Wooden kitchen tables are in a league of their own so we won’t discuss their values but granite and glass kitchen tables are similar in many ways aesthetically so it is necessary to draw comparisons for the intelligent shopper. A good decorator knows that the material used to construct the kitchen table will determine both the look and feel of the table as well as its practical uses.

Granite Round Kitchen Tables:

Granite is a popular choice for patio furniture and countertops but it is also a common building material for tables. The smooth glossy finish of a granite tabletop feels nice to the touch and looks sophisticated and dark. You can really give your kitchen a refined edge if you throw in a round kitchen table made of granite.

For all of granite’s aesthetic qualities it does have a few drawbacks. Tables and chairs made out of granite are heavy and difficult to move. Once you set down your granite tabletop you aren’t going to want to move it around much more so you better be sure you like where you put it. Granite is probably the most durable of all the tabletop materials.

Glass Round Kitchen Table

Glass is popular because it is both relatively low cost and nice looking. You can do just about any design and form with a glass kitchen table so designers love using them as accent pieces in their work. A glass round kitchen table can be frosted, painted, stained, etched, and engraved to make beautiful and elaborate artwork out of a simple pane of glass.

Even though most glass tables are beautiful in look and texture they are often fragile. One well placed drop of a pot and you will shatter a thin glass tabletop with ease.

Before you go out and purchase your table head over to Round Kitchen Table Ideas for some more information that will help you make an educated decision.

An authentic farmhouse table can often be a rare gem to secure. Many stores offer convincing reproductions at a variety of prices depending on the types of materials used. However, none of these would offer the ambiance that a true, historical piece brings to one’s home.

To be considered an antique, these tables would need to be at least 100 years in age. Although most tables are from English and French sources, the East coast of the United States can offer a healthy selection of farmhouse tables, especially in America’s New England section. Professional antiques dealers are the wise choice when looking to purchase such a table in order to ensure the pieces authenticity. Estate sales are another good method of obtaining this item.

Online shopping and auction sites such as Ebay can bring an assortment of antique tables right into your home via the internet. Here one can view pictures of the desired item, ask the seller questions through e-mail and complete the purchase without ever leaving the house. Missing from this type of transaction is the obvious ability to examine the item up close beforehand which can lead to the undesired task of returning the table with shipping costs.

Antique farmhouse kitchen tables would be made from solid wood whereas reproductions may include recycled wood materials. The chairs will be straight-backed in design and simple rather than curved and/or ornate. The use of benches may also be an attractive alternate to traditional chairs. When deciding on whether or not to

Several manufacturers make great hall tables. One of them is Ballard Designs. This company produces slim, classic wood models with shelves and drawers. They have styles like the Martin Console that is priced under $400 USD and is in a classic wood style, finished in “Rubbed Cream”. You can also find unusual designs from a variety of online retailers. Narrow hall table styles by Powell Furniture are also nice and you can find some unique higher end pieces there. Some of this manufacturer’s table styles come with mirrors or other accessories, like umbrella hooks or hat racks. Of course, you’ll pay slightly more for such designs, but the space savings are great. They also provide an added touch of elegance.

There are also more modern or modular shaped designs available from places like Accent Furniture. Specifically, check into the Sitcom Furniture and Chandra console pieces. These are both practical and funky.

The main aspect is to get the priority right. You need to be sure for which purpose you will be buying the bar table. The purpose can either be a commercial or a home based one. If it is for a commercial purpose that you intend to buy a bar table then the choices that you make will differ from that which you would have made if you were buying a bar table for your mini sized bar at home.

While looking out for commercial bar tables you will be generally looking out for profit and durability unlike the options that you would be looking out for when you consider a bar table purchase for your home. Basically while buying any type of bar table you will have to keep the following in mind: the space that is available, the size of the table as well s the style and budget of the furniture. So as now that you have an idea what you need to look out for you can start your search. There are many stores and furniture shops that cater to the bar tables segment. If you do not get what you are looking out for in these stores you can try the internet which has a wide range of products available for every person depending on the needs and the budget of the customer. There are also offers which allow for the customer to avail of items like chairs and other seating arrangements that come with these bar tables.

 
photo credit Pushek

Often it’s the little things that add up to make that impacting first impression and that  is where a console table comes in to play. A carefully placed console table in your foyer can be decorated with tasteful artwork or fresh flowers giving your customers a welcome as soon as they come through the front door. There are few things worse than walking into a barren office entrance that lacks color and verve. It actually sends a negative message to your clients, a subtle message that says we don’t care enough about you to lay out the welcome mat.

