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Design Dilemma: 7 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Dining Table

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The dining table represents one of the most important furniture pieces in our homes. We spend countless hours gathered around it — eating, conversing, and often working. Your table needs not only to function well but to reflect your individual style too. But if you’ve just moved into a new space, you may have no idea where to start when it comes to choosing a table. So here are a few tips:

1. Look for a table to seat six to eight.
Most dining rooms are designed to accommodate a group of this size, so going too small will make your dining room feel unfinished, while going too large will make entertaining difficult. To determine the perfect size for your room, measure the space around the room. To allow diners to sit down and get up easily from their seats,  leave 42-48″ between your table and the walls.

2. If you host a lot of large gatherings, opt for an extendable table.
It will allow you the flexibility to host a Thanksgiving dinner for 12 or an intimate dinner for two.

3. Choose the shape of your table based on the shape and size of your room. Your table shape should echo the shape of the room, hence, square tables for square rooms, rectangular tables for long narrow rooms. If you’ve got a small dining room, consider a round table.
Round tables allow for better flow and have no corners to bump into. You can fit more people around a round table since there are no corners to contend with. Pedestal tables are especially functional, since there are no table legs taking away from valuable leg room. Here are the basic diameters for seating:

4. For the  most modern look, go for clean lines.
Simple legs without carving or frills, square-lined Parsons tables, or tables in glass or chrome can feel very modern.

5. If your style is more rustic, explore using reclaimed wood, and table styles with carving or more elaborate feet.

6. If you like the industrial look go for metal.
All metal tables, or wooden tables with metal legs have that industrial feel.

7. Stay on trend by mixing and matching your chairs.
The latest look in dinng rooms involves adding a variety of chairs around your table suggesting individuality, originality and informality. The most current look is to pick dining chairs that contrast with your table, rather than match your table. It’s even better if chairs contrast with each other, although there should be some factor that ties each chair in with the others — either color, size or material.