How to Choose a Dining Room Table: Size & Design Considerations
So you’ve decided that your dining room is in dire need of an upgrade - or, perhaps you’re just now moving into your first home. Either way, you want help choosing the right dining room table. And that’s exactly what we’ll help you do today in this in-depth overview of how to pick a dining room table - regardless of your style preferences, size requirements, or price point.
Your dining room table is where you, your family, and other loved ones gather to enjoy each other’s company and share meals. You’ll use it before everyone heads out to work or school for the day, and you’ll use it when everyone comes home. If you’ve got kids in the house or you work from home, the dining room table will be used throughout the day in some instances, too!
All things considered, it’s incredibly important to choose the right table. But with so many different styles and options to consider, it can become overwhelming. Take a deep breath and relax - because by the end of our dining room table buying guide, you’ll feel much more confident in starting the shopping journey. Towards the end, you’ll even gain a personalized recommendation for you - from us.
First, let’s start with the importance of learning how to choose the right dining room table.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Dining Room Table
Picture this - you start browsing your options online or at your local furniture store. Something catches your eye, and you believe you’ve found it: the perfect table for your dining room! You buy it quickly and anxiously await it’s arrival. You’re so excited to start enjoying the new centerpiece to your dining room with all your loved ones!
But then it comes - and something isn’t right. Maybe it doesn’t quite mesh with the rest of your dining room furniture or the overall vibe of your home. Or, even worse, it doesn’t fit well in the space - it’s too small or too big.
The point we’re trying to make here is that while shopping for your new dining room table is supposed to be fun, it’s not something you should take lightly. The last thing you want is to deal with the disappointment and frustration of having to return or exchange your table after it shows up at your doorstep.
However, with us here to help explain how to pick a dining room table that will fit seamlessly into your home, you needn’t stress over this any longer. We’re going to touch on the key considerations to make along this shopping adventure. And we aren’t going to delay any longer - here is how to pick a dining room table.
How to Choose a Dining Room Table: 5 Key Factors
Ready to learn how to choose a dining room table for your unique space? Below, you’ll gain invaluable tips and insights on what goes into choosing a dining room table. Of course, the first step is one of the most important. Here is how to choose a dining room table size…
1. Choosing a Dining Room Table Size
When it comes to choosing the right dining room table, size matters. But what exactly constitutes the right size? Below are some tips to help you figure out how to choose a dining room table size.
First and foremost, consider the space you’re putting the table in. Obviously, the space you have available will dictate the size of the table you can get. Make sure to measure the dimensions of the space and compare them to those of potential tables to make sure they'll fit.
It’s a good idea to grab some tape or string and map out what different size tables will look/feel like in your dining room. You can get a gauge of how much extra space will be around the room - in other words, how “tight” each table will make the room feel.
The size of your room is the limiting factor for how large of a dining room table you can get. Getting a multi-purpose dining table - or some other type of small space multi-functional furniture - is a great way to make the most of what you have.
But if space isn’t an issue, then what? Next, you'll want to make sure there's enough seating at the table for your standard breakfasts, lunches, and dinners - and then some. Don’t just factor in your family, though. Consider the highest number of people you anticipate ever being at the table at once. Picture Christmas dinner, or Easter brunch - will you be hosting family and friends? If so, you need to accommodate them.
The point is if you like to entertain large groups you'll need a larger table than if your gatherings are more intimate. Finally, you should consider your chairs - at least, if you plan on continuing to use them. Some chairs take up more space than others, so be sure to take that into account when making your decision. We’ll talk more about pairing your table with your chairs later on. If you’d like to learn more about what size table you should get, check out our related article.
Now that you know how to choose a dining room table size, let’s address choosing the design/style of your table.
2. Unique Design & Style Preferences
Besides the size of your table, you should also consider the aesthetics. This is where you can get creative and have some fun. There are no right or wrong answers here - because it’s your dining room table! However, there are two approaches you can take to interior design in general:
- Keeping everything in the room cohesive with similar designs, colors, and materials
- Going with a contrasting look by blending different furniture materials and styles together
If you want to go with a cohesive look, you’ll want to use similar woodgrains for the chairs and table. You’ll also want to consider other wood in the room - such as your flooring, a wooden hutch, a board game shelf, or your cabinets - and ensure they match as well.
