How to Choose a Dining Table

All homeowners desire a warm and welcoming dining room where they can entertain at holidays and celebrate special occasions. There are as many dining tables on the market as there are decorating tastes. It can be take a while to decide on new or gently used, wood or painted and this or that shape, but with a few suggestions, choosing a dining table can become a fun day out. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure twice, choose once. The most important factor in choosing a dining table is the size of your dining room or other area for which you are shopping. It's frustrating to go shopping, choose a dining table you absolutely love, get it home and then find out that it's too large for the space.

2

Know the recommended space guidelines. Even if a dining table doesn't appear to be disproportionate to the space, keep in mind that none of your family members or guests wants to squeeze through tight spaces to grab another drink or make a trip to the powder room. Once you've measured the room, make sure that the table you buy allows for 30 to 36 inches around the perimeter of the table for scooting chairs back and walking.

3

Consider your size needs. Once you know the maximum size of the table you can fit into the room, think about how the table will be used. Not everyone is up to throwing dinner parties for 20 people. However large or small a table you need, keep in mind that to be comfortable, diners need an average of 22 inches of space and 14 inches of dining table depth.

4

Buy a square table for intimate settings. If you have a smaller room to work with and are looking to create an intimate ambiance, buy a square table proportionate to the room's measurements. Square tables can seat two to four people and serve as real space savers. The only downside of a square table is that it can't accommodate a large group for the occasional dinner party.

5

Seat more people with a rectangular table. When you're turning a larger room into a dining space, a rectangular table is a good option because it seats more people than a square table. It also plays on a room's length, maximizing the space and making it look larger.

6

Make room for conversation. Nothing encourages dinner conversation more than a round table. With round tables, everyone can see each other easily without having to crane their necks or move forward or backward to see someone at the other end. However, though they're easy to move around without sharp angles, sometimes round tables aren't space efficient.

7

Check out all of your options for finishes. With dining table finishes, it's again best to consider how you'll use the table and the look you're trying to achieve. You can choose from wood, veneer, acrylic and glass table tops; remember to consider durability, color and who will use the table most.