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When it comes to finding the perfect dining room table for your home and your family there are various factors to consider. Look at different finishes, colors and how it fits into your dining area. Also consider height, as it may influence the feel or look of the dining room as well. Dining room tables come in three common types.

TYPICAL HEIGHT

This is the most common height of dining room tables. Standard height tables typically range from 28-30 inches high. Most people consider them to be the most comfortable and most traditional types of dining room tables.

STANDARD BAR HEIGHT

Bar height tables aren’t as high as pub tables, but they do come in as one of the tallest types of dining room tables. Bar height dining room tables typically measure in at around 40-42 inches high, hitting you at the hip or waist. While pub tables can come up to chest height or slightly lower, that height of table is much more commonly found in a bistro-styled pub table.

Bar height tables are a very relaxed and casual dining room table. Bar dining room tables aren’t as big and don’t seat as many people as a traditional standard height dining room table might. They’re perfect for smaller families, or as eat in kitchen dining room tables.

COUNTER HEIGHT

This type of dining room table is slightly less traditional but lends itself well to a crowded family dining room, surrounded by conversation. The counter height dining room table is typically 34-36 inches high. These tables are higher and can also be used for kitchen prep, as they’re not too low to stand around.

MAKING YOUR SELECTION

Always remember to take into consideration the space you have for a dining room table. If you don’t have a formal dining room to relegate a large table off to, consider purchasing a smaller table meant to fit into a smaller space. Eat in kitchen dining room tables are also becoming very popular in more modern homes, getting rid of the disconnect between the hub of the kitchen and the separate formal dining room.

If you’re looking for a table that will offer you flexibility, look for a smaller bistro table, which could make your kitchen a more flexible space. There are many options of dining room tables that you can choose from and incorporate into your home. Try out a table with benches rather than stools or chairs. Find the perfect dining room table, height, finish and all for you.

Have you started thinking about the holidays? Before you know it, they will be here and if you are going to be hosting friends and family during the festive season, it’s time to start thinking about the dinner table, dining room sets, and of course, how you want it to look. The presentation is important, but it’s not everything. Comfort will keep your guests happy, so gather your most comfortable dining chairs and barstools, and get to planning. When it comes to the table, remember that it doesn’t have to be fancy or cost you loads of money to make it look camera ready. A simple décor can impress your guests and it only takes a few basic items to achieve success. And don’t forget seating for the little guests, they could even have their own special table! You could put a pub table, or a smaller dining set off to the side of your main table, that way the kids still feel included. If you begin planning now, you won’t have to stress when the festivities roll around. We’ve outlined a few ideas below, to help with your planning process.

GUEST SEATING

If you’ve got a lot of family and friends heading to your house for turkey dinner or for some fun game nights, you’ll want to make sure you have enough seats for everyone invited. Dining room sets make it easy by matching your table and chairs, and then you can add extra kitchen chairs or barstools to fill in around the table. You could add some fun restaurant chairs to the mix or place a few barstools around the room to give your guests a variety of seating. It might be a good idea to have a few extra chairs in case you have some unexpected guests show up.

TABLE OPTIONS

Depending on your space, you may need a few smaller dinettes, rather than one large dining table. There are some great options for dinette tables, like metal or wood dinettes. Perhaps you could create a large table by pushing several smaller tables together…the possibilities are endless!

FOR THE LITTLE GUESTS

And let’s not forget the little guests! Creating a separate space for the kids to eat can be fun for all and it frees up more seats around the main dining table. Pub tables are a great way to add some height to the room and give the kids a feeling of inclusion. You could add some extra kitchen stools to the pub tables, including some with backs if you are concerned about them falling off the stools.

