The Return of Large Dining Room Tables
Few furniture pieces are as connected to family and celebration as the dining room table. It’s where we spend time with family, friends, and loved ones.
Whether you have a multiple-course dinner or have prepared an intimate dinner for two at one of the table ends, a larger dining room table will always work.
For a very short time, it seemed that entertaining in groups was on a hiatus. Many people were replacing their large dining room tables with four-seat kitchen tables or even counter seating. And while this remains the best option if you have a smaller space, if you have the space or a designated dining area, you may want to keep dinner party options open.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Dining Room Table
The Baer’s Furniture Design Team is excited about the resurgence of the large dining room table, but there are a few things we want you to know before making a purchase.
Measure your Space
Just because a room will fit a piece of furniture doesn’t mean the piece of furniture will fit into the room. When it comes to dining room tables, you need ample space on all sides. Each side should have three feet of space from the back of the chairs to the wall. That doesn’t mean you have to completely opt out of a dining set if you only have 2.5 feet of space, but understand that the tighter you go, the less comfortable you and your guests will be.
For example, the chairs around this Montauk Rectangular Trestle Dining Table add several extra inches in every direction.
Center Around Light Fixtures
An electrician can move light fixtures, but then you add a premium to your table purchase. You can sometimes move a chandelier or pendant that has a chain extension to center it directly above the table. An off-center light fixture is not the end of the world, but it’s something you should be aware of when you shop for dining room furniture.
This dining room featuring the Brisbane Pedestal Table from Miranda Kerr makes the most out of the two, well-placed light fixtures.
Consider Buying a Table with Leaves
Table leaves may be the greatest innovation in furniture. They allow you to expand the size of the table for larger seatings and to reclaim some of your space for day-to-day living. This beautiful San Marino Rectangular Double Pedestal Dining Table extends with leaves to 108 or 128 inches (as shown here) or can be shortened to 88 inches.
Remember Other Furniture
Many people can make do with a large dining room table and some artwork on the walls, but a sideboard or buffet in the dining room can offer a place to store extra place settings, silver, china, etc. You can also use it for self-serve hor d’oeuvres or cocktails. Look at how nicely the Turtle Point Buffet works in this coastal dining area. The surface supports objets d’art, while the cabinets offer tons of hidden storage.
The Advantages of Large Dining Room Tables
There are numerous advantages to going all out with a large dining room table:
The obvious one is that you can host a dinner party without having to separate guests or risk them spilling food on your living room furniture as they balance plates of food on their knees.
You can host small events in your home around the large dining room table. For example, a larger table is ideal for wine or whiskey tastings. If someone brings an unannounced plus-one to game night, you don’t need to worry about having enough playing surface.
If you don’t have the extra room for a home office, you can use your dining room table as an enormous desk. Then at the end of the workday, you can stash your laptop and papers in the buffet.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Large Dining Room Table
If you’re as excited about getting a large dining room table as we are about offering them, then check out these tips to help you enjoy your new dining furniture:
Give yourself several lighting options. We recommend adding a dimmer switch to alternate the ambient light levels. This will make sure that you can set different moods.
Use tablecloths for seasonal decorations. Pastels for the spring, fall colors in autumn, and holiday colors in the winter.
Choose a centerpiece that you can easily move if you need to. You never know when the centerpiece of your table will get in the way of dining. Give yourself that out if you need to.
Baer’s Furniture has many dining room tables and chairs for you to choose from. Stop in at one of our 16 Florida locations and discuss your design vision with one of our knowledgeable sales team members. Shop Baer’s today!