The dining room is often the place where everyone comes together over dinner, be it for special occasions or every evening after work. It can also double up as the place where kids do homework or as a home office for those who work from home.

Whatever the room’s purpose in your home, it is important that it’s as functional as it is stylish.

Choosing furniture purely based on looks could leave you with logistical problems, especially if it’s a multi-functional space.

So, to help, we’ve put together the following 6 things to consider when buying dining room furniture.

Start with the dimensions

Whether you have a tiny dining room or a vast open space, knowing the dimensions are key. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to measuring up your dining room table, try to keep a minimum of 50 inches between the wall and the table edges.

Then, consider any other furniture you would like to include in the space. In smaller rooms, be mindful of leaving enough space around the dining table for people to sit comfortably. Don’t just think about the immediate family either – there’s special occasions like Christmas and birthdays when you may need to accommodate more people.

Consider the purpose of the space

Some people use their dining room every evening for dinner. For others, it’s purely a space where the kids gather to do their homework. And then there are people who reserve the room solely for special occasions.

The purpose of the room will, therefore, influence the type of furniture you decide on. From hard wearing materials, ideal for everyday use to delicate furniture, fit for special occasions.

The table shape

If you’re working with a smaller room, rectangular tables can take up more space and make the area around them look cramped. So instead, opt for a circular or oval shape to give the impression that the room is larger.

To reduce the overall footprint your table takes up, you could also consider opting for an extendable table or one with foldable leaves. They are ideal for occasions and fold away neatly when not in use.

For larger rooms, you may want to consider the other items of furniture you plan to incorporate before deciding on a table shape. If you’re planning to create a traditional dining room, by incorporating a serving counter and bookshelves, a rectangular table would generally work best.

However, if your room is a more modern, open plan space, why not consider a circular table. The chairs are often more spaced out and allow people to move freely around the space.

Choosing the material and finish

This decision tends to depend on the overall interior style that you are planning. Country chic would be complimented well with an oak painted table like this one, whereas a modern, rustic look would suit a more contemporary style like our Harbour Dining Set.

When choosing the finish, it’s also important to be mindful of how durable the materials are. If your dining room table will be used often by the whole family, consider a hard-wearing material like oak. This will help ensure that your table will serve its purpose and stand the test of time.

Choose your seating wisely

There are a few things to take into account when it comes to choosing the right seating. Many dining tables will come with recommended chairs that match the range. You can choose to buy them, as you know they will fit and suit the table or choose your own.

If you do decide to choose your own, be mindful of the height and size of the chairs. You need to ensure that they’ll fit around the table and seat people comfortably. Try and aim for 60-80cm per place setting. If you opt for chairs with arms, be sure to check that they fit underneath the table when tucked in.

There are also other options like stools or benches, offering a more contemporary look.

Additional furniture to set off the space

Once you’ve decided on the core furniture in your space, namely the dining table and chairs, consider introducing other pieces to set off the room. If you need additional storage space then sideboards can be a great solution. Opt for one with drawers and cupboards, like our Arden Sideboard, so you can store a mixture of large and small items.

Wine racks are also a great addition to dining rooms, providing the perfect place to store your favourite bottles. Some, like our Signature Grey Wine Rack, have inbuilt glass storage, helping you to maximise on space.

For a more traditional look, you may want to opt for a classic dresser where you can display the china that only comes out on occasions!

Dining room furniture made for you

We have a beautiful range of dining room furniture, designed to complement all interior styles and tastes. You’ll find all of the product details and dimensions on each listing and every piece is delivered fully assembled, saving you the hassle of putting it together. Find the full range here.