FESTIVE DÉCOR

And finally, the table décor. It can be easy to make a beautiful table if you keep it simple and elegant. Fresh flowers are a lovely way to add elegance or you could gather some pine cones from outside, along with some different colored leaves, and scatter them around the table for a fall feel. Table linens are a wonderful way to protect your dining tables and they help to add character to the presentation. Consider mixing different fabrics together, it isn’t necessary to have everything match. Get some butcher paper and crayons to cover the smaller dinette tables. Kids and adults love to color while seated and it can be a great way to keep the kids occupied while the parents enjoy their meal.

Whatever you decide, remember the most important factor is the seating. Everyone will feel included if they have a seat somewhere around the table. If you’ve got a combination of dining sets, bistro tables, and pub tables, just make sure you have the right seating for each table. And don’t forget to count yourself, it’s a common oversight of hosts to forget themselves! Starting your planning early will give you the time to make your dining table perfect for the holidays.

As the leaves turn and our jackets and boots become fashion staples, it’s time to start thinking about our fall entertaining for upcoming holidays and celebrations. Now that summertime has come to an end, it’s time to put the deck furniture in storage and change the lighter décor for the warmer decorations that invoke cozy feelings. Furniture plays a big role in the feel of your home and Fall is a great time to change things up and consider adding some pieces that encourage lounging and togetherness.

Some things to think about when you are redecorating and preparing for entertaining include number of guests you plan to host, menu and where you’d like your guests to settle in and sit. The following are some tips and suggestions for entertaining this fall;

SEATING IS KEY

Knowing how many guests you will be entertaining is helpful because you will want to be sure to have enough seating for everyone. If your space isn’t very large, consider adding a few pub tables to save space. Mixing it up with various size tables and chairs helps create a festive atmosphere for your guests.

MAKE IT COZY

If you have a fireplace mantel, an entry table, or a built-in bookcase, these would all be great areas to generate a fall “cozy” atmosphere. You can use branches in different rooms in your home. Gather interesting branches from your yard or a neighbor’s yard. Curling, gnarled, and colorful branches add extra character and can add dimension to an otherwise bland space. A comfy chair could bring a softer feel to a room and throwing a few decorative pillows with a soft throw could turn a space into a warm, inviting area that is sure to become a favorite spot.

REMEMBER THE KIDS

When the weather turns cold, your family tends to spend more time indoors. Seating may be limited so consider investing in some fun chairs that you can scatter around the community areas in your home. Dress up some dining chairs and mix it up, everyone will feel welcome if they have a place to sit.

FOCUS ON ONE AREA

Redecorating can be expensive if you try and do your entire home. You can add some wonderful details and even focus on one particular room in your house without breaking the bank. Add a couple wooden stools near the fireplace to complete a cozy feel in your living room, it doesn’t take much to create a festive and warm setting, just tap your creativity and find your favorite barstools on our website at www.castoolsbarsdinettes.com.

The kitchen is where you provide nourishment for yourself and your family. It is where loved ones come together during the holidays and special gatherings. The kitchen provides our sustenance through food, but it’s also where special connections are made with friends and family. We’ve started to see a lot of homes embrace a more communal living design, and the kitchen is no exception. A more traditional, small kitchen with little space for sitting and entertaining seems to be a thing of the past, as we see more dining/kitchen combinations popping up in home designs. The more open the floor plan in the kitchen is, that includes room for entertaining, is better and has become more and more popular.

Well-Planned Space

A well-planned kitchen ideally has enough space to promote a productive work environment. The less cramped the room is, the more likely it is that you’ll have the bulk of your entertaining centered in the kitchen. A good size kitchen can also increase the value of your home and ranks high on the list of most important features and rooms for home buyers and shoppers. Kitchen renovations help streamline old spaces and offer new ways to decorate and furnish. As the kitchen blends with the dining room and living space, the opportunity to incorporate some fun chairs and even a few pub tables makes the renovation process exciting.

