Your dining room is where you gather. Whether at the end of the day for a meal with your family or to welcome old friends for a long-awaited reunion, the dining room is your meeting place. In that room, you gather around the central piece of furniture: your dining room table.
The best dining table for you may not be the best for others. That’s the beauty of the furniture we select for our home—it is unique to us. Finding the right table for you is essential, and this can make buying a dining table stressful, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Before you start browsing online or step into a showroom, there are a few things you can consider to hone your selections to only the best dining tables for you.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to upgrade to more modern dining room furniture, we have the tips you need to get started.
Determine Your Style
One tip on how to choose the best dining table for you is to narrow down your style. Look around your home to think about the colors and lines of your furniture. Also, note the types of material you like, such as wood, glass, or metal, to determine which styles work for you. Or, if you’re starting from scratch, do some exploring to see which styles stand out to you. Some of the most common design styles to watch for when buying a dining table include:
Cottage/Farmhouse
The cottage/farmhouse style is categorized by coziness. This style encompasses a warm, inviting, and laid-back look. Farmhouse/cottage style dining tables are usually made of wood and left unstained or with a simple stain for a natural, rustic look. Dining tables in this style are marked with slight imperfections, giving them a worn-in look that makes them more inviting.
Modern
The modern style is the best dining table for you if you like simple, clean lines. The modern style emphasizes vertical and horizontal lines that are kept straight and intersect at a single point. Modern dining tables are usually made from natural materials like stone, glass, and wood. There is often a blending of materials, such as a wooden surface with metal legs or a glass surface with wooden legs.
Contemporary
If you’re buying a dining table in the contemporary style, you’re looking for something that reflects the dominant style of the times. These tables tend to be understated and sleek, offering a simple, minimalist look. Although contemporary styles can be made of any material, they are usually made of wood or metal in neutral colors.
These are just a few examples of common styles to investigate, but they are by no means the end of the list! Other styles include retro, glam, transitional, and industrial.
Think About Use
Each person and family use their dining room table differently. In order to find the best dining table for you, think about how you do or will use your dining room table. Perhaps you’re planning for daily use, including meals, homework, or office work. Maybe you’ll save the dining table for special occasion meals or the occasional home crafting work. Thinking about how you’ll use your table will help you determine your desired size and shape.
How to Choose the Size and Shape of Dining Table
Before buying a dining table, measure your dining room. Ideally, you want a table that offers about three feet of space between the wall and other furniture so people can easily move around the table. If you plan to use it for regular meals, consider offering about 22 to 24 inches between each place setting.
When it comes to shape, the best dining table for you depends on how much space you have in your dining room. Round is better for smaller spaces, creating a cozy environment, and a rectangle is ideal for large spaces, especially if you want to emphasize a formal dining area. However, square tables work well if you have a small space but prefer sleek lines. On the other hand, if you like the smooth edges of a round table but have a large room, an oval shape will do well.
Understand Any Additional Needs
The best dining table for you may be part of modern dining sets or a stand-alone piece. As you start looking, think about additional needs such as:
- Extra leaves or other ways to extend your table for the occasional large gathering
- Chairs to match your table or match your table to your current chairs
- Materials that work best for your table’s use (i.e., wood requires more care, while laminate is more durable)
- Price ranges that are ideal for you to find the best dining table you can reasonably afford
Find the Best Dining Table for Your Family at Caravana Furniture
Regardless of the style, size, or shape you choose, you want to ensure you’re buying a dining table from a company known for its craftsmanship and service. Caravana Furniture has the quality, style diversity, and customer service you need to find the right piece or pieces to fit your taste. Whether you’re looking for complete dining sets, stand-alone tables, or chairs and benches, we have all the modern home furniture and other styles you want.
Browse online or visit our showroom to let our experts help you find the ideal dining room set for you. Plus, get free delivery and assembly in the Long Beach area. Check out all the options at our contemporary furniture store and more today.