Choosing a Dining Table
So if you thought choosing a lampshade was difficult I can assure you, it’s a breeze compared to choosing a dining table. I mean, you can take a lampshade, or four, home try them in the room and make a decision to keep or return. However, a dining room table is a bigger commitment, not to mention a bigger headache to return if you get it wrong!
I thought my mission would be simple: a black dining table for four, with some coloured chairs. I couldn’t be more wrong!
If you’re wondering how to choose the right dining table for your space, there’s more to think about than you might expect:
- What space do you have available – not just whether it fits, but whether you can sit comfortably and move around it
- What shape – round, square, oval or rectangular all change how a room flows
- Is it extendable (or not) and how they work (watch little fingers with fold-down styles)
- What material – wood, glass, laminate… think about durability and how you’ll use it
- Do you prefer the look of a solid base or legs – will it get in the way when you sit?
Who knew it was so complex? I made the mistake of asking Google to find me my “ideal dining table set”, and to say it was way off the mark is an understatement. So rather than leave it to chance, I have been out and about scouring local furniture shops.
Top Tips When researching
Go and see some tables in person. Even if you don’t buy from those shops, you’ll quickly rule out what doesn’t work. You might not be buying from these shops, but at least by seeing things you can rule out what won’t work, and what you dislike, now you have seen it. Make notes of where you see the items you like – trust me you’ll thank me for it later!
Take photos of anything you like. You can then use image search to find better prices or similar styles.
Take a tape measure and make notes on the additional space these tables take up with chairs, and most importantly the additional space needed to get in and out of the table comfortably.
Things toAvoid
Carefully consider do you really want glass – I learnt this the hard way. My flatmate came home one day thinking we’d been burgled… but the glass table had actually shattered while we were out. According to the supplier, the sunlight through the window may have caused it to crack. We were finding glass for months. Safe to say, I’m cautious about glass now.
Don’t oversize it. If you need a four-seater most of the time, buy that and use an extendable option when needed. The only exception is if you have the space for a larger table to sit comfortably in the room. But a bit like the lampshades, bigger isn’t always best.
Practicalities of moving it – This does depend on your situation. If you move often, flexibility matters more than size. An extendable table gives you options without locking you into one layout.
Going rogue on the source – a purchase from an unknown website or low rated find on Ebay or Amazon is a risk. Do your due diligence so you have confidence that you will get what you are expecting, as opposed to a version of it. I hear too many stories about colours not being as shown and quality lacking on purchases from clients who have gone down this route. Of course, they’re not all horror stories, but please do approach with caution.
Check chairs fit – allow around 60cm per person at the table. Also, make sure chairs can pull out fully without hitting walls or furniture.
My Search continues
So as much as I’d love to wrap this up with a neat ending, my search continues.
I feel a bit like Goldilocks – one table is too big, another not quite right, and the budget is… a work in progress.
But when I find “the one”, you’ll be the first to see it on my socials, so be sure to follow me…
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