5 Shopping Criteria for New Dining Room Furniture

When you are thinking of getting dining room furniture, remember that it is a big decision. There are several things that you need to consider. Times have changed. Years ago, perhaps when you were a kid, you may recall that this would just be a sofa and a table in front of the TV.

Ah, the good old days when things were much simpler. Now, it has taken on greater significance. It is more formal; a place for entertainment as well as family dinners. Let’s look at what you need to think about when purchasing dining room furniture.

1. Room Dimensions

Obviously, the most amount of space is going to be taken up by the dining table. Make sure that you have the space for this. It will be a good idea to draw out the room dimensions. If you are going to place the table and chairs close to a wall, you need to make sure that a person can stand up and push away their chair comfortably and not be cramped in there.

2. Flow Of Traffic

How are people going to come in and out of the dining room? Understand the pattern of traffic first before making any decisions. There should also be enough room around the table to move around comfortably. If people are going to get up and down frequently, you should make enough room for this traffic.

3. Table Size

Consider the size of the table and how you wish to entertain. You could get a table with leaves that are always folded away except for the odd occasion here and there. The most important thing is that you want your guests to feel comfortable always. Let’s not forget you and your family either. You want everyone to be comfortable and have enough space and have enough elbow room. Of course, much of this consideration will depend on how you do your entertaining. If you do not plan to have people over a lot, then some of this will not really matter as much.

4. Height

You need to think about the height of the table and chairs. Let’s just say that most tables are about 30 inches in height. The height of the seat of the chair will be about 18 inches. From the seat of the chair to the top of the table, there should be about 12 inches. You can also get different heights from manufacturers if you wish. Higher tables could be for a more casual environment. Chairs also come with different heights. There really is no right or wrong answer here. You just need to think of your space and what or how it will be used.

5. The Design

You will have your own unique taste and style. You can perhaps have it custom designed. However, always keep comfort in mind. Perhaps a bench-style table is more your thing. This is great because you can slide it under the table when it is not being used. This is perfect for smaller spaces.

Dining room furniture is generally influenced by space, taste, functionality, lifestyle, budget and a few more factors. Take your time and look at every angle to get the perfect blend when you make that purchase.

About Author

Justin is a journalism student from Ottawa, Canada. Since a young age, he has felt a passion for writing along with a knack for asking curious questions, which guided him into his current path today.