Can You Use a Round Rug With an Oval Dining Table?

Many round dining tables become oval when extended. This can present a decorating challenge. A round area rug is a conventional shape for a round table, and an oval area rug matches well with an oval table. The least comfortable arrangement in this combination is to use a round rug with an oval table because the round shape of the rug will appear to compress the head and foot of the table. Does this Spark an idea?

Oval Tables

An oval table is similar to a rectangular table, with its the sharp curved ends matching at the head and the foot. Because the table has a specific orientation, it looks best when aligned with the lengthwise center line of the room and with the center line of the area rug. A round rug doesn't have a lengthwise center line. This conflict can make a room look awkward and unattractive.

Round Rugs

A round rug can be positioned in most rooms but will look best in a square or rounded room. The rug will tend to look too small when positioned in the center of a rectangular room unless the furniture is grouped on or near the rug so that the furniture pushes the visual line of the rug outward along the length of the room. A round rug is a good choice for a round table and can be used to anchor the table in a larger room.

Balanced Decor

When you are decorating a dining room, it is important to ask yourself what you want your finished room to feel like for your family and guests. Generally, the objective is to create a comfortable atmosphere so inviting that people will congregate in the room. To create this feeling, the decor must have an aesthetic balance. The decor of the room must tell a story and make sense visually so that the guest doesn't pause to try to figure out what is odd or out of balance in the decor.

Correcting The Problem

To correct the problem of a round rug with an oval dining table, the rug must be large enough that it can no longer be identified as round. By allowing the width of the rug to disappear under buffet tables or furniture along the width of the room, the rug becomes a rug with round ends. Since the table is oval, the round ends of the larger rug will simply mirror the curve of the table, and this will look balanced and appropriate. The rug is large enough when the head and foot chairs do not look crowded by the rug.

How to Make a Bed Tray

Imagine waking up each morning to your spouse treating you with a hot steaming cup of tea or coffee, or even breakfast. This dream can become a reality by building and using a bed tray. A bed tray looks similar to a normal wooden tray except it has four legs that are used to make it stand and function like a table. There is no need to spend a lot of money on buying a bed table when you can make one by yourself at home with a little expertise in carpentry and a thick piece of birch wood. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Use coarse sandpaper to even out the rough edges of the board, made either of birch or another thick wood. Ensure that the board is thick enough to withstand the weight of plates and utensils.

2

Use a measuring tape to measure the desired height of the bed tray. Use that measurement to cut the wooden rod into four equal pieces for the four legs. You can use a small saw to do this work. Use sandpaper to even out the rough edges.

3

Place one hinge on the upper side of the wooden rod at the joint. Remember that a hinge has two parts; affix one part to the edge of the wooden rod and affix the upper part to the wooden board.

4

Screw the hinge into the rod and the board with the screwdriver. Repeat this process with the three other legs. Check that the legs are opening with ease beneath the wooden board.

5

Apply wood primer all over the wooden surface to protect the bed table. Let the primer settle down and dry before moving to the next step.

6

Retain the wood color of the wooden board by applying a wood stain or paint it using wood color. Apply two coats of paint or stain to ensure no area is left out. Use a thick brush to paint or apply wood stain to the tray and a thin brush for the edges.

7

Apply varnish to both the upper surface and the lower surface of the tray. Use a thick brush for the middle portion of the tray and a thin one for the corners and edges.

What Size Dining Table to Use for a Dining Room

There are a lot of things to consider when decorating your dining room and picking the furniture. The size of your table is one of the first things you'll need to decide on, and several elements will come into play to make the right choice for you and your family. The table sets the mood for the entire room. Remember that when you are choosing your new table that dining room tables tend to be longer lasting than any other piece of furniture in the house---it is a long-term investment, so choose wisely. Does this Spark an idea?

Seating

Perhaps one of the biggest elements in choosing the size of a dining room table is how many seats you need on a daily basis. The number of members in your is the minimum number of seats you would need to place around the table. Comfortable seating arrangements require at least 2 feet of space per adult at a table setting. A family of four would require a table with at least 8 feet of length along the sides of a table, or 2 feet per side of a square table. For a small apartment or a kitchen nook/dining area, a small, round table that has a perimeter of at least 8 feet would be cramped, but sufficient. For elegant dining, the more space the better. Of course, you should consider more places if you will be entertaining often.

