Buying tables: Guide to the perfect table – Dining room, living room & Co.

Even with something as simple as tables, it is sometimes not easy to make the right choice. For this reason, we have taken care to compile a list for you that will help you find a quality table that meets your needs. For this, however, you also need to think about analyzing what you want and need.

What weight should the table have, for example? If you have to move it frequently, it can be advantageous to use a lighter material variant.

Checklist: What a table should have – Sturdy table legs and resilient tabletop

For both the top and the table legs, there are different options open to you. A little further down we look at the advantages and disadvantages of different materials.

Before that, we’ll give you a few points that are important to consider when buying your new table:

• Dimensions
• Price
• Mounting
• Load weight

Table tops: Perfect material for dining tables, desks and more

The right material is key when it comes to choosing the perfect table. After all, you want to avoid spending hours wiping the table to finally get it streak-free. Or even moving the heavy table regularly and risking scratches in the floor is just no fun. That’s why we’ll tell you what to look out for in the different materials.

Solid wood table: robust and easy to clean, with wooden or metal table legs

Solid wood furniture is of extremely high quality and requires regular care to maintain its condition for as long as possible. However, regular does not mean intensive at the same time. Applying a furniture care product in the form of an oil from time to time, for example, can already be enough to keep the piece of furniture in good shape and make the material permanently durable. Oils can penetrate into the wood fibres and make them supple on the one hand, on the other hand it increases the water resistance of the wood.

Glass table: cool elegance with transparent table top

Glass tops on tables are often considered particularly modern and sleek. While the optical aspects are of course not to be dismissed out of hand, a glass table can unfortunately also be very exhausting, if stains and even fingerprints are immediately recognizable on the smooth material and stand out unflatteringly. A regular cleaning is accordingly a basic requirement if one decides for this type of table.

Wood veneer: low-cost, lightweight solution for tables to match any decor

Another option is wood veneer. This is simply a thin layer of wood that is often applied to low quality wood and chipboard to enhance their appearance. For this reason, wood veneer table tops are cheaper to produce and the end products are often lighter than solid wood.

Unfortunately, veneer can have the problem of becoming detached from the base material in the long term. For this reason, this material solution is not recommended unless it is an extremely high-quality product.

Stone: Table tops made of marble and co. – heavy, but durable

A slab of stone is an extremely noble option to enhance any room, because the material is robust and there are particularly valuable types of stone such as marble, which in their own way have a positive impact on the room and are also very simple to clean. However, you should be aware that high-quality minerals such as marble do not like to come into contact with harsh cleaning agents.

Table Types: What are the types of tables? Desk, coffee table & more

Tables may be missing in actually no one at home. Of course, you’re still inundated with options when you’re searching. For this reason, we have thought for you about what you should look for when you buy your tables for different purposes. For example, what should a desk have so you can work on it for as long as possible without getting back pain, and how big should a dining table be so there’s enough room for you and your family? We have found out for you.

Dining table: Table in dining room or kitchen – Small, large or extendable? Individual sizes possible

An invitation to a fancy dinner not only makes an impression on colleagues, but also allows you to have a nice evening with your friends or to finally get together with your family again. For this purpose, you need the right table. Preferably large and elegant. But how much space do you have available? Do you want to give the living room table a lot of space permanently? Otherwise, it makes sense to look for an extendable option that gives you a little more space in everyday life.

Desk: Tables made to measure from solid wood, glass and more – For office or children’s room

Long days at the office desk can be nerve-wracking anyway, but it gets even worse when the desk simply isn’t customized to your needs. Many people turn to custom office desks for this very reason, but is it even worth the financial outlay? We say yes, because if there are two things you should value and are always worth an investment, it’s beds and desks. It came down to spending more time in them and they contribute significantly to our well-being. Here are a few reasons that will hopefully help convince you to get a custom desk:

• Perfect height adjustment / height adjustability
• Ideal fit for your office
• Cable outputs as you need them
• Individual material
• Adaptation to your wishes

Coffee table / side table: round table on wheels or rather solid with marble? Storage space for every room

Of course, in the case of coffee tables, functionality should also not be disregarded, but here it is much more about bringing another visual aspect into the living environment. So instead of opting for a plain table, it’s worth giving some thought to more striking models. Marble looks particularly good in a modern living environment and especially coffee tables in gold look can look exceedingly elegant when combined with a plain couch.

Bedside table: Perfect for bedside lamps, books or bedroom beauty essentials by the bedside.

Do you like to lie in bed at night and read a relaxing book before turning out the lights? The worst thing is realizing that you have to get up again to turn off the light. This situation can be easily avoided with the right nightstand and matching lamp. Moreover, the tables provide storage space next to the bed for skin care, books and more. In addition, decorations can be placed here to enhance the room, we’ll tell you later how to do that.

