Whether you’re looking for a space to serve family meals, host elaborate dinner parties or indulge in your morning coffee and alone time, a dining set is an essential component to any home. In today’s world of working from home, side hustles, and all-around hustle and bustle, a dining table often plays more than just host to dinner parties. Much of life’s living gets done around the dinner table, from work to play, and—of course—all the meals that fuel us for these activities.

With so much happening in the dining room, it’s especially important to choose the right dining table and furniture to support these tasks. From formal hardwood dining sets to casual breakfast nooks, there is an extensive selection of dining sets as well as individual tables and chairs to choose from to complete your space. Additionally, you should consider serving and storage pieces that can enhance the functionality and style of your room, as well as accessories like lighting that make your dining space as fashionable as it is functional.

Depending on the size of your space, the size of your family and the style of dining table you prefer, we can help you find the perfect dining set and other dining room furniture for your needs. Use this handy buyer’s guide to narrow down your selections and choose the right dining room set and more for your home.

Consider Your Dining Style

When it comes to furnishing your dining area, a dining set is the most important thing you need. And when it comes to choosing the perfect dining room set, the first thing you need to consider is your dining style. After all, the table must fit with your lifestyle, not only fit in your room. Consider whether you fit into the following categories to help define your dining room furniture needs.

• Casual Family Dining – For most young and growing families, casual dining is the way to go. A comfortable meal around a beautiful table offers time for the family members to connect, reflect on their days and spend time together. For casual dining, it’s a good idea to invest in a dining set with chairs that will resist stains and wear well with age. A simple Amish Mission or Colonial style table will look particularly striking in a family-oriented space. Rustic, farmhouse style dining tables are also popular today, and suit many families' casual dining styles. For those who like a more modern look, there is an array of options, including popular mid-century modern tables with clean lines, open sides and classic shapes.
• Formal Dining – If you have a larger home or tend to do a lot of entertaining, a more formal table may suit your design aesthetic. Select a large table with dark wood for a traditional and upscale look or choose an elegant set with grand tufted chairs and ornate woodwork to impress your guests. If you prefer a more modern look, an all-white design will exude the contemporary sophistication you crave.
• Breakfast Dining – Breakfast nooks are designed for fast meals, morning coffee and breakfast before school. If you have a breakfast nook in need of a new table, look for something simple, light and easy to clean. If your space has a unique architectural feature like a bay window, you can bring it out with the shape of your table.
• Entertaining – If you love to entertain, then a large table with plenty of other space is ideal. Perhaps a sizable farmhouse style table for casual meals and conversation. However, if your space won’t accommodate a large table, there are plenty of other options, such as extension tables. Don’t forget extra chairs or stools that can be pulled over to the dining table as the guest list requires.
• Dining + Work – As many people continue to work from home, we’ve carved out new spaces for work. If yours is in the dining room, then you should consider these needs when selecting dining room furniture. There are dining tables that have features that people who work from home will find especially handy, like built-in USB ports and built-in storage for quickly putting away their work items when it’s time to set the table for family dining. Comfortable dining chairs are also a must if you plan to use this space for long work hours.

Consider the Size

Dining tables come in all shapes and sizes. When shopping for a new dining table, consider the size of your family, the size of your space and how you intend to use the table. Make sure you have a chair for every member of your family. If possible, it’s nice to also have space for at least two extras for guests. If you anticipate throwing a birthday party or having guests over for dinner, you may want to invest in a table with leaves or an extension so you can increase the size for special occasions and decrease it for everyday use.

When determining if a table will fit in your space, make sure to take into account room for chairs and for people to pass by. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least three feet around the perimeter of the table. That means you have to add six feet to the width and length of the table. A table that’s too large for a space will not be functional. However, you should also consider the opposite. If you have the space available, don’t be afraid to use it! A table that’s too small won’t fully meet the room’s potential.

