A recent Graduate’s adventures into dining room furnishing

When I finished school the thought of moving back home and into my parent’s basement was not very enticing. Instead I scrolled the internet for the perfect pad to compliment my newly graduated status. The endless search resulted in a great place right in the heart of the city and I couldn’t have been any happier.

I took possession of the place half way through the month. The place was sparsely furnished with the previous tenants broken cast offs and panic set in. How was I going to afford to be able to furnish my place? How could the previous tenants have left all of this stuff behind? I pulled myself together, used some elbow grease and cleaned the place until everything sparkled.

Then I once again turned to the internet, I found myself a nice chair some couches and a table or two. Slowly the place was transforming into my home. I painted the walls a soft green, figuring, hey it’s a colour that is neutral enough so that if I did move out of my amazing new home I would be less likely to have to paint the walls back to white if I ever moved out.

Now that I had the living room organized, it was time to turn my attention to the dining room. I had a very specific vision for my dining table sets I wanted something solid, elegant and understated. That would compliment the nick knacks I had spread around my apartment, but wouldn’t overshadow everything else. I scrounged vintage stores, big furniture stores, and the trusty internet for my dining table. I eventually found the perfect table. Elated I spent even more time trying to find the perfect position for my brand new piece of furniture. Once in place I realized I hadn’t bought any chairs, but that’s a story for another day.

-RL

Putting the Spotlight on Dining Tables

I'll admit it; I take my dining room table for granted. Without giving it any thought, I'll plunk down a handful of junk mail, dishes that need a step-stool before they can be put away and even, I have to confess, the occasional pile of freshly folded laundry that didn't quite make it to wherever it should have been going in the first place. But when I went to buy new dining chairs to match the table, the salesperson began asking questions that I really had to think about.

It was an eye-opening encounter. Taking my dining table for granted had distinct disadvantages: since I didn't know the answers off the top of my head (like how high the table was and whether the finish high gloss or matte), I had to make the trip back home to find out. If you are in the market for dining table, there are some important things to keep in mind before making a purchase. After all, the focal point of every dining room is the dining table. You want to get it right the first time.

Size

Although the height of a standard dining table is 30 inches, they come in a range of sizes that can cozily seat two people or comfortably accommodate up to ten family members and guests. When shopping for a dining table, the first thing to consider is how large the space is and how many people will be sitting at the table on a regular basis. A person generally needs a minimum of 24 inches of personal space to feel comfortable. If you have guests over for a meal more often than not, you might want to factor them into your seating plan too.

Also, take into account that you will be using the table with chairs. To be able to easily walk around the table with the chairs pushed in or to slide a chair away from your dining table without hitting the wall or another piece of furniture, you will need to make room, allowing 48 to 56 inches between the table and the wall for minimum/maximum clearance.

Purpose and Place

Before buying a dining table, take into account your lifestyle. Give some thought to how and where you and family take your meals: on the go at a breakfast counter, informally at a kitchen table or gathered around a more formal dining table? If everyone's schedule is different and you are not in the habit of having sit-down meals together, a large formal table that seats ten might not be the best choice. A dinette set, a smaller, more utilitarian version of the dining table with chairs, may be the ideal alternative. On the other hand, if you enjoy entertaining and want a place to stage holiday gatherings, you will need a dining table with plenty of room.

Style

Style is the element that transforms four legs holding up a flat tabletop into a dining experience, one that will enhance the time you spend with family and friends. The style you select for your dining area will reflect your personal tastes and largely define the atmosphere of the room. There are a wide range of styles to choose from; however, they can be loosely grouped into four major categories: contemporary, modern, traditional and country.

Contemporary, although simple in design, utilizes a variety of finishes, palettes and materials to create texture and visual interest. Geometric forms are often softened by curved corners.

Modern, on the other hand, defines interior space by geometric form, neutral palettes and a strong emphasis on function rather than flourish. Furnishings are frequently asymmetrical, with sleek and polished surfaces; metal and glass are common construction materials.

Traditional furniture is typically characterized by carvings, leaf or scroll motifs, and stylized architectural details like ornate moldings. Usually in darker woods with rich, lustrous finishes, traditional styled furnishings have a very formal or stately feel.

Country style has a traditional air, but decorative flourishes tend to be more simplified while its lines are more relaxed. Having a comfortable feel, country furniture is usually constructed of wood, in milk-painted or natural wood finishes and can include whimsical details such as stenciling.

Having a functional dining room as an integral part of your home increases the versatility, practicality and value of your living space. To say nothing of the lifetime of memories we garner, sitting around the table and sharing our stories with one other.

Gather Around

It is entirely possible that they are called gathering tables (also known as counter-height tables) because it’s where everyone wants to just hang out. What is undeniably true is that they are gaining in popularity as more and more people are purchasing gathering tables for their homes.

One of the main reasons they have become so popular is counter height tables are the ideal space saving solution when decorating a dining room in a condominium, loft, apartment or even a smaller sized home. Utilizing the area in a room vertically rather than horizontally, they use less floor space while still providing the essence of a traditional dining room set without the more formal atmosphere.

The typical gathering table is 36” high and is usually accompanied by counter-height chairs with a seat height of 24”. Like standard dining tables, counter-height dining tables are available in a wide range of styles including traditional and country. They will comfortably seat four to six people. Many different types of gathering tables also include leaves, making them an even more practical choice when entertaining, while allowing you to seat up to eight people.

The casual style of a counter-height table is perfect for a home that might not have any kind of formal dining space at all. They could be used in a kitchen or in part of the living room without looking awkward or out of place. When furnishing a breakfast nook or a smaller dining area, you can make them even more practical by selecting one with other features such as built-in drawers and shelves. Adding storage options to your gathering table will make the room more functional and easier to entertain. Pedestal base style tables can also include cubbies or wine-bottle holders.

Counter-height tables are also becoming more popular due to their multi-functional nature. They are the ideal place to gather around to play a game of cards or a favorite board game. They can be a very convenient place to work on hobbies or do double-time as an activity area for children on a rainy day.

Furnishing your dining area with a gathering table is a practical way to increase the versatility and functionality of your living space. Since they utilize less floor space than a standard dining table, gathering tables give you the benefit of formal dining furniture, but in a more casual environment.