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If you need a new dining table, choosing one can be fun. It allows you to define the style you want for your dining room. And there are many attractive options to sort through. Plus, who doesn’t like a stylish new piece of furniture? But choosing a dining room table has to be done carefully since the table’s such a large, room-defining piece. So below we’ll cover how to pick the right dining table for you and your home.
Shopping for a dining table can take a day or weeks, depending on how much time you have to devote to the project each day and how many options you choose to sort through. Sometimes you find just the right piece immediately, and sometimes it takes a while.
Dining tables also run all over the price range, depending on size, materials and style. A more simply designed table could cost in the mid $200 range, or you could be paying thousands of dollars or more. That’s why it literally pays to take the time to shop around. To that end, we’ve gathered some tips to help you decide on the type of dining room table you want. You can reduce your search time if you know what type of table will best suit your needs and your space.
Smaller, minimalistic tables fit well in open concept areas. Image: @cameronbraun/Twenty20
Take Stock of Your Room’s Size
The most defining feature of the dining room table is its size. Some are expansive. Some are small and minimalistic. Your dining room’s size is going to be a large factor in what size of table you get, of course. So start by measuring the space in which you plan to put the dining room table.
If you’d like more room to walk when you’re not entertaining, also remember to look at drop-leaf or extendable dining room table designs. That way, you can remove part of the table or fold part of it down when you want the extra floor space. This is especially useful for smaller dining rooms.
As a side note, many open concept designs in homes don’t have a set dining room space. Instead, you create an eating space wherever you put the table. Visual elements like a floor rug can create some organization in the space. Smaller and streamlined tables usually work in this style, as they don’t overpower or crowd the open space.
A dining room table can set the tone for a whole room, like with this highly rustic and textured design. Image: @statusdog/Twenty20
Choose a Style and Material for your Dining Room Table
Your next step is to choose the style you want in a dining room table. It might be easy to think, “Well, a wood one, I guess.” But all dining room tables have specific details in their materials and construction that make certain styles better for certain types of rooms. A few examples include:
- Classic homes do well with rich wood textures like mahogany and dark espresso finishes.
- Contemporary homes do well with minimal and modern styles.
- Industrial styles do well with a dining room table that uses metal elements, like stainless steel table legs.
- Artsy homes do well with funky styles, like table legs that angle outward or tabletops that are in unconventional, geometric shapes.
- Country styles do well with rustic, textured wood pieces.
These are just a few dining room table ideas. Remember, when looking for a larger piece of furniture, often it’s an intuitive process. Sometimes the right piece will just “speak” to you. Keep your room’s style in mind and it can be easier to pinpoint that perfect piece.