It’s not just the size you should consider. The table shape can also make a big impact in the overall effect of the dining set. Room shape can help determine table shape. A round table works well in a square space, while a rectangular or oval table works well in a long space.

Dining Sets

The easiest way to get a coordinating look for your dining space is to select a dining set. There are many common options, ranging from small sets to large ones. You can choose a small bistro set that seats just two, opt for a medium size option such as a five- or seven-piece dining set, or choose a large dining set that seats 10+ people.

As many size options as there are available, there’s even more styles that you can pick from. You can choose from many looks that will set the vibe for your room, including these popular picks: traditional, mission, transitional, farmhouse, casual, urban and modern styles.

Design Your Own Dining Set

If you can’t find the perfect dining room table set in a store, consider creating your own by mixing and matching a table and chairs. Many people will pair a set of upholstered dining chairs on either end of the table to serve as host chairs with simpler side chairs filling out the seating. Here are some of the most popular styles of dining chairs that you can choose from:

• Parsons chairs
• Wingback chairs
• Tufted back chairs
• Wicker chairs
• Keyhole chairs keyhole
• Ladder back chairs
• Slat back chairs
• Mission chairs
• Bow back chairs
• Windsor chairs
• Cross back or x-back chairs
• Queen Anne chairs
• Barrel back chairs
• Cantilevered chairs

A dining bench is also a versatile piece that can accommodate guests and save space by tucking under your table when not in use.

Keep in mind that you need to choose the right chair height for your table. Dining chairs are usually 18-inches to the top of the seat and dining tables are usually 30-inches to the table top, allowing a comfortable amount of space for most people. Another option: counter height tables are more casual and are 36-inches tall.

The best part about creating your own dining set is that there are no rules. Mix and match upholstery fabrics, wood colors, styles and more to find the perfect set for your design aesthetic and your space. You can even update an old set by simply ordering a new table or new chairs.

Beyond the Dining Set

While your meals and conversations will mostly center around your table, there is an array of other furnishings that can complement your dining room, and add organization and style to your space. While the names for storage pieces, including Chinas, buffets and sideboards are often used interchangeably, there are some differences in the designs. Consider the following pieces, depending on your space and storage requirements:

• Chinas – including both China cabinets and China hutches, this category of accent furniture offers versatile storage for the dining room and beyond. China cabinets often feature traditional designs, offering an elegant place to store dishes and other collectibles. A China hutch combines this storage capacity with a built-in countertop space that works for serving food and drinks, or can even be used as a food prep space. It often features open shelving above the countertop and doors with shelving or drawers beneath.
• Buffets – the primary purpose of a buffet is to provide a place for food and drinks, so they are typically found at the right height and with a flat surface for serving. Most are a little taller than a standard height dining table. Additionally, they offer storage components beneath the serving space, making these multi-purpose pieces that add function as well as style to your dining area.
• Credenza – a type of accent cabinet, credenzas are low-profile storage pieces that feature central cupboards and cabinet doors, display shelves, drawers or a combination of these storage features.
• Sideboards – like credenzas, sideboards typically feature low-profile designs with a mix of cabinets, drawers and shelves for storage and display purposes. While both feature a variety of designs, sideboards are often distinguished by their legs and taller frame when compared to a credenza. In addition to dining rooms, sideboards and credenzas are often used in entryways and living and entertaining spaces.

While the pieces mentioned above are most commonly used for storage and display purposes in dining rooms, there’s no reason you can’t use other storage pieces in this space. For instance, a media console may best suit the style and storage needs for your space. For others, a display cabinet can best highlight their collection of dishes and accessories.

Another element that shouldn’t be overlooked is statement lighting! Whether you choose an opulent chandelier for a traditional dining room or choose something more modern for a casual and contemporary space, the right overhead lighting can make your room.

Finally, it’s time to accessorize! Accent pieces and artwork will bring your room together and help create a personalized look that’s ready for you, your family and guests to enjoy!