Furnishing your dining area can feel like trying to decide what to eat from an enormous menu: overwhelming. With so many styles, shapes, and configurations available, it’s easy to lose your way as you search for the perfect fit for your unique needs and decorating appetites. If you feel torn by the numerous dining room options, you’re not alone. The experts at Star Furniture can help you sift through the choices to find your home’s perfect match. Check out these tips to understand your dining style and (more importantly) make furniture shopping easy and fun.
Plan Out Your Dining Space
When it comes to decorating any space in your home, it’s important to be strategic. Rather than buying the first dining room set that catches your eye, it’s well worth spending a bit more time and effort to plan out the needs of the space. Most dining areas fall into one of two categories: formal or casual. A traditional dining room is generally a unique space, a room with four walls, chandelier and design features like chair rails. Casual dining spaces are generally open to a kitchen or great room. They feel open, laid back and approachable. This should be kept in mind as you begin your search to find the right dining furniture and accessories moving forward.
Consider Your Company
Not all dining room tables will be used for the same purpose. Sure, you can safely bet that your family will spend countless hours eating and visiting together in the space, but what about entertaining? Do you plan to host gatherings often or rarely? When visitors do come over, will your dining table be spacious enough to accommodate them? Perhaps choosing a table with a removable leaf in its center is a good way to save space on a daily basis while having the option to expand if you need to. Don’t forget to consider other potential factors that may impact the type of table you should choose. If you have young children at home, choosing a table material that is durable and easy to care for is probably a good idea. On the other hand, if you intend to use your table for other activities, such as working from home, you may need a table with a bit more space.
Pinpoint Your Dining Room Style
Just like any other piece of furniture, dining room tables and chairs come in a variety of different styles. Some are modern and understated, others rustic and casual, and still others are traditional and elegant. Determining which style you’re attracted to can help make your furniture shopping experience go as smoothly as possible. Of course, your personal preferences aren’t the only factor to keep in mind when hunting for your perfect dining set. The surrounding decor in your dining room and the rest of your home should also be considered. After all, a rugged farmhouse table would probably look silly in a home that’s decorated in contemporary minimalist decor. With this in mind, take a look around your house to determine your decorating style. Once you’ve narrowed down if your home is adorned in modern, traditional, rustic, or some other home decor style, you can hone in on dining tables and chairs that will mesh well with the pieces you already have.
It’s All on the Table: Selecting Your Perfect Table
Picking the perfect table for your home may sound like a pretty straightforward process. In reality, there are many factors to keep in mind before purchasing this everyday essential. Here’s what you need to know to select the perfect table for your home:
- Size: The size of your dining table is perhaps its most important factor. Along with fitting comfortably within the room, there should also be plenty of space for chairs and, of course, for people to move around freely. When it comes to choosing the right size table, you can’t skip measuring both the table and the room where you plan for it to go. Remember to leave at least three feet between each side of the table and the closest wall.
- Shape: If you think that the shape of your table doesn’t matter, think again. Your dining table’s shape can make or break the ambiance and functionality of your dining area. For instance, round or oval tables can provide more space in rooms that are small and can create cozy, inviting vibes. On the other hand, rectangular and square tables tend to be more popular, which means you’ll find more options for them, many of which can be extended when entertaining.
- Base: How your table is supported will determine how many seats you can fit around it. Whether your table has legs, a pedestal, or a trestle to support it doesn’t really matter in terms of looks or stability, but it can affect how many people can comfortably sit around it. The best way to decide where to place your chairs is to sit around the table yourself to ensure that your legs aren’t colliding with the legs.
- Materials: Knowing the pros and cons of what your table is made of can make sure you’re able to keep it looking good for years to come. Glass table tops are chic and stylish. Of course, smudges and fingerprints will show. No worries, Windex is a quick fix. Wood table tops are classic, a perennial favorite. Some wood table tops are specially finished to stand up to wear and tear. Others are achieved through a multi-step finishing process and can be more delicate. Tablecloths and placemats often complete a dining room look and protect wood finishes. We call that a win-win!
Take a Seat: Choosing the Right Chairs
After choosing your perfect table, it’s time to find the right chairs to go with it. Because there are countless options in terms of style, color, and material, you may be tempted to invest in a matching dining room set for convenience alone. If this is the best option for you, go for it! But if you’d prefer to take a different approach and put your own personal stamp on your dining room by mixing and matching a table and chairs, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose chairs that complement the style of your table. They don’t have to match perfectly but they should be compatible.
- Consider the material. Looking for something that’s easy to clean? You can’t go wrong with metal or wood. Trying to achieve a sophisticated look? Upholstered chairs are the way to go!
- Be sure to prioritize comfort. No one wants to sit in a chair that looks great but feels like a rock.
- Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Replacing traditional chairs with a bench or using more than one style or color of chairs can be an effective way to make your table set feel like your own.
Whether your style, vibe and room are formal or casual, in a dedicated room or part of the kitchen, what happens around the dining table is critical. It’s where family and friends come together to share and celebrate. Creating a dining area that’s comfortable, functional and stylish isn’t too difficult. In fact, there’s an easy recipe. Make Star Furniture your go to for great decorating advice and an amazing selection. The trusted design team at Star Furniture can help make the process of finding your perfect dining room furniture simple and fun. Check out our social media sites then stop by our convenient showroom location to get started!