Choosing Furniture

Deciding on which furniture to use in the kitchen can be tricky but one thing you’ll want to remember is that comfort is most important. If you know your guests and family will mostly converge in the kitchen, you’ll want the seating to both reflect the style of your room, but also provide comfortable places to sit. Consider mixing it up by adding some stools under small tables or put a smaller bistro or pub table in one corner so there is both low and high seating available. Doing this can give some depth to a room that might feel small to begin with, so the variation in seating can project a larger feel.

Start Somewhere

Making changes can be hard but if you want to continue with the tradition of your kitchen being the heart of your home, start small and work into larger changes as you feel comfortable. Sometimes it can change the entire feel of the kitchen by moving furniture and adding a couple of dining chairs or barstools against a bare wall. Get creative and try some different ideas until you find the look that feels most natural. Shop our website to find your next addition to your heart of the home!

When it comes to dining sets, they come in all shapes, sizes, styles and material selections. The dining set you want will depend on your particular needs and preferences, for example, what is good for a friend or neighbor may not be ideal for your living arrangements. To help you narrow down the choices, here are some things to take into consideration when selecting a dining set.

Making It Match

When people purchase new furniture, they are usually only buying a single thing at a time to replace worn or broken items. Unfortunately, buying items piece-meal can end up making the interior design of the dining room space feel mismatched as it clashes with the rest of the decor. Instead, purchasing matching tables and chairs allows you to maintain the design style you desire.

How Many are Coming to Dinner, and for the Holidays

Size does matter when it comes to furniture as you want enough seating for everyone in your family. Take into consideration the number of people who will eat at the table on a daily schedule, and how many people will stop by for holiday dining. Then you can decide whether to get a regular table and just increase seating with an extra bench if a few people stop by, or if you need a larger table to accommodate a big family on a regular basis.

Consider Room Flow

You might have a small room where a large dining room table would take up too much space. Yet you need to have enough places for all your family to sit. Consider investing in a dining table with leaves that fold up when dining and fold down to provide more space. Then you won’t have to worry about banging thighs and arms into the edge of the table as you try to squeeze by.

Smaller May Be Better

Don’t get a big table just because you are used to seeing one at your grandparent’s house. If you will only need seating for two to four people, consider getting a smaller bistro or pub tables. These dining sets are better for smaller dining rooms, kitchens, and breakfast nooks. You can save space and have the desired eating location for yourself and a loved one.

Before going out and buying a dining set, always make sure to measure the room space. These measurements can help you narrow down table sizes so you don’t accidentally purchase a dining set that is too large or too small for the room. Also, take into consideration your future needs if you will be having children, as you want the table to accommodate high chairs and later regular chairs as the child grows. Lastly, think about comfort and maintenance. You may want to get chairs with upholstered cushions to relax in, or retro chairs with vinyl cushions that are easier to clean.

Home office spaces are on the rise across the country. While some entrepreneurs decide on having a workspace out of the home, others see a home office as a way to save on costs while still being available to do things for the family throughout the day. Typical home office furnishings usually include an office desk and chair so you can sit in front of the computer and take phone calls. There may also be a wall unit or bookcase to hold folders, books, and binders used in your business operations.

Yet what about having furniture for clients? You may operate a business where clients occasionally meet to discuss projects. You may also want a meeting place for business partners to discuss certain promotional events or product lines. Consider pub tables and stools as a convenient way to add seating in a home office.

Pub Tables as Work Surfaces

When you are considering furniture pieces to add more surface space to fill out documents and go over brochures, a regular table may not be appropriate for a home office that doesn’t have its own designated space. A regular table in a home office that is part of a living room, dining room or kitchen can eat up space and limit walking room by changing the floor plan.

Instead, consider a pub table as a great work surface. A pub table has a higher profile and usually comes in a more rounded shape. It offers enough room for two people to work without being too large, unlike a regular table where a person has to lean over to reach across the table to pass books, documents, and files. In addition, when the pub table isn’t in use, it can act as a simple bookcase to hold binders, potted plants, magazines, or knickknacks. The table is also small enough to be tucked into a corner and out of the way when not in use.

