Top 10 Tips When Buying Kitchen Tables

A dining table is an investment that lasts. Unlike some trend-focused furniture that will be replaced frequently, kitchen tables are likely to see daily use for years on end. That’s why it’s important to choose carefully and select the best table for your home.
Luckily, we’ve got 10 fantastic tips that will make buying the right dining table a breeze! Read on for our guide to extending kitchen tables, dining table styles, and more, and find the best tables for every kitchen. 

1. Start by measuring your space

When you’re situating a dining table in a dedicated dining room, you want to make sure that you don’t feel cramped when you’re sitting, with your chairs too close against the wall. However, in a kitchen, your mealtime space is likely a ‘zone’ in an open-plan area that combines food prep and eating sections into one. 

Although you will have a little more space to work with in an open-plan room like this, you’ll still want to make sure that your table is an appropriate size and not encroaching too much on your cooking space. Measure the dimensions of your mealtime zone to ensure a comfortable fit. 

2. Select a table size 

Once you know how much room you have to work with, you can choose the right size kitchen tables for your home. Don’t forget to give your table enough room between walls and furniture so that dining chairs or benches can be pushed out and allow people to sit down. 

The height of the table is also a consideration you’ll need to keep in mind, especially if you’re buying chairs separately rather than as part of a set. Make sure there is enough space between the seat and the underside of the tabletop so that you won’t bump your knees when seated. 

3. Decide on a shape

As in the dining room, shape is an important consideration for kitchen tables, although sometimes for different reasons. The right shape is needed to fit into the space you have available, but the style and function of your kitchen eating area will also help to inform your choice on the ideal shape for your table. 

If you are tucking your table away into a breakfast nook, then a circular table makes it easy to slide in and out of seating without the risk of banging your hip on a sharp corner. On the other hand, if the kitchen table will double as your child’s study space, then a rectangular or square option with a straight edge may be preferable. 

4. Consider extending options

Extending kitchen tables are a convenient option for setting up your mealtime space. If your family usually gathers for meals in a separate dining room and the kitchen is where you grab a quick bite on the go, then a large table isn’t necessarily the best pick. But there may be times when you need that extra surface space, so an extendable kitchen table offers the versatility you need. 

Hidden leaf, drop leaf, or butterfly leaf extensions are great options for kitchen tables because the leaves are stored underneath the table rather than separately, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of the extending panels when not in use. 

5. Choose the number of chairs

Another thing to think about when selecting a kitchen table is how many chairs you want it to accommodate. If you want to create a small, bistro-style setup with two chairs you will want a different style of table than  if you wanted to seat six or eight people. 

Bench style seating is another option for your kitchen, and naturally if you go this route you will want a table that is well-suited to a straight or corner style bench. 

6. Pick the legs or supports

A traditional kitchen table would tend to be one with four legs at the corners, but there are plenty of other support options to suit your home decor style. In a smaller space, consider a pedestal table so that you can fit more chairs around it without them colliding with the legs. 

An A-frame or X-frame table is another good option, creating a table that can support plenty of weight with ease, ideal if you’ll be loading it up not only with place settings but with appliances for food prep. 

7. Go for the right materials

Wooden kitchen tables are a timeless pick, and for good reason. Classic looks and durable construction make wood kitchen tables an appealing option for many homes. For a modern alternative, choose a painted wood table rather than one that shows off the natural grain. 

Glass and melamine are two other popular options for tables thanks to their durability. These low-maintenance materials are great for high-traffic areas like the kitchen because they are sturdy and easy to clean while still maintaining style.  

8. Ensure quality construction 

Your dining table is designed to last, and you can be certain that any tables you buy from Corcoran’s Furniture are made with superior materials and craftsmanship that will stand the test of time. But it’s also useful to know the hallmarks of high-quality pieces.Things to look out for when searching for high-quality tables would be the joinery, the construction, and the materials. 

Read more about buying investment-worthy furniture in our blog, and remember that your dining table is definitely a piece of furniture that’s worth investing in so you can enjoy daily, long-term use. 

9. Opt for your preferred style

All of the practical elements of kitchen tables are important, but don’t forget about style! If your home takes after a traditional cottage or farmhouse, then a classic table look will be perfect for your kitchen. On the other hand, if you love the sleek style of contemporary home decor, choose a modern dining table to match. 

Colours, materials, and other details can also contribute to the look of your table. Shop a wide variety of options on the Corcoran’s website or in our Kerry and Limerick stores and find the table that best suits your interior design style. 

10. Enjoy your ideal kitchen table

Now you know everything you need to know about picking the perfect kitchen table. Once you’ve chosen the best dining table for your home, you’ll be ready to enjoy mealtimes in style with your new table. 

Show us how you style your kitchen table! Do you pair it with place mats or table linens? Figurines or candleholders? Use #mycorcorans to share your pics on social media.