Picking a dining table is a matter of taste
Whether you're a family of four or a single city-dweller, finding the perfect dining room table for your taste -- and space -- can be like picking out a pair of jeans.
''It's the same piece of cloth, but as you add details, beads, and styling the price of the jean goes up," said Meghan Pelton, executive vice president and one-fourth of the family-owned Boston Interiors business. ''It's a matter of taste and what you're comfortable with."
Pelton, along with her brother Michael Loring, mother Mal Loring, and father Ken Loring, have owned the furniture franchise for over 26 years and now have six stores throughout Massachusetts. With all the styles, sizes, and colors available today, finding a dining room table can be daunting.
''Ask yourself what you want and what you need. And be realistic," said Pelton. ''A family with infants and toddlers is better off with a lighter table or a rustic pine look because it isn't going to show as much wear and tear. If you're going to put a table in a dining room and use it once a month, a dark finish is fine."
Pelton said consumers should know what they're willing to live with in a dining room table. ''With a darker finish, it's going to show more dust and more surface scratches. Know your tolerance level. Over time, you're going to see scratches," she said. In her own home, Pelton has a rustic oak table from Boston Interiors that seats eight to 10 people and costs about $1,000. The chairs range from $200 to $250 a piece.
A typical dining room table, plus four chairs, costs about $700 to $2,500 at many retailers, including Boston Interiors, Domain, and Jordan's Furniture. As the price goes up, so does the number of options available, Pelton said.
The style of chair and the legs of the table can be custom-made, leaves can be added into the table to increase the size, and more colors are available for more expensive pieces.
The right amount of space is also needed for the right table. Pelton tells consumers to follow the 3-foot rule when shopping. ''You want to keep 3 feet between the table and the walls so people can comfortably push their chair out and leave the table, or walk down the aisle between the table and the wall," she said.
For those without the luxury of space, Pelton said it is acceptable to work with a 2-foot rule, but anything less than that would be uncomfortable.
The type of wood used often determines the price. Slow-growing hardwoods such as birch and maple will last longer and be more expensive than softwood tables made of pine.
Buying a good dining room table is as important as being a piece of art -- you're going to live with it forever -- so Pelton suggests consumers focus on quality and taste.
''Price is important, but it has to be a good value. Find a design that you like, and if the price is too high, ask to see something less in price but similar in design," she suggests.
