When you are ready to choose a dining room table, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that it is the right one for your particular needs. On one hand, it should be something you like the look of and adds to the beauty of your home, yet this is a piece of furniture that needs to serve a purpose in addition to looking great. In other words, you are searching for something that balances both form and function.

We have a wonderful selection of beautiful dining room furniture in our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store. You will find a wide variety of styles to fit many different types of dining rooms. Even if it is not the main focal piece in your space, it will play a large part in setting the tone for the entire room The following tips will help you to choose the right one for the room you are designing.

Table Functionality
Thinking about how you will most often use your dining room table will narrow down the kind that you will be looking for. If you will be using it on a daily basis, you will want to make sure that it has a durable surface that won't damage easily. This is especially true if you will also be using the table for more than dining, like homework, crafts, and other family activities. On the other hand, if you are shopping for a formal dining room table that will mainly be used for special occasions, the look of the table may take precedence over the need for a surface that has to hold up to daily use. 


Table Size
As with the interior design of any room in your home, pay attention to the scale of the space. Large tables are good for grounding the space in a very large room, but you don't want the table to feel as if it is taking over the entire place.

As a rule of thumb, it is best to have at least 3 feet between the wall and the table so there is enough room for chairs to fit around it comfortably, and also to allow people to walk around it while diners are seated. Ideally, you should have approximately 24 inches for each place setting, or about 30 inches between chair centers, for plenty of elbow room. Allow about 12 inches between the top of the seat and the bottom of the table for enough leg room. If the chair has arms, you will want to leave 7 inches between them and the bottom of the table. 


Table Shape
The shape of your dining area will help to dictate the shape of the table that will best suit your needs. Rectangular tables can accommodate lots of guests, and they fit best in most dining rooms. Opting for an oval table in a narrow room still gives you lots of seating and the rounded edges can make it appear as if the table takes up less space. That shape also adds a design element that is pleasing to the eye.

Round tables make it easier for everyone seated to see each other, making for a better conversational flow. This shape works very well in smaller rooms. Square tables also have the same effect, and they look better in square rooms than a rectangular table does. You can find smaller tables that come with additional leaves, allowing you to increase the table size when you need more room for guests, but keep it small on a daily basis to better fit the scale of the room. 


When you come into our Lake of the Ozarks home furnishings store, don't be afraid to test out the pieces you are interested in. Sit down at the table and see how it feels to you for both comfort and stability. If you can imagine it in your dining room with your family and friends around it, it just may be the one you've been looking for. Visit us at John Elliott Interiors soon for all of your Lake of the Ozarks interior design needs.