Among essential furniture that’s important for a home, whether moving into a new one or renovating an existing one, dining tables are one that holds pride of place in it. One can do without a sofa and other smaller furniture, but a dining table gets the whole family together and often is the only place where every member comes face to face. Here is a list of tips to choose the dining table for your home.
Tables are not bought to be sold off after a year or so. Often an expensive investment, if you want a dining table to last through years of wear and tear, messes, stains and the like, choose something made from hardwood – maple, oak, walnut or teak. These can be handed down through generations as a family heirloom. Engineered and composite woods such as ply and MDF are durable and strong but may not last as long.
Glass is modern, understated and often works with any kind of decor – contemporary or traditional. Glass is usually used to brighten up a space and glass used on the dining table is no different. Glass dining tables are particularly great in smaller rooms where the light goes through and thus makes the room look airy. Tempered glass can resist heat, scratches and a little bit of rough handling. They are also available in many designs, colours, textures and finishes. Any kind of chairs goes with glass tables, including wood and chrome.
Marble can be an expensive investment but worth it! Quality marble tables are beautiful, timeless and elevate the look of the room. The main drawback of marble is that its bulky and heavy. If you have a large marble table, you probably cant move it around without help. It can also stain and even crack in some cases. Special care must be taken for the maintenance of a marble table. If you cover your marble table with a tablecloth or placemats, you can avoid damage to a large extend.
Rustic, worn, scratched and nicked, weathered wood in its raw grain looks beautiful for the dining space. All of the flaws become intrinsic designs and one never has to worry much about damage or stains since they eventually become a part of the piece. Hardwood( HDF) can be protected with a polish twice a year to keep it shiny and protect the grain.
It is important to always consider how often the table will be moved around before making the purchasing decision. Heavy, square/rectangular tables may be bulky, difficult to move around and an inconvenience when changing homes. As suggested above, round tables, in any material, even an industrial-looking one, should be considered. Plastic is the perfect option, which is now available in beautiful designs and finishes.
Unlike wood & metal, plywood is lighter, durable and can be packed and assembled whenever and wherever required. Such a modular table is sturdy and easily movable. Many new designs in modular dining tables are making their way into the market. They are also easier to use in rented apartments or for short stays.
The shape is an important consideration for dining tables since dining rooms, especially in apartments and small homes, are often oddly shaped. Round tables fit perfectly and look good in compact rooms and square dining areas. They offer flexible seating, can be mixed and matched with any kind of chairs and accommodate many people. Rectangular tables provide limited seating because of the uncomfortable leg placement.
Oval, crescent and oblong tables are flying off retail stores at a rapid rate. These odd-shaped tables fit into longer rooms but visually occupy less space. They also seat more people although this cannot be immediately noticed.
Bright hues for the dining table is a trend that adds a splash of colour to the dining space, but today’s trend may be outgrown quickly. Although it may be tempting to experiment, it is wise to stick to basic colours in the dining table – white, brown, black – because of their longevity and their ability to merge with the rest of the room decor. Red is a popular colour in Asian themed decor, and looks beautiful but must be surrounded by subtler colours to avoid straining your eyes and clashing of colours.
Black is sophisticated, elegant and perfect for tables that are expected to undergo wear, tear and scratches. Veneered tables, however, show up scratches, but a matte finish still looks great. This colour also suits any kind of dining room decor.
Retro furniture is keepsake pieces that are usually handed down from one generation to the other. If you have them in your family or have to buy them off a market or auction, they can be the best option for a unique addition in your home. Quality and style from another era will always be in fashion and can be treasured for years.
Whatever your choice of the table might be, choose it wisely because the dining table is where memories are made. For more design and decor inspiration, do go through HomeLane Blog. And if you need help with your interiors, don’t forget to get in touch with our experts.
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