Room Size

Another consideration is the size of your dining room. If you have a completely separate room, you probably have plenty of space, but if you have a small nook, or combination living/dining area, you will have to make allowances for space. Even in a large room dedicated to dining a table, a table that overpowers the room can make the area look small and cramped. Allow enough space for movement around the table and areas to place chairs.

Shape

The common shapes for dining room tables are rectangular, square, oval and round. The size of your room and the number of seats will be a part of your determination on what shape suits you best. Other than that, personal choice and style are the main considerations. Rectangular and square tables take up the most room and round tables tend to be more space-saving.

Family

The number of people in your family isn't the only thing to consider when thinking about your table. People with younger children will want more durable types of furniture to put up with the roughness youngsters bring to a dining environment, but also as much extra space as possible as well to accommodate extra family activities.

Cost

Depending on your budget, cost may play a role in your decision on the size and style of dining room table you choose. Popular tables for formal dining rooms are heavy wood or glass tables, but less expensive models made from Formica are also available.

Long Tables Vs. Round Tables at a Wedding Reception

Wedding reception planning includes refreshments, decorations, seating and room arrangement, in addition to determining the location of the reception. The types of activities planned at the reception and the facility restrictions will influence some of your choices. The size and shape of tables at the reception can help you arrange the room to allow for the planned activities and needs.

Long Tables: Uses and Advantages

Long tables work well for collecting gifts for the bride and groom and when you have large numbers of guests to seat. The wedding party and attendants may all sit together if you hook several long tables together. Long tables may work well for buffet-type food displays. They may also hold the wedding cake and punch bowl for those who don't plan to fill up on finger foods and buffet items.

Arranging long tables in rows can make seating crowded and impede the flow of guests in the reception area. If you plan to use long tables, you need to allow sufficient aisle room to allow guests to travel between the tables. You also need to allow enough room between the chairs to let people get in and out of the chairs without inconveniencing other guests.

Round Tables: Uses and Advantages

Arranging seating around round tables will take up more space than using long tables, but it will be easier for people to get to their seats and mill around. Round tables will encourage people to sit in groups and chat. Ringing round tables around the edges of a dance floor allows guests to get up and dance and return to their seats without having to maneuver down narrow aisles. Round tables are also practical for holding small finger foods items and display decorations.

Mixing Table Types for Best Use

Using a mix of round and long tables may provide the best of both worlds. You can seat the bridal party and attendants along one side of a long table so people are free to walk up and speak to the bride and groom or other members of the wedding party. Using only one side of the table also means that no one sits with his back to the room.

Use long tables for food and gift collection. This will help keep the traffic flow working, and the tables can be set up against the walls to reduce the needed space.

Use round tables for guest seating and allow people to choose their own seats. This arrangement will encourage people to move from one group to another and socialize. Round tables can form a ring around the edges of the room and leave a center space for other activities.

Other Table Considerations

Long tables will cut down on the table decorations. You can use ribbon and table runners to connect decorations or just place the decorations at long intervals. Round tables will require table decorations for each table.

If you have to rent tables, you may find long tables are less expensive and easier to put up. You will likely need to rent or purchase fewer table covers using long tables because the covers can trail from one table to the next.

How to Design a Classic Billiard Room

A classically designed billiards room makes the perfect setting for a night of entertainment with friends and family. While simply having a billiards table makes for great entertainment, designing a room specifically for the game will make it feel much more encompassing. With a few supplies and an hour to spare, you can design a classic billiards room in your home.

Instructions

1

Position the billiards table in the center of the room. It is important to have equal space on all sides of the billiards table so players can shoot without worry of bumping a wall or breaking anything. An experienced billiards player will adapt to the environment around the table so long as it is even on all sides.

2

Install a pool cue rack along one wall of the billiards room. A place to store pool cues and chalk is a must in a classic billiards room. Stock the pool cue rack with a large selection of cues so players can find one that suits their needs.

3

Install an adjustable light above the billiards table. An adjustable light allows you to change the mood of the room and select lighting based upon the time of day if there are windows in the room. Proper lighting is a must when playing billiards---a room that is too bright or too dim can induce eye strain and make accurate shots more difficult.

