How to Buy Dining Room Furniture

Your Guide to Buying Dining Room Furniture

Your dining room and table are where everyday meals, celebrations and late-night conversations happen. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right pieces for your space:

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Measure Your Space

Start with measurements. You want at least 36 inches of clearance around the table so guests can move comfortably, and chairs can slide in and out with ease. To figure out how many people a table can seat, allow about 24 inches of space per person—enough room for everyone to sit and dine comfortably.

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Consider the Shape

Round and square designs work well in smaller or more casual spaces, creating a cozy atmosphere while saving room. Rectangular and oval tables seat more people and serve as a strong focal point that anchors a larger dining room.

Cascade Round Dining Table with 4 Host Chairs and server in a room scene, Lucinda Table Lamp

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Let's Talk About Leaves

If you like to host, look for tables with self-storing, butterfly or insertable leaves. One detail is easy to miss: make sure the leaves are fully finished. Many tables have leaves with unfinished edges, which become obvious once the table is extended and detract from the overall craftsmanship. Well-made leaves are finished to match the rest of the table seamlessly, so it looks good extended or not.

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Seats To Savor

Chairs play a big role in how comfortable and functional a dining space feels, so they deserve as much attention as the table.

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Lift the Chair

A bit of weight is a good sign—it points to quality frame construction and lasting comfort.

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Match the Height

Also, ensure the seat height fits your table. Standard dining chairs are about 18 inches tall, counter-height stools about 24 inches, and pub-height stools or chairs about 30 inches. The right height keeps both comfort and proportion in balance.

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Sit & Wiggle

Take a seat and give the chair a gentle wiggle. A quality chair feels sturdy and supportive, with no wobbling or creaking.

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Don't Fear Veneer

Veneer is often misunderstood, but it doesn't mean low quality. Well-constructed veneers are made from real wood, which makes furniture more resistant to warping, and they allow for intricate designs and shapes that aren't always possible with solid wood alone.

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Mortise & Tenon Joinery

This traditional woodworking technique inserts one piece of wood into a corresponding hole in another, creating a strong, interlocking connection that holds up over time.

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Finish

Multi-step or hand-applied finishes showcase the natural beauty of the wood while adding protection against everyday wear—a sign the piece was made with both care and longevity in mind.

Top of Avondale II dining table

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Corner Blocking

This reinforces tables and chairs by securing joints at stress points, adding strength and stability to the whole piece.

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Distressed to Impress

Many times when you're shopping for furniture you'll see pieces with distressing. Nicks, wormholes, dents, rasp marks and worn edges are oftentimes intentional, added by hand to give new pieces the warmth and create unique character.

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HOW TO SHOP FOR DINING ROOM FURNITURE

Shopping for quality dining room table sets can feel like a big decision, but with the right guidance, creating a space that’s both beautiful and functional becomes effortless. Explore our favorite furniture shopping tips to help you choose the perfect dining room furniture. Our dining furniture buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing the right dining table size to finding durable dining chairs that stand up to daily use. We’ll also showcase the benefits of extendable dining tables and provide expert guidance on how to choose durable dining chairs.

Ultimately, the best dining room furniture should fit your space, your style and your lifestyle. Look for signs of solid craftsmanship, lasting finishes and thoughtful design details. When you invest in well-made pieces, they become more than furniture—they become part of the meals, celebrations and memories you’ll treasure for years to come.

If you want help finding the right dining room furniture for you, visit your local Havertys showroom today.

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Your Guide to Buying Dining Room Furniture

Measure Your Space

Consider the Shape

Let's Talk About Leaves

Seats To Savor

Lift the Chair

Match the Height

Sit & Wiggle

Don't Fear Veneer

Check Construction

Mortise & Tenon Joinery

Finish

Corner Blocking

Distressed to Impress

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HOW TO SHOP FOR DINING ROOM FURNITURE