Dining Room Furniture Buying Guide

Family style dining, a pot luck with friends, a multi-course dinner paired with your favorite microbrews, a romantic candlelit dinner for two. You use your dining table and chairs for a wide range of dining styles. And that’s just the meals! Dining sets also play host to family game nights, late-night studying and work, and—of course—there’s the late-night snacks and philosophical, or not so philosophical, chats. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that the dining table and chairs are the hearth and heart of many of our homes.

Since the dining room plays such an essential part or our everyday living and entertaining alike, it’s important that your dining set meets all of your day-to-day needs—as well as your special hosting requirements. There are a wide range of dining sets available, with many sizes, styles and versatile features such as extension leaves and even built-in storage. In fact, there are so many choices available that selecting your ideal dining set can seem a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Read this buying guide to narrow down the selection and help choose the perfect dining set. We’ll also teach you how to customize your own by choosing a table you love and a variety of mixed-and-matched seating. All that’s left is to plan the menu. (Go with a crowd pleaser, like pizza!) Done, and done!

Consider Your Dining Style

One of the most important, and first, steps in choosing your ideal dining table is to consider your dining style. In other words, you should ask yourself: “how is the table going to be used?” If the answer is frequent and casual dining, then a durable table is a must. Looking to impress guests? Choose a formal, matching dining set. Do you love to entertain? Make sure you have versatile seating and plenty of space. Read on to see what style of dining, and what style of table, will best suit you and your crew.

• Casual Family Dining – For most young and growing families, casual dining is the way to go. A comfortable meal around a casual table offers time for the family members or favorite guests to connect, talk about their days, and just enjoy time together eating a favorite meal. For informal dining, it’s a good idea to invest in a dining set with chairs that will resist stains and wear well with age. Laminate dining tables are scratch resistant and surprisingly stylish; while real wood dining tables will hold up well over time. Farmhouse dining tables are a great option for casual diners. They are unassuming, comfortable and—best yet—the rustic style will still look great if your kids or clumsy, but loveable, guests add a few scratches over time.
• Formal Dining – If you have a larger home or tend to do a lot of entertaining, a more formal table may suit your design aesthetic. Select a large table with a dark wood and ornate details for an upscale look, or you can select an elegant set with grand tufted chairs to impress your guests and surround them in comfort. If you prefer a more modern look, an all-white or all black table will exude the contemporary sophistication you crave. A glass top table can also make a striking statement in your trendy dining room. Pairs one of these looks with your signature roast chicken, roasted potatoes, a nice salad and plenty of rose, and you can’t go wrong!
• Frequent Entertaining – The key for those who like to entertain is to choose a versatile dining set. Consider different expandable table options, especially tables with multiple leaves. If your favorite couple is joining you for a double-date-night-in, grab a single leaf, your favorite take-out, and you are set. For a larger dinner party, add multiple leaves and your table will be ready so fast that you have plenty of time left to cook your largest pot of pasta or get the grill fired up. You’ll also want to consider versatile seating options, such as a combination of chairs and a bench, to accommodate a range of people. Of course, a nice set of folding chairs can fill in any seating holes around your dinner table.
• Breakfast Dining – Breakfast nooks are designed for more than just breakfast. They are the perfect spot for after-school snacks and even casual dinners for a single diner, two, or a few hungry folks. Choose a small dining table, such as a dinette set, for your breakfast nook. You may want to consider a counter or bar height table and stools for a stylish and casual feel.

When choosing your dining table style, you should also take into consideration the design aesthetic of the rest of your house. After all, the dining area is often a very visible spot in your home, and it should flow well into the adjoining spaces, such as your kitchen and living room. Choose a table that complements your design style, whether you lean traditional, love the freedom of transitional style, or are drawn to bold modern designs.

Table and Room Size

Dining tables come in all shapes and sizes. First and foremost, it’s important to make sure the dining set you choose will fit in the space you have available. You may have dreams of a super long farmhouse table that will fit the whole neighborhood. However, if you are dining in a small space attached to your kitchen, you are going to have to adjust your expectations.