Now you may be thinking that this is going to be an expensive exercise but you’d be wrong. A mission console table with its minimal, tidy, straight lines can be quite inexpensive. Of course if you buy a hand made Amish product you will pay top dollar but a mission console table doesn’t have to bust your budget. It’s an affordable option that will send the right first impression message to your customers and clients.

Now let give me you another option that is more expensive. Investing in a Tuscan console table will cost you more but it will bring a touch of class and style to your office or board room or conference room. The classic Italian lines of these tables will enhance any major office or room in your business. Made out of wood, wrought iron, glass and even marble a classic Tuscan console table is an elegant, classy piece of furniture that adds the wow factor to your office. It sends a message to your clients and customers that you are interested in quality and style. Although it can be expensive think of it as an investment in your clients.

Business is all about doing the little things really well. The seemingly insignificant wood or glass console table can help you make a helpful and significant first impression on those you seek to influence.

In a recent post I outlined some of the immense variety that is associated with a console table. We considered the various materials used to manufacture it such as wood, glass and wrought iron. We reflected on the variety of uses it could have in a home such as functional or decorative. We also started to look at looked at the variety of rooms in your home in which you could place a table. We noted that it can be very useful in a hallway, a bedroom, a dining room and a lounge. In this post I want to continue to explore the amazing versatility of the humble console table.

Half moon, demi-lune or drop leaf tables work perfectly well as a bar table. Either free standing as a four legged table or attached to a wall as a two legged table, they can serve a useful and practical function as a place to serve drinks as well as snacks at a party. A table used in this fashion takes up far less space and is way less obtrusive than a round table and can even accommodate a bar stool. Similarly this style of table can be used effectively as a bistro table. They will often fit snugly in places where larger round bistro tables will not fit go. Contemporary console tables especially fit this purpose.

Their versatility is quite remarkable. They can be useful in rooms as diverse as your bathroom, study or basement. In your bathroom they can double as a vanity whilst in your study they can be easily utilised as a small desk. Rather than throw out an old worn out table why not put it in your basement where it can be used as storage or work space?

Of course they do not have to be used for only utilitarian purposes such as I have outlined. They are also very successful in adding a touch of class to your home. The Tuscan or Tuscany console table has a reputation of classy elegance and exclusive Italian style. They are not cheap but you generally get what you pay for in life so be willing to pay the price if you want add this level of flair to your home. They are a blend of grace and functionality and certain designs even evoke a French country style. Some are entirely constructed of wood whilst others utilise hand-forged iron bases. Also you can get a glass console table.

Quite amazing isn’t it? The humble console table has such a range of applications.

photo credit nic joly

There also a multiplicity of styles when it comes to a console table. In a bedroom a small oak console table with an attached mirror makes an ideal place for applying makeup. In a hallway a two legged mission console table becomes a holding place for car keys, mail, magazines, phones and more. Alternatively this style of console table can be purely decorative with a vase of fresh flowers brightening up the hallway. On the other hand it can be used as a display place for family photos. Of course a two legged console table will need to be fixed to the wall for stability. Also these types of hallway console tables do lend themselves to having a mirror placed above them. This becomes very handy for checking your appearance before running out the door or for just creating a bigger sense of space in a narrow hallway. Mirrors are certainly ideal for giving the illusion of wider spaces.

A console table can also be used very effectively in a dining room. Again it can be entirely for decorative purposes complementing the dominate dining table and chairs. However it can easily double as a serving table when you have a large dinner party or for when the extended family gathers for a meal. Likewise in the lounge room a console table can serve the very practical purpose of being a room divider. When a sofa serves this purpose a console table can be placed behind it and used with great effect to enhance the sense of division in the room. For instance, a lamp with an exquisite lamp shade can be placed on the console table and act as a visual divider. This also serves to enhance the ambience of the room.

In our next post we’ll consider other ways in which a console table can be used to add to the beauty and functionality of your home.

