1. Kitchen tables date back to Medieval times. Dining tables were constructed using four legs that were connected by stretchers. These dining tables extended in size with the use of draw-leaves so that large groups of people could eat at one table in a grand hall.
2. The first eating tables in Western culture were boards supported by trestles; these tables were put together and taken apart as needed. Next came dining and kitchen tables supported on single or double pedestals, with one or multiple leaves added for extended table space.
3. The table you select for your kitchen should be based on decor, family size, and room size. Allow 3 feet of extra space around the table for easy access to chairs.
4. Accentuate your kitchen table by placing the table on an area rug that complements both the shape of the eating area and the shape of the kitchen table. Add a simple chandelier and dimmer switch so the kitchen table can be used for anything from a romantic dinner to an arduous study session.
5. Mixed medias add an artistic flair to kitchen dining and individualize your dining space. Metal kitchen tables with glass tops work well in contemporary decors, while solid wood kitchen tables give the kitchen a more traditional look.
6. Select a kitchen table and chairs geared toward today's lifestyles, but make sure the set is able to conform with your future needs. Purchase extra leaves and two more chairs than what you currently need, giving yourself room to grow.
7. The flow of Chi within your kitchen is governed by the five elements of Feng Shui: fire, wood, metal, earth, and water. Fire is represented by lights, candles, and the color red; wood is characterized by the color green; earth, by plants, ceramic or terra-cotta planters, and the colors of brown and yellow; metal is symbolized by the colors of gold, silver, and white; water, by accents of blue and black.
8. Consider the characteristics of different woods when selecting a kitchen table. Oak is the most popular and is durable enough for everyday use; walnut offers a beautiful grain in a wood that is suitable for carving; maple is one of the most popular woods used in kitchen tables - it is strong and ages well; pine is the least expensive, can be knotty, and is a softer wood; mahogany is strong with a uniform structure, and some varieties are considered to be the noblest of woods.
9. Create a comfortable, airy, and attractive kitchen by using natural colors, light wood tones, natural quartz countertops, and a splash of color incorporated into the ceramic wall tiles for a kitchen that expresses your unique style. Add a glass tabletop and accentuate with decorative hanging lighting for a warm, translucent glow.
10. Kitchens are more than a place to eat, and kitchen tables are used for much more than family mealtime - they double as office space, a place to do homework, a place to work on crafts or play board games. With all this activity, the kitchen table gets some pretty rough treatment; make sure to select a tabletop that does not easily stain or scar.
