The holidays are upon us, and thus begins the season of gathering! Thanksgiving, holiday shindigs, and more! And what's needed for the perfect setting? A table to gather 'round. Put aside that folding table from college, and pull up a chair to a proper dining table (unless you need a little extra room for additional guests, of course). Tables, like any other type of furniture, come in all shapes and sizes—find the right fit and style for your space.
Dining Table Basics for Your Home
The look of your table is important, but the first thing to consider is how and where will you use it. Are you looking for a formal setting or a more casual environment? Secondly, you need to consider the size of the dining area and how many people you would like to accommodate. Once you've chosen your table, then you can complement them with chairs.
Measure Your Dining Room
Before you go shopping for your dream table, start by measuring table-to-wall clearance and the space around the room. To allow diners to sit down and get up easily from their seats, try to leave 42-48″ between your table and the walls. If there is furniture in the dining space, begin your 42-48″ from the edge of the furniture instead of the wall. Don’t overcrowd the table: Each person needs about 2 feet of eating space to dine comfortably.
Pick a Table Shape You Like
The shape of the your dining room or kitchen table is equally important in creating a beautiful and comfortable space. There are four main shapes: round, square, oval, and rectangular dining room tables—though, occasionally, you'll see the odd hexagonal table. The easiest way to decide which shape will work best is to match the shape of your dining space, combined with your design style.
Round Dining Room Tables
Round dining tables are great for smaller spaces and are the least formal. This type of table design can accommodate more people around it while taking up the least amount of space. Round tables tend to create a cozy and intimate setting, but they can also be remarkably graceful when set in the center of the room, especially with a pedestal leg.
Square Dining Room Tables
If your room is a moderately sized square-shaped space, a square dining room table will look great matching the room around it. It is also a good solution when your guest list is smaller and you want each group to enjoy their own side of the table. This type of table design is slightly more modern than round or rectangular tables and can appear both casual and formal. Coupled with a beautiful rug they can appear like a “room within a room.”
Oval Dining Room Tables
An oval table gives you the flexibility of a round table for seating but has a hint of that classic rectangular shape. These tables visually use up less space due to their rounded corners, and each fits well into a larger or narrow dining space to accommodate last-minute guests with ease.
Rectangular Dining Room Tables
The rectangular dining table is the most popular of all the shapes—and for good reason! It's the best design for hosting large groups of people. This type of table design works well in a long, narrow room or a galley type kitchen. This is the most formal of the table shapes, and if you have a large dining area, it can make quite a statement.
Bottom Line
Whatever type of table you choose to gather around with friends and family, whether it's round or square, Brook Furniture Rental has a great selection of high-quality tables and chairs perfectly suited for your needs. And if you don't love it or it doesn't fit the way you imagined, we've got free exchanges within the first 7 days of your rental. As if that wasn't enough, we've also got everything else you need to feel at home, including lighting, decor, and housewares.
