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How to Choose the Perfect Dining Set for Your Home How to Choose the Perfect Dining Set for Your Home

How to Choose the Perfect Dining Set for Your Home

Choosing the right dining set is about more than style, it’s about space, comfort, and how you live. Start by measuring your room (leave 90 cm clearance), then choose a table shape that suits your layout. Mock up the size on your floor before buying, and think carefully about how the table will be used (daily meals, work, entertaining). Customise materials, colors, and dimensions to match your interior, and never compromise on comfort, especially with seating. With by Crea, every dining set is handmade in Sweden and tailored to fit your life beautifully.

by Marcus Kirchhoff

Introduction to Wooden Kitchen Furniture

Home Deserves Careful Choice

The dining area is where everyday life happens, morning coffees, late dinners, unexpected conversations. Choosing the right dining set isn’t just a matter of style, it’s about finding a table and chairs that match your space, your habits, and your values.

Whether you’re a family of four in London or a minimalist couple in Copenhagen, this guide will walk you through every step, from space planning to seating comfort, to help you confidently select the dining set that fits your life.

At by Crea, every table and chair is handcrafted in our Swedish factory with you in mind. Here’s how to get it right.

The dining area is where everyday life happens, morning coffees, late dinners, unexpected conversations. Choosing the right dining set isn’t just a matter of style, it’s about finding a table and chairs that match your space, your habits, and your values.

Whether you’re a family of four in London or a minimalist couple in Copenhagen, this guide will walk you through every step, from space planning to seating comfort, to help you confidently select the dining set that fits your life.

At by Crea, every table and chair is handcrafted in our Swedish factory with you in mind. Here’s how to get it right.

Melker Dining table in black oak with sleek black chairs and floral centerpiece, ideal for modern dining spaces. Melker Dining table in black oak with sleek black chairs and floral centerpiece, ideal for modern dining spaces.
Stylish Ann dining table in oak with white chairs, set for an elegant dining experience in a bright room. Stylish Ann dining table in oak with white chairs, set for an elegant dining experience in a bright room.
Diana dining table in black with oak featuring two stylish black chairs, perfect for a Scandinavian-inspired dining setup. Diana dining table in black with oak featuring two stylish black chairs, perfect for a Scandinavian-inspired dining setup.

1. Start by Measuring Your Space

Why it matters:

Buying a table that’s too big or too small for your space is the number one reason dining sets get returned.

How to measure correctly:

  • Measure the length and width of your dining area.
  • Subtract 180 cm total (90 cm on each side) to account for walkway clearance.
  • Consider whether nearby furniture (like a kitchen island or sideboard) impacts how chairs can be pulled out.

Tip: Tape the table’s size directly onto the floor to visualize scale. Use painter's tape or cardboard to build a 1:1 footprint.

Why it matters:

Buying a table that’s too big or too small for your space is the number one reason dining sets get returned.

How to measure correctly:

  • Measure the length and width of your dining area.
  • Subtract 180 cm total (90 cm on each side) to account for walkway clearance.
  • Consider whether nearby furniture (like a kitchen island or sideboard) impacts how chairs can be pulled out.

Tip: Tape the table’s size directly onto the floor to visualize scale. Use painter's tape or cardboard to build a 1:1 footprint.

2. Choose a Table That Matches the Flow

2. Choose a Table That Matches the Flow

Understanding shapes:

  • Rectangular tables are versatile, ideal for larger families and long spaces.
  • Round tables work beautifully in square rooms and smaller spaces, encouraging interaction.
  • Oval tables soften the look of long rooms and offer great seating capacity.
  • Square tables feel intimate and casual, perfect for two or four people.

Helpful question to ask:

How many people do you usually seat, and how often do you host more?

Understanding shapes:

  • Rectangular tables are versatile, ideal for larger families and long spaces.
  • Round tables work beautifully in square rooms and smaller spaces, encouraging interaction.
  • Oval tables soften the look of long rooms and offer great seating capacity.
  • Square tables feel intimate and casual, perfect for two or four people.

