Dining Table

As one of the largest and most-used pieces of kitchen furniture, kitchen tables and dining tables must blend with your kitchen decorating style and be super useful, all while fitting perfectly in your space. A kitchen table that is too large for the dining area will crowd the space and make seating difficult, while one that’s too small will leave the room feeling sparse.

When you have a small dining space, the hunt for the perfect dining table can be even harder. Some kitchen tables are better suited for those small spaces than others; read on to discover which kitchen furniture pieces perform best in small dining areas.

Best Tables for Small Spaces:

Round or square dining tables: Square and round kitchen tables can be large, but the small versions conserve space better than rectangular tables and look great in small dining areas. Square tables can generally always seat four, although some compact tables may be better suited to dining for two; look for square dining tables that measure 24 to 30 inches wide to comfortably seat two or 32 to 42 inches wide to comfortably seat four.

You can find round dining tables that look like smaller versions of traditional dining tables or you can look for bistro or cafe-style round tables for a unique dining space. Be aware that some bistro or cafe tables may be taller than normal dining height, so your seating may be more like stools than dining chairs. Look for round tables measuring 24 to 30 inches to seat two or 32 to 48 inches to comfortably seat four.

Drop-leaf or extendable dining tables: If you prefer the look of rectangular tables or plan to regularly seat more than four people, an extendable dining table may be the thing for you. Many square and round tables come with extra leaves to turn them into rectangular or oval tables that can seat two to four or more people; however, these leaves need to be stored somewhere, like under your bed or in the back of a closet.

Another option is the drop-leaf table, which has the extra leaf attached. A hinge allows the leaf to “drop” and hang from the table, making the table smaller for everyday use or when you have fewer people to seat.

Light-colored or glass-topped dining tables: Don’t underestimate the power of illusion. A white or oak wood table will look smaller than a cherry or mahogany table simply because lighter colors feel airy and spacious. Dining tables with glass tops achieve a similar illusion by being transparent.

Light colors or glass tops can be the perfect solution if you love a bigger or rectangular table; when the table fits your space, light colors and glass tops add some style and class to your dining experience.

by Christina Wright for overstock.com

Tags: Kitchen Table, Dining Table, Kitchen Furniture, Round or Square Dining Tables, Drop-leaf or Extendable Dining Tables, Light-colored or Glass-topped Dining Tables

Architectaria – Architect and Planners

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