Kitchen tables: types and selection
For many of those who are doing a major overhaul of the kitchen or decided to partially update it, the question arises of choosing a suitable table or even several tables. For this room, tables are presented in a huge assortment, there are many options in shape, function and size. That is why it is often difficult to choose a product that fits perfectly into a particular interior.
To avoid such difficulties in the selection process, you should familiarize yourself in advance with the features and classifications of kitchen tables, their materials, fittings and styles of execution, as well as tips for choosing. All these nuances will be described in detail in this article.
Peculiarities
As with any piece of furniture, the kitchen table has a number of features, the most important of which are the following.
- The basic function of the described piece of furniture is to provide comfort while eating for households and their guests.
- Sometimes tables are bought as an additional work space required when preparing meals.
- In large rooms, the table is often an element of the zonal distribution. This feature is typical, for example, for a kitchen-living room.
- Most dining tables are not similar in design to the countertop with the headset, but simply harmonize with its color scheme. At the same time, cutting tables for the kitchen can have the same topcoat as the set.
Types of structures
The list of kitchen tables on the furniture market is huge.
Each type of such designs has a number of special functions, so they are bought for different purposes.
Some of the models are still considered a luxury item, but without others it is already difficult to imagine everyday life. To figure out what table options exist, you can conditionally divide products into 2 groups: dining and cutting models.
Dining
The main purpose of using dining models is the convenience of the environment when eating at home. There are a number of dining table varieties.
- Stationary structures - differ in that they are not transformed during operation.
- Folding table - a piece of furniture, the worktop of which is divided into 2 or 3 parts, while the side elements can be folded vertically, significantly saving space in the kitchen. Usually this option is laid out when receiving a large number of guests.
- The sliding option is also popular.when the extra compartment is under the worktop. In the case of unfolding, its parts move to the side, while the central part fills a previously hidden compartment.
- Convertible dining tables - their sizes can be changed in all parameters: in length, height and width. They are equipped with rotary and rotating mechanisms that allow you to change the shape and parameters of the product.
Such versatile options when folded look quite elegant, but their weight can be very significant. And the cost of such multifunctional furniture is quite high.
- In some rooms, a bar counter can act as a dining table. It is usually an extension of the headset and has the same finish as the table top. This option is not only ergonomic, but also helps create additional space for placing kitchen utensils and utensils. From the front side, these structures can have additional support or be completely open.
- Shelving table concept it is appropriate in the kitchen for those options if the table stands with its end to the wall, as well as if its functions are performed by a bar counter. Such narrow rectangular products can pass their surface into shelves for storing kitchen accessories or utensils.
- Countertop constructions, made in a semicircle, are very popular in apartments for 1-2 people. With a straight end, the product adheres directly to the wall, and the rounded side is directed towards the kitchen space.
- Console table may also be present in kitchens, but it mainly acts as a zone divider in large rooms. It can adhere to the wall or to furniture from adjacent areas of the room, as if marking the boundaries of the kitchen.
- The most ergonomic table type is pull-out modelbuilt into the kitchen.
It occupies one of the lower sections of the headset, by pulling on the handle, you can pull out the entire structure. It is held by attaching to furniture and two legs, to which the wheels are attached. Thanks to these wheels, the structure can roll out.
Besides saving space, the built-in model is also good in that during operation it firmly stands at the same level, despite the possible unevenness of the floor covering. It also prevents the clutter that sometimes forms on stationary products. As for the cons, they include: inability to move the structure, small surface area, the need for special installation.
Chopping
In terms of thickness and coating, such models are most often combined with a headset, but sometimes options with a slightly different tabletop design are acceptable. The butcher's table is a stable structure with additional strength of the work surface.
On many of these products, you can see an anti-vandal layer on the upper surface, which is not afraid of scratches and chips that sometimes appear during the cooking process with careless handling of knives.
It is also worth highlighting modular cutting tables... They consist of sections, the size of which is chosen at the discretion of the buyer. The choice of options depends on what exactly is planned to be stored in the compartments of such a product.
Manufacturing materials
One of the most important aspects when choosing a kitchen table is the material from which it is made.On the modern market, there are many similar furniture and components from various types of raw materials.
Wood is a natural material from which high-quality, durable and environmentally friendly structures are created.... Among the hardwoods used to create kitchen tables are rowan, larch, elm, birch, oak, apple and beech. Most of the products from these breeds look very solid and solid, but it is worth noting such inherent negative characteristics as high weight and high cost.
