A lot of family memories are made around the dining room table. Therefore, when shopping at a new or used furniture store, don’t just select the dining set that looks the nicest—but that is most functional for your household. The guide below explains what makes the best investment.

What to Think About Before Purchasing a Dining Set

1. Measure the Room

Start by getting the dimensions of your dining room. This will help you select a table with enough clearance for guests to sit and move around comfortably. Opt for at least 50 inches of space between the table’s edge and nearby walls.

In some cases, homeowners choose to purchase tables with interior leaves that allow the table to be expanded or contracted depending on their party’s needs.

2. Consider Table Shape

The shape of the table should complement the room. Oval dining tables work well in smaller rooms since they afford more space to move around them, while square tables are useful when the width is limited.

Rectangular often takes up the most space, but can usually sit the most guests. Round tables most easily accommodate family-style eating, with larger platters of food in the middle.

3. Decide on Height

Dining room tables and chairs are often purchased together, not only to keep the style consistent but to ensure the chairs are an appropriate height for comfortable eating. Typically dining room tables are about 28 to 30 inches tall, while chairs usually range from 17 to 19 inches in height.

4. Choose a Material

Solid wood furniture is a classic, sophisticated choice; walnut, maple, oak, mahogany, pine, and teak are best for dining tables since they are durable, strong, and easy to repair.

For the same look for less expense, you can choose a veneer-topped table; however, it likely will not have the same life span and the top layer may peel away from the lower layers if exposed to too much moisture.

Other homeowners may consider glass or metal tables, depending on their home’s aesthetic.

5. Look at the Supports

Tables usually have legs, a pedestal, or a trestle as their supports. The first can restrict the amount of space guests have under the table or could interfere with chair placement when seating extra diners. Trestle and pedestal styles open up the area underneath but can be more expensive while offering more support to the center of the table than the corners.

 

When you are looking for quality used furniture and appliances for your home, trust Salvage Warehouse. With locations in Lincoln and Grand Island, NE, their extensive inventory includes everything from dining and bedroom sets to refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and more. They provide incredible deals—up to 70% of retail—on a large assortment of sustainable merchandise. They also offer mattresses from top brands such as Serta®, Sealy®, Simmons®, and iComfort®. Call (402) 466-8294 with questions or stop by their website to learn more about their used furniture selection.