There are a wide range of standard dining set sizes available, including small bistro or dinette sets, other 3 piece dining sets, and popular 5 piece dining sets and 7 piece dining sets. If you have the space and the frequent diners, you may consider a larger dining set that seats 10 or even 12 people. An extension table is also a common option that can allow for more flexible dining and spacing. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a dining room table size:

• The shape of the table comes into play. Common shapes include round, square and rectangular tables. For proportion, mimic the space with a dining set of the same shape. A square dining area is perfect for a round or square table. A rectangular dining room is perfect for a rectangular table and can fit extension tables as well.
• Allow at least three feet between the table edge and an obstruction like a server or wall. (That means, you need to add 72-inches to the width and length of your table.) By following this rule, you can choose a table that will fit within your space and allow your guests to move around comfortably. Otherwise, you better just plan on skipping second helpings!
• A dining set that is too small can make your room look disjointed and waste space. More than six feet remaining between one wall or obstruction and the table means that the set is too small.

When shopping for a new dining table, consider the size of your family, the size of your space and how you intend to use the table. Make sure you have a chair for every member of your family and space for at least two extras for guests. If you anticipate throwing a birthday party or having guests over for dinner, you may want to invest in a table with leaves or an extension so you can increase the size for special occasions and decrease it for everyday use.

Design Your Own Dining Set

When it comes to dining sets, one size doesn’t fit all! That’s why there’s so many options available, including standard dining sets of different sizes and styles. You can take personalization a step further by piecing together your own unique dining set. Start by choosing a table that you love, and then select mixed-and-matched seating that suits your style. Mixed-and-matched seating works especially well for casual style homes, and can even suit boho-chic styles. However, you can also create a more formal look by pairing a set of upholstered host chairs at each end of your table with simpler arm chairs filling out the remaining sides. Choose simple forms and bold colors for a modern style dining set of your very own, or pair your favorite reclaimed wood dining chairs and a bench for a farmhouse look that will comfortably seat your family and guests. The possibilities are limitless!

It’s true that the creative options are endless. However, many of our budgets are not. If you are looking to update your dining room on the cheap, consider pairing new chairs, stools and/or benches with your existing table. You can make a surprisingly big impact with new seating options, making your dining set more functional for your family (hello, swivel chairs!) and updating the style in your dining room—without going over your tight budget.

Whether you are pairing chairs and benches with a new or existing table, there are some factors to keep in mind. It’s true that not all tables are created equal, and not all chairs will fit with your preferred table. Start by ensuring the height of your chairs work with the height of your table. Make sure to leave roughly 12 inches of space between the seat of the chair and the table. This amount of space will fit most people comfortably. It is the most common gap used by furniture manufacturers.

Additional Table Features

You’ve narrowed down a style—somewhere on the spectrum between traditional and modern—and determined the size of table that will fit best in your space. Now, it’s all about the extras. We’ve mentioned extension tables, but there are more options than just one or two leaves. First, you can consider butterfly leaves which offer convenient self-storage. Other styles include take-out leaf/leaves, and even hidden pull-out workstations. Another option for tight dining spaces is a table with built-in storage, such as a storage space under the table top that has a combination of drawers and shelves for wine and stemware.

Chinas, Buffets and Storage

Whether you’re looking to store your collection of wine or favorite mixed-and-matched flea market dishes and treasures, a china, buffet cabinet or other dining room storage piece can add functionality and style to your room. You can even purchase a kitchen island to add space and structure to your open concept kitchen and dining space. (Can you say extra counter space?) You don’t even have to be limited to furniture that is sold exclusively as dining room furniture. A console, bookshelf or cubby can also make a functional addition to your kitchen or dining area, and bring personality—your personality—to your space.

By choosing a dining room table and chairs (or other seats) that work with the space you have available and your style, you are sure to get a set that you’ll love to sit down on for little snacks and multi-course meals alike. Pull up a seat, and get dining!