Dining Room Furniture

Dining room furniture sets the tone for dining room decor

The character of a dining room is largely determined by the kind of dining furniture it has. If your dining space is informal and friendly and is used for a variety of other things in addition to eating, you would probably opt for more a more modern style of furniture. However if you entertain a lot and have guests to impress, a slightly more ornate and formal style would suit you better. If your dining space is integrated into your kitchen area, you would probably find a breakfast counter with bar stools to be the best option.

What comprises dining room furniture?

Today's dining rooms furniture means more than just a table and chairs. Dining room furniture comprises of various elements that include a dining table, dining chairs, a sideboard/hutch/buffet, a home bar, a curio cabinet, tables etc. Whether you have all or some of these furniture pieces is largely dependent on the kind of space you have at your disposal. Let's look at each of these elements one by one:

• Dining table - This is undeniably the most crucial component of any dining space. A dining room table is typically the first piece of furniture to be bought (unless you're buying a set) and then the rest of the room is built around it. You then add chairs, a buffet and if space permits, other pieces of dining room furniture. Dining room tables can seat as few as 2 people and as many as 100 people (in a palatial setting.) For regular home usage 4 - 8 seater dining room tables are the most popular. The three things that people should look for when buying a table is that is should look good, should be able to accommodate people comfortably and should be wide enough so that dinner plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery and napkins along with the serving dishes fit easily on it.

  Modern dining tables are available in a variety of styles and colors and materials. Wood is an all time favorite especially for those looking for a formal setting. A lot of modern homes on the other hand are choosing glass, metallic and fusion material dining tables to carry forward their contemporary decor styles. These follow modern design trends, are less expensive than solid wood and are relatively easier to maintain.

• Dining chairs: The perfect companions to dining room tables,is dining room chairs are another must have in any dining room. In a lot of cases they are available as a part of a set with a dining room tables and a sideboard but a lot of people like to mix and match dining room chairs with their dining room tables. This gives them the freedom to create a unique and interesting look for their dining space. Your dining room chairs should be soft and comfortable, so that you, your family and your guests are completely at ease when having your meals. They should also be strong enough and designed to accommodate people of all sizes. Dining Room chairs are designed has like all other furniture undergone change and refinement and now more fashionable, ergonomically designed chairs have replaced the typical straight-back wooden chairs. These accord the requisite comfort besides lending a very stylish touch to your dining space. Dining room chairs like dining room tables are available in a variety of materials, designs and colors. Most people like to coordinate chairs with the dining room tables but some homes have totally contrasting dining room chairs which lend a rather distinctive flavor to the dining room setting. In a very casual setting where the there is no demarcation between the kitchen and dining space, bar stools are a favorite seating option for the dining area.

• Sideboard/Buffet/Hutch: Known by different names like sideboard, buffet or hutch this versatile piece of furniture can be used in any part of the house. It however is a perfect fit in the dining room. If space permits, this is one piece of dining room furniture you must have. In fact many dining room sets have matching sideboard along with the dining table and dining chairs. You can also opt for a sideboard that does not totally match but complements the other dining room elements. Sideboards come in a vast selection of wood types, styles and sizes. Sideboards are accent pieces which are very popular and provide extra storage space for all your special cutlery and crockery. In small spaces, placing a mirror over the sideboard works wonders for the space. It gives an illusion of space and enhances the lighting effect.

• Home Bar: The concept of a small home bar is becoming increasing popular. The drinks cabinet or the home bar is ideal in a dining room setting. This is a specially designed cabinet that has special spaces earmarked for bottles, glasses and other bar accessories. Some home bars are just simple tables which come with a couple of coordinated bar stools. Others are more complex in design. Sometime the home bar is incorporated in the sideboard itself to save on space.

• Curio Cabinet: If space is not a constraint, a curio or a display cabinet as it is also known, is a wonderful option for a dining room. These are available in a variety of styles ranging from contemporary to antique. They are ideal for showcasing treasured items like antique china or personal memorabilia. Some curio cabinets come with drawers so that it can be used for extra storage.

• Miscellaneous - Other miscellaneous pieces that can be used in the dining room include tables to display photos or a beautiful flower arrangement and shelves on the walls.

Factors to consider while buying dining room furniture

Buying furniture for your dining room like any other furniture purchase is an exciting exercise but one that needs to be carried out after much thought and planning. There are a few basics that need to be kept in mind when making this important decision:

Size matters

As far as dining rooms are concerned, size is all important - size of the room will determine what sized table you buy. That will in turn determine how many chairs you can have. It will also decide whether you can have any other piece of dining room furniture in the room or not. Don't forget to take measurements before hand. If you have a bare dining space, measure the area which can accommodate the table without hindering free movement. If you already have a dining table, and are looking for other pieces, measure the space you have for easy movement of chairs. Your dining room chairs need to be at least 48 inches away from the wall or other furniture to facilitate easy movement. If there is enough room, only then can you think of including a sideboard or a home bar in your list of purchases. At the end of the day you want your dining room to be comfortable, not overcrowded.

Choose furniture that suits your lifestyle

Is your dining room going to be used only for dining or other activities in the home as well like a place for your kids to do their home work? Of a workspace for your hobbies? Or a place to play games? If that's the case, you need a more causal style for your dining room. Bar stools along with dining chairs would be a good option for you as you can easily create extra seating with these. If you have friends and family over for meals on a regular basis, then you would need a larger dining table with more chairs and overall a practical yet pleasing ambience in your dining space. On the other hand, if your dining room is reserved for special occasions like formal dinners, a more formal and elegant style is what you need. This will make your guests feel comfortable and create a favorable impression.

Reveal your individual style

Dining room furniture like the other things in your home reflects your personal style. Dining room furniture comes in a plethora of styles but it makes sense to stick to one style - the one that you are comfortable with. Ideally a dining space should have unified feel with the rest of your home. Don't do anything completely radical that makes the dining space shout for attention.

Buy family friendly furniture

Take into account the people who are going to be using your dining room furniture on a daily basis. A family with small children needs a safe, durable easy to clean dining table. This means no sharp edges or corners, and material that can be wiped easily.Upholstered chairs especially cloth upholstered ones are a bad idea in a home with small children where things are bound to get spilled.

Explore the online option

The internet is a great place to research and purchase dining room furniture. Because online furniture stores have no dearth of floor space, the range available is amazingly wide and varied. Most online malls offer very competitive pricing and some also provide free home delivery.

Dining room furniture if selected with planning and care is an investment that enhances your lifestyle and can last you a lifetime.