The dining room is a high traffic area. An inadequate table will take away from the room and will decrease its functionality. Before buying a new table, consider the table’s purpose. Is the table used by a small family or for large dinners and gatherings? Next, examine the setting. Is the room large or small?

The square dining table is perfect for the family of four. There is a specific place for everyone, and it fits well in both large and small rooms. The angled shape allows the table to be moved into a corner for use by one to two people, or for storage when not in use. A large family will require a rectangular table to give everyone enough seating.

Consider breaking the mold by choosing an oval or circular table to complete any contemporary style. The circle has long been a symbol of unity, and this principle can apply to the dining table. If you want to create a feeling of companionship or closeness between family and guests, consider a round table. It allows more seating than the square table due to the absence of corners.

To combine the best of dining tables, the oval table has the soft form of the circular table with the length of the rectangular table. The oval table may function best for larger groups of guests in a semi-formal setting or a room with limited space. The oval table fits snugly against a wall or in the center of the room while still allowing movement around it due to its slim width.

Decorations define the dining table and create harmony and purpose for it in a room. Even the simplest pieces, such as placemats and candlesticks, can turn the dining room table into a functional piece of art. When choosing your accessories, start with the room itself. If the room is complex in design, a simpler set of accent pieces will fit. A simple room, meanwhile, can take on a simple decoration to keep the theme clean, or become more elaborate to draw attention to the table itself.

For example, consider a long dining room table placed in a modern room with few decorations. There are two design approaches one might take. The simpler path would add a glass vase with a single flower in the center of the table. The table now becomes the focal point. A complex approach would add a bright array of flowers with matching bowls, glasses, or artwork hung on a nearby wall. Either approach will create a beautiful work. The choice all depends on your personal preference.

If you are at a loss for decoration ideas, consider some of the popular and timeless pieces that can transform a room. Placemats and silver candlesticks set the table for a formal dinner and add an element of art to the room. Candles by themselves create a romantic atmosphere, while flower arrangements of varying complexity match virtually any theme and mood. Play off the color scheme of the room, with a small splash of bright color to draw attention to the center of the table.