Of course furnishings make up a large part of a home’s beauty. Tastefully crafted furniture add class and elegance to a home. They make a statement about us and our aspirations. Comfortable and stylish lounge settings are a pleasure to sit in. Professionally crafted dining sets add to a meal’s enjoyment. Art works enhance a home’s atmosphere with their color and vibrancy. But it’s not just the primary and prominent furnishings that create a home’s environment and make it pleasing to the eye. It often is the small and seemingly insignificant furnishings that both complement and complete the more dominant furnishings. Included in these less dominant furnishings are console tables.

You may ask what exactly is a console table? A console table is primarily an accent table used for a multiplicity of purposes. It is one of those small and seemingly insignificant pieces of furniture that can actually make a substantial difference to your home and its milieu. You can purchase a glass console table or a wood or iron one. Console tables can be placed a variety of rooms. They can be used in a hallway as a utility table for dropping car keys, placing the home telephone or a holding place for the newspaper or the mail. They can also be used in a dining room as a complementary piece to the main dining table and chairs. They can serve as sofa table often behind a sofa lounge adding to the sofa as a room divider. With a mirror they can add space and contrast to a hallway. As a half moon or drop leaf table they can serve as a bar table or even a bistro table. They can be utilised in a bedroom as a decorative piece or again as a more functional table for storing various day to day items including jewellery. They can also be used outside to complement a chaise lounge that is covered with colorful chaise lounge cushions.

Undoubtedly a console table is a tasteful and useful addition to any home.

 
photo credit  highfithome

Step 1

First work out how many tables you are going to buy and where you will place them in your home. Figure out whether their purpose is decorative or utilitarian. Will it complement a study table or serve as a dining bench? Also consider how complementary the tables need to be.

Step 2

Work out a budget. Allow more for the decorative items like a Tuscan console table that will be a feature piece. Consider low cost tables for bathrooms and studies. Putting a boundary on your expenditure before starting your search will help you avoid any spur of the moment decisions that will prove costly in the long run.

Make a decision as to how high your tables will be. Take into account the other furnishings in the room where your table will be placed. Make sure you keep the table in right proportion to the rest of your furniture.

Step 4

Measure the footprint of the areas where your console tables are going to be placed. Get an accurate assessment of the size of table you need to find.

Step 5

Give some thought to the colors of your tables. Will you paint them? Will you prefer to stain the wood a certain color? What colors in the room do you need to match or contrast? You will want to avoid a major clash of colors.

Step 6

This next step is very important.  What shape do you want? The options are many and include half circle, square, rectangular, round, v shaped for  a corner or straight back for a wall. What will suit the room and the feel you are looking to produce. Also factor in the shape of the legs. Some legs are ornate, others plain.

Step 7

Now consider the material. Do you want wood, wrought iron or a combination of both? Do you want a glass console table or one with a marble top? What will suit the furnishings in the room?

Step 8

We are getting close to the end of our process. If you want decorations to be on the table whether they are flowers or artwork choose a table that will go well with the decoration.

Step 9

Ask some of your friends where they bought their tables and follow their recommendations. Also search the net and discover the different options for purchasing.

Step 10

Now hit the shops and enjoy buying those well designed tables that will add beauty and functionality to your home.

Metal and glass tables have been among the most consistently popular styles over the years. They can be found in department and furniture stores, as well as antique shops specializing in modern and deco furniture. If longevity is your goal, opt for a table designed with a minimalist sensibility. Keeping the legs and frame free of adornments will reduce the risk that it will quickly go out of fashion. Instead, choose a table with a black, brown or chrome frame and a clear or frosted glass top. This way, you will buy with the confidence that your table will not look out of place in even the decades to come.

For those who want a little more flexibility from glass dining tables, long tables complete with sections that may be added to expand the available dining service are sold in stores and online. When shopping, do keep in mind that glass tends to be quite heavy, so it is wise to find a table with a system of rollers that will make installation easier. Tables that include these leaves are generally a bit more expensive than non-expanding counterparts, but they make entertaining far easier and more comfortable.

No matter how you envision your dining room post-redecoration, a glass dining table is a wonderful centerpiece. They can blend flawlessly with any color scheme and are known for their durability and functionality.