The Empire Dining Table, the Beyond Dining Table, the Bellagio Dining Table and the Empire Dining Table share two key traits despite their stark differences in design. They are the world’s most sought-after luxury dining tables and they are all rectangular. For as long as dining tables have existed, rectangular dining tables have been the most prevalent, and with good reason. From the royal palaces of Europe to the stately manors and townhouses of nobility, rectangular dining room tables have been a consistent feature.
The reasons for the overwhelming popularity of rectangular tables are multi-layered, the primary one being their obvious functional benefits when hosting grand soirees, or large dinner parties, a staple of high society through the ages. Beyond that, there are considerable stylistic benefits. Dining rooms are typically narrow spaces, and so a rectangular table makes perfect sense for getting the best of that space, whereas a square or round table would still serve the same function, but without the best use of the area. Conversely though, a rectangular table wouldn’t look out of place in dining spaces with broader dimensions.
A surprisingly versatile design, they offer you significant flexibility in terms of the amount of available seating for any number of guests. FCI London and our team of experienced interior designers have helped thousands of clients choose their ideal dining tables over the past several decades, and we know how to best style these kinds of tables in modern homes. In this feature, we will provide you with a complete picture of the pros and cons of rectangular tables.
Dining rooms and culinary spaces in luxury homes are areas of considerable activity, so the right furniture is crucial for creating an eye-catching aesthetic. The dining table is the centrepiece of the space and sets the tone for the overall look, along with its key functional benefits. Rectangular tables offer benefits on both the stylistic and functional front.
The dining room table should be equally suitable for intimate family dinners or formal dinners with a large number of guests. Rectangular tables are perfect for this purpose. A long rectangular table can help you host a memorable dinner party and it can also be the spot for intimate meals with the family, whether the seating is well-spaced, or kept close at one end of the table.
Whether you have an open-plan dining space, a minimalist dining room or a traditionally segregated one, a rectangular table will fit right in. The clean lines make it a versatile stylistic addition to almost any design ethos. Additionally, the shape allows you to opt for a range of seating arrangements.
Any piece of furniture has some aspects that require consideration, regardless of how well they’re designed, and rectangular tables are no exception.
Although its pros outweigh the cons, rectangular tables do present some challenges that you need to be aware of.
The sheer size of a rectangular table can hinder the sense of intimacy in very small groups, especially if you insist that diners be equally spaced around the table; however, this is a small potential drawback when considered in the context of the benefits offered by having ample seating space available. Our team can help you choose a table with the right dimensions for your intended use, with the right balance of factors for your space.
Discerning individuals look for a degree of flexibility in their furniture, and modern designers have made it possible with inventive designs. That brings us to the development from traditional fixed tables to extendable ones which allow for more flexibility.
Fixed tables have been in existence for thousands of years and remain the choice for most homeowners because they are generally more stable and present a cohesive, grounded appearance. They are solid and uniform regardless of the size. However, getting the size of the table right at the purchasing stage is imperative to ensure it complements your dining room and serves its purpose correctly. In essence, you would not have any flexibility on that front.
Consider having a rectangular dining table for 4 in your space but with the option of extending it to seat 6 or 8 if a couple of guests come unannounced. That’s the level of flexibility that you get with an extendable table. The value of these tables is their significant flexibility. You can turn it into a long table when you host a dinner or into an intimate space for 4 as and when required. The work of some of the leading furniture designers and brands has led to the emergence of extendable tables in high-end materials and inventive designs. There is absolutely no compromise on style with extendable tables, in fact some designers have made the extendable mechanism a feature of the overall design.
While both present compelling cases, the ultimate choice you make will depend on your lifestyle, hosting habits and aesthetic preferences. We recommend speaking to one of our seasoned interior designers to get a better understanding of which may be more suitable for your dining room.
Our designers have created a convenient checklist for you to successfully pick the perfect dining table for your space.
The durability, appearance and charm of any piece of furniture depend on the quality of the materials used. While we agree that you now have a range of options in terms of materials, no material can beat the class, sophistication and aesthetic charm of a wooden table. We recommend opting for tables made from the best hardwoods. For instance, an oak rectangular dining table, with its natural golden hue, will be a striking centrepiece of your space.
FCI London has more than 40 years in the luxury furniture and interior design industry, and we pride ourselves on being a trusted name creator of luxury interiors in London, both large and small.
Our longstanding relationships with the best craftsmen and designer brands from all over Europe are at your disposal, and we offer first-class delivery and installation of any product you purchase through us, ensuring that your experience is stress free and convenient..
Visit our 30,000 sq. ft.showroom, the largest luxury showroom in London, to discover, explore and experience a wide range of contemporary and traditional rectangular dining tables, along with professional advice from a team of experienced and award-winning interior designers.
Utilise our complementary services like 3D Rendering, project planning, and enjoy our signature personalised service. We aim to make your design journey as seamless as possible, saving you time and effort wherever possible.
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