Choosing the best dining room set for the growing family

Newlyweds and young families usually don’t need a large dining table. In fact, many parents with only one toddler do not bother with a dining table at all. But as your first child grows older and you continue to add to the family, you’ll need to think about a dining set that will meet your needs for years to come.

Before you jump into buying a new dining set, there are several things that you need to consider. How long will you be in your home? Do you want the same dining set to last until your children are grown and left home? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should consider getting furniture that is apt to withstand the abuse of playing children.

Do you have a lot of dinner parties or family dinners? If so, you should really have a versatile and highly functional dining set that doesn’t make the space feel crowded on a daily basis.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you start shopping for your first full dining room sets.

Safety first!

If you have toddlers or young children that may try to tug on chair legs, you should make sure that both your dining table and all of the accompanying chairs and accessories are weighted at the base. Lightweight dining chairs are tempting, particularly because they are so cheap. But they pose a hazard to crawling infants that could tug them down onto themselves causing injury.

Upholstery that stands up against spills and rough play

No matter what you try, your dining room furniture is going to be doused with fluids, food, art supplies, and who knows what else, sometimes on a near-daily basis. There are a few different types of fabrics that you can choose from that are more likely to stand up against the splatters.

Keep in mind that, regardless of your best efforts, you will not be able to keep your upholstered dining chairs stain-free. Faux leather is a good option if you really want your dining chairs to have cushions. It is inexpensive and allows spills to be wiped up easily. That leather and wood look isn’t right for all homes, so you should also consider fabrics like cotton or linen that are scotch guarded against spills and food stains.

A durable table

A dining room table is a major investment, but some of them are not likely to hold up against the abuse of hungry and occasionally unruly children. Instead of getting a cheap dining room table that will need to be replaced within a few years, spend a bit more to get an affordable table that will last far beyond the time that your children leave home.

There are two types of tables that are durable and will last for many years. Solid hardwood tables (not engineered wood) are a great option for families because they can easily be sanded and refinished when your children are old enough that you won’t have to worry about it anymore. Sanding and refinishing can even circumvent stains.