Top 4 brands for exclusive tables, other furniture & furnishings – Suppliers

The right brand is the key to finding the right table for all your needs. We have already dealt with the assortments of various brands to give you an easier overview in the jungle of interior design labels. That’s why we’re presenting you with our exclusive favourites when it comes to tables. From simple, minimalist models to mid-century classics, there really is something for everyone!

Boca do Lobo: modern Portuguese design

The label promises handmade furniture of the highest quality. In addition to the high-quality sofas, the brand produces unique couch and dining tables that should not be missing in any home. The designs positively catch the eye and allow for a unique living experience without compromise. In addition, you are offered a wide selection of other designer furniture that is perfect for enhancing your living landscape. Classic manufacturing techniques interpreted in a modern way, you will find here:

• Boca do Lobo

Fendi: more than just luxury bags

The leather goods label from Italy has also been producing high-quality furniture in Italy since 1988. During this time the brand was able to optimize its craftsmanship, so that Fendi Casa is one of the absolute professionals when it comes to luxury interiors. Of course, leather goods are the expertise of the brand, but also coffee tables and office tables find their place. So if you are looking for an elegant, high-quality table solution for the living room and office, you should take a look here:

• Fendi Casa

Minotti: Tables with Italian charm

Here, too, you will find tables that will stand the test of time. Not only the design is timeless, also the quality contributes to the longevity of the tables, because Minotti only uses high-quality woods, metals and stones. Good taste is not a question here. Because each piece is a specially created masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. If this sounds like a brand for you, then browse the range and our recommendations of simple furniture:

• Minotti

Essential Home: only the most important in Mid-Century style

Mid-century is an interior design style that combines the heyday of practical furniture design with architectural and artistic roots to create unique interiors. We’re particularly taken with the tables from Essential Home, which is why we want to share them with you. You can read more about the luxury furniture from the master manufactory here:

• Essential Home

Tip. Here you can find our guide with more than 30 trendy brands for furnishing in the luxury segment.

Table decoration: ideas and inspirations for your table decoration

Tablescapes are a very unique part of interior design and are extremely important in home staging as well as for private purposes, because the appearance of the table can have a significant influence on the feeling that the room conveys.

You don’t believe that? Just do the test yourself. Look at some pictures with tables and think about where you see the table. Empty, barely decorated tables often give the feeling of cafes or even conference rooms, but definitely not home or living spaces. It’s up to you in your home to decide what feeling you want to convey. We help you to make your guests and yourself feel really good in your home.

Fancy some more? On our Pinterest profile we present you a lot of home ideas. Take a look!

Basic concepts: simple rules for perfect room design – whether dining room or living room

Before we go into more detail about table design, we would like to share with you a few simple interior design rules that will not only take your table decor to the next level, but are generally applied in interior decorating to keep it chic and elegant.

We call the first design concept the golden triad. The number three is always a reference point for aesthetics in art and design. In painting, for example, the golden ratio refers to the division of a picture. In interior design and decoration, it is also used to arrange objects in groups of three.

Certain styles break this rule, for example maximalism. In these special cases, one nevertheless assumes that odd numbers are more exciting to the eye. In minimalism, the rule of three is simply broken down a bit. Instead of a plant in a pot or a vase and two books or a book and a candle, one considers the plant and the vase separately. Add a discreet coaster and the minimal decoration is ready.

Another design concept is contrasts. These can be achieved in different forms. On the one hand, contrasts occur naturally in the form of colours, when light tones are paired with dark ones, or two contrasting colours are used. You can also achieve this contrast through textures, by pairing smooth and matte surfaces. Contrasts that are not necessarily recommended are contrasts in shape from the base versus the decorative objects. So, if you want to place a round candle on a square table, it is recommended to place a square tray or a decorative book underneath it beforehand to join the individual pieces together.

Interior design rules that can enhance any space:

• Golden Triad: drape objects in groups of three
• Maximalsimus / Minimalism -> own form of furnishing with individual rules
• Contrasts (colors, textures)
• Contrasts in form require special staging

Decorate glass table: elegantly use possibilities – plants, candles and chrome elements.

Minimalist decoration is especially recommended for glass tables, because this type of table already radiates a restrained elegance. Plants and candles are highly recommended here. Especially if there is a storage area under the table, this should also be considered as a decorative surface. This means concretely that the rules explained at the beginning should also be applied here.

Decorate bedside table: calm decoration for relaxation – candles and cozy colors.

The bedroom is a very special place in terms of interior design, because especially here you want to be surrounded by as little clutter as possible. The focus is on calm and practicality. For example, a lamp, an alarm clock and a water carafe are optimal objects for the nightstand. Other things can be relegated to the drawers that your nightstand should come with. Also nice are two decorative books with a candle or plant on them.

