From weekday family dinners to entertaining friends on the weekends, much of our living happens around the dining table. That’s why it’s so important to choose a dining set that will not only suit the needs of your family and guests, but also enhance the style of your dining room. After all, you spend a lot of time in your dining room enjoying meals and activities around the table, so it’s important that your space reflects your design aesthetic and works within the style of the rest of your home interior.

Formal dining room sets still have a place in many of our homes, allowing the perfect setting for an exceptional dinner party. Today, many of us prefer more casual, urban looks, like one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood dining tables. Perhaps your design taste falls somewhere in between. Whether you are looking for something conventional or contemporary, like a modern dining table, there’s a dining room set that can suit your needs. You can also choose from a wide range of standard sizes, from small dining tables to large tables and extension tables that are designed to expand depending on your number of guests. Of course, you can also customize a set to make it even more personalized to your specific and spectacular preferences.

Read this dining room furniture buying guide to determine the basic requirements for your dining set, and then you can narrow down the exact style options that will make your table the most coveted dining spot in the neighborhood.

Reflect on your dining requirements

You may have a specific style in mind for your dining table, chairs and other dining room furniture such as a hutch, counter stools and more. However, it can be helpful to first take a step back and think about what you really need in a dining set. By thinking about how your set will most often be used—from hosting family dinners to formal events—you can determine what you need in a set, and make sure the style that you like visually will serve your functional needs as well.

1. Family Dining and Casual Entertaining – With so many activities to accomplish throughout the day, including school, work and extra-curricular activities, it can be hard to take the time to enjoy each other’s company. By sitting down as a family around the dinner table, you can have a set time to reflect on the day and share a favorite meal and conversation. If casual family dinners are a frequent occurrence at your house, you may want to choose a casual dinner table that will resist stains and still look nice over time. A real wood dining table can be durable and beautiful, and many styles are available to suit your traditional, transitional or even modern tastes. A farmhouse inspired dining room table can bring a fresh and trendy feel to your room and work as a comfortable spot for casual dining. It also looks beautiful over time.
2. Formal Entertaining – If you are looking for a dining set for your formal dining room, there are a wide range of elegant dining room sets available. Choose from traditional wood tables with intricate details that create a sophisticated and upscale design. For a more contemporary look, you can choose from a wide selection of modern dining room sets including tables with clean lines and bold colors, such as a white top and black base combination. Unexpected materials, such as a stainless-steel base or a polished concrete table top can also create a stunning look that brings contemporary appeal to your home and is sure to impress all of your guests.
3. Solo Seating or Dining for Couples – If you are looking for a dining set for a small space, such as a kitchen nook, or simply want a small table where you can eat alone or with a significant other, there are plenty of stylish and compact options. A bistro style three-piece dining set may be just the right size for your small dining needs—yet it can be big on style. Choose from sophisticated options such as classic shapes, textural materials, antique finishes and alluring chairs to name a few.

Select the best table shape and size for your dining space

Once you’ve determined how your dining table will be used, you are well on the way to selecting the ideal size table for your home. However, you also have to consider the space that you have available. First, consider the shape of the room and what table shape will work best in the given footprint. Common dining room table shapes include round, square and rectangular tables. To create a cohesive and functional look, it’s best to mimic the space with a dining set of the same shape. For instance, a square area is perfect for a round or square table; while a rectangular dining area is ideal for rectangular and extension tables.

Additionally, you must allow sufficient space around the table for your dining guests to sit comfortably and move around as needed. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least three feet between the table edge and an obstruction like a server or wall. On the other hand, you don’t want to leave too much free space between your dining table and an obstruction, or your set can look diminutive and out of place. More than six feet remaining between one wall or obstruction and the table means that the set is too small for your room.

You need at least 3 feet (36”) around the perimeter of the table. That means you need to add 72” to the width and length of the table.

There are a wide range of standard table sizes that may work best in your space, including: 42-inch round tables, 40-inch square tables, 60-inch square tables, 42-inch tables that extend up to 60-inches, 48-inch round tables and other sizes. You can also order a customized dining set to find just the right size and style for your space.

There’s one additional step to creating the dining set-up that will look the best in your space: choosing an area rug that will help enhance the décor of your room and visually separate your dining space from the rest of your house. This is especially important in open-concept spaces, but can also add a finishing touch to closed dining rooms. You should choose an area rug that will complement the style of your dining set and other dining room décor, from traditional to modern. Additionally, select a size that will best fit your dining table. There should be a minimum two-foot perimeter around the edge of the table for rugs, creating visual cohesion and allowing chairs to be pushed in and pulled out as desired.

Dining table and chair height

You should also determine whether you’d like a standard height table, counter, or bar height dining table. If you are piecing together a table and seating options to curate your perfect set, make sure that all chairs, stools and benches fit with the height of your table. You should leave approximately 12 inches of space between the seat of the chair and the table. This is the most common gap used by furniture manufacturers, as it will fit most people comfortably.

Create a customized dining experience

When it comes to the dining set that your family will gather around for years and years, you don’t want to settle. If you can’t find the perfect dining set in a store, there are several ways to customize your own. First, consider mixing and matching a table and chairs or other seating options to create the look you desire. Start with a dining table that you love, and add a combination of upholstered host chairs, and wood or upholstered side chairs. You can even add a bench for versatile seating and casual style.

You can also choose a dining set with customization options. For instance, some dining sets can come with choices of many wood options, more than 50 finish colors, multiple table shapes, different table edges and leg options. By choosing from a wide selection of custom options, you can come home with a set that will look like it’s made for your home and will fit your dining room like a glove. Even better, it’s not something that you’ll find down the block. With virtually limitless custom options, you can easily create a dining room set that’s unique for your space and your dining needs.

Dining room storage and display furniture

There are several additional items that are essential pieces of a complete dining room set, including storage and display furniture. If you have the space, you can display your fine China and crystal glassware in an elegant display cabinet or case with glass shelves and beautiful woodwork. Slim and sophisticated bookcases can also provide a unique display to help complete your room and allow storage of your fine dining pieces and curios.

A new dining set and updated dining room furniture and décor is an investment that will pay off in years of shared moments, priceless family memories and irreplaceable time with close friends. It can be the home base for endless meals and activities, and the best conversations happening in your house often occur right around the dining table. Your ultimate dining set will also enhance the look of not only your dining room, but also complement and elevate the design of your entire home interior.