A well-designed dining room does more than provide a place to eat — it creates a stage for connection, conversation and shared memories. Whether you're hosting a formal dinner party or a relaxed Sunday lunch, the right furniture and styling will set the mood from the moment your guests sit down.

Choosing the Right Dining Table Size

The cardinal rule of dining room design is getting the table size right for the room. You need a minimum of 90cm clearance on all sides of the table for guests to move comfortably — more if you have a server or sideboard that people will walk past.

As a practical guide:

  • Small dining room (under 3m × 3m): 4-seater round or square table
  • Medium dining room (3m × 4m): 6-seater rectangular table
  • Large dining room (4m × 5m+): 8–10 seater extending table

The Case for an Extending Table

An extending dining table is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. On a day-to-day basis it sits at a manageable size; on occasion it expands to seat the entire family. Modern extending mechanisms are smooth, reliable and almost invisible when closed.

Dining Chairs: Comfort Meets Style

Your guests will be sitting in your dining chairs for two to three hours at a time — comfort matters as much as aesthetics. Look for chairs with slight lumbar support and a seat height between 45–50cm for standard dining tables (75cm high).

Mixing chair styles — for example, upholstered carver chairs at the heads with simpler wooden chairs along the sides — is a popular look that adds visual interest without requiring a complete matching set.

Lighting Is Everything

No dining room styling guide is complete without addressing lighting. A pendant or chandelier hung 70–80cm above the table surface creates the perfect intimate ambience for dinner parties. Install a dimmer switch to shift from bright family meals to soft, atmospheric dinner party lighting at the touch of a button.

"Lighting is the jewellery of the room. Get it right and everything else falls into place." — Interior designer wisdom

The Finishing Touches

A well-chosen sideboard or dresser against the wall provides practical storage for tableware while adding to the room's character. Candles, a central vase, placemats and quality linen napkins complete the look.

Browse our full range of dining tables, chairs and sideboards to find your perfect entertaining setup.