| Furnishing your dining room can be a significant | | | | two extra chairs at the same time so that when |
| investment and one you'll most likely live with for | | | | extra company comes, you'll have matching chairs |
| years. Here's what you need to know to buy new | | | | that sit at the right height for your table. You can |
| dining room furniture with confidence. | | | | use them as accent chairs when not needed at the |
| What size and shape table will fit your room? Dining | | | | dining room table. |
| tables come in round, oval, square, rectangular and | | | | Don't buy a dining room set based on looks alone. Sit |
| even hexagonal shapes. Use one of the many web | | | | in the chairs to make sure that they are comfortable |
| room planners to experiment and determine your | | | | and fit easily under the table. Are they sturdy? Flip |
| options for your dining room. There are certain | | | | over the chair and make sure that the corners are |
| dimensions considered optimal in order to move | | | | screwed into the sides and not just glued. |
| about your table:a. Allow a 36" minimum perimeter | | | | Consider fabric covering options. Leather is elegant, |
| space around the table to make it easy to sit down | | | | easy-care and lasts a long time, but expensive. The |
| and get up. Diners need 18-24" to sit, plus you need | | | | new microfibers clean up easily - a bonus when you |
| room for people to walk behind them.b. Allow diners | | | | have small children! You can also make slipcovers for |
| 18-24" minimum elbow room between seats. | | | | some chairs, for easy cleaning, plus you can change |
| How many do you want to feed at one sitting? You | | | | the look instantly. |
| can squeeze more people around a pedestal table, | | | | Once you are happy with the comfort and |
| but when you add more leaves, it may become less | | | | construction of the chairs, then look under the table. |
| stable. Rectangular and square tables are more stable, | | | | Again, look for corners that are reinforced with |
| but you 'lose' the corner seating opportunity that | | | | screwed in blocks. Is the table strong and stable? |
| rounded edges provide. | | | | Glass tops should have a silicone insert between the |
| Consider expanding your table with leaves. Many | | | | table base and glass to prevent scratches. |
| tables offer leaves that expand your table when | | | | If the size of your room permits, consider a storage |
| opened, or may even have a 'butterfly' leaf that | | | | unit like a buffet and hutch to hold your china, |
| tucks under the table and pops out when opened. | | | | glasses, silver and linens. Even a small room can |
| Whenever possible, 'store' any extra table leafs on | | | | usually still hold a curio cabinet. If space is available, |
| the table so it will age the same as the table. Some | | | | consider a sideboard, which not only adds precious |
| leaves 'drop' down, so these drop leaf tables can sit | | | | storage space, but acts as a serving table when |
| against the wall until the space is needed. A flip top | | | | needed. |
| table stores the leaf 'double-stacked' and flip open | | | | Thinking about your family's needs and how you use |
| when needed. | | | | your dining room before you even enter a furniture |
| Dining room table sets typically come with a table | | | | store can ensure that you are happy with your |
| and four or six chairs. It's a good idea to buy at least | | | | investment in a new dining room for years to come. |