The ideal dining table size for you depends upon the number of people you seat most days, as well as the size of your room or dining area.
This chart shows recommended table sizes based upon number of people for both round tables and rectangular tables with a width of 36”- 42”.
# of people
Seats comfortably
Workable size
4
4' rect / 48" round
42" round
6
6' rect / 60" round
5' rect / 54" round
8
8' rect / 72" round
7' rect / 66" round
10
10' rect
9' rect
Extensions?
If you entertain often, company board extensions are available for most of our farmhouse tables. They slide into the ends of the table to maintain the look of the long planks used in traditional farmhouse tables and to avoid a split in the center. A pair of extensions increases the size of your dining table by 3 feet - space for four more guests.
Adequate clearance?
Allow a clearance of 36”around your table for walking and pulling out chairs (the minimum without feeling too tight is 27”). Make sure that your dining chairs or benches will fit comfortably around your new table, allowing 2-6” between chairs. If you have a banquette, also consider either a trestle or pedestal base for your table to avoid interference with a table leg.
For additional information, please see our Dining Table Seating Guide.
2. What kind of wood should I choose for the top of my farmhouse table?
Selecting a type of wood for your farmhouse table involves striking a balance between appearance, durability and cost.
Appearance
For a farmhouse table with individual character, reclaimed wood such as pine and oak is a popular choice. Other woods, such as maple or new pine, will give your table a classic farmhouse look without rustic details like distressing.
Wood with beautiful graining, such as oak, should be shown off with a stained or waxed finish. If you prefer your table painted, choose a wood with fewer knots (like poplar or maple) for no show-through.
Durability
If you are concerned with keeping the everyday wear of your table to a minimum, consider the hardness of the wood you choose. Softer woods, such as new pine or poplar, can be more susceptible to dings.
Here is a rough guide to the hardness of different woods by density:
New Pine Poplar Old Pine Maple Oak
Soft ---------------------------------------------- Medium ------------------------------------------ Hard
Cost
For farmhouse tables, the harder the wood, the higher the cost. Pine and poplar are the least expensive woods while oak costs considerably more. Reclaimed (old) wood tables, which are more durable than those made from new pine, are also less expensive than hardwood tables.
Based upon our 17 years of experience designing custom farmhouse tables, the most popular wood choices remain pine, old (reclaimed) pine and maple.
3. What is the most durable finish for the top of my farmhouse table?
A clear top coat over either a stained or painted finish is the most durable surface for a farmhouse table top. Remember that any major surface damage to this finish may require professional repair – or just leave the marks to increase the character of the table top.
Whatever finish you choose for your farmhouse table, we recommend using place mats, coasters and hot pads to keep it free of water rings or burn marks.
4. How do I care for my farmhouse table?
The top of your farmhouse table is easy to maintain – clean with a damp sponge and dry with a clean, soft cloth. DO NOT USE CLEANERS OR SOLVENTS (Pledge, 409, nail polish removers, etc).
For small dings or scratches on painted surfaces, touch up paint (not stain) is available from us. A stain from your local hardware store in a similar color to your table finish can fix minor dings or scratches on stained tables, but major repairs or refinishing should be left to a professional.
Only apply wax touch-ups (we can provide brand information) if you have a table with a waxed finish and want to freshen the look periodically. Do not sand before applying wax, then let dry and then buff off with clean, dry, soft cloth.
Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables
[post_title] => The 4 Most FAQS about Farmhouse Tables
[post_excerpt] => Frequently asked questions (faqs) about farmhouse tables including determining size, choosing wood, care information and more.
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Looking for new dining room chairs? Look no further! We have hand selected dozens of cottage dining chairs that stand up to our rigorous standards for the "perfect" dining chair, based on color options, comfort, quality and style. The dining room is a place for gathering family and friends, and you want that space to be comfortable while also reflecting your personal style. Chairs are a perfect way to infuse an accent color or an interesting shape to make this space truly yours! What's your favorite cottage dining chair style?
Brought to you by Cottage Home – specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables
[post_title] => Style Board: Cottage Dining Chairs
[post_excerpt] =>
Looking for new dining room chairs? Look no further! We have hand selected dozens of chairs that stand up to our rigorous standards for the "perfect" dining chair, based on color options, comfort, quality and style. #cottagechairs #cottagefurniture #diningchairs #inspiration#styleboard https://www.cottagehomefurniture.com
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Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach.In everything from fashion to home decorating, the emphasis today is on reflecting your own personality and lifestyle. Throw out the old rules! Experiment! Play around! Find a style that is uniquely you.In July, we talked about farmhouse tables—the ‘must have’ for cottage-style country furnishings. Now, it’s time to talk about chairs. Of course, the first consideration is the size of your dining area and how many people you want to seat. Do you choose a table with extensions to expand seating capacity for special occasions? And what about extra chairs or seating for all those guests?The first thing to remember is that not all chairs need to look alike. You can combine styles and colors in a harmonious blend. Painted chairs can brighten a room with easy-to-care-for finishes. If you are using painted wood chairs as your primary seating or as an accent – don’t overdo. Select one or two colors that blend and work well with your overall décor.
You can also mix and match seating styles. How about upholstered chairs for the head and foot of the table, matched with wood chairs along the sides? There are countless chair styles available that can harmonize to create a distinctive decor. One of the most popular is the country-style Windsor chair, which originated in Britain and quickly became a staple of American dining room furnishings. Some with arms and some without—some simple and others more ornate—there are numerous variations on the Windsor theme with a Colonial motif.