Helpful question to ask:

How many people do you usually seat, and how often do you host more?

Ann dining table made of oak, showcasing natural warmth with clean lines, complemented by floral decor and candles. Ann dining table made of oak, showcasing natural warmth with clean lines, complemented by floral decor and candles.
Front view of the Luna round dining table in white frame with matching Sella armchairs in beige vegan leather, styled in a light-filled Scandinavian dining room. Front view of the Luna round dining table in white frame with matching Sella armchairs in beige vegan leather, styled in a light-filled Scandinavian dining room.

3. Build a Mock-Up Before You Buy

3. Build a Mock-Up Before You Buy

This step can save you hundreds in wrong-size returns. Create a full-scale mock-up using cardboard, tape, or even a bedsheet folded to match the dimensions of the table you’re considering.

Mock-up checklist:

  • Can you move comfortably around it?
  • Is there enough space to pull out a chair (at least 60–75 cm)?
  • How does it feel in relation to surrounding furniture or walls?

This step can save you hundreds in wrong-size returns. Create a full-scale mock-up using cardboard, tape, or even a bedsheet folded to match the dimensions of the table you’re considering.

Mock-up checklist:

  • Can you move comfortably around it?
  • Is there enough space to pull out a chair (at least 60–75 cm)?
  • How does it feel in relation to surrounding furniture or walls?

Erik chair in black oak with ivory bouclé seat next to the Ann dining table in solid oak, set in a minimalist dining room with soft natural light and sculptural candleholders.

4. How Will You Use It? Function First, Then Form

Are you a daily family diner or a late entertainer? Will your table double as a home office or kids’ homework station? Ask yourself:

  • Is this a space for daily family meals or occasional hosting?
  • Do you need a table that doubles as a workspace or homework station?
  • Do you value easy-clean surfaces (especially if you have young kids)?
  • Will you want an extendable design for larger gatherings?

Tip for Young Families:

Our optional wipe-clean surfaces and vegan leather seats make cleanup easier without compromising on style.

Are you a daily family diner or a late entertainer? Will your table double as a home office or kids’ homework station? Ask yourself:

  • Is this a space for daily family meals or occasional hosting?
  • Do you need a table that doubles as a workspace or homework station?
  • Do you value easy-clean surfaces (especially if you have young kids)?
  • Will you want an extendable design for larger gatherings?

Tip for Young Families:

Our optional wipe-clean surfaces and vegan leather seats make cleanup easier without compromising on style.

5. Choose Colour Cautiously

5. Choose Colour Cautiously

Color defines the mood of your dining area. Don’t just follow trends, consider your walls, floors, and natural light.

Guidelines for choosing color:

  • Neutral tones (like oak, taupe, or beige) are timeless and easy to blend.
  • Black frames add contrast and sophistication.
  • Dark woods feel cozy and intimate but may make small rooms feel smaller.
  • Light finishes like white-oiled oak can open up the space but may show marks more easily.

Color defines the mood of your dining area. Don’t just follow trends, consider your walls, floors, and natural light.

Guidelines for choosing color:

  • Neutral tones (like oak, taupe, or beige) are timeless and easy to blend.
  • Black frames add contrast and sophistication.
  • Dark woods feel cozy and intimate but may make small rooms feel smaller.
  • Light finishes like white-oiled oak can open up the space but may show marks more easily.

Melker Dining table in black oak with stylish cross legs, perfect for modern dining spaces. Melker Dining table in black oak with stylish cross legs, perfect for modern dining spaces.
Ann dining table in oak, showcasing natural warmth and elegant design in a bright dining space. Ann dining table in oak, showcasing natural warmth and elegant design in a bright dining space.
Diana dining table in black with sleek black oak design, featuring a modern square frame, perfect for contemporary dining spaces. Diana dining table in black with sleek black oak design, featuring a modern square frame, perfect for contemporary dining spaces.

