Searching for the perfect kitchen table for a busy, growing family can feel overwhelming. With so many options across different sizes, shapes, materials, and prices, how do you choose what will suit your family’s needs both now and years into the future?
We’ve assembled 10 essential tips to guide you through the process, from determining the right dimensions to selecting durable construction that will withstand heavy daily use. Read on for advice on finding a quality kitchen table that checks all the boxes for style, function, comfort and affordability.
Consider the Size You Need
Current and Future Family Size
One of the first decisions to make is choosing a size that fits both your current family as well as your family a few years down the line. While a small table might work fine now, you’ll want to make sure it provides sufficient space as kids grow bigger.
As a general rule of thumb, allow at least 24 inches per person for comfortable seating. A 36-inch round table can squeeze in four people but won’t leave much elbow room. For a family of four to six, a six-foot rectangular or 60-72 inch round table provides ample room.
If extended family visits frequently, size up accordingly. An eight foot farmhouse style table can easily add extra leaves to accommodate a holiday crowd.
Measure Your Space
Make sure you have enough space in your kitchen or dining area to fit the table size you have in mind without making the room feel overly cramped. Leave enough room for people to get in and out from chairs pushed back from the table.
In a small kitchen, consider uniqueness such as a narrow console table behind a couch or a compact round expandable table. Place settings can be exchanged for stools on one side to save space.
Select a Durable and Safe Material
Wood Surfaces
For families with active children, durable solid wood and engineered wood surfaces can withstand years of homework sessions, craft projects, and mealtimes. Both solid and engineered wood tables are made from real wood rather than particle board, ensuring exceptional resilience.
While solid wood comes from a single wood species, engineered wood consists of multiple layers of wood pressed together for stability. This makes engineered wood slightly more resistant to expanding and contracting. It holds up especially well against minor scratches and dings from everyday wear and tear.
Oak, maple, walnut, and cherry are all dense hardwoods prized for durability as well as rich, classic looks. Avoid softer woods like pine that show marks more easily.
Laminates and Metals
Kitchen tables with plastic laminate or enameled metal surfaces risk chipping, scratching, or losing their finish despite routine family use. Hot pots or bakeware could potentially melt or damage the surface. Round laminate table corners also pose a safety issue for little ones still gaining coordination.
If selecting a glass top table, make sure it sits atop a solid wood base and has rounded corners and edges all around for protection. Always supervise young children around any glass topped furniture.
Choose a Shape That Fits Your Room
Rectangular Tables
For most kitchen floor plans, oval or rectangular tables make great use of available space, with some flexibility to add leaves as needed. Bench seating on one side maximizes available chairs in a narrow area.
Formal dining rooms and large eat-in kitchens provide ample area to take advantage of the seating capacity of an 8 to 10 foot rectangular table. Section it off with a console table behind to zone spaces within an open concept first floor.
Round Tables
An intimate round table encourages easy conversation that engages everyone seated around it – ideal for smaller families. Positioning is more flexible since visibility and access remain the same from all sides. Smaller round tables also make great breakfast nooks or homework areas.
Larger families can look for expandable round tables with self-storing leaves to customize based on the headcount for any given meal. Round tables take up more overall floor space than rectangular to seat the same number of diners, however.
Check the Quality of Construction
Table Bases
High quality kitchen tablesdesigned for families feature solid wood or wrought iron bases for maximum stability. Whether constructed of four straight legs or an X-shaped trestle base, sturdy interlocking joinery prevents loosening over time even with rambunctious kids.
A single pedestal base takes up minimal floor space in compact rooms. Just be mindful of bench seating only on one side since the other chairs will have a pedestal leg obstruction to work around.
Table Tops
While the shape and style make a bold first impression, construction elements like thickness and framing have an equally important role in durability. Standard thickness is around 3/4″ to 1″, but heavier tops approaching 2 inches stand up better to everyday use and abuse over decades.
Reinforced edges prevent sagging, cracks, and warping that could otherwise occur down the road. Affixed aprons framing the top add sturdiness so the table won’t rattle or shift easily.
Opt for Family-Friendly Features
Scratch Protection
An easy way to minimize signs of wear and tear is by attaching self-stick protective pads underneath chair and table legs before use. They’ll shield against scuffs and scratches – from both kids and adults – that occur when scooting chairs in and out from the table.
Tablecloths can also preserve tabletops by absorbing some of the impact from spilled food, arts and craft supplies, and more that come with raising kids. Just be sure to choose a durable, easy-cleaning fabric.
Easy Cleaning
Spills and messes are inevitable around the family table. Opt for water-resistant finishes that easily wipe clean without staining or soaking into the grain. Tables coated with conversion varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane offer the best liquid protection.
