Things to Know When Selecting the Perfect Mid Century Modern Dining Tables

What does an ideal family photo consist of? It primarily consists of the whole family sitting around the dining table,exchanging stories, laughing and sharing some food. Being the centerpiece of any dining room, mid century modern dining tables are a pivotal part of every home worldwide. An essential for everything from daily meals to holiday gatherings to family game nights to dinner parties,the dining table is at the heart of every home out there.

Since the dining table is the gathering place for family and friends to share life’s special moments, it's vital to choose a table that furnishes your dining space with both functionality and elegance. This can be so challenging! With endless design possibilities out there, it may be overwhelming to select adining settingto perfectly suit your home’s needs.But there's no need to worry!

We’ve come up with some guidelines to help you select the perfect mid century table. One that truly helps bring together loved ones!

1. Style

Did you know although mid century modern decor first gained popularity in the 1940s, the style's organic materials are just as appealing today according to Architectural Digest? Mid century modern decor is here to stay! To summarize this design aesthetic into one word, it may be “uncluttered.”

So if you want to follow the trend, the idea is to pick mid century modern dining tables that perfectly blends with your existing dining room style for a cohesive look. This way, you’ll come up with a aesthetically harmonious look.

Wouldn't the organic,seamless shape of this gorgeous tulip dining table match beautifully well with a broad range of modern decor styles including mid century modern?Resting on a sturdy aluminum cast base, our coveted dining table is a true icon of modernism and mid century modern decor.

This lovely tulip square dining table is also available.Also resting on an aluminum base, the tulip table features a wooden top with a chip resistant finish. Wouldn’t this sleek tableadd a touch of retro sophistication to any mid century modern dining room?The tulip series with pedestal bases can help integrate an industrial style into contemporary dining settings.

Bear in mind when selecting a mid century modern dining tables, keep your decor style in mind and go for one that ultimately enhances the vision.

2. Material

Asking yourself what’s the best material for a dining table? Even if there’s no right answer, a careful selection of table material can make a huge statement in your dining room decor style. Choose from these types of materials depending on the ambiance you want to build:

• Wood
• Glass
• Metal
• Stone

Want to create a cozy room? Go for softer materials like wood or glass. Wood dining tables are highly inviting, they completely fill the room. Provide a definite focal point with this oval wood dining table. It’s ideal for contemporary and modern decor! Glass dining tables are unobtrusive and minimalist, letting other design elements stand out. They ultimately open up any dining room space!

Metal materials bode very well for industrial and contemporary dining rooms. Stone dining table materials, like marble, granite or limestone, offer timeless, natural appeal. Doesn't this opulent stone tinter dining table make a statement? It’s geometrical steel base with its smooth marble top is timeless! Besides, it’s modern, open air design is ideal for tiny spaces, even if most mid century modern tables are ideal for dining rooms of any size and style.

3. Size

Did you know being able to findthe exact balance between space and size enhances the function and overall look of a dining room? It’s imperative to scale the size of the dining table to the available space in the dining setting!So, follow these tips:

• Leave some space, about three feet, from behind your dining chairs to other pieces of furniture or the wall in order for your guests and you to get up and down from the dining table with no hassles whatsoever.
• On the floor, map out exactly where you plan to put your dining table with tape so you can easily envision how the dining table will fit into your dining space.
• Consider the number of family members or guests you plan on accommodating for special events, day-to-day activities and holidays.
• Give each guest around 2’ of elbow room so that each and every one of them has enough room to converse and eat comfortably.
• To be able to sit between four and six guests at a round table requires a diameter of 44”-54”, while a rectangular dining table needs about 60” to accommodate the same number of guests.

Do you host huge gatherings during the holidays or momentous occasions? We recommend investing in an extendable table or our practical event wood dining table. Made of an elongated fiberwood top, this table will let you sit all your family or party guests.What a smart solution! Don’t forget to order extra dining seating for special occasions! Mid century modern dining chairs are particularly useful, they save precious space in small houses or apartments.

4. Shape

So, now that you’ve got the style, material and size, down, it’s time to consider the shape of your mid century modern dining tables. Since dining tables are primarily used for the purpose of having meals, there's a practicality factor to them. It’s essential to define the shape in terms of the number of people at the table!

Rectangular - Adored for their functionality, rectangle tables have become highly popular. They can definitely accommodate much more guests than square our round ones! Not only do rectangle tables beautifully define the dining setting,they also fit well in long rooms. Wouldn’t this sleek orchard dining table look stunning in modern rooms with an open space plan? Its double pedestal would surely give diners the utmost comfort. And it matches any chair style!

Round - These offer versatility in a myriad of settings. Whether used in a tiny, square room in or a kitchen nook, round mid century tables create an intimate setting. Just take a look at our sleek query dining table. It provides lots of legroom thanks to its pedestal! Besides, its warm veneer top makes it right for just about any modern room in the world.Keep in mind it's best to go for a round table onlyif you’re trying to accommodate six people or less.

Oval - Oval tables offer similar benefits to round ones. Nevertheless, ovals provide similar surface area to rectangular dining tables, yet with round edges. They take up much less visual space! Making them a highly sought-after option when it comes to mid century modern dining tables.Large oval tables like our tulip oval are ideal for family gatherings. Since this extremely practical table lacks corners and comes with a modern pedestal, it reduces seating. Give it a try!

Square - While rectangular tables are the most popular option, square dining tables provide a sense of proportion in long, narrow dining spaces or square ones.Even though square dining tables are usually small, not being able to hold a big group, some people favor them.

Those with discriminating tastes searching for something unique and out-of-the-ordinary! So, if you have a small guest list or are planning to create a modern breakfast nook, we recommend going for a square table like our aforementioned tulip square dining table.

5. Number of Legs

As you can see, mid century modern decor elements fully experiment with structure and shape: corner legs (4 legs) or pedestal bases (1 leg).So, which one would you prefer? In truth, you can’t go wrong with either of them!Perhaps your decision will be determined by the shape of the mid century dining table you select.

One Leg - With no legs at the edges to obstruct diners, pedestal bases, a.k.a. single bases, dramatically increase leg room and seating space. The single base also dramatically adds visual appeal!And if it’s a silver pedestal like the featured on our sleek silverado dining table, diners will be in awe. This glossy table showcases an aluminum base with a white fiberglass top. Chic and modern!

4 Legs - Rectangular or square dining tables featuring four corner legs get in people’s way, even if they offer great stabilityduring huge gatherings. In rectangular traditional dining tables, the corner legs make them awfully bulky as they add so much visual weight. Luckily, this isn’t the case with mid century dining tables.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the most relevant rule you should follow when purchasing mid century modern dining tables, is to go for the best option when it comes to your needs and your home. That's the bottom line. Manhattan Home Design offers a broad selection of dining tables in different styles, sizes and shapes that speak to your desired function or personal style. Check us out!