is between the chair and the table.
A cosy dining room with feature wallpaper by Plush Design Interiors
What About The Right Dining Table Size?
The size of your right dining table will be very much based on the size of your dining area. Keep in mind the balance and proportion of the room with adequate space for chairs to be pushed out and for people to circulate.
Consider a drop-leaf or extendable table for more flexibility and bear in mind that dining table heights can be different between styles and age. Most modern tables are about 76cm high so consider this when you are choosing chairs.
Do you want a servery or storage area next to your dining space? A buffet or console can be used to serve food and store crockery, platters and cutlery if required. Ensure there is room to open buffet doors or console drawers whilst a dining chair is pulled out. Or at the very least if a chair is pushed in. However, understand you won’t be able to access the unit if someone is sitting in the chair.
This may seem obvious, however I have re-designed spaces because the size and positioning of dining room furniture wasn’t fully thought through. A dining room should be functional as well as stylish.
Mid-century modern vibe in a dining room by Plush Design Interiors
Timber or…?
Hardwoods such as gum, blackbutt, oak, walnut and mahogany will always be stronger and more durable than engineered timbers and MDF. Salvaged wood is great to hide marks, scuffs and spills. Concrete is a popular table top surface that is very durable and glass is a good choice especially for small spaces.
We use and recommend Reality Furniture at Newton in Adelaide who can design and build a bespoke dining table - interior or exterior - with a wide range of custom upholstered chairs.
When choosing a finish for your dining table, consider if you want upholstered chairs or not. Upholstered chairs - full or semi - add a softness to hard table finishes. Fabric can be chosen to co-ordinate with a rug, window treatments or wall art.
However, other chair options include a moulded polycarbonate as seen in the highly popular ghost chair, solid timber, engineered veneer, rattan, moulded plastic, or metal. Consider the look and feel of the space as a whole and choose a dining chair that fits with the style.
And ALWAYS test the height of the chair with the height of the dining table remembering room for legs and thighs. Some dining tables have design or structural features that sit lower than the table top.
Tribal elements work in combination with almost any design style
Cohesion When Choosing the Right Dining Table
Don’t just think about the right dining table. Think also about the lighting above the table and the rug underneath. Look at your room in its entirety, not just the individual elements.
Hang a pendant light so the bottom of the light is about 600mm above the top of your dining table. No-one will bump their head and the light will be above the line of sight, so people can see each other uninterrupted.
A rug placed under your dining table will anchor the space and be more cohesive, appearing as a more finished space. If you are concerned about a rug getting grubby with kids in the house, choose an outdoor rug for under your indoor table. Outdoor rugs can literally be hosed down. They are highly functional, and attractive, for indoor use.
Need More Help?
When planning your next redecorating or interior design project, please contact Plush Design Interiors for an obligation-free chat or to book an initial consultation. We’d love to help you create your dream home.