Thanksgiving is less than a month away. Are you having guests over? Even if you live in an apartment, you can still enjoy a magnificent holiday season full of large meals and quality time with family and friends. But first, you've got to have the right dining table on deck.
Dining rooms are notorious for not getting much love from January to October. That’s still no excuse for having a flimsy, second-rate table in the most formal room of all. What you should have is a dining set that looks good, serves your dining needs and will last at least a few years. As you get into shopping mode, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
Confirm your dining room’s available space before you do anything else. Settling on a great table will be for naught if there’s little to no space to easily maneuver around it.
If you’re not sure how many guests might show up for Thanksgiving or any other time, a table that extends is ideal. These tables generally have collapsible, drop leaf sides or removable centers that can seat anywhere from four people up to eight or 10.
The smudges and fingerprints will drive you insane. You could cover it with a pretty cloth, but glass dining tables are meant to be displayed, which would defeat the purpose.
Round tables are great for a myriad of reasons.
But be mindful. Too large of a round table can be a hindrance when it comes to reaching across the table. Things might go south if grandpa can’t reach the mashed potatoes.
Square, oval and even octagonal are options, depending on the size of your dining space and how you want your guests to interact.
Benches can be pushed underneath the table when not in use, opening up more floor space. This will also make it easy to push the table against the wall, if you use the dining room for other purposes.
Forgo ordering online. Visit stores and sit at the tables you've narrowed down. Are you able to cross your legs comfortably? Do the table legs interfere with chairs? Do the chair arms fit underneath the table when pushed in? Can you picture your family and friends seated around the table?
A boxed, do-it-yourself table can be taken home and put together quickly. Other tables might require time for ordering, shipping, and delivery, so plan accordingly. And don't forget to ask if the retailer offers assembly in addition to delivery.
Are you on the hunt for a new dining table this season? Where will you be shopping?