So often, social gatherings revolve around food that it becomes a necessity to have a dining set that can accommodate the entire family or friend group. Socialising is made easier at a dining table–you can converse with everyone seated around it. Serving guests is also more convenient with the proper dining furniture, like buffet tables or tea carts.
Even if you don’t have company, having a designated space for dining can revitalise your eating experience. Nowadays, having dinner on the couch while you scroll on your phone or eating lunch on your desk while you work has become the norm. It’s time to transform where you eat at home and promote eating more mindfully.
Whether you want inspiring dining room ideas or you are ready to create a fantastic setting for memorable get-togethers and fun celebrations, check out our recommendations below.
How to Choose the Right Dining Furniture Pieces
Don’t know where to start with your transformation project? The right dining furniture pieces will depend on your needs. Here are some things you need to consider:
The space
Knowing the exact measurement of your dining space can help you avoid furniture mishaps. You need pieces that won’t take up the entire area but at the same time will not make the place look too sparse.
Number of guests
Will your entire clan be gathering in your home? Or will it just be a few friends who pop in during the weekend? Knowing how many people you expect to gather will help you determine the size of your dining set.
Serving type
How do you usually host your get-togethers? Do all of your guests bring a dish? Or do you have catered parties? If you usually have buffet-style lunches, it’s important to have a sideboard for your spread. Meanwhile, plated dishes can be served swiftly with trays or tea carts for intimate dinners.
Ambience
As much as the functionality of furniture is important, you can’t forget about the design. Something as simple as opting for cushioned chairs can contribute to a cosier space whereas a china cabinet may imbue formality.
Style
It’s up to you if you want to have a dining set that matches or if you prefer to purchase tables, chairs, and accessories separately to create an interesting yet cohesive look. Do you have a dining room separate from the rest of your house or a dining area that is part of an open-plan layout? Because with the latter, you need pieces that will complement the furniture in other areas of your home.
Must-Have Dining Furniture Pieces
Complete your dining room with the following key furniture pieces:
Dining Table
For most dining rooms, the pièce de résistance is the dining table. It’s the largest piece of furniture and can take up the majority of the space so it can be as grand as you want it to be. However, there’s also supremacy in simplicity.
The Fritz Hansen Essay™ CM21 Dining Table perfectly balances function and design. This understated table by Cecilie Manz is simple but comes with a twist to make it more interesting. More importantly, it is warm and inviting, just what you need to make guests gather around.
Chairs
What’s a dining table without its chairs? When it comes to seats, comfort is equally, if not more, important than aesthetics. Just think of the hours you’ll sit and talk while enjoying your meal. You wouldn’t want to sit on a chair that makes you awkwardly readjust yourself every few minutes.
There are dining chairs that can be satisfying to sit on and to look at, just like the Cassina 7 Fauteuil Tournant Swivel Dining Chair. This mid-century modern armchair by Charlotte Perriant made its debut in 1928. You don’t have to wonder why it remains popular even when it’s almost a century old. It has a padded seat and back for comfort; plus, it swivels for easy dining manoeuvrability.
Bar Cart
Entertain your guests promptly using a bar cart. This versatile piece of furniture can be used to deliver drinks and hors d'oeuvres or even double as a stationary coffee or tea station.
The Artek Tea Trolley lets you serve in style. It comes with two shelves so you can have more dishes and beverages onboard. This trolley also perfectly combines Japanese woodwork and the British tea culture, making it look more like a work of art than just a piece of furniture.
Sideboard
For fans of potluck, a sideboard is a necessity if you want to present everything your friends and family have brought. This dining furniture is also called a buffet table, and aptly so, because this is where you can put serving dishes if you plan on preparing a smörgåsbord.
With the Lema LT40 Sideboard you’ll have enough space for potluck or buffet platters. Plus, it also has storage underneath where you can keep extra plates, serveware, and other dining implements.
Serving Tray
If you are not ready to add larger furniture just yet, you can start with smaller items for your dining room. Beginning with a serving tray, this multi-purpose piece can be used to hold, carry, store, and display food. At the same time, it can add a pop of colour to your space.
Get an interesting and versatile one like the Vitra Tray Set. It comes with 3 different-sized trays in three harmonised colours. There’s no need to hide the set away when not in use, just stack the trays and it becomes a decorative accent to your dining area.
Key Dining Furniture Pieces Available at W.Atelier Singapore
Get contemporary dining furniture from renowned international brands only from W. Atelier Singapore. It doesn’t take a lot to transform your dining space, you just need to get the right pieces.
With the roster of designer furniture names carried by W. Atelier, you can focus on functional dining furniture without having to sacrifice aesthetics. Choose from the likes of Vitra, Fritz Hansen, Cassina, Lema, and Artek. Shop now!