Dining room furniture styles vary greatly—from contemporary to casual to traditional to eclectic. But before we can start honing in on the style that suits you best, there is one question you must answer: How many people do you want to comfortably seat at your table? This determines how many pieces (table + chairs) you are looking for.

In answering this first, all-important question, consider that most dining room sets fall into four different "seater" categories: two people, four people, six people, or eight or more people. If you don't fit neatly into one of these traditional dining room categories, you are going to have to think outside the box when doing your shopping. Also, as we mentioned in our last blog, the number of pieces you want will depend on the size of your dining area and the way you intend to use your table (for example, formal dinners vs. quick breakfasts).

Finally, it's time for the FUN stuff—figuring out what dining room table style matches your personal style! Let's take a deeper look into the range of designs and color tones available to you.

Contemporary Dining Furniture

Do you tend to be a minimalist that favors clean lines and simple but intriguing shapes? A glass or metal-top dining room table fits this modern style category to a tee. Dark, sleek woods (or dark stains) such as cherry or walnut coupled with leather chairs works, too. Modern doesn't have to be dark to fit the bill, though—embrace the Art Deco era by using splashes of color in a dramatic fashion!

Casual Dining Furniture

Simple is the key to casual style. Think about using materials such as oak, pine, and wicker. For a cottage feel, use a round table in your breakfast nook, accompanied by Windsor-style chairs. Or, seat a big family around an old-fashioned harvest table (also called a farmhouse table) made of pine or reclaimed wood. Consider using benches for seating instead of traditional chairs.

Traditional Dining Furniture

Embrace tradition by utilizing your dining room table as a formal seating area. You'll want to steer towards rich, luxurious woods with glossy finishes such as cherry or mahogany. An antique table or one with a period-look would also create a traditional dining room feel. Add an extra layer of elegance to the ensemble with lavishly covered seats that match the décor in your dining room.  

Eclectic Dining Furniture

Do you love to hear "it's one-of-a-kind?" Eclectic dining room furniture utilizes a mixture of styles to create a look a bit different from the rest. Find your flair through a funky ironwork table or, for a more rustic look, a harvest table that's been painted contrasting colors and paired with mismatched chairs. Another great way to keep your dining room set artsy is to use different textures together, such as a retro, stainless steel table encircled by leather chairs.