In addition, these structures require special impregnation coatings, since wood in the kitchen can suffer from high humidity.
Often times, wooden tables include metal parts such as forging or corner trims. Iron parts can be made of stainless steel. Often the table legs act as durable stainless steel parts, while the table top remains wooden. Such a simple design looks catchy, and yet the structure is quite reliable and durable.
More budgetary counterparts will be kitchen tables from raw materials based on wood. The most popular are materials such as MDF, chipboard and chipboard... In the first case, a board with a wood-fiber structure is used, the components of which are held together thanks to paraffin. The second material is wood chipboard, and the third option includes the second plus a laminated surface.
Products from the above wood analogs have a fairly strong structure and can be decorated in various ways.
And also it is worth noting such an economical option for using natural wood in the countertop, like veneer. It is a thin cut of wood that is attached to the base material for the countertop. As a result, the kitchen table takes on a presentable look, even if it is not entirely made from natural raw materials.
No less popular for the kitchen glass products. Nothing looks as refined and graceful as a glass table top, which is made of sufficiently durable glass that is resistant to various mechanical damage. These products are good because they are very easy to care for.
Sometimes glass models of countertops are complemented by very unusual legs, the material for the manufacture of which is natural bamboo. It looks original.
A natural stone is also a raw material for making kitchen tables. This material is characterized by durability equal to wood, strength and special aesthetics. True, when choosing such a product, it is worth remembering such nuances as the high price and very heavy weight. It is also necessary to avoid contact of the surface with various chemicals. Stone countertops often include bar counters.
Along with expensive materials for creating tables in the kitchen, plastic, the price of which is quite democratic. Other advantages of plastic coated structures are ease of maintenance, wide range of design options, durability and lightness. The surface of these tables can also imitate natural materials.
However, you need to be careful with products made of PVC and other similar materials, since they are not so resistant to mechanical damage or shock.
An especially lightweight option for artificial raw materials for kitchen countertops is plastic... It often covers the surface of the table, being decorated in bright colors. The table with a plastic top is light in weight and easy to clean, but its surface is not resistant to too hot dishes and various damage.
Fans of unusual countertop coverings will love option with ceramic tiles. Tiles can be used to recreate the look of various natural materials, such as stone or wood. It is worth remembering that products made from such raw materials are very easy to maintain and do not require thorough cleaning using strong products.
Shapes and sizes
At the kitchen table, the worktop can be embodied in various forms. The following types stand out among them.
- Round design - a very elegant option, especially relevant for classic styles. This table has 3 legs in the form of legs or one large solid support under the center of the table top. The downside of this design is their low level of ergonomics.
The round shape does not allow you to attach the table to the wall, so it is not very suitable for small kitchens. For ease of use, the diameter of the product should not be more than 150 cm.
- An oval table is ideal for a large company, the absence of sharp corners in which allows you to minimize the number of injuries during operation. This design, in contrast to the round one, has a more elongated shape, therefore, in some cases, if the dimensions of the kitchen allow, it can even be placed against the wall. This type of table top has two interconnected supports or 4 legs.
- Square table for the kitchen - a great option for a small family or couple. It is especially laconic in modern styles, when the rest of the headset has a clear shape and angles.
A small table will perfectly complement the overall concept with its shape, but it will not take up much space, which will be an additional plus for owners of small apartments.
- Rectangular kitchen table considered a classic for a home with more than three people, or for receiving guests. Its support is usually 4 legs located in the corner zones under the table top. These tables are medium to large in size and are often located against a wall when there are no more than 4 people in the family. They are presented in a huge number of design options.
- An unusual design for eating will become triangular table. This figured geometric version is suitable for a home where guests are not very frequent and where a small number of people live. However, there are also larger options for this form. The number of product supports corresponds to the number of corners.
So that the table is not too high, it must be chosen based on the growth parameters of all households.
The total height should be divided by the number of people living, multiplied by the height of a standard table (78), and then divided by the average height (165).
The resulting number will be the optimal height.
Colors and styles
It is very important to remember that choosing a kitchen table requires taking into account the concept of the style in which the interior of the kitchen is decorated. Among the design directions, the following main types can be distinguished, tables for each of which have a corresponding look.