4

Place comfortable chairs along the walls of the room. It is important that billiards players have a place to sit while they wait their turn to play. Black leather is a good choice for a classic chair.

5

Place a stocked mini-refrigerator in the billiards room so that no one goes thirsty. If children will be in the area, do not store alcohol in the refrigerator unless it has a locking mechanism on the door.

Height of a Nightstand

Nightstands, also known as bedside tables, are pieces of furniture that are very common in bedrooms. Because they are near the bed, they make convenient storage for items you might need while in bed or as a surface to display lighting. If you are building one of your own, keep some measurement considerations in mind. Does this Spark an idea?

Standard

No exact standard measurement exists for nightstands though some heights are common. A nightstand can range in height from approximately 18 to over 25 inches. The height of the nightstand you buy or build will likely depend on the style of furniture. For example, a shaker style nightstand will be minimal in trim and detailing, so it will likely be shorter and more simplistic in nature than a Victorian or French provincial-inspired nightstand that features trim pieces that could increase furniture height.

Bed Height

The focal point of any bedroom is the bed. The nightstands in a bedroom should not detract attention away from the bed; they should emphasize its presence while providing convenient bedside storage and surface space. The height of the nightstand should be proportional to the bed. As nightstands are commonly placed on either side of the bed, they can be used to create symmetry and balance on this wall.

Style Specific

The style of the room's decor can also help determine the height of a nightstand. For example, a more modern, minimalist-inspired room typically features low lines that make the room seem more airy and expansive. In this style, if the bed is low, likely the nightstand will be as well. In a more traditionally styled bedroom, the nightstands might be higher than the bed they flank -- or at least as tall.

Considerations

When purchasing a ready-made nightstand or assembling materials for a build, the height of the nightstand might be important. However, you should put the quality, material, look and detailing of the piece of furniture in the forefront when making your purchase. The needs of the room might also determine the height of the stand. If you need storage, the piece might be taller. If it is needed for a child's room, a small stand that is proportional to the bed is appropriate.

How to Make a Dining Room Table Out of a Grand Piano

Wood salvaged from a grand piano can be converted into a dining room table with a few hand tools, careful measurements and, if needed, chemical strippers for removing heavy layers of lacquer finish. The advantage of using piano wood is that its curing and manufacturing guarantees a nearly flawless flat surface. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Preparing either varnished or lacquered wood

1

Remove the piano cover from over the the strings. This large flat piece of laminated wood will be ideal for making a small dining room table. These covers can be anywhere from four to seven feet in length.

2

Strip any varnished finished woods using varnish remover. Get down to the bare wood. Sand the finish smooth.

3

Strip any lacquered finish from the wood. Lacquered wood has a heavy thick layer that can be removed with Strip-Eze chemical paint stripper or a similar product. It may take several applications to get down to bare wood. Removing the lacquer is imperative because sawing and cutting the laquer will cause unsightly chips and blemishes in the wood. Sand the finish smooth

Cutting the table from the unfinished piano cover

4

Determine the best available shape in the piano cover. An oval table will get the most area from the wood, but smaller square tables can also be cut. Remember: measure twice and cut once. Using a scribe or pencil, draw the shape of the table on the surface of the piano cover. Use the jigsaw and handsaw to remove all wood outside of the table area.

5

Sand the edges of the cut piece smooth and remove any burrs or splinters left by the cut. Sand repeatedly using finer and finer grit sandpaper. This will prepare the wood for its new finish.

6

Use the brush to apply a liberal coat of wood stain to the surface. Staining the bottom of the table is optional. While still damp, use a dry rag to wipe away the excess stain. Repeat the process as needed to get an even color to the grain. Allow to dry thoroughly.

7

Apply wood varnish, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The table will be used for serving food and drink. Sealing the wood with a protective varnish coat will eliminate any chance of stains ruining the finish.

Adding legs to the piano cover table

8

Do not use the legs from the piano for the new table. They are too short and will not allow chairs to be tucked underneath. Stain and varnish the four stock table legs to match the new finish on the piano cover.

9

Drill the necessary holes in the bottom of the table and attach the furniture hardware used to assemble the legs to the table. Follow the instructions included with the hardware.

10

Save all the scrap and excess wood from the piano cover and any other wood available from the piano. These pieces are excellent raw materials for other woodworking projects.