6. Don't Overlook the Base: It's More Than Support

6. Don't Overlook the Base: It's More Than Support

The table’s base can transform both the look and functionality of your dining set.

Types of bases:

  • Pedestal bases: Create more legroom and a cleaner aesthetic.
  • Four-leg frames: Provide sturdiness and a traditional look but may limit movement.
  • Trestle bases: Offer support for longer tables while enhancing design character.

When browsing dining tables at by Crea, zoom in on the base structure, especially if you’re pairing it with benches, chairs with arms, or placing it near other fixed furniture.

The table’s base can transform both the look and functionality of your dining set.

Types of bases:

  • Pedestal bases: Create more legroom and a cleaner aesthetic.
  • Four-leg frames: Provide sturdiness and a traditional look but may limit movement.
  • Trestle bases: Offer support for longer tables while enhancing design character.

When browsing dining tables at by Crea, zoom in on the base structure, especially if you’re pairing it with benches, chairs with arms, or placing it near other fixed furniture.

7. Try it Out

7. Try it Out

A table and chair may look perfect, but it has to feel right too.

What to test:

  • Chair height: Ideal seat height is 45-48 cm, with the tabletop at 73-76 cm.
  • Comfort: Sit, lean, rest your elbows. It is comfortable for long dinners?
  • Fabric texture: Does it feel good to touch? Is it breathable or plush?
  • Spacing: Allow 60 cm per person for elbow room and comfort.

Explore Erik Dining Chair, designed for ergonomic comfort and timeless elegance, available in boucle or solid oak seat.

A table and chair may look perfect, but it has to feel right too.

What to test:

  • Chair height: Ideal seat height is 45-48 cm, with the tabletop at 73-76 cm.
  • Comfort: Sit, lean, rest your elbows. It is comfortable for long dinners?
  • Fabric texture: Does it feel good to touch? Is it breathable or plush?
  • Spacing: Allow 60 cm per person for elbow room and comfort.

Explore Erik Dining Chair, designed for ergonomic comfort and timeless elegance, available in boucle or solid oak seat.

Key Takeaways

Measure with Precision

Always allow at least 90 cm around the table for comfortable movement. Use tape or cardboard to visualize the space before buying.

Pick the Right Table Shape for Your Room

Rectangular for long spaces, round for smaller areas, oval for flexibility, match the shape to your layout and lifestyle.

Function First, Always

Is the table for daily family meals, working from home, or weekend hosting? Let real-life usage guide your material, size, and seating decisions.

Customise for a Seamless Fit

Tailor your table and chairs to your space with by Crea’s custom sizes, frame colours, and fabric options perfect form meets perfect function.

Color Sets the Tone

Choose timeless shades that work with your floors, walls, and lighting. Neutrals are safe; bold tones can add character just think long-term.

Comfort Can’t Be Compromised

Make sure seat height, back support, and spacing work for your household. Comfort is what turns a beautiful dining set into a well-used one.

Measure with Precision

Always allow at least 90 cm around the table for comfortable movement. Use tape or cardboard to visualize the space before buying.

Pick the Right Table Shape for Your Room

Rectangular for long spaces, round for smaller areas, oval for flexibility, match the shape to your layout and lifestyle.

Function First, Always

Is the table for daily family meals, working from home, or weekend hosting? Let real-life usage guide your material, size, and seating decisions.

Customise for a Seamless Fit

Tailor your table and chairs to your space with by Crea’s custom sizes, frame colours, and fabric options perfect form meets perfect function.

Color Sets the Tone

Choose timeless shades that work with your floors, walls, and lighting. Neutrals are safe; bold tones can add character just think long-term.

Comfort Can’t Be Compromised

Make sure seat height, back support, and spacing work for your household. Comfort is what turns a beautiful dining set into a well-used one.

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