Whether hosting grand soirées or intimate family dinners, luxury dining tables are the social epicentre of your dining room and need furniture that will last as long as the memories you create around it.
A well-selected dining room set won’t just complement the rest of your decor, but also set the tone of the room as a reflection of your own values and taste.
With a vast range of styles, sizes, designs and uses, this guide will serve as a starting point for identifying what to look for, how it reflects on you, and what it will bring to your home.
A dining room is meant for dining – that’s stating the obvious, and yet dining itself binds together so many social strings; dining together transforms moments of rest and recuperation into timeless memories when experienced in an exquisite setting.
It would serve you well to make a mental map of how you plan on using your dining set.
Will you be hosting large gatherings? Invest in large or extendable dining tables that will accommodate guests without crowding the room.
Will you be using it for a daily dinner with your family? Consider a cosy, smaller dining room table set for 4 or 6 that will best suit shared dinners and intimate conversation.
Your dining room furniture will paint a picture of your lifestyle and should be arranged for you to get the best use from the room around which most lifestyles revolve.
Choosing the right dining room furniture set is pivotal in establishing the design direction of your space. The visual weight it holds alone is enough to make or break the ambience you’re going for. It needs to be in harmony with all elements of the room such as space, size, lights, colour schemes and design directions. Sound a bit much? Let’s break it down.
The first step in design is to analyse your space. Your dining set needs to fit comfortably with a minimum of 36 inches of free space surrounding it for ease of movement.
Ensure your dining set is proportioned to allow unobstructed movement around it, avoiding any tight spots or visual clutter. The most luxurious of dining table sets will fall flat if they’re not the right size.
You should also consider your own lifestyle – are you one for large parties or small dinners with a few close friends? Do you prefer chairs or a dining bench? There’s no point in getting a large dining table if you’re not going to use all of it. Can’t decide?
One good option is to invest in an extendable dining room table set. As the name suggests, their flexible nature allows you to host both small and large gatherings with equal ease
Getting a round table for the dining room creates fewer edges to navigate around and instils a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. They work well in open spaces, but might not complement a small dining room. It’s also quite difficult to reach for food placed in the middle of a round table if it’s too large.
Square dining tables have the intimacy of a circular table, but they are more suited to symmetrical and small rooms. These are also good for moving into corners when you need floor space. Its corners, however, will deter workflow if not placed with enough space to comfortably move around them. Rectangular table sets are one the most classic styles as they can seat more guests and offer a linear quality that can make a room look bigger. They’re especially suited to rooms that are long and narrow. However, they don’t offer the intimate charm of smaller tables. Oval tables combine the seamless quality of a round one with the linear aesthetic of a rectangular one.
A dining table is so central to the dining room that its aesthetic value will lay out the tone for the design direction you want to follow.
A rustic log table will convey a Scandi-inspired sense of down-to-earth simplicity.
A Mid-century modern table will add a kick of retro charm. Farmhouse dining room furniture and French Country sets add visual depth through their detailing.
Each style has something unique to offer to your space.
One thing to bear in mind is whatever style you choose; it should not clash with your existing furniture items and colour schemes, or you may well end up with a space that stands out and feels less like a part of your home, and more like a segregated space.
We no longer live in an age where we must restrict ourselves to complete dining sets with matching chairs – an approach more suited for more formal times. Yes, your chairs and tables need to look related but not as identical twins. A dining chair needs to first complement your table – especially when it comes to stylish dining furniture. Experimentation is good but mixing too many taste palettes can create a cluttered, confused environment. More than visually, but functionally speaking your chair needs to be aligned with your table in terms of height. You don’t want your guests struggling to sit comfortably in chairs that are too high or eating with the table at chin level because the seat is too low.
If you’ve ever attended a lovely dinner but had to sit or eat uncomfortably, you no doubt remember it. Comfortable dining height should allow one to comfortably eat without having to brush elbows or awkwardly manoeuvre. In looking for a stylish chair don’t end up compromising your comfort and subsequently, the comfort of your guests.
Dining table sets have been around for centuries and have seen experimentation across a range of different materials. Let’s go over some of the most popular choices to see what they bring to the table:
Classic solid wood tables and chairs in cherry, oak, maple or any other hardwood are one of the most popular choices. The warmth of wood echoes of the Danish hygge – the concept of creating a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy all that is good with the people you love – sounds about ideal, right? Wooden tables are also highly durable and a timeless investment that can be passed down generations.
Glass tabletops are popular for their simplified sense of luxury. The reflective surface adds light and creates an airy openness in the dining room. The sleek surface is also easy to maintain as its non-porous surface won’t get stained. Glass tabletops are popularly paired with wooden or metal bases and chairs which creates a wonderful array of textures in your dining set.
Metal dining sets are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a chic appearance offset by its highly durable nature. They’re often the first choice when it comes to outdoor dining room furniture as they can survive many outdoor nuances be it sun, rain or wind. A simple wipe down and they’re as good as new.
Dining room tables with marble or granite tops offer an exquisite sense of luxury without overdoing it. The natural grains of marble create a fascinating pattern that can make your dining room furniture truly shine. Their refined and polished appearance is further complemented by a high durability level.
One of the latest additions to dining room sets, ceramic tabletops seem like they’re here to stay. They possess a high-end smooth finish that mimics the stunning allure of marble but offers a much more durable experience – perfect if you tend to host kids or pets around the house.
Recently, we have noted a surge in the popularity of layering textures. Darker woods like maple, oak and mahogany are back in vogue as opposed to the previously trending light, white and beige shades of wood. It’s all about feeling.
There has been a return towards using more fabric which adds touches of texture and pattern to spruce up your dining area. Dining chairs upholstered in boucle or velvet are extremely popular for their tactile quality.
Missing out on accessories when decorating your interiors is a major faux pas. They create cohesion and add more of a personalised charm. Your dining set can be adorned with cushions and placemats that complement each other and add to the overall colour scheme.
A lavish, printed rug placed under your dining set will truly anchor it. If you want to effortlessly channel an aura of sophistication, enhance your dining space with bespoke floral arrangements or artisanal ceramic vases for a touch of natural elegance.
Another major trend alert is for art-inspired dining table bases. Simple dining table legs or circular bases may be a classic choice, but abstract, sculpture-like bases will elevate your dining set into the territory of functional art pieces. Such tables are best complemented by dining chairs with lighter forms to truly show off the table’s base.
A dining room is where you break bread, share anecdotes and create memories that last a lifetime. At FCI London, we highly value and curate furniture items that won’t just define your aesthetics but directly impact your lifestyle. We have a wide range of over 1000 different dining tables from 700+ brands to ensure you find something that aligns exactly with your needs and desires.
Feel free to consult our team of interior experts who excel in bringing your interior dreams to life. They can guide you towards the perfect dining room furniture specified for your dining area and its individualised requirements.
Our professional team is available to help you with every step of your decor project. Book a personalised visit and let's get the ball rolling on your new dining room design.
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