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Instead of heading out for an expensive dinner on Valentine’s Day, try cooking a meal in with your partner or family. It saves money, and eliminates the stress of getting ready to go out. Your dining room may take a little transformation to imitate a dimly lit romantic bistro, but it can be done. Here are our suggestions:

Use a Tablecloth. Using a tablecloth completely changes the feel of a room. If you have a dark wooden table, lighten it up with a white lacy cover. Or try for the not-so-subtle deep red tablecloth. People don’t use table cloths often, because they get dirtier easily. Valentine’s Day is a special occasion, and it well qualifies for a tablecloth. Cloth napkins up the fancy factor here too, if you have some on hand.

Candles. This one is obvious. A little mood lighting changes the feel of any meal. This isn’t specific to romantic dinners either, as candles are a great dining room table addition at the holidays, birthdays, etc.

If you’ve ever eating a meal in a swanky restaurant’s dining room, you’ve noticed that the lights are dimmed, and the candles are lit. This is a simple way to make the night feel special. If you can dim the lights in your dining room, do. If you have candles lit, this will add to the ambiance.

Add some flowers, because fresh flowers always make a day feel special. Get whatever kind of flowers you can. Valentine’s Day isn’t limited roses anymore. Any kind of flowers will spruce up a dining room table, and show that you care. Remember though, if you’re buying flowers that are scented you may want to use unscented candles.

Do some research on how to formally set a table. Consider what food you’re cooking, and make sure you have all the proper utensils on the table. Add a pitcher of lemon and ice water onto the table for a more formal restaurant-like touch.

Pick some music to help set the mood. Music choice is up to you and your preferences. If Valentine’s dinner is a family affair, pick something for everyone. If it’s you and your partner, go for something slower, and more romantic.

Remember Valentine’s Day is about showing love and appreciation for your partner and family. If you burn a casserole, or forget to chill the wine, don’t worry. It’s about trying to do something nice, and the effort is what really matters. If you’re not a chef extraordinaire, ask for help cooking. Make it fun in the kitchen, and surprise with a really fancy dining room table setting.

At the start of the new year, one can crave newness. Even if you can’t afford to redecorate your dining room, some small changes might not be a huge financial burden and can really help to update your space and make it feel new.

New Chair Accents

If you’re not in love with your current kitchen or dining room table chairs, try adding cushions to them. Cushions are a great way to change the vibe in your kitchen, dining room, or breakfast nook. Cushions add a pop of color, pattern or texture.

If you can, find new dining room chairs to match your dining room table. There aren’t a lot of things that are taboo in the design world nowadays. Pairing modern chairs with an industrial wooden dining room table works in some kitchens. If you can afford to, buying new dining room chairs are a great way to update your dining room, without financing a new dining room table.

Accessories

It may seem silly, but adding something new, even if it’s small can change the way your dining room appears. Try adding some new accents on an end table or even to a dining room table centerpiece.

Finding a new table runner, candlesticks or even holiday decorations is a great way to spruce up your dining room, without a huge bill. If you have your dining room table set at all times, it can be a great time to find a new table cloth or placemats, in a new vibrant shade. This is the easiest way to add a pop of color to the room.

New Dining Room Table

If you do want to invest in a new dining room table it could be the perfect time to start browsing. The holidays are over so there’s no immediate need for a formal dining room for the next few months. Look at tables, chairs and even sets. Dining room sets can be a great way to get deals on chairs and a table, while also keeping the design similar.

Rugs

If you’ve never thought about adding a rug in your dining room, it can be a great way to add some warmth and coziness to your dining room. Putting a rug underneath the dining room table and furniture. Try to find a rug that extends at least 18 inches beyond the table. This will allow the table and chairs to stay entirely on the rug at all times, even when the chairs are pushed in and out.

Consider the type of rug you get for your dining room, as you will be eating over it. Dinner parties have the potential to create a mess, especially with children around, the potential for spilled dishes and drinks is high. Make sure that the fabric of the rug you choose for this space, lends itself well to vacuuming or cleaning. The fabric also shouldn’t be thick and dense for the purpose of pushing chairs in and out.

Pub tables can have a great function within your home. They don’t have to be used as the standard eating table anymore, they can serve many other functions. They come in many shapes, sizes and materials. They may come with a rectangular and circular tabletop, be built to different heights, and be made from various materials, such as wood or metal. Check out how you can use them alternatively in your home.

