Nothing brings a family together like the dining table. It’s where you celebrate holidays and birthdays, and share stories with your family at the end of a long day. So it’s important to bring your family together around the right table, choosing one that’s not only a great fit for your home — but for you and your family as well!

1) Budget

The first step to finding a dining table that suits you is to find one that suits your budget. This is not just a great way to make sure you’re not spending outside your means, but coming up with a budget will also help you navigate the hundreds of options for dining sets out there. Be realistic when setting your budget, and make sure you set aside any money for buffet tables or bar cabinets you need in your dining room.

2) Number of people

Did you just celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve at your house, only to discover that your dining set didn’t accommodate all of your guests comfortably? If you have regular, large gatherings at your house for the holidays, look for a dining set that will seat the number of guests you’re likely to have.

Consider an extendable table if the number of people who use your dining table on a regular basis is quite a bit smaller than the number you host for special occasions, so you can easily fold it up to save space when you don’t need it fully extended.

3) Shape

Lots of us probably think of rectangular shapes when we think of dining tables, but they also come in oval, round, and square shapes. Choosing the right shape depends on a number of factors, like the size and shape of your dining room and the number of people you need to seat.

It’s also important to choose a shape that will encourage conversation at those big holidays or dinner parties.

4) Style

Take stock of the style of the rest of your home before deciding on a style of dining table. If your house is full of traditional design elements and furniture, it probably doesn’t make sense to choose a super modern dining set. But whatever you choose, make sure you like the style and that it works within the rest of your space, including the colour and the shape of the chairs. You’ll also want to make sure you feel comfortable in the chairs.

5) Materials

Dining sets come in such a wide range of materials, so there’s something for every taste. If your style is more traditional, there are tons of options for wood dining sets that might fit into your space. More modern styles are usually made of metal or iron. Consider what kind of materials you think will work well in your home and with your lifestyle, including any fabrics on the seating.

Browse our selection of dining sets online, or visit one of our locations to see them for yourself!