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Need help w/ choosing a new kitchen table

16 years ago

Hey, everyone! We are in the process of redoing our flooring and are going to be selling our current kitchen table. I like it a lot, but it doesn't suit our needs anymore as a family. Our youngest is no longer in a high chair, so we need to seat a family of five now and there are only the four chairs.

I think I'd like something with a dining bench on one side and maybe four chairs. Or two benches and two chairs? Does anyone have a dining table with benches? I am unsure of what my style is as well. Most of the current furniture we own was made by my dh. I don't think I want a black table again. Probably something in a warm wood tone. Has anyone seen anything like this anywhere?? Any suggestions? Should I do with a trestle or something farmhouse style? I am at a loss and could use your help!

Here are a couple of photos of what's currently going on downstairs so you can see what we're working with....

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Comments (9)

deltabreeze
16 years ago
We have an oval kitchen table with a bench on one side and chairs around the rest. Benches without backs can be handy when kids are small (you can squeeze a lot of kids onto benches and benches take up less space). Few adults, however, seem to want to sit on the bench for very long.

Also, although there are some benches made to work with round tables, most benches are used with rectangle or oval tables. I like a round shaped table in your kitchen.
mlraff53
16 years ago
Have you thought about just a bigger round table. We have a very similar layout and we have a 54" round table. For daily use it's only four chairs but I can fit up to 8-10. 6 fit very comfortably.
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Hmmm...I see what everyone's saying about a more substantial table. I think my kitchen can "take it", but I was envisioning more of a less is more type of table hence the choice I pointed out. I also don't want the thicker pedestal because I have this pet peeve from growing up, we had a glass dining table with a thickish pedestal and I'm a legs-crossed kind of eater, and I hated that my legs would bump as I was propping them up. So I want the pedestal to be as minimal as possible. Positano - I expecially love your choice. And Kelleg, very good thought as I was all set to get the harvest table. But it just felt a tad too casual for the room and the chairs. And again, I can just see myself banging my toes on those thick pedestal legs. A couple of reasons - So as not to block the view through the window which RMkitchen pointed out, not to block the view between the kitchen and adjoining family room, and because I just generally want the eating area to be a daintier/less obtrusive space. That's why we're doing a 48" round and only 4 chairs. We don't plan on having more than 2 kids, and when we entertain small or medium sized groups we'll either do a sit-down dinner in the dining room, or appetizer type stuff that we can munch on around the island. I see us mainly doing a lot of informal entertaining, and for more family gatherings we'd definitely do it in the dining room. So...I'm intrigued by tulip table idea. Rm brought it up, and someone else in another post who I can't remember. This one has a black marble top with a brushed chrome base, I like the base but would do a different top: This one is the standard white tulip table which I actually happen to love. Do you think they would work with the chairs?
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oceanna
16 years ago
Your current table is lovely. But it doesn't have leaves? I'd suggest something like it but with a leaf or two. Delta put it well -- kids are fine on benches but we adults steer away from them given a choice.
california_dreamer
16 years ago
I also think a bigger round table would look nice in your space.
I'm planning to get a rectangular table with an upholstered bench in our kitchen area. But the bench will be up against the wall (like a banquette). In your room it seems the bench would be floating in the middle of the space. I think in that situation chairs would just be better.
If you do decide to go with bench seating I would try to find a trestle or a pedestal table. It makes access to the bench easier.
Good luck with your decision!
Sueb20
16 years ago
Our dining table has a bench (with a back) on one side and 4 chairs (one of which is missing in this pic!).
User
16 years ago
If you use a bench it should have a back---I don't see why children should be less comfortable than adults. An oval table and two more chairs would do the trick, and I like your current black for the table.
michelle_phxaz
16 years ago
I think that a dining table should have comfortable chairs. Benches are the worst! No back support, you are sharing with other people so you can't pull the chair to your comfortable distance from the table. PLEASE consider a set with comfortable chairs, or purchase them separately. Many furniture stores sell them chairs separate from the table, find a table you like and then find chairs that go with it. Make sure there is room for the chairs under the table if the table has a drop underneath. Dining should be a comfortable experience, not a torture chamber, even if it is just for the kids!

I am with Kswl on every point, including the black for the color.
oceanna
16 years ago
Have you looked in our Kitchen and Dining Room threads and our Show Me Your Cottage Decor threads in our Gallery? There are tons of gorgeous pictures. It's like gettting a whole ton of magazines free.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gallery
Sueb20
16 years ago
Another note: why not keep the chairs and just get a new table? If you can't get the same chairs, get 2 new ones in the same black finish (we have some from LL Bean that I really like -- we use them with their farmhouse table).

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