Stools to Provide Extra Seating

When providing seating for clients and partners, sofas aren’t always the best choice in a home office environment. Some clients have problems getting off of deep-seated sofas as they have to sit on the edge of the cushion to sign paperwork at low coffee tables or get up to go over documents at higher desks. If you are placing a pub table into the home office space, consider completing the look with stools that are the right size for the table.

The pub stools are designed with a higher seat so a person simply steps up into it. You could go with a backless stool, a stool with a back for added comfort, or even one that swivels if you plan to turn in the seat to gain access to books or papers on nearby shelves. A stool can also make it easier for people to slip out of the seat versus trying to get up off a deep couch. The stools can also be used in other areas of the house when the home office is not in use, such as at kitchen islands or wet bars.

Pick the right furnishings that work well with the size and floor plan of your home office. Pub tables and stools won’t take up much space in a home office while they can also be used in other areas of the home. Check out our selection of pub tables, stools, and tables on our website, we are confident you will find something to work in your home office.

It is easy to become distracted by all the buzz around the tiny home craze, but when considering a small dwelling, you must think realistically about the furniture you would put in your petite home. It is often helpful to create a theme for your home based around one or two pieces of furniture and applying that theme to a tiny home can be challenging depending on what style you want. The following are a few ideas to get you started on creating the best tiny home space for you.

Down-Sized Furniture

Cluttered homes are a thing of the past. Downsizing your belongings helps you optimize smaller spaces and figure out what you can and can’t live without. Smaller sofas, tables, and dinettes are getting their time in the limelight as these beautiful furniture pieces still offer style to the home without feeling stuffed into the space.

Expandable 

Expandable pub tables are the absolute perfect solution for a flexible space. They are a fantastic option for a home that requires more seating for dining times but generally wishes to take up less space. Expand the table for non-dining times to create that compact space you enjoy and simply pull out the table for the extra seating space at dinner time.

Couples

Pub tables can be the perfect solution for a couple’s home which does not require a large dining space but rather desires a unique and intimate area. Like the classic bar setting, a cozy couples bar table creates that romantic, out-on-the-town atmosphere. This fun option brings date night right into the comfort of the home.

Vintage Styles Are Still the Rage

Placing vintage furniture throughout the home continues to be a popular trend with green benefits. People are recycling old pieces of furniture and giving them a new life and a new home. A lot of vintage or made-to-look vintage, furniture, is smaller by design, so it makes it easier to incorporate the pieces into your smaller home. Check out our vintage styles online and start creating your theme today!

Patios and backyards are meant to be enjoyed during the summer months. They make great entertainment areas for guests and outdoor eating places for the family. Whether it’s you’re your routine dinner time or you are having your neighbors over for a quick BBQ, the atmosphere is everything and making the area a comfortable place to eat is important. Finding the right furniture can be tricky but at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, we’ve got you covered for just the right fit!

Typically, when we think of patio furniture, we imagine loungers, sofas and low chairs sitting in the main space or a simple round metal table with an umbrella set near the barbecue pit. But this outdoor furniture does have its drawbacks because some people don’t enjoy sitting so low or laid back on their loungers, low chairs or sofas. The round patio tables with the center umbrella get a bit boring because everyone has one, and the furniture isn’t suitable for patios that have a roof cover.

Make your patio one-of-a-kind as well as comfortable with pub tables and bar stools. Perfect for the outdoor bar area, this patio furniture sets you up higher, letting you be at the same height as people standing on the patio so you can have better conversations without constantly looking up at their faces. Pub tables come in all shapes and sizes from small round tables to larger extendable square tables to provide the right amount of seating for you and your guests.

Get cozy and comfy with round or square bar tables providing seating for two when you have a limited amount of space on your patio for seating. Having a backyard barbecue or garden party with lots of guests? Then extend the pub table to add 4 more additional eating places. Expandable pub tables are ideal when you want a short table, so you can do other activities on the patio as you can later enlarge it to accommodate all your guests. In addition to regular and expandable pub tables, you can select counter height pub tables and bar stools when cooking at the outdoor kitchen or bar height pub tables for the outdoor bar.

