Discover Your Dining Table Style
To pick the right dining table, you need to match it to your personality as well as the look of your dining room. These identifiers can help
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Creating a spectacular dining room starts with the perfect table. There are so many designs out there, it's hard to know where to begin. Let's break it down to help you find the right shape, size, material and style for you.
You: Are a minimalist
Your table: No frills
A minimalist metal table like this one provides an industrial feel and contrasts nicely with the wood all around. It's easy to clean up, too. A basic wood table would work as well.
Most dining areas are designed to accommodate a rectangular table to seat six to eight. That is a good starting point, then you can decide how playful you want to be with seating, lighting and materials.
Your table: No frills
A minimalist metal table like this one provides an industrial feel and contrasts nicely with the wood all around. It's easy to clean up, too. A basic wood table would work as well.
Most dining areas are designed to accommodate a rectangular table to seat six to eight. That is a good starting point, then you can decide how playful you want to be with seating, lighting and materials.
You: Never know how many people are coming for dinner
Your table: Extending
If you are going to go rectangular, my personal preference is for an extending table that seats four to six typically, and stretches to seat eight to ten.
Whether you prefer a drop-leaf farm table as shown or one with a more sophisticated built-in panel that is released to add linear feet, the flexibility for entertaining is priceless.
Your table: Extending
If you are going to go rectangular, my personal preference is for an extending table that seats four to six typically, and stretches to seat eight to ten.
Whether you prefer a drop-leaf farm table as shown or one with a more sophisticated built-in panel that is released to add linear feet, the flexibility for entertaining is priceless.
You: Love rustic style
Your table: Farm
You must have noticed the proliferation of rustic farm-style tables in the past few years. These tables have become quite popular because they hark back to simpler times when farm-to-table food was the norm and families gathered each evening.
Their weathered patina looks good with modern or traditional chairs. And their popularity means you can opt for an original antique or a more affordable reproduction.
Your table: Farm
You must have noticed the proliferation of rustic farm-style tables in the past few years. These tables have become quite popular because they hark back to simpler times when farm-to-table food was the norm and families gathered each evening.
Their weathered patina looks good with modern or traditional chairs. And their popularity means you can opt for an original antique or a more affordable reproduction.
You: Are a fan of clean, modern lines
Your table: Modern glass
Glass can infuse your space with lightness and modernity. Be ready to constantly wipe off greasy food smudges, worry about sharp corners with children around and expect it to be hard to move. It's a practical option for few households, which makes it special. Consider a frosted glass top for ease of cleaning.
Your table: Modern glass
Glass can infuse your space with lightness and modernity. Be ready to constantly wipe off greasy food smudges, worry about sharp corners with children around and expect it to be hard to move. It's a practical option for few households, which makes it special. Consider a frosted glass top for ease of cleaning.
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You: Are a conservationist and nature lover
Your table: Salvaged wood
Salvaged wood plank tables have gained admirers recently and work best in the rectangular shapes. The natural beauty of the tree is magnified to epic proportions and appreciated in everyday use.
Due to the scarcity of the wood and the custom work that goes into creating each piece, these tables double as art pieces, and their prices reflect their beauty.
Your table: Salvaged wood
Salvaged wood plank tables have gained admirers recently and work best in the rectangular shapes. The natural beauty of the tree is magnified to epic proportions and appreciated in everyday use.
Due to the scarcity of the wood and the custom work that goes into creating each piece, these tables double as art pieces, and their prices reflect their beauty.
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| You: Are traditional and family oriented Your table: Traditional round Some families prefer round tables since they allow everyone to face one another, pass food around easily and feel more social. The neat thing about round tables is that you can usually fit one or two more guests at the table in a pinch. The round table is the great equalizer. |
| Round tables are space efficient and fit nicely in smaller dining rooms. |
You: Like round tables and are edgy
Your table: Modern round
Remember the warnings above about glass tables, but they show off the centered legs of a table especially well, and you don't have those sharp corners to worry about.
Certain modern round designs work well with glass tops when the base is sculptural or the legs are made of a different material. Look for surprising combinations that will challenge your preconceived notions of the round table.
Your table: Modern round
Remember the warnings above about glass tables, but they show off the centered legs of a table especially well, and you don't have those sharp corners to worry about.
Certain modern round designs work well with glass tops when the base is sculptural or the legs are made of a different material. Look for surprising combinations that will challenge your preconceived notions of the round table.
You: Love classic midcentury modern design
Your table: Saarinen-inspired round
Lovers of midcentury modern gravitate to the Saarinen table for its retro style. The original comes with a marble top, but there's an Ikea version in plastic for those on a budget.
The bright white top and streamlined tulip base in any material is cheerful and pairs well with so many different types of chairs and lighting.
Your table: Saarinen-inspired round
Lovers of midcentury modern gravitate to the Saarinen table for its retro style. The original comes with a marble top, but there's an Ikea version in plastic for those on a budget.
The bright white top and streamlined tulip base in any material is cheerful and pairs well with so many different types of chairs and lighting.
by Annette English
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The oval version is extra unusual and combines the best of all worlds: round, rectangular, modern and retro. It has a high-end-design look.
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| You: Love the nightlife Your table: Counter height Another trend in dining is elevated counter-height tables with surrounding stools for a casual loungelike feel at home. This is a fun setup for light entertaining and young households — imagine a tapas and wine-tasting night here. What's your table style? Browse dining tables |
Ideabook updated on May 26, 2012.
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Great article, Natalie!
@wcrjcs: Re 'katwoods' comment and suggestion -- FYI, as I wanted something solid with a large surface to use a play-table for my Grandchildren; I purchased an Ikea table and just cut down the legs. (Primed and decoratively painted it to go with some kiddie chairs.) It worked out marvelously well and in your case can be done with success without any necessary touch up if cut properly.