Hello World! It seems like an obvious question. When asked what a dining table is for, the majority of us would automatically say that it’s where we eat our meals. But think about the daily life of the dining table in your home. Is it simply where you sit down for dinner or does it have other functions it may not have been designed for?
In most homes, there are few surface spaces as big as the dining table, and that means that it can be used for a large assortment of activities, many of them nothing to do with food at all.
For instance, if you’re someone who likes to do a lot of sewing, for any project of a reasonable size- such as making a pair of curtains, you’ll often need a large flat surface to work on. The dining table often makes the ideal place for an amateur seamstress to measure and cut out her material.
Another activity that often requires space is when the kids are feeling artsy-crafty. Whether you’re making decorations for Halloween or Christmas, or just having an afternoon of finger-painting, being able to throw a protective cloth over the dining table to create a big workspace makes life so much easier.
Most of us try to set the kids up with a desk in their bedroom so that they can get their homework done in peace. But quite often, that desk isn’t big enough for those times when they need some help. Again, the dining table can come into its own here – giving them and mom or dad a place to sit down with the kids and tackle those maths problems together.
And what about those times when you get out a favorite family board game like Monopoly or Pictionary? It might feel cozier to sit in the living room or den to play, but lots of games are too big for a coffee table, so it’s not always very practical. It’s often easier to set up to play on a bigger table and all sit around the board.
The best choice for your home
So, when it comes to replacing your new dining table, it’s worth thinking about how you use your table in your household. Would a traditional formal, fine wood dining table be able to withstand the knocks your family life is likely to give it or should you go for something a little more practical?
Many of the tables available today tick the box both in terms of style and practicality. And the choice available is huge – we’re not restricted to what the local furniture shop has to offer, thanks to online shopping. If you want a contemporary and modern look, then take a look at the range of tables at Vivendo.com, a site that specializes in Italian crafted furniture. If, on the other hand, your home is more country cottage in style, you might want to find a chunky pine table or one made from reclaimed timbers that’s more in keeping with the rest of your furnishings. Second-hand tables are definitely worth considering if you’re looking for something with that pre-loved feel to it.
Beyond the style of the table, think about the space that you have available for it. How many people do you need to seat at most meals? Would an extendable or folding table be better than one that is a fixed size? Again, it depends on whether your dining room is kept sacrosanct and only used for entertaining. In this case, you might choose a different size or shape table than you would for a multipurpose space.
For most households, a dining table is a purchase that you want to get right first time around as they’re generally an expensive item. Spending some time thinking about how you’ll be using it, and what kind of style most suits your home will increase the chances of getting exactly what you need. At the end of the day, whether you’re sitting down to share a meal or to break out a board game, this is going to be an often-used piece of furniture and you want to be really happy with your choice.
Thanks for popping in for a visit! Have a lovely day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles
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