Dining Tables: How to Choose the Right One for Your Life (Not Just for Your Room)

5/16/2025

1. The Table as a Center of Gravity

A well-chosen table adapts to your life—not the other way around. Ask yourself:

• How many people eat there daily?
• Do you often have guests?
• Do you use it for work or study?
• Do you have kids? Pets? Limited space?

Based on your answers, you can choose a table that’s not only beautiful but also functional: extendable for guests, easy-to-clean materials for kids, or a central base for extra legroom if you use it as a desk.

2. Shape: Respecting Space and Relationships

The shape affects both aesthetics and how people interact:

• Rectangular: classic and practical, great for narrow rooms. Seats more, but takes up more space.
• Square: compact and cozy, ideal for smaller spaces or 2–4 people.
• Round: encourages conversation, but needs room around it.
• Oval: elegant and fluid, combining the best of rectangular and round shapes.

Choose round or oval for relaxed, sociable vibes, and rectangular for structure and clarity.

3. Materials: Between Practicality and Aesthetics

Material affects durability, style, and maintenance:

• Solid wood: warm, natural, long-lasting. Needs care but ages beautifully.
• Laminate or melamine: affordable, durable, and easy to clean—great for families.
• Glass: elegant and modern, adds visual lightness—but watch out for fingerprints.
• Ceramic or stoneware: resistant, hygienic, and striking.
• Metal or mixed materials: industrial feel, often used for legs or details.

Choose based on daily use: if your table is a "battlefield", go for practical and resistant finishes.

4. Technical Details: Legs, Extensions, and Space

Details matter, a lot:

• Central legs: offer more flexibility and legroom.
• Side legs: more stable but may get in the way.
• Extendable models: ideal for small spaces with frequent guests.
• Standard height: usually around 75 cm; also check the under-table clearance.

Don’t forget space: allow at least 70 cm around the table for comfortable movement.

5. The Right Table for You (Not Just for the Room)

Some examples of conscious choices:

• Living in 50 sqm: square or round table, stackable or folding chairs. If possible, go for a console-style transforming table.
• Love to host dinners? A sturdy rectangular extendable table, preferably wood. Comfortable, perhaps padded, chairs.
• Working from home? Go for a large, stable tabletop with legs that don’t get in the way.
• Have kids? Opt for easy-to-clean materials, rounded corners, and high resistance.

There’s no such thing as the “perfect table” for everyone. But there is the right one for you. The one that supports your routine, adapts to your space, and reflects how you live.

When choosing it, don’t think just about your room—think about everything that will happen around and on that surface. Because a table isn’t just a piece of furniture—it’s a stage for everyday life.