How to choose a kitchen table

At first glance, the problem of choosing a kitchen table seems a little far-fetched and not worth close attention. Nevertheless, the more you think about it, the more clearly the true scale of the task ahead becomes clear.

the problem of choosing a table in the kitchen
You need to choose a table for the kitchen no less carefully than the rest of the furniture.

Since choosing a table for the kitchen is not easy - put the first thing that caught your eye in a furniture store near the refrigerator! Although, you can. Just do not be surprised later that no one except the cat really fits behind him, and the color somehow does not fit into the interior.

Kitchen furniture: features of choice

Kitchen furniture differs from that in the bedroom or living room in that it is most exposed to wear and tear - it stays in an aggressive environment almost all the time: moisture, greasy fumes, mechanical damage. Therefore, before buying anything for the kitchen, it is advisable to consider the following factors that determine what this furniture should be:

  • Effective area.
  • The material used.
  • The number of family members.
  • The nature of the operation of kitchen furniture.
  • Existing style and design.
choosing a table for the kitchen
When choosing a table, you should rely on several factors.

How to choose a kitchen table for your kitchen interior?

When choosing a table for the kitchen, practicality and ease of use should be put at the forefront. These two conditions should determine how successful a particular solution is.

So, a large table in a cramped room will clearly be out of place, as well as a tiny coffee table in a spacious loft kitchen. At the same time, it matters how comfortable it will be at it, how many people will fit at the table at the same time and how this can affect the convenience of cooking. Everything is important here!

the comfort of the kitchen table
First of all, you should consider comfort and practicality.

Design and style

Of course, a solid table knocked down from rough boards will perfectly fulfill its immediate functions. But how will it look in a baroque or neoclassical kitchen? Therefore, a good kitchen table should not only be strong, but also meet the requirements of aesthetics and style.

kitchen table design
The table should match the overall interior design.

So, for a small kitchen in a modern apartment, the best solution would be an ordinary rectangular or square wooden table.

In a larger kitchen, it can be oval or round, with a massive base.

table to fit the room
When choosing, you need to take into account the size of the room.

Recently, the hi-tech and studio styles are gaining more and more popularity. For rooms decorated in this way, you should consider the option of a sliding table-transformer or made in the format of the island.

island table
For some styles, an island-style table will work.

The size

Again, the size of the kitchen will primarily determine the size of the dining table. Variations are possible only in details, for example: a simple square table or the same, but folding.

In addition, before choosing a kitchen table for the interior of the kitchen, you should think about how many people will fit behind it, and who will constantly use it? The answer to these questions can be given by an understanding of how large the size will be needed.

kitchen table size
The size of the table depends on the size of the kitchen and on the number of people who fit behind it.

Important! The dimensions of the table should provide free movement next to it, as well as provide enough space and, in fact, the ability to move the chairs freely without interfering with anything.

space around the table
There must be free space around the table.

The form

There are three most common dining table shapes:

  1. Rectangular. Well suited for any room. As derivatives of this option, a square or rectangle with rounded edges is chosen.
  2. Round. Allows you to accommodate the maximum number of people at the same time.
  3. Oval. Not a bad solution that combines the advantages of the first two.

There are also so-called non-traditional forms, but they are used more in rooms with an original design style and are developed for a specific design.

A good table in the kitchen: the choice of material

Most dining tables are still made of wood. True, pure solid wood furniture is extremely rare.

natural wood kitchen table
Tables made from natural solid wood are quite rare.

As a rule, it is chipboard, MDF or their combinations. There are also manufacturing options using decorative veneer.

chipboard kitchen table
Basically, furniture is made from chipboard and their variations.

However, in connection with the growth of apartments with a non-standard layout, tables made of metal, stone or with a glass top appear more and more often. The latter option can be a reasonable compromise between practicality and novelty. Moreover, the glass used for the countertop is safe to use - you cannot cut yourself with it.

glass table for kitchen
Glass countertops have become popular lately.

Where is the best place to put the table?

