When considering the perfect dining table, consider your lifestyle, interior decor, and the people using this piece of furniture. All these factors will help you pick the right material for a functional and aesthetic dining table.
Which material you choose is a reflection of your personality and style. In a nutshell, it’s the essence of your home. Whether you opt for wood, glass, or metal, all can dramatically affect your home’s style and ambiance. For example, timber is best suited to traditional, warm spaces, whilst glass and metal materials are more suited to contemporary homes. With each material boasting a unique charm and appeal, it’s crucial to consider your lifestyle.
To help you with this decision, we’ve put together this handy guide, ensuring you pick a table that aligns with your lifestyle and taste.
What to Consider When Picking a Dining Table?
Before you dive into the material specifics, it’s crucial to consider your existing dining space, the style of the room, the size, and the number of people the table needs to seat. This will ensure you pick one that accommodates enough dining chairs. Smaller spaces tend to suit round-shaped tables, whilst larger locations cater to oval or rectangle-shaped tables.
The next consideration involves assessing the style of your dining room and contemplating who will be using the table. If your room is modern, metal and glass materials will complement contemporary styles. These materials are also often easier to clean, which makes them ideal choices for those with young children. If your home is traditional and frequented by adults only, wooden tables are the preferred choice.
Traditional Appeal: Wooden Dining Tables
Timber dining tables are timeless and accentuate various interior styles. With their character, organic hues, and tradition, they radiate warmth. Prevalent choices include teak, walnut, and oak. Each of these styles boasts unique hues and grain textures.
Many woods can also be stained to create various colors and finishes, to complement your home decor. These include everything from light walnut to smoked oak and natural black. The darker the wood, the more contemporary and masculine the design. Lighter woods tend to be suited to coastal, country homes or Scandi-style interiors.
Another advantage to wooden dining tables, especially those crafted from pine, is that they are a sustainable choice. Pine trees are fast-growing, which means you’re doing your bit to lower your carbon footprint.
Contemporary and Sophisticated: Glass Dining Tables
If you’re looking to embrace modern aesthetics, glass dining tables are the epitome of this. They create the illusion of light and space. This makes them the ideal choice for smaller dining areas. If you live with young children or pets, opt for tempered glass. Celebrated for its durability, it’s a safe yet stylish option provided you avoid pointed corners.
In addition to their space perception and stylish benefits, glass dining tables are easy to clean. Unlike other materials, glass doesn’t harbor bacteria or liquid. Using a glass cleaner and soft cloth, you will have it sparkling in no time!
Another advantage of glass tables is their style versatility. They come in various hues, shapes, and thicknesses, meaning you can tailor them to your exact taste.
Edgy: Metal Dining Tables
Metal dining tables are luxurious and sophisticated. They are often structured in design and create a unique focal point, instantly adding elegance to your space. In addition, metal is a hardy, sturdy material that can withstand abrasion and scratches from daily use. In addition, metal can withstand high pressure, which means it will never crack or chip.
Unlike wood, which can warp or bend over time, metal frames offer the utmost structural integrity. This makes it a prevalent choice for dining tables, especially those that are used regularly by larger families. In addition, those that are used to display heavy centerpieces for an abundance of tableware.
The Bottom Line
A dining table is the hub of the home. It’s where families get together before work, for lunch, or after a long day in the office. It’s also a space that is used to celebrate seasonal events such as birthdays, Easter and Christmas. Eating meals together as a family is beneficial to adolescents’ eating habits. With this in mind, when picking the perfect piece for your home, you must choose a material that compliments your lifestyle and interior decor.
Points to consider include the room you intend to place the dining table in, how many people will be using it, how often you intend to use your table, and the age range of those dining at it.
In addition, the area you live in and how many objects you wish to display on your table will ensure you choose a material that is durable enough for your needs. All of these factors will help you to choose a style and design that will stand the test of time.
