In generations gone by, the heart of the home was the hearth of your fireplace. This isn’t often the case these days since we rely on electricity and appliances to do our cooking chores. Instead, you’ll probably find your family congregating again and again around your kitchen table. Since this piece of furniture is in many ways the nerve center of your home, you should exert some careful thought when you’re in the kitchen table market for a new one.
Fitting Your Space
Until you take out your trusty tape measure and learn exactly how much space you have available, there’s really only so far you can go in the process of shopping for a kitchen table. You wouldn’t want to find the absolute ideal table online and then discover it’s six inches too long after you’ve bought it, would you? Bear in mind that cramming the largest possible table into your kitchen isn’t always the best idea. Your interior design choices might work better with something smaller and more intimate than you have space for. Of course, if you regularly invite guests into your kitchen then maximizing the amount of seating you have available will be important!
How High?
This is primarily an area of concern if you have a family with younger children. Standard table heights are fine for teens and adults, but they may prove challenging to youngsters. Small children and tall tables can be an irritating mixture. Not only do you need to worry about booster seats and helping children up and down, but you also increase the risk of an accidental fall. Consider buying a lower table if you’ve got younger mouths to feed.
Shape Choices
Square versus round is the eternal debate here. There are advantages to both sides. Square tables fit into square rooms and relate to other furnishings easily. You can also tell at a glance how many chairs you’ll need. On the other hand, a round table is often a great way to save space in a smaller kitchen.
Define Your Seating Needs
It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out how many chairs you’ll be using on a daily basis; just count up your family members. How often do you end up inviting others over, though? You might want to invest in a few extra chairs at the same time that you’re buying a new table. Provided you have the storage space, this can take a lot of the hassle out of entertaining.
Getting A Leaf
Here’s another choice to consider if you anticipate different numbers of people at your kitchen table. A table that’s designed to accommodate a drop-in leaf (or leaves) can be expanded with a minimum of fuss. Tables of every shape are available with leaves if you want to go this way.
Also read: Weatherproofing Your Home and Key Strategies for a Cozy Interior
