A dining room table can play the role of entertainer and that of the loyal servant. It is always ready to host the family meal or a game of cards. The dining table, when decorated with a well chosen centerpiece should be the focal point for the dining room. The very design of the dining room should be focused on the dining table. Everything placed in the room should be chose to compliment and amplify your dining table.

The first accompaniment to the dining table is the centerpiece. The centerpiece can add elegance to the table. Its size should depend on the available space. If it is too large it becomes a nuisance. It to should reflect the other decorations surrounding the table in the dining room. Do not let the centerpiece become so large that people are unable to see the person across from them.

Be sure that your table fits well in your dining space. It should also have enough room for your family to be seated comfortably around the table. You will also want to provide for room for friends to join your family for a meal. If you buy a new table, you may have to completely redecorate your dining room.

Not only do dining tables come in many sizes, they also are available in several shapes. Choose the shape that best complements your dining room and fits your family size.

A round dining table is one of the best shapes. Like we learn in King Arthur, the round table has no head. It allows people to face one another and encourages conversation. The round table can be decorated to fit formal occasions as well as informal events.

A square dining table is very elegant for dining. It works well for couples or small families. Most square tables are designed for three to four persons at the most, although larger squares are available that have seating for eight people. The smaller square is great for a small dining room. The larger square needs a room that is wide enough to accommodate it. A square table often needs no more centerpiece than candles light atop it.

Rectangular tables are more casual than either square or round ones. They are usually larger than the square tables and provide seating for six or more. Rectangular tables fit well in combination dining rooms.

By choosing a table with additional leaves, you can adjust the size of the table to meet your needs. A round table becomes an oval and a square table becomes a rectangle. The rectangular table just becomes a longer rectangle. Many tables can have three or four leaves and adding each leaf makes place for two more people at the table.

Whatever table you choose, you will want to dress with appropriate tablecloths for formal settings or place mats for informal settings. Tablecloths and place mats help to protect a natural wood finish from water stains that can ruin the appearance of the most beautiful of tables.

When the table is on display, you may want to remove the tablecloths so that the beauty of the natural wood can shine through. Just be sure that you add the appropriate centerpiece back to the table so that it is eye appealing to the viewer.