Delight at the Dinner Table: Our Surefire Guide to Buying a Dining Table Set

To be sure you and anyone else at the table have enough room to sit, allocate at least 60cm and ideally at least 75cm for each person, so measure the perimeter of your intended table and decide how many seats can fit. This will help determine the size of the seats that you can arrange around your table. Seat height is also an important consideration—select a chair with a seat height (the measurement from the top of the seat down to the floor) about 25-30cm shorter than your intended table height to give plenty of legroom.

Chair shape

When it comes to the way you style your dining table with its chairs, the possibilities are endless. You can go for a uniform look, with all of the chairs exactly the same, or go eclectic with an array of designs. Many rectangular tables utilise two sets of chairs, with armrest chairs at the heads of the table (armrests can be great for people with back or mobility issues) and another style along the sides.

If you’re looking to maximise your space you may also consider a bench—it’s perfect to squeeze in a few extra people along a tableside, and when not in use it looks equally appealing situated along the wall or pushed under the table. A bench can also be a good additional seating option for an extendable table in place of extra chairs that will have to be stored elsewhere when the table is not extended.

Chair construction

Like tables, chairs can come in a variety of materials. If you’re choosing the same material as your table (i.e. metal table and metal chairs or wood table and wood chairs), make sure that the colours and finishes match or complement each other. Contrasting materials can also merge styles or create a transitional look. Metal chairs modernise a space, while wooden chairs are great for a traditional aesthetic.

You can add cushions to most chairs for more comfort, or opt for upholstery to bring ultimate luxe and cushiness. These will of course require more care and maintenance than plain chairs, but upholstery is a great opportunity to add a pop of colour or pattern, and also bring plenty of comfort to mealtimes.

If you plan to use a bench as primary or additional seating, or you’re placing your dining set in the kitchen near an island or counter where you want to include barstool seating, make sure that you look for a range that includes both, or choose chairs that will easily fit in with each other.

Back to top

At the Store

When you’re at the store to buy your new table and chairs, you can’t exactly sit down to have a meal to test them out, but there are a few things you can do to ensure the new furniture you choose is right for you. First, if you’re not buying a table and chairs from the same range, make sure that they look good together. At Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets, we have in-store interior designers who would be happy to help you find chairs that will complement your chosen table, but if you prefer to do your own thing, don’t just look at your table and chairs individually—get them together and see how they look as a set.

Use the floor models to help judge the quality of your chosen pieces. Look for scratches and gouges—a hard-wearing table that can withstand being knocked around in a warehouse and by the general public is a table that can stand up to daily at-home use. Rock the backrest of the chair back and forth to make sure it is sturdily attached to the seat, and do the same for the table and its legs. You can even check under the table to make sure that the joinery connections are strong.

Finally, sit down. Don’t immediately jump back up; take a few minutes and make sure the chair is comfortable. Scoot close to the table and see if you have enough legroom. Forget your manners and rest your elbows on the table. Imagine you are sitting down to a meal with your loved ones. Is this the table you see yourself sitting at, with a comfy chair to sit on? Congratulations, you’ve found your perfect dining set, ready to make memories.

Back to top