In the living room

If you’ve ever needed an end table for holding coffee table books or photo frames, may we suggest using a pub table? Pub tables in the living room can be a great way to change up the planes of your living room. With coffee tables, chairs and sofas, all at similar levels, it can be a nice change to include a slightly higher table off to the side. It can be used for multiple things, a small stack of books or perhaps a place where you can work as well. You could also put a pub table directly behind any couch. It could function as a small dining table for casual dinners watch a movie. Rather than mess up the couch by eating on it, try using a pub table in the living room as your snack headquarters during a movie or a big game. A pub table could be the perfect fit for what you’re looking for in your living room. Add bar stools to complete the look!

 In the kitchen

 A pub table is also a great table to be used for dining. If you have a formal dining room, and only a small space for an eat-in kitchen table, try using a pub table. It’s a great table to use as a kitchen table, and a great space to use for kids doing homework or more. Using a pub table as a sort of breakfast bar or breakfast nook is a great way to incorporate one into a smaller space in your kitchen.

In your office

If you have a small room in your home that you’ve always wanted to turn into an office, it could be the perfect spot for a pub table. A pub table is much smaller and lighter than most official desks are, and is probably more affordable for a home office. It’s the perfect place for a couple of file folders, your laptop and a mug full of pens or pencils. If you don’t have an office in your home, a pub table could be the perfect thing to put off to the side of your living room and use as a makeshift desk.

In the Entry

A pub table is a wonderful addition to the entry of your home as a great entryway table, a place to use for car keys, purses, sunglasses and more.

Take a look at the space in your home and see where a pub table could be a great use to you. If you’ve wanted to redesign, try incorporating a pub table into the mix. Pub tables are one of those very versatile pieces of furniture that you can incorporate into many areas of your home. Check out our pub tables for purchase today here.

It’s the season of giving…or throwing holiday get-togethers. Here are some tips and tricks for rearranging the furniture in your house to be more conducive to parties and gatherings.

Repurposing furniture

There are many ways to organize your existing furniture to perfectly set the scene for a holiday party, you just have to get creative. Purchasing one or two new pieces of furniture could also be a great idea. If you’ve been waiting for the excuse of the holidays to purchase a new dining room table, it’s the time to buy. Perhaps keep your old table, for overflow seating, or use it as a kids’ table for a holiday meal.

The Entryway

De-clutter your entryway. Guests should feel comfortable as they enter your home. Make sure the entryway highlights the route that they should take to the main gathering area. If your entry way is separated from the living room or kitchen, it can be helpful to leave guests space to hang coats or set down bags.

Make sure that there are areas for flow of traffic. Make sure that dining room tables or couches are moved out of the way of the main walkways in your home.

Areas for Food and Drink

Keep food and drink stations separate to avoid traffic jams in one area of the home. Giving guest two destinations to hit, ensures that people will circulate through the house. Tapas, hors d’oeuvres or buffet-style serving is best for larger holiday parties. People typically don’t expect to sit down formally, and will be used to eating small bites or with a plate on their lap.

Get people to mingle by placing small appetizers on pub or bistro tables. It’s easier to mingle at a higher table, and doesn’t require the commitment of finding a seat.

Seating areas

Create seating areas for smaller groups of people to gather at. Be sure that there’s enough seating, but not too much. If there are too many seats, people will tend to never leave their seat, and never mingle with the rest of the party. A good tip is to not set furniture too far apart from each other. You don’t want guests leaning across coffee tables to try and hear one another.

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.

Standard 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.

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.

Take away

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.

If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner or holiday party this year, and don’t own a traditional dining room table, there’s no need to worry. If you’re interested in investing in one, now’s the time. There are many other ways to use the dining room furniture you own to serve a holiday meal.

A breakfast bar

Not all meals have to be sit down and formal. Try using your breakfast bar as a buffet table. If you don’t have a large dining room table, and there isn’t enough room to seat everyone at the table and have the food, use your kitchen. Set food out on the kitchen counters or breakfast bars, and have guests serve themselves buffet-style.

This is a less formal dining option, and is perfect for a large gathering of people. If there are too many people a sit-down meal can be impossible, so have guests serve themselves buffet style to add ease to the meal.

Side or Serving Tables

If you do have a formal dining room and dining room table, but don’t have room for everyone and the food, set out a serving table in the dining room. You could also use pub tables, breakfast bars, or any other additional tables in your home to function as serving tables. Find any long table, and set it against the wall. Guests will still have to get up to serve themselves, but it helps you utilize the space in your dining room.

