November 2, 2021 Admin Dovr

What table shape & surface is best?

Round, oblong, square, or rectangle are shapes available for kitchen or dining room tables. The shape you choose should be defined by the size of the room and the feeling you want to give your family or guests. When selecting a table the two most important factors to consider are the:

The shape and size of your dining area
Number of people that you want to sit around the table

So first, get out that tape measure and calculate the area for a table in your space. Don’t forget to include about 24 inches for every chair you will be using around the table. In addition to the table shape, you will want to think about the tabletop surface.

Table Shapes

Rectangular and square tables are the most common and are usually 36 to 42 inches wide. If your space dictates a narrower table, consider using a sideboard as a place to hold your serving dishes. You can also find a table with a leaf to extend the table length, allowing for more people to join the dinner. Rectangular tables can also give the impression of authority by having "the one in charge" sit at either head of the table.

Round and oblong tables are a great option allowing for shared family time. It allows everyone to gather round and share! If available, round tables can be expanded to recreate an oval if a leaf is available. Round tables also allow you additional room to pull up an extra chair or two.

Table surfaces

First, determine what activities are going to be done at the table. Are you going to let the kids paint, color, glue or use a hot glue gun? Is it going to be used for a study or work area for the adults in the family? The answers to these questions will help you determine the best table surface. The chart below identifies the pros and cons for each type of table top surface.

Material	Pros	Cons
Wood	warm, natural look with timeless appeal unique grain patterns and natural marks easily mixes with other materials premium grade and sourced from carefully managed U.S. forests lacquer finish or oil-and-wax finish	color will change with age may expands and contracts based on humidity in your home may show scratches and wear; use coaster, trivets, and place-mats to reduce wear and damage heat and moisture can damage the finish oil-and-wax requires annual
Glass	stands out and creates a sophisticated look for your home’s visitors makes the room look airier, lighter, and wider since its not blocking anything easy to clean and maintain unless you have children	it must be cleaned regularly could be a hazard if you have small children or pets. At the very least, look for tempered glass. round or oval shaped glass is best, can be uncomfortable for both kids and adults. If you want a square or rectangular glass table, look for protected or rounded edges.
Laminate	provides best protection for scratch and stain resistant	can burn from hot serving dishes and pots

Furniture Bazaar LI offers many different varieties of square, round and rectangular tables.

By: Jennifer Green

Filed in: chairs, dining, dining room, dining table, family table

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