Few pieces of furniture evocate more family memories’ than your dining room table. Whether it is the cozy feeling of evening gatherings or holiday feasts when all your loved ones our dining rooms stand witness to many unforgettable moments. The last thing you want is for memories to be troubled by an uncomfortable dining room table.

Dining room tables are an investment piece that you will likely keep for many years to come. Like your bed or sofa, your dining room table is an essential element that can make or break a room. It must ally style and function – a combination that can be tricky to achieve.

Here are some of our essential tips for choosing your dining room table.

When it comes to the dining room table, the first thing to decide on is the right size. Your dining area, whether it is a dedicated room or part of a bigger space, will determine how big of a dining table you should have. As a rule of thumb, there should be at least a 90cm clearance between your dining table and other objects. This will guarantee that you and your guests can move around comfortably.

Beware that dining tables can be bulky. It may be a good idea to mark the size of the dining tables you like on the floor with painter’s tape to check how they fit in your space. For smaller areas, like a dining nook, we recommend opting for a round table with a centre pedestal to minimise bulk. Our round dining tables, like minimalist Haris and Hex, are great for these spaces.

The shape of your dining space will also determine the best dining table for you. For example, if your dining area is a narrow space, you may want to opt for a rectangular table. Our Pam, Lemington, Bruny and Jun designs are perfect to fit these rooms. Plus, you can use bench seating that can be tucked under to keep your home flowing when not in use.

Try to harmonise the shape of the dining table with the shape of the room. For example, if your dining area is square – whether it is a dining nook or a dining room – pick a round dining table, like our Tate 4-seater. Meanwhile, an oval shape, like our Tate 6-seater, would be better suited to a rectangular dining area.

Gone are the days when your dining room only saw the light of day for more formal occasions. In a time when we have had to rethink our living arrangements to accommodate our lifestyle better, dining rooms have become all important. Whether it doubles as a crafting area or a home office, your dining room sees a lot of action.

Who has enough rooms in their home to keep a formal dining room where children and pets are not allowed, and all the furniture is covered in bubble wrap? Not us. Here at Lifely, we believe that all our furniture should be built to handle life’s messier moments. We use sturdy and easy-to-maintain materials for all our dining tables, such as solid wood legs and scratch-resistant melamine tabletops. They can be wiped clean in seconds, so you can focus on making memories with your loved ones.

Dining tables are the centrepiece of holiday celebrations and are the most formal room in your home. You may as well take advantage of it to make a statement and create the perfect backdrop for Insta-worthy pictures. Since creating memories can be a messy business, we recommend using subtle details that will not create any extra fuss.