Avoid seams, ridges, or detailing that could trap debris and require tedious detail cleaning later. Lifting out leaves for quick cleaning access provides added convenience. The option to remove chairs altogether makes regular sweeping and mopping a breeze too.
Choose Comfortable Seating
An often overlooked yet critical component alongside choosing the dining table itself is the seating. Chairs used several times daily, for extended homework, craft, game and conversation sessions must fully support adults and smaller children alike.
Quality wood dining chairs contoured for comfort may still need seat cushions for extra padding during lengthy dinners. For kids and shorter family members, cushion boosters eliminate straddling uncomfortably.
Stable, tip-proof kids chairs allow safe independent seating for little ones developing coordination. These feature shorter back heights for easier sitting and standing access. Removable, wipeable seat pad covers help manage messes too.
Define Your Design Style
While aiming for maximum durability and functionality, don’t forget about your personal decor style. The finishes, hardware, accents and accompanying light fixtures should tie your new table into the existing kitchen or dining room aesthetic.
Farmhouse plank-style tables include distinctive detailing like chamfered edges or turned legs. Contrasting two-tone finishes like gray stain over natural wood add modern flair. For a more sleek contemporary look, opt for streamlined tables without ornate carvings.
Wrought iron bases with scrolled shapes or ball feet lend antique world styling. Black steel frames have an industrial vibe, while brass offers vintage appeal. Integrate your kitchen color scheme through painted legs or chairs.
Measure Traffic Flow
When planning furniture layouts, allow for at least 36 inches of clearance around the table perimeter so seated diners, or those carrying food, can conveniently access their chairs.
Measure traffic paths from countertop work zones past the table to doorways or pantries to ensure at least 42 inches for maneuvering. Pushing chairs too far back could create bottlenecks. Try out the floorplan with chairs in place before making a purchase.
Set an Appropriate Budget
Quality solid wood kitchen tables start around $400 for a basic set with four chairs but more intricate carpentry and specialty wood species scale up from there. While the initial investment stings, you save money down the road not having to replace cheaper versions that deteriorate quickly.
If pricing solid wood pieces outside current budgets, unfinished wood tables offer similar stability and customization abilities at lower costs by foregoing the finishes and distressing. Or watch for quality secondhand pieces on resale sites.
When possible, visit furniture showrooms in person to assess comfort, stability, details and overall quality before making a decision. This allows opening drawers, adjusting leaves, sitting in various chairs and visually spot checking finishes.
If buying sight unseen online, thoroughly research return policies. Many retailers offer free or low-cost shipping returns if the piece doesn’t suit upon arrival at home. White glove delivery services will place items in your house but often charge exorbitant return or restocking fees.
Choosing a kitchen table involves multiple considerations so families can gather in comfort and style for decades of memories in the making. As long as you assess the essential elements like size, materials and construction suited to your family’s lifestyle, you’ll find a perfect fit for busy days ahead.
For added peace of mind, protective furniture pads prevent scuffing floors or walls behind the chairs. Durable, easy-clean finishes like polished concrete, quartz and stainless steel make family-friendly additions around the kitchen too. Open shelving provides quick access to frequently-used items. And comfortable, supportive seating remains key for lingering family conversations.
When it comes to choosing kitchen tables for everyday family life, opting for durable and resilient materials will ensure many years of lasting use. Scratch, stain and heat-resistant surfaces can withstand spills, crafts and homework sessions that happen around the table. Bases, frames and tops made from solid wood, manufactured wood composites or sturdy metals resist dents, wear and deformation over time.
Safety is also paramount when little ones are still developing coordination and gaining independence. Rounded corners eliminate sharp edges prone to painful bumps or cuts. Stable bases and quality locking joinery prevent wobbling or collapse. Centersupport legs, stretchers or aprons boost stability while smoothing potential tripping hazards flush beneath the tabletop.
Beyond practical concerns, today’s family-friendly tables also come in styles to match contemporary open concept spaces as well as traditional dining rooms. Mixing materials, contrasting finishes and varied shapes add modern flair. Built-in storage like drawers, cabinets and bins keep games or homework supplies at arm’s reach yet out of sight. Some even incorporate charging stations to power up phones or laptops during family gatherings.
Clever space-saving options like leaves, extensions or benches maximize seating capacity without sacrificing comfort. Compact console height tables behind couches double as casual dining with a smaller footprint. Expandable round tables grow along with your family’s needs over the years.
When it comes time to choose your kitchen table, focus first on durability suited to family life. Then infuse style, function and personality to create a gathering place matching your home’s charm for generations to come.
