10 Tips on Choosing the Right Dining Set for Your Home

by RECARDO JOHNCLARKE December 26, 2022

One of the most important rooms in your home is the dining room. It’s a place for people to feast, gather, and connect. Whether you have a formal dining room or a small room off of the kitchen, it’s essential to have a dining set that complements your style and needs. With thousands of dining sets on the market, it’ll be easy to find the perfect one for you. We will help you find the ideal set, whether you’re looking for a bistro set, 5 piece dining set, or a larger unit.

Identifying essential factors such as style, shape, size, placement, and usage is essential. This article will outline ten tips for making sure you find the best set for your home.

Find The Perfect Dining Set

All steps of the shopping process are necessary. We will cover things to consider before you even hit the furniture store.

1. Set Budget

Part of being responsible is being mindful of money. This includes setting and sticking to a budget. When it comes to buying furniture, you need to stay within your means. Luxurious couches and tables are not an essential need! Because of this, it’s wise to outline your budget before you begin shopping.

Set aside a dollar amount that you would like to spend. Knowing a fair and average price of the size and material you’re looking for can help you do this. Once you know a figure, you can begin shopping. Stay firm within your budget! Some furniture stores will allow you to negotiate costs. Otherwise, most online websites will allow you to sort pricing, so you aren’t browsing outside of your budget.

2. Know Purpose

This step can seem a little redundant. After all, you will obviously eat at your dining table. However, it goes further than that. Will your dining table be used daily? Some homes have formal dining rooms. These areas are often reserved for holidays and special occasions. Dining sets here may be more traditional or elegant.

With cutlery and hot dishes, dining tables can become damaged over time. Choosing a resilient material can help with this. If your dining set is for daily use, you may opt for a durable material that is kid-friendly.

If you have a smaller space for a dining set, you may want a 5 piece modern dining set with an extension leaf. This will allow you to elongate the table when necessary.

3. Outline Users

Knowing the number of people that are going to be using the table is essential. If you have a large family of five or six, you’ll need a table to accommodate that. You may consider a larger table of eight if you frequently host dinner parties.

Furthermore, if you live in a studio apartment alone or with your partner, a 2-person bistro set should suffice. Knowing the number of people that will be using the table will help you narrow down what you need. This can also help you set a reasonable and fair budget.

Another thing to consider is the age of the users and any restrictions they may have. If you have young children, you may not want a bar-height dining set. Instead, opt for a standard height set. If someone in your family has a sore back, getting cushioned chairs can help.

4. Pick Shape

There are four shapes of dining tables: rectangle, square, round, and oval. Each shape serves a different purpose and benefit. You’ll likely have a preference for shape. This is important; however, there are other things to consider.

Dining tables that are the same shape as your dining room are the most complementary. You can use this as a base. Most dining rooms are rectangular or square. There are perfect conditions for other shapes as well.

Rectangular tables can seat large groups. They can accommodate six to ten people. Square dining sets often are better for small groups. If you have a square room, this will look great.

Round tables are great for smaller spaces. For example, if you have a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Sitting two or four chairs around a round table is perfect. This will allow for intimate conversations. If you like the look of a round table but require more seating, opt for an oval table.

5. Consider Different Styles

There are so many different styles on the market. This goes above and beyond size and shape. You’ll want to consider a style that complements your home and interior decorating.

For example, industrial homes often feature reclaimed wood and metal. Having a table that balances these two materials would look great. A modern farmhouse-themed home would look excellent with a gray-based table, reclaimed wood, or even a white table.

Opt for mahogany or oak wood if you prefer a traditional style.

6. Choose Materials

There are different dining table and chair materials to choose from. Knowing what you need from the set can help you narrow down the best material. For the tabletop, wood is a popular option. It is highly versatile and works with different interior design styles. It can be refurbished over time. If you opt for wood, choose a design of the table that is timeless and simple. This way, you can keep it for years.

Glass is often commonly used. It looks elegant. However, it can look dirty easily. Furthermore, glass shows fingerprints and can easily become chipped, scratched, or shattered. Other tabletop materials you may consider are metal, stone, and laminate.

Choosing a material for your chairs is also imperative.

7. Measure Space

Having a dining set that is too large or too small for the space is a faux pas. A table that is too large will look cluttered and overwhelming. A table that is too small will look unbalanced. To avoid this, measure the space before investing in a set.

The measurement between the table and the wall should accommodate people entering and exiting their chairs. The average space for this is 45 inches. To get this measurement. Make sure the room is the length of the table plus 90 inches. This will equal an additional 45 inches on each side.

If you have a sideboard, credenza, or China cabinet in your dining room, you’ll need to consider this. Make sure that any furniture is also 45 inches away from the dining table.

8. Opt for Comfortable Seating

Half of the battle for dining set shopping is comfortable seating! You will want to find the perfect seating for your set. You want the seating to be easy to sit in. After all, people will have long meals in these chairs.

There are several different types of dining chairs. Some of the most common are:

Side chair. The side chair is one of the most common dining chairs. It has a back that is often made out of a wood frame. There are no arms on the chair. Side chairs have a simple silhouette and are often more affordable.
Armchair. If you prefer to rest your chairs while you eat, then opt for an armchair. The armchair is a typical dining chair with the addition of arms.
Parsons chair. If you love the look of clean lines, then the Parsons chair is for you. This gorgeous chair was first designed in the 1930s. The Parsons chair has four simple legs and a sleek, flat back that sits perpendicular to the seat.
Bar stool. If you’re opting for a bar-height dining table, you’ll need bar-height stools. These are taller chairs. They come with a variety of back support. You can find bar stools with or without arms.
Folding. If you need chairs that don’t take up too much space, folding chairs are a great option. These can be conveniently stored away at your convenience.

9. Invest in Long-Lasting Pieces

Staying within your budget is the number one priority. However, try to find durable and long-lasting pieces. Trendy pieces such as acrylic will go out of style quickly. Wood tables will always be in style. You’ll also want to ensure that the tables can withstand wear and tear.

Invest in pieces that can handle family get-togethers. Even on a tight budget, a sturdy dining set can be pricey. It’s important to get your money’s worth out of them.

10. Imagine the Piece in Your Space

Now that you’ve considered tips one through nine, it’s crucial actually to picture the dining set in your space! Can you imagine your family eating there? Does it look like something you’ll enjoy over time? Will it match your decor? Try to picture the dining table in the room and see if it’ll be an excellent addition to your house.

Conclusion

Purchasing a dining set is a great way to balance out your home. They are functional and beautiful pieces. From 5 piece dining sets to bistro sets, these tips can help you find the perfect set for your home. By setting a strict budget, and researching different materials, shapes, and styles, you’ll be prepared to shop.