A guide to choosing the perfect dining table and chairs

The dining table often becomes a centre point for everyday family life, whether your dining table is a formal seating arrangement for entertaining guests in your home, or a more casual set up for enjoying dinner as a family each night.

With all the time spent at the dining table, it’s important to choose a table and chairs that will suit your lifestyle, your taste and the existing interiors of your space. At Andersons, we have a range of different dining furniture to suit every style, from leading brands such as Venjakob and Calligaris.

To help you in your search for the perfect dining table and chairs, we’ve shared our advice and considerations so you can find the right furniture at Andersons of Inverurie…

How big should your dining table be?

When choosing your dining furniture, the most important consideration to start with is determining what sort of size you would need. It can be tempting to rush ahead and start picking out styles and pieces that you love, but this will be a wasted effort if you haven’t taken the time to measure the space you have available and know what size you need.

We recommend measuring the length and width of the space you have available for dining furniture, then subtract 80cm - 1m to avoid the area looking too overcrowded and unwelcoming. You don’t want the room to look too cramped with a table too big, or too sparse with a table too small. 

Of course, the size of your dining table will mostly be decided by the amount of space you have, but it’s important to assess your lifestyle and how the dining table will be used as well. If you have a growing family or often host gatherings and get togethers with loved ones, a bigger table - or an extendable table - will be a better choice. However, if hosting dinner parties isn’t something you plan on doing often, a 4 seater table will be more suitable. 

Should you get a round or rectangular table?

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to choosing a dining table is whether to get a rectangular or a round table. There are certainly benefits to having either shape, but depending on your room and your lifestyle, one might be a better choice than the other.

Circular tables generally look better in a square shaped room, but can look a bit awkward or out of place if the room is rectangular. They’re also great for creating an inviting, sociable atmosphere for more casual dining, so a round table might be an ideal option for a couple or a family of 4.

Rectangular tables are more commonly associated with a dining area, and lend themselves well to rectangular shaped rooms. They’re great for creating a formal seating arrangement but can be pared down depending on the style you choose, plus a rectangular dining table is a better option if you have a large family or host regular get togethers, as they can accommodate more people.

What style of dining table base would be best?

The legs or base of your dining table may seem easy to overlook, however it can have a huge impact on how you use it. For a smaller table that you will regularly want to maximise its seating potential, a table with a pedestal base gives you that extra flexibility, and helps to free up some space in a small room. If you have a large dining area to fill, then a table with a bulkier frame won’t dominate the entire space.

The base of a table can also create a striking visual effect as well, which is great if you’re looking to make a classy statement in your dining space, or incorporate a furniture piece that is like a sculptural piece of art. What we would recommend, however, is to let either your dining table or your chairs be the star of the show, with the other being your supporting act so as not to overwhelm the space. 

Which chair material should you choose?

When it comes to the chairs, you want to strike a perfect balance between comfort, style and practicality. Both wood and metal are sturdy options, but the fabric on top should be carefully considered, with the pros and cons of each weighed up against your lifestyle and how the dining table will be used.

Non-fabric seating, such as faux leather, is ideal for a busy family home with children, as sticky fingerprints and clumsy spills can be wiped clean easily. However, fabric-upholstered chairs are often seen as more comfortable and add a soft and welcoming appeal to your dining setup, while velvet is renowned for adding a touch of luxury to any space with its soft texture. 

What colour should you choose for your dining furniture?

Colour is an important factor when choosing any piece of furniture, but because a dining table and chairs will last for years to come, it’s especially important to choose a colour palette that will work across different trends and themes as your taste evolves. 

Bold flashes of colour can be great for adding a bit of fun and personality to your space, however, neutral tones such as black, grey, nudes and white will stand the test of time through many trends, and will be a reliable pairing no matter which colour you choose to embellish the rest of your space with. Take note of your flooring and create a contrast so your dining table and chairs don’t blend in too much with the rest of the room.

To create a harmonious blend between the table and chairs, it’s recommended to change up the colour slightly between these two elements, rather than opting for extreme opposites, as you want both table and chairs work together as one. For example, choose a black table with charcoal dining chairs, or an oak table with nude or beige chairs. You could also incorporate a mix of materials such as a wooden table with metal and fabric chairs, or a wooden table with upholstered wooden chairs.