Bistro Tables

If you have a very small dining room table, don’t be afraid to use whatever tables you have around your home. The holidays are a cozy time to be together, and the formal holidays are on their way out. If you have hodge-podge tables pushed together for a meal, it will still work. As long as everyone has a place to sit. Using bistro tables, or small eat-in kitchen tables would work here as well. Bistro or Pub tables will work well as smaller side tables, use them for a kids table.

Investing in a dining room table

Perhaps you have no dining room table either because you haven’t had the space until now, or just haven’t gotten around to investing in one. You could also invest in a bistro table or breakfast nook table to add onto the end of an old or smaller dining room table. The important thing is to enjoy your hectic holiday gatherings. Let the formality go, your guests will figure out how to feed themselves, where to sit, etc. If you’re hosting a formal event, be sure to invest in a full dining room set, with chairs and a large table for everyone to gather around.

If you’re in the market for a new dining room table or perhaps your first official dining room table, there are some basics that you may want to consider before you make your purchase. Here’s a rundown of dining room table basics.

Dining room tables come in many, many shapes, sizes, colors, materials, etc. Some dining room tables come in wood, which then leads to what type of finish you’d like, dark or light, matte or glossy. A great way to pick out the perfect dining room table is to decide on a style that you want to go with, and then decide on other options from there.

Consider your lifestyle before settling on a table. If you have young kids that are constantly spilling things, a beautiful polished hardwood table may not be the best option for you. If your kids will be doing their homework at the dining room table, a wood table might not work, as writing on top of wood, will make indents and imperfections in the wood of the table.

Look at the space that you have, to place a dining room table in. If you have a spacious formal dining room that you’re trying to fill, a larger table will be no problem. If you’re working with a smaller space, you may have to be more strategic with your spacing.

Styles of tables feature different leg arrangements or pedestal supports. Some tables come with traditional supports, four legs supporting the table on each corner. Some tables feature one large support in the middle of the table. These types of tables are easier to sit at because there are no legs to get in the way. Essentially you can seat people all around pedestal support tables, without a leg in someone’s way.

Most dining room tables are 30 inches tall, so if you have tall family members, you may want to consider alternate heights. Some more traditional tables are oval shaped and feature removable leaves to change the size and length of the table. You can take the leaves out, and have a more round or short dining room table, and add the leaves in when you have company or more mouths to feed.

A new trend for dining room tables are benches, for a more family-style feel. Some dining room tables even come with chairs on three out of the four sides, and one bench for the fourth side, so that you get a mix of both.

There are so many styles to choose from when it comes to dining room table styles. You can always find the perfect one for your home style, functionality or space. Assess the space you have and the size you want, how many people you want to seat at the table and go from there. Choose materials colors, chairs vs. benches and more to design your perfect dining room table.

Ever wondered what the difference between dining room table sets and dinettes where? They both have very similar functions but can be used in different ways. Learn how you can incorporate them into your décor.

What are dinettes?

Dinettes are typically smaller and less informal than dining room table sets. Dinettes are meant to be used in kitchens as eat in tables. They can vary in size, seating a minimum of two people to four to six people at the table.

Dinettes were designed to be a smaller dining table for a smaller kitchen or smaller spaces. It was a smaller table that you could eat a smaller meal at, like lunch or breakfast, instead of using the dining room table for every meal. Dinettes share a lot of similarity in function to breakfast bars. Designed to be a small space in the kitchen for homework, or a small meal, dinettes can be a rectangular table or a round table. We have a large selection of dinettes at different heights and materials, such as metal and wood, available to meet your furniture needs.

Dinettes bring back the Middle Ages tradition of taking your smaller meals in your quarters and sharing your larger meal of the day in a dining hall with many other people.

Using Dinettes alternatively

Even though their designed function was for eating in the kitchen or breakfast nook, dinette tables can be used throughout your home for various functions.

Dinettes can serve as the perfect two seater dining table in your living room, if you take your meals in there on occasion. They can also serve as perfect side tables or reading tables, next to a big arm chair. You could use them in your entry way as a small table for your keys, cell phones, etc.

Dinette tables can be perfect tables to add to your breakfast nook in your kitchen, or you could use them in other areas like as a small desk. If you don’t have the need for a large desk in your home, a dinette could be the perfect smaller table. Depending on the size you could fit a laptop, a small lamp, a jar of pencils, and a stack of post-its or two.

Take Away

Dinettes have been used in many ways for years, but most traditionally as an eat-in kitchen table. They’re perfect for smaller meals or casual dining that doesn’t require the grandeur of a formal dining room. If your family of four never dines at the same time during breakfast and lunch, consider adding a small table into your kitchen.