Another popular choice is the ladderback chair, a simple and more compact style, often with rush or cane seating. There are also fanbacks, ryebacks, wheatbacks and open backs. For a more rustic décor, there are twig chairs or wicker chairs. The list goes on. There are authentic antiques and affordable reproductions made to look like antiques. When not in use around the dining room table, these chairs can also serve as accent pieces throughout the home.
If extra seating is your goal – consider the bench. A bench can be used either on one side or on both sides of the table, and can tuck neatly under the table when not in use. The bench dates back to medieval times when all the inhabitants of the castle crowded around the table on hard wooden benches. Today, the bench has achieved new status as a flexible and decorative approach to cottage-style seating.
Mix-and-match also applies to today’s most creative table-top settings where not everything needs to look alike. Use old family china, napkins, serving pieces and silverware to make each place setting a unique collage of family memories.
Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables
[post_title] => Dining Chairs: Think Outside The Set
[post_excerpt] =>
Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched set’ is giving way to a more creative ‘mix-and-match’ approach.
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[post_content] => Choosing a farmhouse table for your home can feel as momentous and personal as picking out a piece of art or even your wedding outfit. Aside from the creative choices involved, such as picking paint or stain colors, there are some basic practical considerations for everyday functionality.
1. What size farmhouse table do I need?
The ideal dining table size for you depends upon the number of people you seat most days, as well as the size of your room or dining area.
This chart shows recommended table sizes based upon number of people for both round tables and rectangular tables with a width of 36”- 42”.
# of people
Seats comfortably
Workable size
4
4' rect / 48" round
42" round
6
6' rect / 60" round
5' rect / 54" round
8
8' rect / 72" round
7' rect / 66" round
10
10' rect
9' rect
Extensions?
If you entertain often, company board extensions are available for most of our farmhouse tables. They slide into the ends of the table to maintain the look of the long planks used in traditional farmhouse tables and to avoid a split in the center. A pair of extensions increases the size of your dining table by 3 feet - space for four more guests.
Adequate clearance?
Allow a clearance of 36”around your table for walking and pulling out chairs (the minimum without feeling too tight is 27”). Make sure that your dining chairs or benches will fit comfortably around your new table, allowing 2-6” between chairs. If you have a banquette, also consider either a trestle or pedestal base for your table to avoid interference with a table leg.
For additional information, please see our Dining Table Seating Guide.
2. What kind of wood should I choose for the top of my farmhouse table?
Selecting a type of wood for your farmhouse table involves striking a balance between appearance, durability and cost.
Appearance
For a farmhouse table with individual character, reclaimed wood such as pine and oak is a popular choice. Other woods, such as maple or new pine, will give your table a classic farmhouse look without rustic details like distressing.
Wood with beautiful graining, such as oak, should be shown off with a stained or waxed finish. If you prefer your table painted, choose a wood with fewer knots (like poplar or maple) for no show-through.
Durability
If you are concerned with keeping the everyday wear of your table to a minimum, consider the hardness of the wood you choose. Softer woods, such as new pine or poplar, can be more susceptible to dings.
Here is a rough guide to the hardness of different woods by density:
New Pine Poplar Old Pine Maple Oak
Soft ---------------------------------------------- Medium ------------------------------------------ Hard
Cost
For farmhouse tables, the harder the wood, the higher the cost. Pine and poplar are the least expensive woods while oak costs considerably more. Reclaimed (old) wood tables, which are more durable than those made from new pine, are also less expensive than hardwood tables.
Based upon our 17 years of experience designing custom farmhouse tables, the most popular wood choices remain pine, old (reclaimed) pine and maple.
3. What is the most durable finish for the top of my farmhouse table?
A clear top coat over either a stained or painted finish is the most durable surface for a farmhouse table top. Remember that any major surface damage to this finish may require professional repair – or just leave the marks to increase the character of the table top.
Whatever finish you choose for your farmhouse table, we recommend using place mats, coasters and hot pads to keep it free of water rings or burn marks.
4. How do I care for my farmhouse table?
The top of your farmhouse table is easy to maintain – clean with a damp sponge and dry with a clean, soft cloth. DO NOT USE CLEANERS OR SOLVENTS (Pledge, 409, nail polish removers, etc).
For small dings or scratches on painted surfaces, touch up paint (not stain) is available from us. A stain from your local hardware store in a similar color to your table finish can fix minor dings or scratches on stained tables, but major repairs or refinishing should be left to a professional.
Only apply wax touch-ups (we can provide brand information) if you have a table with a waxed finish and want to freshen the look periodically. Do not sand before applying wax, then let dry and then buff off with clean, dry, soft cloth.
Brought to you by Cottage Home - specializing in cottage furniture & farmhouse tables
Looking for new dining room chairs? Look no further! We have hand selected dozens of chairs that stand up to our rigorous standards for the “perfect” dining chair, based on color options, comfort, quality and style. #cottagechairs #cottagefurniture #diningchairs #inspiration#styleboard https://www.cottagehomefurniture.com
Your dining room is probably the most popular room in the house during the holidays when families and friends gather around the table for festive feasts. And, if you are planning on doing some dining room redecorating, now is the time to think out of the set. The traditional dining room table and chairs ‘matched […]
At Cottage Home, we know purchasing custom furniture and décor on the Internet can raise some concerns and questions. Our business is dedicated to pioneering a new process for providing high-quality made-to-order furniture on the Internet. We strive to make it as easy as possible for our customers to have access to custom bench-built products for their homes.
Our focus is on providing an unparalleled furniture buying experience through our careful selection of high-quality products, the in-depth product details provided on our website, our knowledgeable design & selection assistance, a full range of samples services, and a specialized delivery process.
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We will be here to help should anything happen to go wrong. Period.