How to Choose a Dining Table

Finding the right dining table is key in determining the feel and functionality of your space – but it’s not an easy task! Sizing can be a jungle, it’s often a challenge settling on shape, and envisioning how the new piece will fit with your design scheme takes some serious contemplation. We’ve broken down the key points to consider so that you can be sure you’re getting a dining table that not only looks fantastic in your home but also works with your life. So, away we go…

 

Fitting a Dining Table to your Space

How much space will you have for your dining table? How do you want to use furniture to define that space?

It’s important to consider how your dining table will affect the sense of space in the room. If you’ve got an expansive area to work with, consider opting for a table with a bit of heft to it. The Exe Table, for example, has a weightiness, grounded in the solid, dark crossed legs. It’s a piece that can hold its own within larger spaces and provide an anchor in the room. Pairing it with Exe Benches is a great idea in these larger plans as they can act as extensions of the table that help to define the dining space.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking at more confined quarters, it often works well to choose a dining table with a lighter feel and lots of negative space. This way the table won’t take over the room and will help to maximise the sense of spaciousness. Consider going for a table that’s paler in colour as it will reflect light and contribute to a more open feel.

 

Selecting a Dining Table to suit your Design Scheme

How do you determine which dining table best compliments the existing architectural scheme?

From the start, take a moment to envision how you could use a table to best compliment your dining space. Perhaps you’d prefer to go for furniture which is in perfect keeping with the design scheme of the room, echoing the formal qualities of the architecture. Or, alternatively, you may wish to balance some elements of the scheme with a bit of complementary variation.

For example, in Annabel Stringer’s design, the Capricorn Oval Dining Table tempers the even perpendicularity of the space. There is a very geometric quality to the surrounding glass panes, boxy architecture, and regimented art arrangement. The softness of the table’s rounded glass top creates a visual break from the regularity of the room. The curved hourglass form of the Capricorn base adds to the effect, as does the choice of seating. The diagonal format of the Vienna Carver Dining Chairs’ legs offsets the surrounding vertical and horizontal lines, while the curved special edition Vienna Bench enriches this harmony between structured and fluid forms.

 

Choosing a Dining Table Shape

Which dining table shape would work best for you?

Are you more of a casual, convivial host or do you prefer to keep dinner a bit more formal and traditional? Round tables are a natural choice for piling around a family style feast and they encourage a social atmosphere as everyone can see eye-to-eye, taking part in the same cross-table conversation. The Papillon Oval Dining Table is a wonderful option with a rounded shape, but an elongated format that keeps everyone closer to the centre of the action than a circular dining table can. A classic rectangular table works better for more intimate discussion and functions best with individually plated dishes rather than sharing.

If you find yourself somewhere between the two, a rectangular table with soft, rounded corners could be the perfect solution. The curved edge creates fluidity around the table’s perimeter and offers greater seating flexibility. The Angel Dining Table is a wonderful choice as it maintains the traditional feel of a rectangular dining table with the optionality of a rounded iteration.

 

Dining Table Seating Capacity

How many people are you hoping to seat at your dining table?

This is a pretty important one. Ultimately, the number of people you plan to seat will be a deciding factor in your hunt for a dining table. Settle on a ballpark to narrow your options down to the ones that will be functional in your life. A good rule of thumb is to allow for a minimum of 60cm of width per seating. It’s also wise to consider which chairs you’ll be pairing with the table as their size will also determine how many people can comfortably gather.

 

Which Dining Table Style is for you

What aesthetic speaks to you most?

Capricorn Round Dining Table in Concrete with a Glass top

Once you’ve decided on the key functional elements you’re looking for, it’s time for the really fun part: selecting a style that excites. It’s helpful to have a look at the pieces within a showroom setting where you can really get a feel for their materiality and scale. You also may surprise yourself by gravitating towards styles you wouldn’t think to search for. The options on offer at Tom Faulkner are endless, with a vast range of finishes to choose from and the opportunity to tailor each piece to suit your needs. With everything from the industrial cool Capricorn Concrete Dining Table to the refined, spindly Vienna Dining Table, you’re sure to cross paths with something that inspires you!

 

 

Text by Annabel Colterjohn