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.

Looking to spruce up your kitchen or dining room? Try adding a mod accent, like dining room chairs for a style change up.

Incorporating mod furniture

Perhaps you want to jazz up your kitchen or dining room, make it feel new and exciting. Most people when choosing furniture tend to play it safe, and wind up with simple or minimalist furniture in their living space. While minimalism is a great style concept to try, few have it mastered.

It’s much easier to spruce up a dining room with new chairs rather than with a whole redecoration. Try adding chairs that feature a pop of color. Most modern chairs come in fresh colors, like green, yellow and red.

Adding this blast of color can spruce up any dining room or dining room set. If you have a deep wooden dining room table, adding these colorful seats will take on a whole new style. A rustic or industrial wooden dining room table, could look especially daring style-wise with a bright pop of white in a mod dining chair.

Mod in your kitchen

Kitchen chairs don’t last forever. They take a lot abuse and use. Looking for sturdier chairs may help them last longer. That’s where a potential mod design could be useful. Some mod chairs take a slight industrial approach and are made out of metal. Some metal chairs could hold together longer and be more sturdy for your kitchen or dining room needs.

Using mod design in your kitchen can be simple as well. Incorporating a slightly modern designed bar stool at a breakfast bar is a great way to add in a touch of style to your kitchen. Again it can be a great way to add a bit of color if your kitchen doesn’t incorporate a lot of other styles or colors.

Mod furniture, especially chairs, can come in different styles, like plush or metal or painted wood. If you’re shopping for dining room chairs, it could be a better idea to go with more plush chairs. If you have more comfortable chairs, a dinner party could be more enjoyable, for example.

Mod for a change

Try to incorporate some new mod pieces into your dining room or kitchen for a fresh spruce up. Pairing some mod elements with your existing furniture could make for a great style or feel to your living space.

While most dining room sets can be a wonderful addition to any home, today’s homeowners are shifting away from formal dining rooms. Formal dining rooms can often become a room in the house that is used once or twice a year for special occasions. With eat-in kitchens growing in popularity customers are looking for smaller tables and sets to incorporate into their kitchens.

Ideas for a small kitchen

A great idea for a smaller kitchen, in a house without a designated dining room, is a dinette set. Dinettes are smaller dining tables that can seat two to four people. They fit perfectly in a breakfast nook or kitchen. If you’re working with a smaller space a dinette set could function as your dining room table.

A bistro table would also be a great idea for a smaller kitchen. Bistro tables are typically round, but can come in many sizes. They would comfortably seat two people, but could definitely seat a close four for a special occasion.

Consider layout

Take a look at the layout of your smaller kitchen, and analyze how best to arrange everything and fit a table in. Pushing a table up against a wall or into a corner may give you more space to work with. Another great idea could be to get a table that has benches rather than chairs. Benches, when pushed under the table, could save a little more space, allowing for more room to function in your kitchen. Benches can also

In any small kitchen, counter space may be an issue. The addition of any table could help with storage or prepping space.

Look at the counter space you have, perhaps it’s not enough in a tiny kitchen. A breakfast bar, with barstools could function as added counter space or prep space, while also providing a place to sit and eat. It’s not a very formal option, but a breakfast bar can be a great addition to a cramped kitchen.

Given the many sizes and shapes that bistro tables come in, a longer bistro table could also function well as a breakfast bar. Pushing a breakfast bar or rectangular-shaped bistro table up against a kitchen counter or kitchen island could be a great addition to any kitchen lacking counter space. Extending any counter space already included in your kitchen area can really save you a headache.

Take away

Adding a bistro table or dinette set to any kitchen can be a great way to transform your kitchen into an eat-in kitchen, or just a helpful way to maximize space. Maybe you have a really small kitchen, or maybe you want to use your dining room space for other purposes. Either way, utilizing the space in your kitchen to its fullest is a great way to maximize the space in your home or apartment.