Dining Table Decorating: Tableware, china, placemats, flowers or even centerpieces.

As is often the case, your table decoration is a matter of taste. Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should consider and also different options for your personal table design.

On the one hand, of course, you want to keep your table permanently set. However, you should be aware that dishes and plates quickly get dusty. So if you like set tables, you also have to be prepared to re-set the table or wash up before eating.

In addition, it is important to think about how the table decoration harmonizes with the lighting. If you’ve already decided on a striking, low-hanging lamp, the rest of the decoration may not need to be quite so expansive.

Coffee table decorating: Books and trays for a homely feel

Enhancing a sofa set is especially successful with a well-decorated coffee table. The limited space should be used optimally in order not to restrict the functionality and at the same time to bring looseness and style into your room. You can create structure on your coffee table with the help of trays, on which you can then arrange the decoration. Alternatively, books can help you to create different levels and thus bring interesting aspects to the table decoration. Plants, which bring a piece of nature into the interior, are also particularly beautiful here.

Dining Room Furnishings: Benches, chests of drawers and chairs

If you’re lucky enough to have your dining area in a separate room, it’s best to place your dining table in the middle of the room. You should use all the space available! A display cabinet can hold all of your decorative objects.

Storage space is also needed in the dining room: With a low chest of drawers you have a place for dishes and other things and still have a clear view of the wall, where you can hang pictures, for example. Alternatively, you can also use a sideboard. You can be very flexible with a serving trolley. Shelves on the wall offer you the possibility to place the right utensils.

Tip! Popular and luxurious interior brands and furniture are presented here: Interior Brands XXL!

Dining room favourite: bench – classic and space miracle

Whether the classic model or a corner bench. Benches enjoy great popularity in the dining room. With or without backrests, these can be placed anywhere and can be spruced up with cushions. The seats can often be folded up and have an empty space that can be wonderfully used to store items.

Chairs: wicker, plastic or upholstered? Countless possibilities

The chairs in a dining room not only influence the look and atmosphere of a dining room to a large extent, but they also have a very practical purpose: seating comfort. So the motto “form follows function” is not too easy to follow in this case. When choosing chairs for your dining room, you should first and foremost have the plan of the “big picture” in mind, i.e. how you want your dining room to look in the end. It doesn’t matter if you want it to be charmingly colourful or if the dining table, decorations and chairs should match exactly – there are no limits to your creativity. However, you should never choose chairs only for their appearance, but also for their comfort, because no one likes to sit on an uncomfortable chair.

Materials: Indoor and outdoor – wood, marble, plastic, glass & co.

Wood is probably the most popular material in the dining room. In various surface designs, it convinces with its warm appearance and pleasant feel. Other materials that would be a popular choice for your dining room are chrome or plastic. Plastic is particularly well suited for outdoor use. Chairs made of plastic are a good choice for the garden or the terrace due to their high weather resistance.

Flooring: Tiles – floor and wall in different patterns

With their high resistance, tiles are ideal for withstanding the stresses of everyday life. They blend in perfectly with the décor of the dining room. Floor tiles or wall tiles? Or both? How do you want to furnish your dining room? Easy to clean, the tiles do not require time-consuming maintenance.

Tile types: Optics, material & Co.

Whether wood decor or stone look, different types of tiles are waiting to be discovered by you. Wall tiles can be applied as colour gradients or murals. The size of the room should not be ignored when choosing the tiles. While large rooms can also be wonderfully equipped with dark tiles, small rooms are best set in scene with light tiles.

Lighting: Lamps for the right light

To ensure that you have everything in view in the dining room and can admire your food in the right light, the dining area should always be well lit. A pendant lamp that also functions as a ceiling light should be mounted directly above the dining table. The best solution is to choose a height-adjustable lamp.

It becomes particularly noble with a chandelier. Large rooms can be decorated by this and give this a royal ambience. Dark corners in the dining room are best illuminated by floor lamps with warm light.

If you have integrated the dining area into the living room or kitchen, make sure you have dedicated lighting for it. Dedicated lighting makes the area look inviting and the table can also be used for other activities.

Colours and wall design: red, blue or green?

Red, orange, blue – the right choice of colour is also of enormous importance in the dining room. Red is a particularly popular choice when it comes to the wall design of your dining room. The color of passion and pleasure has an appetizing effect and thus promises a particularly delicious taste experience.

Have you ever paid attention to this? A lot of the restaurants are painted in red. Red is not only a feast for the eyes, it is also supposed to make the food taste better. You should counter the exciting and stimulating color with calm elements. An example of this would be plain seat cushions in white, grey, black or silver.