If you’re going for a certain feel of your kitchen or home, you know it can be essential to pick a theme and stick to it. You’ve probably been out to eat before at a particular restaurant and noticed how their décor mimics their cuisine type. So if you’re feeling adventurous pick a cuisine and design your kitchen.

Rustic

You may have noticed if you’ve ever been to a hearty steakhouse, that the décor goes along with the rustic feel they aim to show. Rustic kitchen can feature brick elements, live edge wood and vintage appliances. If you’re going full rustic kitchen, featuring an old stove or having an in kitchen fireplace is a great add in. Rustic dining room tables fit well with this theme. Tables made with wood, or old doors with a slightly vintage feel, chairs with industrial bolts and wood, all of these would fit perfectly into a rustic themed kitchen.

Modern

Modern trends are popping up in more up and coming restaurants. Often they lend themselves well to Asian-inspired restaurants or new hip fusion-inspired cuisine. Modern dining room tables would be more minimalist, not featuring a lot of detail or adornments, just sleek and simple. Dining room chairs could be a bright pop of matching color, or simple white.

Contemporary

Contemporary styled kitchens often appear to feature many modern elements. They incorporate sleek and simple design, but do add in finishes, like fixtures chairs, tables and more. Contemporary kitchens also do factor in pops of color, but nothing as stark as the jump from a simple modern white kitchen with bright red bar stools.

Contemporary kitchens would feature yellows, creams, whites, metallic colors and more. Think of it as keeping the kitchen simple, but still adding color to show warmth. Staying away from the potential cold feel of a modern design.

Cottage

A cottage inspired kitchen would be the sort of décor you may find at the cute breakfast bakery in town. Often featuring flairs of grandma’s style like checkerboard tablecloths and such. The goal here is cute. A cottage styled kitchen would feature a simple round dining room table with simple wooden chairs. This kitchen could potentially feature a lot of white, while still attempting to emulate the warm and cozy feel.

Bistro/ Paris

Many of us haven’t been lucky enough to dine at a bistro in Paris, or at a side-walk café near the Seine. Some of us may be lucky enough to let Paris help inspire our kitchens. Parisian décor often features a warm feel as well. Blue accenting with decorative plates, curtains and more, with backwashes of yellow. Lots of white features to keep the kitchen looking clean, would be ideal. You could potentially use similar features of the cottage kitchen like a round white dining room table with matching white dining room chairs.

Eclectic

Eclectic kitchens are a growing trend in today’s slightly hipster inspired décor. They incorporate many different design themes, like a sort of mix and match feel. They feature modern and rustic styles, with a repurposed feel. Most places to eat out in younger cities fall into this vibe of hodge-podged style that really gives a place a feel of its own.

Different styles

Be inspired by the plentiful options for kitchen décor. Find inspiration in dining room sets, dining room chairs, breakfast bars and kitchen furniture.

Pub tables can have a great function within your home. They don’t have to be used as the standard eating table anymore, they can serve many other functions. They come in many shapes, sizes and materials. Check out how you can use them alternatively in your home.

In the kitchen

A pub table can be used as a dining space. Perhaps you have a smaller kitchen, and want to save space. Instead of a formal dining table try out a higher pub table with a couple of barstools. It can serve as a great place to eat, have the kids do homework while you’re in the kitchen, or more.

In your office

Perhaps the part of your home that you’ve designated as the office is smaller than you want it to be. A pub table could be the perfect solution to a large and cumbersome desk for you. It’s the perfect spot for a couple of file folders, your laptop and a mug full of pens or pencils. It’s the perfectly functional desk that you need, without taking up a ton of space in your home.

Or perhaps you don’t have an office in your apartment, you could still put a pub table in a secluded corner and use it as your desk.

In the living room

Perhaps you’re in need of an end table of sorts. Try using a pub table in your living room, putting pictures or a vase of flowers on it. It can be used for multiple things, a small stack of books or perhaps a place where you can work as well. You could also put a pub table directly behind any couch. It could function as a small dining table for casual dinners watch a movie. Rather than get red sauce or salsa on your couch, try a pub table for easier clean up.

An entry table

Try using a higher pub table as a landing place to set your things when you come home. You could keep a dish for keys, mail etc.

Pub tables are one of those very versatile pieces of furniture that you can incorporate into many areas of your home. They can be as versatile as you need them to be.

So consider investing in a pub table for your apartment or home. Try it out in the kitchen, office or living room. Find where it works best for you.