Oak Dining Tables

When thinking about furnishing your home, consider that oak has unmatched country charm and historic beauty. It’s one of the most durable and functional woods out there today, and being a heavy hardwood, a builder can build sturdy pieces quite easily. Simple lines and stylish finishes come naturally with oak.

While some people go directly for buying new, others enjoy hitting yard sales and antique stores to find that piece that’s just right. To these people, the history behind the piece means just as much as the piece itself.

Of course, buying used furniture means you’ll sometimes have some repairs to make. It’s entirely possible, however, especially with a hardwood such as oak, to make an antique look like it’s brand new. This gives you an added sense of accomplishment, more of a connection with the piece.

Sometimes, used furniture has flaws which add to its character, making it more authentic and charming. Such flaws might cause one to ponder about its colorful past, how these flaws came to be, and what kind of people owned the piece at the time.

Because oak is so durable, it’s especially suited for such repair jobs. Although it doesn’t turn very well in a lathe, it’s strong, clean lines and solidity appeal to many. Oak’s strongpoint is large furniture like tables and desks. Oak furniture is usually heavy and bulky.

Like most hardwoods, oak doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. It is, however, vulnerable to moisture, temperature, and, of course, dents and scratches. Even though it’s more resistant than the softer woods, the surface must still be maintained on a regular basis.

If you are renovating a large piece of oak furniture, the majority of the work lies in restoring the surface. Usually, the surface will be dirty or scratched. Sometimes it just looks lifeless. This can, however, be remedied with a little elbow grease.

After you remove the visible dirt, you’ll have to remove any paint or stain that has been previously applied to the wood. It might be necessary to use several coats of stain remover to easily remove the old stain or paint.

When the old layers of paint and stain have been removed, you’ll then need to use a very fine sandpaper to smooth the wood. Be careful here, and do not use an electric sander for such a delicate piece of work. Treat the piece like the treasure it really is.

With the entire surface clean and smooth, it’s time to apply new stain. After applying the first coat, wipe off the excess and let it dry. Continue applying coats until you have the color that suits you.

For protective purposes, you’ll want to apply several coats of polyurethane. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

Your next task is to enjoy the piece. From here on out, it’s relatively maintenance free. What maintenance it does need consists of keeping it clean and dry.

Coffee tables are like the stepchildren of furniture selection.  Mostly we give our attention to dining room tables and chairs, sofas and bedroom suites, and even entertainment centers.  Few things can complement a cozy living room, however, like a solid oak coffee table.  In this day and age, it’s the furniture must-have.

An important consideration when looking at buying a coffee table is the current decor of your living room.  Do you live in a tiny mansion, or a studio apartment?  Does your living room look out over a rock beach, or a landfill?

In the living room, the coffee table is center stage.  Yes, your sofa and end tables are very important, but your coffee table can make or break the ambience of the room.  On its surface you can usually find such items as books, a vase full of flowers, and sometimes even a cup of coffee.  It’s probably the most seen piece of furniture in your entire house.

So what should you look for in a coffee table?  Ideally, the coffee table should be matched with your sofa, especially when it comes to sizing.  For instance, your coffee table should be no taller than your sofa cushions, and it shouldn’t be more than two-thirds the sofa’s overall length. 

Your personal taste comes into play a lot here also.  Do you want to go with the traditional rectangle coffee table, or something not so predictable?  There are literally thousands of designs to choose from, and this is one area of furniture selection where your individuality can shine through.

If you do a lot of entertaining, however, you may want to consider going with a round or oval table.  For some reason, round tables are just better when you have large groups of people around.  Outside their aesthetic reasons, they’re handy to have around if a game of Texas Hold’em breaks out.

Another option to keep in mind is a square coffee table.  Square coffee tables draw attention, especially if the rest of the living room is predominately rectangles.  If the room is too small, however, you might want to avoid a square shape.  If it is a large room, however, a square coffee table might just provide a much-needed balance.

So, while your sofa and end tables might consume most of your attention when thinking about buying living room furniture, too little thought about a coffee table could turn out to be a big mistake.  Above all, have fun with it.

Depending on how you do it, shopping for a new dining room table can either be a frustrating or satisfying experience.  You’d be wise to take your time and shop around.  There’s a lot to take into consideration.

Be patient and do your research because high quality oak dining tables are expensive.  They will, however, last a very long time.  For this reason, you might never have to buy another one.  In fact, you may even be handing it down to your kids and even grand kids.

Typically, the dining room is where most of your entertaining takes place.  This is where family and friends gather for special occasions and such.  The furniture you choose there is how you show that everyone is welcome in your home.  If the dining room feels comfortable, has style, and accommodates all your guests, your meals will feel like celebrations.

The first thing you want to think about when considering buying an oak dining table is the amount of room you have available.  There should be enough room to at least walk around the room and pull out the chairs.  A general rule is that round tables are usually best suited for smaller rooms, while rectangular tables go better in larger rooms.

Another size issue to consider is that of how many people will typically be using the table.  If you entertain a lot, a big table might be necessary.  If a smaller number of people use the table mostly, however, a bigger table might feel cold and impersonal.

Since the table will be the centerpiece, you should pick one that complements other furniture or decor in the room.

Oak comes in a variety of colors.  The wood can vary in color, and the stain used can affect the color as well.

The next thing you’ll need to keep in mind is the style of the table.  There’s no right or wrong choice, here, it’s just a matter of personal choice.  There are so many styles to choose from, if you look around it’s a safe bet you’ll find the one that’s perfect for you and your home.

If, however, you just can’t find one that suits you, another option might be to have a table built just for you.  After all, there’s no surer way of getting the exact table you want.  There are custom builders who will build a table according to your own needs and wants. 

One reason you might want to go this route is if you have an odd shaped dining room or another reason a standard table won’t fit.

The right table for you is out there.  Take your time, look around, and choose wisely.