Selecting a new dining table is indeed often much easier then other major furnishings, yet there are still a few factors to consider to ensure you make a good choice.
1. Size
The first thing to consider is how big it needs to be to cater for the number of people who will be regularly using it. Consider how many people sit at it at once, then, if possible allow for two extra seats for guests. Up to a 4 seater could be perfect for a small apartment, and for a family you might like to go up to a 6 or 8 seater. Also consider how much space you will need for food or decorations on the table, if your family like to place large platters in the centre of the table for serving, a square or round table could cater to this nicely.
Also, very importantly, the size of the room, the table you select will obviously need to fit into the room, and have enough space around it for people to get in and out of their chairs, and move around. You should allow roughly 50cm around the table for a person seated in the chair, and an additional 40cm or more behind that to allow people to get in and out of their chairs and move around the table. A good way of working out the best size for your room is to measure it out on the floor with masking tape or tea towels, mark out the dimensions you would like for the new table then check there is enough room to move around it.
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