Generally Speaking
Consider what you want in a kitchen table - the right decision will provide years of useful service and beauty. If you need chairs, don't limit yourself to what the manufacturer suggests - most kitchen chairs will match multiple kitchen tables. If you love your existing kitchen chairs and are thinking of matching them with a new kitchen table, go for it! But don't just match. Mix it up and accent with strong contrasts. Create a style.
Sizing It Up
The most important issue is how the table looks in the allotted space. You will need a clearance of 3-4 feet around each edge of the table to allow for chairs. If the dining area of your kitchen is square, consider a round or square table. Additional leaves will turn it to an oval or rectangle when the need presents itself. If the tabletop is not a minimum of 3-feet across, once you get the place settings established, there will be no room left for extras. Consider the size of your family. Breakfast nooks with benches seat more people in less space, and rounded tables seat more people than square. Each diner requires about two linear feet of space at the table.
Material Guys and Gals
When it comes to selecting kitchen and dinette sets, composition is the prime concern. Should you choose soft, knotty pine with an attractive price tag, or oak or maple, which are pricier hardwoods that age well? If you decide on a wood kitchen table, match existing woodwork and cabinetry, and pay attention to its construction. Identify your style; are you traditional, contemporary, or somewhere between? Glass and metal are outstanding in the right kitchen; they are chameleons, harmonizing with what surrounds them. If your tabletop is likely to scratch due to its design or level of use, top it off with glass.