- For classic, Provencal or country styles the best solutions will be wooden tables for the kitchen. In the first case, it is necessary to emphasize the elegance of the classics with carved wood patterns, graceful legs and noble natural colors. For Provence, it is worth choosing constructions made of light wood, which have simple, but at the same time graceful forms.
In the concept of country, the shapes are not so smooth - massive rectangular tables are chosen for it, the texture of which is deliberately emphasized. In addition, wood is always present in chairs or even benches that complement such a dining space.
- For glassware modern design concepts, such as hi-tech, modern or minimalism, are best suited. In the first case, a glass tabletop is usually combined with other materials in one product. The legs can be made of both plastic and metal, and sometimes they are even decorated with backlighting, which looks unusual.In the Art Nouveau direction, kitchen tables appear in strict rectangular or oval shapes, and wood or wood counterparts can serve as an additional material in the design.
In a minimalistic concept, the glass horizontal table of the rectangular shape is complemented by the legs of atypical shapes, for example, triangular.
- Stone kitchen tables perfectly complement the Mediterranean concept, modern and rococo. In Mediterranean design, the structure can be white or beige, and the countertop is sometimes done in blue or green-blue.
In Art Nouveau, you can often see glossy dark stone tables. Rococo tables look very pompous; light-colored stone is often decorated with various patterns and stucco. Sometimes the stone is combined with elements such as forged parts in the support area, which look like a real work of art.
- Eco concept involves the use of materials that resemble light wood in color and texture. The tabletops of the headsets are very often made of a similar material and are transformed into stylish bar counters.
As for the color schemes when decorating the table as a whole, the options here can be very different.
- Monochrome tabletop coating in glossy or matte texture. Popular options are white, black, red, beige.
- Imitation of natural materials... Thanks to modern technologies, the surface from artificial raw materials is often made to look like wood or stone. Colors are matched accordingly. Wooden imitations are characterized by shades of brown, beige, mahogany, ivory. You can also find products with patina - artificially created signs of antiquity on furniture.
- On individual orders, photo printing can be applied to the countertop made of some materials (for example, plastic). Thanks to this technique, the kitchen table can be made truly unique. A table with a photo print often becomes an accent detail in the interior of a kitchen.
- Colored countertops are not always monochromatic, often various ornaments or patterns are created that form a pattern. It is noteworthy that on such design options, traces of pollution are not immediately apparent.
How to choose?
To purchase a product that would be as functional and beautiful as possible for your kitchen, you need to follow the recommendations for choosing a table. These include the following nuances.
- First of all, one should take into account the size of the room in which the product will be located. There are fewer options for a small kitchen than for a more spacious one. In a small room, it is better to place a square or rectangular table, or you can arrange the dining space in the form of a bar counter.
- Check the prices of various products through catalogs and the Internet to help you plan your budget. Please note that expensive models (for example, a pilaster table) often have such a price due to the natural materials in their composition and handmade elements. In extreme cases, you can opt for economy class products, which will look no less organic at the same time.
- Taking into account the overall concept of the interior in the kitchen is very important. If the table differs in style from the surrounding environment, then there will be no proper harmony in the room. Therefore, be sure to check the product design options for your particular concept.
- Take into account the number of people who will be using the table at all times, plus 2 more seats in case guests come. From all this, choose the maximum product capacity. It is also worth remembering that 70 cm of space is needed per person for a truly comfortable meal. Multiply this figure by the number of people and you get the ideal kitchen table settings for your family.
Advice
In the process of furnishing the kitchen and arranging tables, you should pay attention to some techniques that will make the kitchen space as functional as possible, and the table - an organic and stylish interior detail. Let's list these techniques.
- The table area can be further highlighted with lighting fixtures.
- The table top can be successfully complemented with accessories according to the interior concept - cloth napkins, decorative figurines or a vase of flowers. However, such parts should not overload the product.
- You should try to keep the chairs in the same style as the table design.
Successful examples
If you have not yet decided on the desired model of the kitchen table, take a look, what some original and beautiful examples look like in the interior.
- A practical wooden rectangular model will fit perfectly into a kitchen with a corner.
- The support for a glass-top product can have a single-colored light support with an unusual shape.
- A square beige table with rounded corners of the table top looks even more organic when paired with chairs that have the same flowing silhouette.
- A drawer with doors can be built into the supporting part of kitchen tables, which will create additional space for storing various utensils.
An overview of the transformer kitchen table, see below.