We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From an eat-in breakfast nook to a formal dining room that plays host to shared meals, your dining space is often the heart of your home. The dining table, most of all, defines how we live in and use that space—from simple breakfasts thoroughly enjoyed to holidays and shared occasions. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection has timeless and modern dining tables to anchor your space and set the stage for memorable meals.
Not sure what style or design best fits your home as you shop dining tables? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best piece to buy for your kitchen or dining room.
Dining Table Fit Check: Finding the Perfect Size and Shape for Your Space
Dining room tables don’t just hold a central place in our dining room; they hold a central place in our home and shared daily rituals. It’s the one piece of furniture in the house that gets an epithet—the family table.
When shopping dining tables, a good starting point is size. We want to ensure the family table fits the family—and 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’ but ideally closer to 3’ on all sides to move comfortably around the table. At the table itself, you need about 2’ per person—for example, a 7’ (or 84”) rectangular table can fit six people with two on each side and one on each end.
Whether it’s a large dining table with a spot for every cousin at Thanksgiving or a small dining table for intimate weekend brunches, the shape will also play an essential role in how the table looks, feels, and works in the room. The most common shapes are rectangular or round dining tables.
Rectangular tables can vary in length from small square tables to generously proportioned 120” designs with space for 14. Most dedicated dining rooms are laid out to accommodate a rectangular table. This is also the best shape to accommodate the most seating in an open-plan space. For a more dynamic area, you might consider an extendable dining table—table space when you want it and open space when you don’t.
If you only have room for a small dining table, a round shape can offer more space efficiency. Round shapes also make great kitchen tables because there are no hard corners to bump against as people move around. If you are looking for an extended profile without the corners, you might consider an oval dining table—soft impact, with plenty of space to gather. One note: unlike round tables, oval dining tables are not space-efficient; they still require a large footprint for ease of movement in the room.
If you’re having difficulty picturing the table in place, get out some painter’s tape and mark out its footprint on the floor for easy visualization. As you start to figure out what size and shape of table you’re looking for, you can start thinking about design grammar, materiality, and finish—in short, your style.
Dining Defined: Which Style of Dining Table Is Right For You?
A table may be a simple thing, but there are entire books dedicated to the language and styles of dining tables according to their silhouettes, joinery, and detailing. It can be overwhelming, but a good place to start is to think in broader categories—from there, you can drill down and explore more styles.
Rustic/Industrial Dining Tables
Rustic and industrial tables can offer a robust anchor piece to gather around—whether for a feast or projects and homework. We especially love rustic or industrial styles for a large dining table in an open-plan layout or grand space. A farmhouse classic like the Kinburn Dining Table Is the perfect all-purpose table for a dining space that serves as the heart of the home.
Traditional Dining Tables
Traditional tables are typically made of wood, often with rich or darker finishes. You will find details like turned legs and even carved or shaped table aprons (the part of the frame that runs between the legs, connecting the tabletop and concealing any hardware—as on an extendable dining table). Traditional tables are an obvious choice for tailored, timeless spaces, but they can also provide a strong point of contrast in a more eclectic curation—especially in a modern black finish.
Though it’s most likely a fabricated fact—interior design lore has it that in the prim proper Victorian era, tablecloths had to extend to the floor because the shape of the turned legs was thought too provocative for public viewing—no ankle showing, even on tables.
Minimalist Dining Tables
Whether it’s a Scandi-style dining table with a pared-down silhouette and light wood finish or something mid-century modern with clean lines and warm tones, minimalist tables are a great way to ground a space. A round dining table with a minimalist design is perfect for a kitchen table or intimate dining room. Something like our Mojave Round Dining Table can be dressed up or dressed down, letting your food and decor bring the color to the table.
Modern Dining Tables
There is quite a bit of overlap between modernist and minimalist design but we wanted to give space to those sculptural statement makers that bring an artful edge to the room. One trend we’re loving is using fiber cement or concrete to make monolithic but exciting forms you can place indoors or out. Or you can opt for a classic material like oak in a bold new shape—as in our chic-eating Lowen Dining Table.
Place and Setting: How to Style A Modern Dining Table
That only leaves one very big question: how to style your dining room table. The truth is, you’re the expert on your own space and tastes. If you’re starting from the table, you want to mix and match other elements to balance the room visually (larger elements with darker finishes carry more visual weight). You’ll especially want to consider how the dining table sits with other large elements, such as a sideboard. Check out our style guide on How to Pair Dining Tables and Chairs for more tips on picking and pairing your dining set.
When it comes to setting the tabletop itself, let it be a constant curation. Don’t be afraid to find and swap out elements as seasons and tastes change. From dinnerware to table linens, setting the table is a delicate art specific to the company and occasion. We have everything you need to bring your dream to the table. Don’t forget to check our curated collection of dining room rugs to find a stylish and practical foundation to set off your table as the centerpiece of the room.
However you style it, your dining table allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. From a breakfast nook to a formal dining room, your table will serve as the centerpiece of this essential, intimate, and social space in your home. By choosing and styling a dining table you love, you can elevate one of our most basic shared rituals—with taste.
Lulu and Georgia Dining Tables
When you shop dining room furniture at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find pieces that complement the style of your home but also make it feel more elevated. You can choose from our wide selection 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.
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