While the days of formal dining may be dwindling, most of us still have a dining room complete with a table and a set number of chairs. While eat-in kitchens are becoming more popular in homes these days, dining room sets are left to sit alone for the majority of the year, at least until the holiday season rolls around.

Multiple uses

A great way to utilize dining room space and furniture is to turn your dining room into your office. By keeping the dining room table and one chair at the table you’ve created a makeshift desk for yourself. This is quite the simple fix, because when the holidays or special occasions arise, all you have to do is return the rest of the chairs to the table, and you have a dining room table once more.

Another great use for a dining room table is to turn it into a space for your kids. It may get scratched up, and suffer the occasional crayon or marker blemish, but your kids will love having a space to get creative. Bonus, when a crowd gathers for a dinner party, you can cover it with a table cloth and no one will be the wiser. If you’re investing in a new dining room set, this can be a great use for your old table.

Depending on the size, shape and value that you place upon your existing dining room furniture, it could be perfect for an outdoor dining area. You may want to outfit your table with an umbrella, or keep it in a covered area, but it can be done.

Multipurpose tables

Looking for a table that offers storage space beneath the table top, could be a great way to incorporate more flexibility in your living space. Shelving underneath could be a great space to store electronics if you intend to use the table as a media center. It could also help if you use your dining room table as a desk for the majority of the time, you could keep everything you need, including a laptop, files or folders, etc.

You can also push your table into the corner of your kitchen or dining room, to make room for other uses. A dining room can function as a complete other room within your home, so a dining room table may be better suited for the kitchen, turning your kitchen into an eat in kitchen.

If you’re currently shopping for a dining room table that will offer you the flexibility that you need, looking for a smaller bistro like table could be a great solution to making your kitchen a more flexible space.

Take away

If you’re in the market for a new table to use as your dining room table, there are many options that you can choose from and incorporate into your home. Perhaps a table with benches is better suited to your needs, or a small square table with only four chairs. The need for a complete formal dining room is something that is starting to be outdated.

Bar stools have become a standard in homes today. They are ever present in our kitchens, bringing families in to join the cooking fun or keeping the chefs in their family company. Bar stools and kitchen counters have long been a great spot for homework, ensuring time together on most evenings.

Types of barstools offered

Barstools come in three basic heights that are called counter, bar and spectator, or stadium height. They are all designed to pair with the three most common heights of counters.

A standard height counter is 36 inches, so a counter stool’s height could range anywhere from 24-26 inches.

A typical bar height is 42 inches high, so a more appropriate bar stool height can be 30 inches.

Spectator or stadium stools are usually 34 to 36 inches tall and are designed for a counter that is 48 inches tall.

Unfortunately bar stool height requirements change drastically from house to house, which is why most stools are now being created as adjustable stools. By making them adjustable, usually one size of stool can fit all types of homes, counters or bars.

Swivel stools are also growing in popularity, but they tend to be heavy and can harm your floors, and be a hassle move in and out of the counter. You can choose barstools with no backs, full backs or partial backs depending on the fit for your kitchen. The addition of a footrest to a bar stool can save your back, so it’s important to consider.

Some people like to keep a theme in their home, and choose to go with barstools similar to their dining room table furniture.

Wood and metal barstools

Metal barstools can be much more affordable and offer an easier clean up. A popular metal barstool look is stainless steel, as it seems to go with the decoration in most homes. Chrome is a great looking option for more contemporary homes and kitchens. Metal barstools can be a great choice for a kitchen featuring a lot of wood cabinetry.

Some metal stools feature a mesh wiring look, that can be accented with different colored seat pillows to soften up a harsher metal look. The choice between metal and wood bar stools can be between dark and light or balancing the other features in your kitchen.

Wood barstools can work in many different styles of kitchens, including rustic or country, or traditional and modern kitchens. In industrial neutral colored kitchens wood can be used as a pop of color, with cherry wood or yellow maple. The light color of distressed or treated wood can also serve as a lighter change.

Sometimes the decision to go between wood or metal can be a hard one, so a great alternative can be to go with stools that feature both.