Don’t forget to select the bar stools that go perfectly with the pub table of your choice. From modern to traditional styles and designs, pub tables and bar stools can fit in perfectly with the exterior theme of your home. When you are looking for new patio furniture, skip the regular garden and retail stores. Instead, come to California Stools, Bars and Dinettes to get the pub table and bar stools that will help you enjoy your patio and backyard throughout the summer.

Is it time for your living room or entertainment room to get a few updates before summertime? Consider a few budget-friendly fixes that can be done in an afternoon, to get the look you desire without feeling like you need to completely remodel the space. There are several quick fixes and there are some more involved changes that will take some time, but either way, it can be fun and inexpensive.

A new coat of paint is an inexpensive option and can change the feel of the room instantly. Even if you only paint one wall, adding a bit of color can be fresh and inviting and may give the impression the room is larger. Whites and neutrals will blend and allow your accessories and décor to stand out. Consider white walls and some bright colored pillows to evoke a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Upcycled or reclaimed pieces of furniture can save you a lot of money and simultaneously add some character to the space. Be sure to consider function before getting rid of any current furniture, the last thing you want is to replace your couch with an uncomfortable trendy one only to have your family protest because they miss the durable soft couch they had grown to love. Sometimes just adding some new throw pillows can brighten your couch and revive the space. Movie watching is better when you have a couch and chairs you can snuggle into and relax from the daily grind, so trade in that uncomfortable seating and find something that suits your lifestyle.

Another uncomplicated way to liven up your area is to simplify the clutter and remove pieces of furniture that go untouched or just exist to fill the room. Remove books that haven’t been opened in years and tchotchkes that are only touched when you dust. Clearing out the clutter opens the room up and removes distractions, then your guests can focus on that beautiful piece of art you are so proud of, or the new couch you want to showcase.

Perhaps that ugly bookshelf in the corner would pop if you painted it white, or the coffee table you’ve been meaning to sand and stain has become an eyesore. Old furniture can be reborn with a quick coat of paint or if you have the time and resources, a good sand and stain. No need to rush out and buy new, reinvent what you already have, and you’ll be surprised with the results!

The search for furniture to outfit your small kitchen can be challenging. When considering the task, it’s good to remember that space is as important as design. There are many creative solutions for small spaces and the kitchen is no exception. Often the kitchen is considered the heart of the home; it’s where people gather to eat, visit and celebrate, so comfort and function are crucial factors to consider when shopping for your furniture. The options are endless, but a few simple pieces can get your space set-up for eat-in cooking and dining.

Limited space for seating is typically an issue in smaller kitchens, which is why considering a banquette might be one way to offer seats for diners. Banquettes can be positioned in a corner of the room which would allow the table to be pushed up against that corner, it will then open the room up for additional furniture if necessary. The bench seating can include storage under the seats if your cupboard space is limited.

Folding and moveable tables and chairs are great alternatives if there just isn’t enough room to have permanent furniture. They can also provide dining space for extra guests that you don’t normally entertain day to day. Putting tables and chairs on casters makes moving them in and out of the kitchen easy and hassle-free.

Bar stools and footrest stools can be added for higher table tops and bench style seating. They don’t take up a lot of space and can usually be stored under the countertop or table.

Sometimes small kitchens don’t allow room for much in the way of kitchen furniture, in which case a simple bar made from a slab of wood or metal would be perfect on a wall. It wouldn’t take up much room, could run flush with a wall and still give diners a place to enjoy a meal.

There is an assortment of alternatives to the traditional kitchen furniture available on the market, and once you measure the space and consider the functions of what goes on in your kitchen, it’s fun to add your own creative solutions that mirror your personal taste.