Table choices today are endless and have come a long way from the traditional rectangular table with straight legs. Now tables may be rectangular, square, round, oval, or any combination in between. Best of all, table legs can curve, move in circles, and bend inward while still providing the table with the strength and support it needs to function.

While you may have an idea of the shape you’d like your new table to be, have you considered what type of table legs you want? With all the choices on the market, this is an important question to ask yourself. Consider first the style of the table itself. Your table will typically reflect your personal preferences and the style of the room it will be used in. This should give you a clue as to the type of table legs that would work best.

(more…)

A home office creates a space all your own where you can work in style. Having a home office set up separately from the rest of the house will help you focus on the task at hand. The home office doesn’t have to be in a room all its own. An area of a room will work as well. The right furniture is the key to creating a quality home office.

A table is a must. It provides space for holding a computer or laptop along with desktop organizers for folders, pens, and papers. A dining table fits this description. Choose a rectangular corner with lots of leg room underneath for a corner, or a smaller round table when space is limited. Use it in the center to allow access to all parts of the table.

(more…)

A console table is thinner than a dining table and taller than a coffee table. This is an advantage for the modern home owner. It’s tall enough to store items such as keys and accessories within easy reach, while its still thin enough to rest against the wall in a narrow hallway or room.

If you’re constantly throwing your keys and purse onto the couch or floor and losing them, consider placing a console table in the hallway by the front door. It will be right in your line of sight when you return home. A glass bowl can hold loose items like watches, billfolds or even jewelry, and hanging a mirror above the table gives you a quick place to tidy up before heading out.

(more…)

When designing your room, you may find that one table just isn’t enough. A single large table looks too odd and bulky, while a dozen matching tables are boring at best. Regardless of the size of your room, varying the table sizes adds depth and interest to a plain space.

Tables come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The actual measurements will vary with the room itself. A small table may seem large in one room and tiny in another. Choose table sizes relative to the size of the room and other tables.

Start with the largest table. Typically this piece will go against a wall or in the center of the room and may hold decorations or practical items like food. Choose a design that is pleasing to the eye and mimic this design in the other tables.

(more…)

A side table is small and convenient for corners of a room or the bedside. It can hold a single item or a small collection of important pieces. The bedroom side table often holds an alarm clock, a book, or a pair of glasses while a kitchen table may hold jars or bowls. When buying a side table, consider buying two matching tables instead of one. If you want to add a little flair to a room, buy two different tables in complementary styles.

(more…)

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.

When it comes to turning your quaint coffee table into a lively focal point for a room, accessories are your best weapon. These accent pieces may be simple or complex, depending on the theme of your room. Often a single object can create a focal point in a modern room.

Glass coffee tables have the advantage of creating distorted reflections of the objects on top of them, and allowing the viewer to see through to the pattern underneath. For this reason, position your coffee table over a rug or a particularly attractive, high-quality floor. Match the accessories on top by using colored glass or simple metal picture frames and bowls to match both the table and hold your items for display.

(more…)

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.

Choosing a coffee table is an important decision. Often the focal point of the room, it unifies elements to create a peaceful atmosphere. From a sharp, modern look to more soothing circles and curves, choosing the proper shape for your coffee table will create a sense of equilibrium in your house. Typically the most popular tables on the contemporary market are the rectangular or square tables and the circular or oval tables.

Rectangular and Square Tables
A rectangular table has strong lines with curved or sharp corners. This has a double advantage. The table is easy to tuck away in the corner of a small or crowded room, and works beautifully with a clean, modern style. Choose the size based on the assortment of items you wish to keep on the table. A square table can hold your books and a nice cup of coffee, while a rectangular table can house multiple items at once.

(more…)