Every dining room is defined by its dining table. It is the centrepiece for the room and all over furniture, décor and lighting should be used to compliment it. There are many different types of dining tables available, such as glass top, wooden, metal, contemporary and rustic. There are other areas to consider when buying a dining set too, such as size, safety, durability and pricing.

Size – for most dining rooms, getting the size of the table is paramount for making the room usable but having a enough space for guests to sit around it. If the room is small, consider an extending table that can add at least two more dining positions to the table. That way you can entertain at parties or family get-togethers without having a huge table in the room at all other times. Measure the room and the space around it, as a rule of thumb try to give at least 120cm from the edge of the table to each wall.

Durability – one of the most important areas to consider when buying a dining table is how long it will last. Soft woods can scuff, chip and stain easily. Hard woods, such as oak or mahogany will last a long time, but they can be expensive. Glass tables are strong and due to the density of the glass they won't break easily. Metal tables can look great but don't fit everyone's style.

Safety – pets and children should be considered when buying dining tables. Square, glass tables tend to have pointed edges and can be dangerous for children running around. A rounded edge table would be a better choice. Varnished wood chairs can be slippery to sit on and hazardous for children, therefore it might be a good idea to use a cushion tied to the chair to stop any mishaps.

Pricing – if you have ticked the above points, then it all really boils down to pricing. How much can you afford? Do you see yourself moving home in the future to a larger or smaller house? Style is a factor here too, if the table is modern, will it fit in with the rest of your house as trends change? To splash out, you could have one hand-made from scratch. It will be more costly, but it will be designed to your liking.

Use these points of consideration when buying dining room tables and you find the best one for your needs.