It is known that the best place for a table is by the window. However, in most kitchens, this is not always feasible. Therefore, they usually proceed from considerations of rationality, installing against the wall, opposite the working area.

table by the window in the kitchen
The best place is by the window.

Nevertheless, if opportunities allow, in a large kitchen it makes sense to place the table in the center.

center table in the kitchen
If the kitchen is large, then the table can be placed in the center.

For medium-sized kitchens, it can also be placed in the center, but preferably made of glass - this will give the effect of visually increasing the space.

center glass table
A glass table will visually increase the space.

You can try to find an option in which the table will provide zoning. In this case, its placement depends on the availability of installed furniture and large household appliances.

Small kitchen table

Of course, it will not be difficult to purchase furniture for a spacious kitchen, since there are a great many options, while choosing a table for a small kitchen is always a problem. As a rule, the limiting factor is the small area of ​​the room.

Therefore, all solutions, one way or another, are reduced either to a compact square table, or to the option on one support, as well as to all kinds of solutions for transforming tables:

  • Reclining. Not a bad option, especially when placing the countertop by the window. Combined with reclining chair designs can be a great space saver.
  • Retractable. Usually located in or close to the work area. It varies only in the ways of implementation, since, in principle, all ideas have the same basis.
  • Combined. Actually, the working area is also used for eating.

A good table in the kitchen with your own hands: is it possible?

Of course, not everyone can make a high-quality piece of kitchen furniture on their own at the store sample level. Nevertheless, if a temporary solution is required, you can try to go this way. The most important thing to understand is that such a table should be as simple as possible, from the materials available, so that it is not difficult to make it using the tools available in every home.

DIY kitchen table
A simple-shaped table can be made with your own hands.

Tabletop material - chipboard or MDF board. The shape can be made both flat and with rounded edges. It is easier to process the end with melamine tape, although if possible, it is better to give preference to a PVC edge. Legs should be bought at a construction supermarket. Since they always come complete with the necessary fasteners, all that remains is to screw them to the tabletop.Basically, that's it!

DIY table construction
All parts for the table can be bought at the building supermarket.

What can be used instead of a table?

If the size of the kitchen is so small that even the most compact option does not fit, or the design and decoration of the room allows you to "play" with the decor, you can try such an unusual solution as choosing a kitchen table for the kitchen interior ... without a table. At first glance, it sounds pointless, however, such implementations exist.

bar counter in the kitchen
In some kitchens, the bar serves as a table.

For example, under certain circumstances, a mobile drawer for kitchen utensils, which, as a rule, stands under a bar counter or a cutting countertop, may well become a table. Moreover, if the kitchen is rarely used for its intended purpose, and also allows the size, you can change the coffee table to a pedestal table, where a vase of flowers will stand most of the time.

a curbstone instead of a table
Instead of a table, you can also use a cabinet for utensils.

The sides, in this version, are stylized chairs that are recessed under the table top and do not take up space. If necessary, such a solution can easily become a place for eating for two or three people.

Caring for a modern table

The best kitchen table is the one that does not break and retains its original appearance for a long time. For this to happen in reality, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules:

  1. It is imperative to protect varnished surfaces with an additional coating, at least a simple liner under the dishes. They also require frequent polishing.
  2. Chipboard countertops need careful handling of the ends, since moisture ingress leads to deformation of the edges.
  3. Do not install the table in close proximity to a radiator of the heating system or other heating devices.
  4. It is advisable to exclude prolonged exposure of furniture to direct sunlight.
kitchen table care
Kitchen furniture requires some personal care.

It turns out that the question of choosing kitchen furniture is really not that simple. This is partly due to the specifics of the premises, and partly to its size (not everyone has a large kitchen). Therefore, before choosing a table for the kitchen, it is worth considering all aspects of its use: who, when, at what time and for what?

You should go to the store only after making a balanced and well-considered decision. Otherwise, instead of getting rid of one problem, it is quite possible to get another.

Video: tips for choosing a kitchen table

Examples of the design of kitchen tables in the photo

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