Dining Room + Kitchen Furniture

We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From an eat-in breakfast nook to a formal table that plays host to shared meals, a dining space is often the heart of your home. The dining room furniture we choose defines how we live in and use that space—from simply enjoyed bites to holidays and shared occasions. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection has timeless and contemporary dining room furniture to help you curate your space to your taste.  

Not sure what style or design best fits your home as you shop dining room furniture? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best pieces to buy for your kitchen or dining room. 

Shopping the Set Pieces — How to Choose Furniture for a Modern Dining Room 

More than most rooms, dining rooms follow a fairly well-established design pattern. No matter the size or footprint, you generally have a dining set that features a central table with seating, and space to move around. In a well-appointed room, you may also have dining room storage in the form of a sideboard, cabinet, or perhaps a bar cart in the corner, but these are the primary elements.

That feels simple enough, and simplicity is good, but with so few elements, finding versatile dining furniture that makes an impact is crucial. Let’s look at some of the essential pieces before considering how to incorporate them into a cohesive design story.

Dining Room Tables

Tables don’t just hold a central place in our dining room; they hold a central place in our home. It’s the one piece of furniture in the house that gets an epithet—the family table. 

When shopping dining tables, size is a good starting point. We want to ensure the family table fits the family—not to mention guests, holiday dinners, homework, projects, and game nights. But we also want to make sure it fits in the space. You want at least 2 feet, but ideally closer to 3 feet, on all sides to move around comfortably. At the table itself, you need about 2 feet of length per person. A 7-foot rectangular table can fit eight people, with three on each side and one at each end.

If you’re having difficulty picturing the table in place, you can use painter’s tape to mark out its footprint on the floor, making it easier to visualize. Once you’ve determined the right size, you can start narrowing down the material, finish, and style—more on that below. 

Dining Room Seating

From rustic Windsor chairs to modern silhouettes or something in between, like this Kadner Dining Chair Set, seating lets you bring character to the table. We’ll talk more about mixing and matching styles later, but for now, a good rule of thumb is that table size dictates chair size. Most chairs should fit with most tables, but it's best to visualize the chair in place. If you have a grand, stately table, try some taller-backed chairs to match. If you’re styling a bistro table, find something chic with a less imposing stature. 

This same size rule applies to bar and counter stools as well as dining benches. Mind your measurements and check product details. If a chair or bench has arms, are they low enough to slide under the table when not in use?  Does the seat height sit low enough to comfortably sit at the counter or table with the seat pulled in? Is a bench seat short enough to fit between the legs of the table?

And remember, your table may be the centerpiece of the room, but that doesn’t mean seating can’t make its own statement. Something like our Enfield Dining Chair can elevate a space with its sculptural silhouette and bespoke upholstery. The best dining room seating strikes that perfect balance between comfort, class, and practical appeal. 

Sideboards + Buffet Storage Cabinets

A sideboard or cabinet serves a dual purpose—staging decor while offering dining room storage for dishes, glassware, linens, and other essentials. The best designs—like our Suzette Sideboard—seamlessly blend storage and display, keeping your favorite pieces on hand for hosting and everyday meals. 

Because a sideboard is primarily a storage piece, capacity will likely be your top priority. But don't overlook how the case fits into the room.  Your sideboard should be a few inches taller than the dining table but not longer in profile, as this can make your table feel small or underwhelming.

Storage pieces can also be an essential part of your kitchen furniture. If you lack cabinet or surface space, you might consider a freestanding kitchen island—our collection has styles to suit every aesthetic, from rustic to modern. As always, choose pieces you love individually, but balance them thoughtfully with other elements in the space.

Curating Dining Room Furniture with Seamless Style

One piece of style advice you'll hear time and again: layer textures and materials to bring dimension to your design. We love this rule because curating a beautiful home should feel personal—a reflection of your taste and your choices. Think of your dining furniture like an orchestra: each piece should offer a different note, but they all should work together in harmony. Matching your dining room table and chairs can create a tailored look, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Versatile dining furniture—varying in material, finish, shape, or design style—adds the kind of visual interest that makes a room feel considered, collected, and alive.

One alternative to a dining room set is to shop pieces from the same designer collection for elements that sit in conversation without feeling overly matched. In our exclusive collection by Eny Lee Parker, her Elle Dining Table and May Dining Chair make a perfect pair, matching each other in artful poise while offering a chic material mix that layers texture and tone into the room. Another option is to buy a matching dining room table and chairs, but offset the look with unique armchairs at either end of the table. 

For a more artful approach, create visual impact with a light-finished table, like our Rutherford Oval Dining Table, paired with dark chairs. You can even style an eclectic mix of chairs—the key here is to ensure that the chairs all share a common element, such as a mix of wicker chairs or chairs with different silhouettes but all in a similar finish. You can get away with more contrast at the heads of the table—something like upholstered dining chairs with more pared-down seating or a wooden dining bench on the side. 

No matter your approach, remember to be mindful of visual weight in the room. Larger objects with darker finishes have more visual weight, drawing the eye. A sideboard will be the largest piece of furniture beside your table, so make sure it balances out the room. 

You want to consider not only each piece itself but also how it is decorated—tabletop decor should tie your design together, not just sit on top of it. Table linens, dishes, and other decor are great for setting off the room. Consider how small touches, like a classic painting or even something as simple as an elevated pepper mill, can offer a subtle but meaningful contrast. When mixing styles, such as modern dining room furniture and antique elements, try to let one style be dominant and use the other as seasoning, so to speak. Of course, all rules are made to be broken, so follow your instinct in your own space but always stay mindful of the mix.

However you style it, your dining room furniture allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Whether you have a family nook and formal dining room or an all-purpose dining space, a well-appointed home should be ready for everything from intimate meals to shared occasions, furnished to serve as the heart of both. By selecting thoughtful furniture for your dining room, you can elevate the time you spend together there. 

Lulu and Georgia Dining Room Furniture

When you shop dining room furniture at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find dining furniture and dining room sets that complement the style of your home but also make it feel more elevated. You can choose from our wide selection of dining room furniture to find the perfect purchase, no matter what you're looking for. Check our dining room inspiration page for more ideas on styling an inviting table.