The classic interior design is the red salon. Inspired by the baroque style, the deep red and berry-coloured walls are complemented by flowers, curtains, paintings and mirrors. Velvet, damask or crystal are particularly popular due to their unique texture and feel. Those who prefer something lighter but still strong should opt for a radiant orange.

Appetite suppressant and fresh tones – effect of blue and green in the dining room

Blue and purple, on the other hand, have an appetite suppressing effect. Dark blue gives your dining room a dramatic and glamorous look. This look can be accentuated with velvet upholstery, silver and candles. The whole thing is harmonized by light wood furniture and bring a modern contrast.

Fresh and natural, you get this look with green tones. While yellowish green tones have a vitalizing effect, bluish tones appear balancing. Dining in this dining room can become a picnic in your own 4 walls. The green walls can be combined with wooden furniture and accessories in muted or more striking colours such as orange or red.

If your dining area is in the same room as the living room or kitchen, you can separate this area by colour. The harmony should be taken into account here: this depends on the cut of the room and the lighting.

Our tip: The less natural light falls into the room, the lighter the wall colour should be.

Decoration: Setting highlights – With flowers, candles and more

To make the dining room your ultimate feel-good area, it’s important not to forget the right decorations. The accessories and decoration is an area that you should design according to your individual taste. Murals, photos, vases and bowls will complete the look of your dining area.

Nevertheless, the rule also applies here: More is not always more. Even if decoration has a soothing effect, it can also quickly make your dining room look cluttered.

Do you still have precious heirlooms from your family at home? Then showcase them in the dining room! In showcases, antique pieces can be placed clearly visible and become a real highlight.

Table decoration: candles, flowers or Christmas decoration

The heart of the dining room is the table. When eating, the rule is: The eye eats with you! Accordingly, the right tablecloth can also sweeten the meal. Linen and damask are particularly popular materials when it comes to the tablecloth. For everyday use, table coverings made of cotton can embellish the table. Floral decor in all sorts of colors will add a festive touch to your menu. Candlesticks will make your room homely. Round off your decor with a tray. Various decorative items will find their place here.

Seasonal decorations such as Christmas market or Easter decorations are particularly popular. Advent wreaths at Christmas time and colourful eggs at Easter time.

Carpets: functional decoration under your feet

A carpet serves not only as a soft base for the feet, but also as a beautiful decorative element. It makes the room appear warmer and can act wonderfully as a splash of colour. However, especially in the dining room, an easy-care carpet should be purchased, which is easy to clean. Crumbs, stains and food residue should be easy to remove. Along the way, this can also act as a sound barrier: Noises caused by moving chairs are dampened by the fabric.

Tips for small dining rooms: space-saving, but stylish!

Especially the owners of small dining rooms or people who only use a small niche in the apartment as a dining area are faced with a challenge when it comes to skilfully setting the scene in this area. Which furniture and accessories should you go for and what should you do without? We now present the ideal solutions for the feel-good factor at the dining table.

Rectangular tables to fold out for several people

The dining table is usually the central point of the dining room, so it should be chosen wisely. To make the room look bigger, you should choose light materials. Oak, beech or pine are the best examples. Glass tables seem weightless and spacious. Rectangular tables take up as little space as possible, while round and oval tables take up much more space. Fold-out tables can be folded up again if required.

As a rule, a table for 2 people should be 80cm long, for 4 people 120cm and for 6 people 180cm. The table should always be placed with one side against the wall, 20cm space should be left between this and the table. The long edge of the table should always be parallel to the long side of the room.

Chairs or bench? This is how you save space!

Dining room chairs should be flexible and efficient. How about an upholstered bench, compact stools or high-quality folding chairs? Another alternative are filigree chairs without backrests with slim legs and an open back. Chairs based on this design look as if they disappear into the room.

Add light to your dining room: Corner lights, ceiling lamps and more

The more light that falls into the room, the larger the room appears. To create as much light as possible, you should proceed according to the following lighting concept: First, you should provide direct area lighting, perfect would be a pendant light above the dining table. The next step would be a matching ceiling light. Accent lighting such as corner lights will round out the lighting concept of the room. The light should be chosen in a warm white.

Bright colors and contrasts for optical magnification

How do you make a room look bigger? The answer: with bright colors! Rustic and cosy? You can achieve this style with yellow or orange tones. Another tip to give the room optical width are mirrors. A framed mirror behind the dining table breaks up the colour scheme, the refracted light makes the room look more open and brighter.

But also light-dark contrasts are best suited for a small dining room. Light walls with dark furniture can become a real highlight in the apartment. Delicate pastel shades such as pastel yellow or a soft orange set dark furniture wonderfully in scene.

Monochrome floor coverings: Carpet, tiles and co.

The flooring of a small room should ideally be plain. Large short pile carpets form an even base. If plain colours are too boring for you, you can also resort to small patterns, such as a fish or mosaic parquet.