Last Updated on June 16, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Dining room table sets fall under the bracket of furniture that we buy for the long term. Like the sofa or the bed, these are the kinds of things you buy probably only two, three or four times in a lifetime. Each dining set you buy will probably need to last a decade or more. Which means it doesn’t pay to rush in when it’s time to buy a new set.
If your dining set is going to be with you for another ten years or so then it needs to be sturdy and robust enough to stand up the vigor of regular use. But it also need to be trend proof. If you buy a table and it’s out of style in a few years’ time, then you’ll have to shell out for an new one before its lifespan is up.
So, what do you need to consider when buying a dining room set? Below we’ve created a guide on what to consider before you make your purchase. Plus, we’ll also throw in some useful tips on how to decorate a dining room so that your new set looks its very best from day one.
Measure up
The first thing you need to do when buying a dining room set is to measure your space carefully. If you have a dedicated dining room then this should be straightforward. But if you have an open plan living space then things are a little more complicated.
Think about how much of your open plan space should be a dedicated dining zone and how you an mark this out using other furniture and accessories such as rugs and shelves. In an open plan space, a dining set that is too big or too small can look strange and cause an unbalance in the room.
Shape of things to come
Once you have an idea of the size of your dining room set (which could be a small 2 or 4- seater or large 6 or 8-seaters or more), you then need to think about what shape to go for. Is a standard rectangular table and chair set right for you, or would a circular table set work better in your space.
If your dining area is in your kitchen, then you need to think how you will utilize kitchen tables in terms of entertaining, family life and more.
Rounded edges can create the sense of space but can be more difficult to design around, so it’s worth weighing up your options and even drawing a plan before making any big decisions.
How do you use your space?
How do you use your existing dining space? Is it reserved for adult entertaining or is it a family hub used for all three meals, homework, family time and everything else in between?
Write down what you use your dining area for each day for a week and from this you should get a picture of the kind of dining chairs and table you need for your space.
Color scheme
Now it’s time to start making the style decisions, and first on the list is the color. Do you want a neutral dining table that sits unassumingly in the space or is big and bold more your thing?
Of course, this all depends on your existing color scheme and material choices. Unless you are overhauling your kitchen then you need to find a table that works with the existing space.
Materials
Along with the color choice, you also need to consider the materials you want your dining set to be made from. Do you want a more modern material palette including glass and metal or is the more rustic wooden surface more your thing?
And remember, it’s not just the table top you need to think about (although this is probably the main consideration) but also the base and the chairs too. Your choice of materials can also determine whether your dining space is a more formal or relaxed area, with some materials lending themselves better to the ins and outs of everyday family life than others.
The environment (in both senses of the word)
When choosing a dining table it’s not just about the dining set itself, you also need to think about how you can bed it in to the room. A rug under the dining table can really help to define the space around it, and also helps to add color, pattern and texture to the space.
Bear in mind that the rug will need to be relatively easy to clean as spillages do happen. You can pick out colors and tones in the materials of your dining set and reflect this with other accents around the room, with cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings.
Lighting is also a very important factor. A dining space needs to be well lit, with overhead lighting required to cast light down on the table surface but not get in the way of conversing or dining. Lighting needs to be at the right level too, not too bright and not too dim. And the style of lights should ideally work as part of a wider design theme that matches the table and chairs.
In addition, as well as the environment in which your new dining set is going to sit, making sure that the dining room set is made using sustainable materials and with the least impact on the planet is also an important consideration. You might even want to consider an upcycled dining set, taking an old and unloved piece and turning it into something new and exciting thanks to a bit of TLC and a bold new coat of paint.
Price
Of course, the bottom line is, well, the bottom line. All of the above boxes need to be ticked but it all has to come in at the right price. Remember that a dining table is a long-term investment. Get it right and it cold last 10 years, 15 years or more. It’s all about buying the right quality for the right price.
FAQs
Which wood is good for dining set?
Different woods have different properties that make them better or worse for different applications. For example, hardwoods like maple and oak are tough and durable, making them great for furniture that will see a lot of use, like dining room tables and chairs.
Softer woods like pine are more affordable but can be more susceptible to damage. Ultimately, the best wood for your dining set depends on your budget and how you plan to use it.
Which shape dining table is best?
That is a question that many people ask when they are looking to buy a new table. There are many different shapes of tables and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will take a look at the most popular shapes of dining tables and see which one would be the best for you.
The most popular shape of dining table is the rectangular table. Rectangular tables are great for large families or for people who entertain a lot. They can seat a lot of people and they have a lot of surface area, so you can put a lot of food on them. However, they can be a bit cumbersome to move around and they take up a lot of space.
