Kitchen Tables and Chairs with Photos

It is important to know: key criteria for selection

There are dozens of nuances to consider before buying tables and chairs, but these three "pillars" are known to every designer.

1. Style compatibility with the rest of the furniture and room interior. It is extremely important to select an appropriate dining set so as not to ruin the room.

2. Attention to zoning. Separated work and dining zones create the right atmosphere; otherwise, the kitchen looks overloaded regardless of its square meters.

3. Combination of chair shape and material with the design concept. For example, classic style does not tolerate bright shades, while the style of Provence "demands" a round table with beige color palette. Bright tables with sharp angles will decorate a modern interior. 

Design: Galina Arabskaya

Rules for selecting tables and chairs for the kitchen

• Size

Two questions to answer when choosing a dining set - how many family members will dine at the table, and how often do guests come to the house? If size can be saved - this is also important, as it is very easy to "overload" the kitchen with furniture. But most often, a large table is needed for a small kitchen, which is much more challenging.

To properly calculate dimensions based on square footage, allocate 55-60 centimeters of table length per person, and account for the space between chairs (25-40 centimeters). A width of less than 90 cm is better not to choose, as it is the minimum state to accommodate plates and cutlery. 

Design: Maria Dadiani Studio

When a rough size is chosen, the dining set must be "inscribed" into the space. Before purchasing, designers recommend measuring the floor area where furniture is planned to be installed, accounting for additional centimeters to move the chair. It's better to leave around 60 cm of space around the table.

• Choosing the shape of the table

The style of the kitchen, fashion, beauty and... psychology - several facts that determine the choice of shape. How did psychology get here? The shape of the table can influence the communication that happens around it. A proper circle or square encourages more intimate "chatting" than oval or rectangle. However, rectangular tables are a popular option - just look at many photos of kitchen tables and chairs in different interiors. 

Design: Inna Usубyan

1. Square shape

This is the least compact option. A maximum of four people can comfortably sit around a small square table, but this is realistically not for every family as guests cannot be seated there. A large square table looks luxurious but takes up a lot of space. Modern dining sets assume foldable options, a good choice for those who want to satisfy tastes and desires while saving space.

Design: Anastasia Mestiyakova

2. Oval

An oval dining table is stylish. It suits classic interiors, French style, and modern style. The dimensions of an oval table are calculated the same way as those of a rectangular one, but the flowing shape allows placing it in a small kitchen since sharp angles require more space around.

Design: Tatiana Fabychnaya, Studio "Decotrend"

4. Round

For the convenience of seating guests and all family members, a round table should have dimensions from 137 cm to 2 meters depending on the number of people.

A round dining table can be an option for a small kitchen as it does not require much space around it. 

Design: Zhenya Zhudanova

• Features of selecting chairs

Certainly, a modern dining table must be accompanied by proper "companions" - chairs. Practicality, ease of maintenance, reliability, strength - these are the main characteristics of good chairs to consider when choosing. Stylish chairs should complement the kitchen interior. 

Design: Yuliya Lapteva

Choosing materials for the dining set

• Materials for tables

The choice of materials for kitchen tables is now so wide that even a professional can get confused, let alone someone who just wants a beautiful kitchen. Wood, MDF, plastic, stone (natural and artificial), many other materials - all have their advantages. Let's consider them together with current photos of kitchen tables and chairs.

1. Wood

Even someone far from the furniture industry knows that wood is reliable, beautiful and eco-friendly, but not cheap. With wood, one can create an elegant classical interior or trendy European style. Even hi-tech has a "right to live" with a kitchen set made from this material if it is given strict outlines.

Hardwood species are usually used for making wooden kitchen tables: rowan, larch, apple tree, birch, oak, ash. 

Design: Enjoy Home Bureau, Nadia Zотовa's Team

2. Glass

Trendy kitchen tables made of glass bring originality to the room. Despite their apparent fragility, glass dining sets are very reliable since they are made of special materials, and the glass is reinforced and not afraid of chips, scratches and all damages typical for kitchens.

No additional care is required; just a damp cloth to keep it clean. 

Design: Enjoy Home Bureau, Nadia Zотовa's Team

3. Stone

Stone kitchen tables look majestic and "strengthen" the interior. For interiors in modern, Mediterranean, shabby-chic styles executed in "Irish" motifs, stone tables are an excellent choice. It should be noted that they are quite heavy, and such dining sets cannot be called mobile. 

Design: Maria Shumskaya and Anna Yavishkina, Sweet Home Design

4. Plastic

Plastic is quite a popular material for a kitchen table. Practicality, affordability - the main arguments explaining its popularity. Also pleasing is that plastic can be given any shape, color, even made to look artificially "stone" or "wooden". Modern, urban or hi-tech - these are the styles where plastic tables will thrive. 

5. Rattan

Rattan refers to woven furniture, which looks great in a country house or apartment if the appropriate interior is chosen. When properly combined with a kitchen set, woven furniture in the kitchen looks luxurious, creating a special comfort and atmosphere. 

6. MDF and Particle Board

MDF or "veneer", as it is commonly called, looks almost like wood but costs several times less. Due to the absence of curved lines characteristic of natural wood, MDF has even more followers among those who want to select a table for a particular interior style.

