How to Choose a Dining Room Table

Here at Amish Traditions, we have over 150 beautiful styles of dining room tables. With so many different types to choose from, it can be difficult to make a good choice. This guide is intended to lead you through that decision-making process. To properly choose a dining table, consider the function of the table, the size and shape of the room, and your design preferences. After thinking through these ideas, you will be able to purchase an Amish-made dining room table you love. 

The Function of the Table

The first thing to consider is the function of the table. The purpose of the table should determine the best table shape for you. At Amish Traditions, tabletops are constructed of solid boards fitted together so carefully the seams are nearly invisible. The function of the table will mostly determine the size and shape of the tabletop. Below are some scenarios that many people encounter. 

• If you have a big family or host dinner parties, consider a rectangular table. Our largest tables are rectangular, and many of them can be purchased with expandable drop leaves. The larger the table, the more a rectangular table expands to allow more room in the middle for elegant centerpieces or many dishes of food. These tables can seat between 4-8 guests at a table. With expandable leaves, they can gather as many as 12 people around them.
• If you want a large table, but value settings where everyone can see each other well, an oval table might be your best choice. Oval tables have many of the advantages of a rectangular one in size, but unlike them, their curves allow the people sitting at the ends to be included in conversation better. Most oval tables are a great size for 6 people.
• If you host smaller groups of 4 to 6 people, a circular table works well. With a round table, no one is excluded from the conversation.

The function of the table should be the most important part of your decision-making process, but it alone may not give you much guidance. It’s also important to think about the size and shape of the room. 

Shape and Size of the Room

The size and shape of your dining area affect the size and shape of your table. Amish Traditions has tables designed for every kind of room. In most cases, one should choose a dining table that mimics the shape of the room. For rectangular rooms, choose a rectangular or oval table. For small areas or square rooms, round tables work best. The first rule of thumb advised by most interior decorators is this:  Keep the table at least 36 inches away from a wall (48 inches if you want generous spacing). Secondly, each chair needs 22 to 24 inches of space, with larger chairs needing more.

The most basic table, rectangular tables are an incredibly versatile choice and come in nearly every style. Rectangular tables are the best choice for large spaces, especially if the room is in the shape of a rectangle. Small ones fit well in small, rectangular rooms as well.

If your rectangular room is short on space, consider an oval table. Oval tables allow for the most seating with some space-saving at the corners. They are often built in traditional styles and lend a classic air to any dining room.

Finally, a circular table may be your best choice for square rooms, apartments, or corners of rooms. They fit better into tight corners than any other table and use space more efficiently than a rectangular or oval table would.

Style

For most buyers of Amish-made furniture, considering function and room shape may not be enough. They are also buying a dining room table that fits their taste. And for tables, legs carry the style. They can be remarkably diverse, each lends a different air to your table. Today, dining room tables utilize five styles:  table leg, single pedestal, double pedestal, and trestle.

Square/Rectangular

Of these styles, the table leg is the simplest. Rectangular and square tables often have table legs. People who are looking to squeeze a maximum number of guests at their table should choose a thin leg. Gracefully tapered legs draw attention upward to the tabletop and are well suited to modern rooms. Curved cabriole legs fit well into spaces with traditional designs. Square legs in the Shaker style integrate into modern farmhouses or simpler modern styles.

Pedestal Tables

Next, single pedestals are almost always used for circular tables. These take up the least amount of space. Single pedestals in Amish Traditions have so much diversity. They range from the curved Brentwood single pedestal that would fit well into a traditionally decorated dining nook or the Lexington single pedestal that features the twisted pedestal, showcasing a geometric design. Others are simpler.

However, if you’re looking for traditional styles, double pedestals may fit your taste. Double pedestals often draw attention to design elements rather than simplicity. Most oval tables have double pedestals.

Trestle

Finally, if you’re looking for cleaner lines, you may want to trestles. Oval and rectangular tables are often designed with trestles. These supports are spaced evenly and often joined by a beam underneath the table. This design allows for more legroom and comfort. Sleek, curved trestles integrate into modern rooms. Traditional Shaker and modern trestles are more functional.

Ready to Choose a Dining Table?

In conclusion, it’s important to consider the function of the table, the space of the room, and your unique design aesthetic when buying a dining room table. Amish Traditions offers customizable options that will help you pick out the exact table you want. For most tables, you can choose the color and type of wood. With just the right table, we hope that sitting around our tables with your loved ones becomes a cherished tradition.