subject: Shopping For Dining Room Furniture: The Importance Of Table And Chair Choice [print this page] Selecting new dining room furniture is a great way to completely change the feel of the entire room, allowing you to shape a mood and atmosphere that will have family, friends and guests looking back fondly on their dining experience. The two most important pieces to keep in mind when shaping your vision of a new dining room are, of course, the table and chair set. Taking a minute to consider what you are after for each of them can save you a headache down the line.
Of course, no piece of dining room furniture is more important than the table. As the centerpiece of the room, the table will be the first thing to draw the eye of anyone entering the area, not to mention it will take up the most space. It is vital that the table reflect your vision for the room. Every other piece may be perfect, but if you settle on a less-than-perfect table, you will regret it in the long run.
So what kind of table should you look for? It depends on the style that you are going for in your new dining room. There are as many styles out there as there are personalities, and your table should reflect yours. For a sense of elegance and class, a solid wood oak or maple table embellished with carved designs and a high polish may be just what you need. If you are looking for a more rustic look, try an unfinished wood table. It will not reflect light like a polished or finished table, and will give the room a homier, country feel. Ultra-modern chic dining room furniture is also available to show your guests that you are on the cutting edge of style. Simple black or white polished wood tables give off a minimalist feel that can add that sense of style to the room. Breaking away from traditional wood tables, stainless steel or iron tables with glass tops can also be used to set your dining room apart.
Size is also a factor to consider when selecting a dining room table. The table should be the focal point of the room. It can help to take measurements of the room and have some idea of the size of table you are looking for before you go table hunting. Be careful not to sacrifice functionality for style, either. If you plan on having large gatherings at this table, make sure it will be large enough to support as many guests as you anticipate regularly having. No one wants to be exiled to the satellite table. Likewise, if you do not intend to have a smaller group using the table frequently, it can be awkward sitting at a table that is far too large.
Once you have the table squared away, it is time to find the second most important pieces of dining room furniture: the chairs. Many tables come with matching chairs, but you can often do far better selecting your own set. Maybe the matching chair set does not quite fit your style, or maybe they are simply not comfortable to sit in. Regardless of the reason, selecting your own chair set will further add your personal touch to the room.
When selecting chairs, it is imperative to strike a balance between style and comfort. The most beautiful chairs in the world will do you no good if no one wants to sit on them. On the other hand, surrounding the dining room table with recliners may be comfortable, but will do little for the overall ambiance of the room. If shopping for chairs in person, make sure to actually sit in any chair you are considering purchasing and, if you can, try setting one or more of them around your selected table to see how they look together.
Once you have these two most important pieces of dining room furniture selected, the rest of the room will seem like a breeze. Finding the right table and chair set will ensure that your personality shines through in your dining room.