Similarly, if you designed your home with a certain style in mind - like mid-century modern, for example - you should seek out a mid-century modern style table. It’s that simple.
On the other hand, maybe you’re going with a more contemporary style where you want some contrast throughout the space. Say you have really dark mahogany floorboards - you can make your dining room table pop by going with a super light woodgrain, such as birch or maple.
Ultimately, this is something only you can decide for yourself. If you want to learn more, though, we have an article on the different types of wood for tables.
3. What Kind of Dining Room Chairs Do You Have?
As we mentioned earlier, you should consider the chairs you have when choosing the right dining room table. This sort of touches on the last point we were making as well - keeping things cohesive vs creating contrast. The choice is yours - although our personal favorite look is to match the wood of your chairs to the table while creating contrast with the upholstery of the chairs.
For example, let’s say you have dark-colored parson chairs with lighter-colored upholstery. You can match the wooden elements of your chairs to your table for a really stunning look.
But the style of your chairs and how they fit your table isn’t the only consideration here. Remember back to the sizing aspect we talked about earlier - you need to make sure your chairs fit with the size of the table, too. We have a complete guide on choosing the chairs for your table if you’d like to learn more.
4. Choosing the Right Dining Room Table Shape
Another really important consideration for anyone wondering how to pick a dining room table is the shape. There are two options - for the most part, at least: round vs rectangle dining tables. And as with most of the things we’ve discussed thus far in terms of how to choose the right dining room table, this is a personal preference.
Most of the time, rectangular tables are the best choice. They are better for gaming and people can sit closer together. They also help you make the most of your space, as round tables typically have a lot of wasted space in the middle.
5. Do You Entertain Guests or Use the Dining Table for Games?
Finally, let’s touch on one final point for anyone wondering how to choose the right dining room table. As we discussed in our article on innovative furniture, you can use your dining room table for so much more than just eating when you get the right one.
If you find yourself constantly hosting a board game night or hosting a poker night, just any old dining room table won’t cut it. You need a table that can allow for seamless conversion from eating to playing. The same is true if you are hosting D&D night - you need a dungeons and dragons table that can be specifically tailored to this type of gameplay. If this sounds like you, keep reading - we’ll offer a specific dining room table recommendation in just a moment.
Our Dining Room Table Recommendation
Learning how to pick a dining room table that meets the design and style of the rest of the room and your house, in general, isn’t easy. You may even consider hiring an interior designer to assist with this.
But the good news is, there are no right or wrong answers - this is your home, after all. The only people who need to love the dining room table you ultimately end up purchasing are those who live in the space. With that said, you can’t go wrong with the Dresden board gaming dining table.
This modern work of art is regarded as one of the most stunning dining room tables available. But it does so much more than serve as the centerpiece in your dining room and inspire conversation - it allows for effortless conversion into a gaming table.
It’s complete with individual player stations containing drink holders, card slots, and more, a felt playing surface, and other essential gaming table features. The best part? You get to customize it to make it your own. Choose your size, your design, and your wood grain. Then, add other unique elements to create something you’re proud to show off.
Once you see the expert craftsmanship and sturdy construction in person, you’ll be glad you went with Bandpass Design for the most aesthetic, functional dining and gaming table!
Final Thoughts on How to Pick a Dining Room Table: Buying Guide
Well, there you have it. That wraps up our discussion on how to pick a dining room table. With the conclusion of our dining room table buying guide, there is just one thing left to do - start searching for your perfect pick!
Just remember to consider size, design style, use cases, and your chairs when seeking out the best dining room table for your unique needs.
As you can see, choosing the right dining table doesn’t have to be complicated - and if you want to save yourself some time and just get the best possible dining room gaming table for your home, head over to Bandpass Design and start designing yours today!