Sizing.
Families are large, families are small, families can often be a single person. So, the size of your dining table will all depend on how many people you can see fitting in the space that you have available.
We always recommend giving people a generous amount of space around a table, to save any butting of elbows when you’re tucking into your Sunday roast.
The below example is a 6-seater dining table that measures: 180cm long by 90cm wide.
Aesthetics.
Aesthetics are usually a driving factor when it comes to deciding on a dining table. Wood types, joinery techniques, legs and finishing are all worth thinking about for your dining table. Our advice would be to also factor in the styling of the room that the dining table is going to live in. Look at your current furniture and make choices that allow the new dining to fit in well in its new environment.
Materials and Price.
The two are inter-linked when it comes to furniture. Choosing a hard-wearing material, such as oak for your dining table will be more expensive than a cheaper veneered option. But an oak dining table could last a lifetime, whereas the veneered version might start loosening up after a couple of years.
Hardwood is usually preferred for a dining table, as it offers a more hard-wearing surface that deters scratches and dents. Hardwood is generally heavier in weight, which means that the dining table will stand it’s ground a bit better when placed on a tiled, laminate or wooden floor.
It’s not just about oak.
Oak dining table are obviously very popular. They offer a timeless aesthetic that will generally fit in with most home décor. However, oak can be expensive, depending on its quality.
A nice alternative to Oak is Ash. Ash is a hardwood that is slightly harder than oak, meaning that it is very durable. Ash is also generally cheaper than oak (per board feet). The colour of Ash is much lighter than Oak, which can really suit modern, light homes.
Here’s a few shots of our most recent project; a 6-seater dining table and bench.
Hopefully this article provides a few pointers on choosing your new dining table. Whatever you decide, find a dining table that will last a lifetime.
If you have a dining table project in mind, or need some help figuring out which size, material or aesthetic will suit your home, then feel free to get in touch.
