It’s been a while since we’ve spoken about dining… I think it’s one of the most under-utilised rooms in the home. We love the dining room when we are there. However most of the time, it’s easy to forget, and often easier to just plonk down in front of the tv.

Let’s try and fall back in love with dining at a table, on proper chairs, talking, eating properly. It’s a whole social construct of love breaking bread together and just talking. It’s good for the soul and we don’t do it enough.

When it comes to dining, we are either buying a set, or individual pieces. This is a big choice, do we go with the pairing chosen for us? Or do we strike out on our own and create our own combinations?

Oslo Light Mango 4-Seater Dining Set - From £649.99

Let’s start with the height of the table? The angle of the legs and the seat space needed underneath, most traditional tables have chunky straight legs, fantastic clean cut lines, with reliable sturdiness. 

Whereas scandi tables bring a poised, simple elegance. Whilst the tapering legs may spread over slightly more floor space, they do offer less resistance to legs fitting underneath.

This leads to chairs. Whilst arms might be more comfortable for longer lunches, and definitely bring a serious level of elegance, but can be harder to slide underneath for storing away, so it’s important to think about what’s important for you.

Style is always going to be the hardest choice… wood, plastic, fabric, leather or rattan? There are a cornucopia of choices, and that’s before we even look at industrial or benches.

Scandi choices are light and simple, with a very pale palette. They’re gentle on the eye and pair well with a minimal home. They also conjure up a fun, contemporary theme.

Nothing gets more trendy than industrial furniture, it doesn’t even come close. They’re effortlessly stylish, conjuring up images of a trendy bar scene, or converted loft apartments. And thanks to the solid combination of metal and wood, they are reliable.

There’s also a great variety of more modern, out there chairs, ones that might once have seemed unattainable are now available in so many options to suit every style, a step away from the uniform traditional options.

Madrid Fabric Dining Chair - Soft Blue - £99.99

Whatever your final decision, we understand it won’t be easy, that’s why it’s important to take your time and really think about what you consider important in the home. Really take stock of what would make you excited to use the dining room. And what chair you could see yourself enjoying long after the meal has finished.