Painted MDF is a universal material from which one can make an attractive dining set, but longevity cannot be claimed. Strong mechanical impact quickly damages the coating and leaves a characteristic mark, which is not very practical for a kitchen.

Laminated particle board is a budget option, which can be found in every store and on many kitchens. Due to its versatility (imitation of various textures), particle board is popular with buyers and designers. Unfortunately, the material is not very resistant to damage or moisture, so those who consider a long-lasting option will end up spending more in the end. 

Design: Evgenia Potapova, Anton Belov, ARTTUNDRA

• Chair Materials

The simplest and most popular way is to buy a dining set as a complete package, so there will be no need to think about matching styles, sizes, and shades. If taking the simple path is not possible for various reasons, one has to study materials and select a set independently.

Often, table manufacturers offer several types of chairs suitable for their tables.

The materials for chairs are almost the same as what we wrote above, except for stone and glass. There are also leather and soft textile materials used for making kitchen chair seats.

What to choose depends on the interior. As seen from photos of kitchen tables and chairs, furniture can be varied with accessories - covers or cushions. This adds comfort to the dining set. Matching tablecloth or curtains, and kitchen towels can be chosen in color with the selected fabric to create a harmonious picture pleasing to the eye. 

Design: Evgenia Matveenko, FlatsDesign Architecture Bureau

Color Palette

Color is another factor in selection after shape, size, and material. How to select appropriate furniture for the room's interior, what needs to be considered so that the furniture does not irritate?

• Monochrome or white

The ideal option is combining the color of the dining table with other furniture colors. If the interior is in pastel tones, blue, grey or any non-dominant shades, a white table can beautifully complement the interior.

Tip: Do not make more than a 2-3 tone difference in furniture and table/chair colors on the kitchen. 

Design: Geometrium Creative Studio

• Vibrant Colors

The furniture market is full of options for vibrant colors. This choice suits modern and contemporary interiors. Today it is trendy to match the color of the table and chairs to one of the kitchen details, such as an apron or a picture.

• Brown and Beige Tones

When talking about brown, it usually refers to wood and artificial wood. Noble brown looks great in many designer interiors, probably except hi-tech, but there might be a suitable solution for each case, as everything is individual and depends on the specific features of the space. 

Design: Inna Usубyan

• Patterns

For a kitchen in Moroccan, Eastern or Arab style, a table with patterns would be unconventional.

Designers admit that often the entire room's design is created around the dining set. When choosing the color of the table top, one must decide whether to use contrasts in the design or keep colors calm and balanced.

By the way, regardless of color choice, it can be adjusted by laying a new tablecloth or changing cushions on the chairs. In this sense, almost any table and chairs are universal. 

Design: Pavel Zheleznov and Tatyana Borisova

What to do with a small kitchen?

Even the smallest area can be made into a full-fledged kitchen with a dining zone using principles of proper space organization. The tips below will help free up space for the kitchen table and chairs.

1. Transformable tables and pull-out surfaces

There are many options for transforming vertical planes, often in very small kitchens, one makes pull-out, lift-up and folding mechanisms-tables. These allow hiding it under the work zone or turning a radiator cover into a full-sized table.

A pull-out or sliding variant with rubber wheels can also be an excellent solution in such cases. 

2. Foldable Table

A very popular approach that can be found in any kitchen and every furniture store. IKEA offers a huge range of foldable dining tables that look quite compact in the folded state.

It can unfold due to a sliding mechanism or additional surfaces. 

Unconventional Solutions

• Bar Counter

Yes, a bar counter can serve as a dining area on the kitchen. We won't hide that it is inconvenient for proper meals or formal dinners, but for a quick bite or an informal party - why not?

In kitchen-living rooms, a bar counter is made as a space divider but does not replace the dining area, rather it complements it. 

Design: Anna Clark

• Island

It is considered that an island is the choice for large kitchens, but for small spaces it can replace the dining area. It is important to "configure" it according to the setting and family needs, and in photos of kitchen tables and chairs there are such solutions.

Using an island is a model of multi-functionality in design. It is a working surface, a dining table, and shelves for storage can be located at the bottom, while a small sink or two-burner stove can even be mounted on the side. 

Designers recommend using an island as a design element, highlighting it with lighting, for example, with a pendant light. This is an interesting way to make the island a spectacular addition to the kitchen. 

Design: Olga Rogozina

Current Trends in Kitchen Tables and Chairs

Among trendy new kitchen tables and chairs, wooden options that can be made in various styles stand out. An island instead of a table has also firmly taken its place in the projects of modern designers. Dining sets made from mixed materials (e.g., glass top and wooden base) — another unusual option that improves the kitchen and dining room interior. 

Design: Nadezhda Zотовa, Enjoy Home
Design: Artemiy Saranin
Design: Roman Plusnin
Design: Marsel Kadirov
Design: Marina Sarkisyan
Design: Inna Velychko
L-shaped Kitchen "Cappuccino", Leroy Merlin
Design: Pavel Alexeev
Design: Nikita Morozov and KM STUDIO Design Bureau
Design: Anastasia Mestiyakova
Design: Nikolai Barsukov

In a spacious room, choosing and installing a stylish dining table and chairs is easier, but owners of small kitchens must show creativity. Tips from this article should help.

The cover design project is by Olga Legoshina.