How to Choose a Dining Room Table for Your Central Florida Home

Choosing a dining room table is all about finding that perfect centerpiece for your family’s life. For those of us here in Central Florida, it also means picking a piece that can stand up to our unique climate, from the Longwood sun to the Orlando humidity.

The best way to start? Measure your space first. From there, you can decide on a shape that works with your room's flow and choose materials built to last. We're here to help you find a table that fits your life perfectly.

Finding the Perfect Table for Your Florida Lifestyle

Your dining table is so much more than just a piece of furniture—it’s the heart of your home. It’s where your family gathers for weeknight dinners, where holiday memories get made, and where conversations with friends linger long after the plates are cleared. Here in the Greater Orlando area, we know life is a mix of busy schedules and laid-back weekends, and your dining table has to be ready for all of it.

As a local, family-owned business serving Longwood since 1980, we at Slone Brothers Furniture have helped generations of families find that perfect piece. We know from experience that choosing a dining table involves more than just falling in love with a style. It's about finding a table that fits your life and lasts through years of use, spills, and sunshine.

Key Decisions for Your Central Florida Home

When you first start looking, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. To help you zero in on what truly matters for your home in Lake Mary, Sanford, or anywhere nearby, we've broken it down into a few core elements:

• Functionality and Daily Use: How do you really live? Is your dining room a formal space reserved for special occasions, or is it the daily hub for homework, meals, and family projects? Your answer here will point you toward either a durable, everyday workhorse or a more elegant statement piece.

• Climate Considerations: Our beautiful Florida sun and humidity can be tough on furniture. We can walk you through which materials—like the solid Amish and American-made furniture we specialize in—offer the best long-term value and durability against the challenges of our local climate.

• Personal Style and Vision: Your table should be a true reflection of your taste. Whether you love a coastal vibe, modern minimalism, or timeless traditional design, we don't think you should ever have to compromise. Through our Custom-Order Program, you can tailor finishes, sizes, and details to create a piece that’s uniquely yours.

• Space and Layout: The size and shape of your room are non-negotiable starting points. A table that’s too large can make a room feel cramped and awkward, while one that’s too small just gets lost. For those with cozier dining nooks or open-concept layouts, getting the right fit is especially important. If you're working with limited square footage, our guide on choosing the best dining table for small spaces offers practical tips and ideas to maximize what you've got.

At Slone Brothers, our goal is to help you navigate these choices with confidence. We combine our decades of expertise with a genuine desire to see you find a piece you'll love for a lifetime, all backed by our Low Price Promise.

To make things even simpler, here's a quick look at the main decisions you'll be making.

Dining Table Quick Guide: Key Decisions at a Glance

This table summarizes the essential factors to consider when selecting a new dining room table for your home.

Thinking through these points ahead of time will make your in-store experience much more focused and enjoyable. You'll know exactly what to look for and what questions to ask.

Measuring Your Space for a Perfect Fit

Before you even start dreaming about styles or materials, let’s talk about the single most important thing you can do: grab a tape measure. It’s a simple, foundational step that keeps you from making the all-too-common mistake of falling for a table that either swallows your room whole or looks completely lost in it.

Especially here in Central Florida, where so many of our beautiful homes in the Orlando area feature open-concept layouts, getting the scale right is everything. It's the key to creating a dining space that feels balanced, functional, and inviting from day one.

Start by measuring the length and width of the exact spot where your table will live. Whether it's a formal dining room or a cozy breakfast nook, those dimensions are your starting point. From there, you can figure out the perfect table size that still leaves plenty of room for everyone to move around comfortably.

The Essential Clearance Rule

Here’s the golden rule we live by in the furniture world: always leave 36 to 48 inches of clearance space on all sides of your table. This is the empty space from the edge of the tabletop to the nearest wall or another piece of furniture.

• 36 inches is the absolute minimum. This gives you enough room to pull out chairs and lets people walk behind someone who is already seated without asking them to scoot in.
• 48 inches is the ideal. It provides a more generous walkway, which is perfect for high-traffic areas or if you plan on adding a buffet or sideboard to the room.

This isn't just some designer suggestion—it's what makes a dining area feel usable instead of cramped. It ensures your family and guests can get up and move around freely without doing that awkward sideways shuffle. For more detailed tips, our guide on how to measure furniture for your home is a great resource.

This simple graphic really breaks down the first few steps of the process, and it all begins with knowing your numbers.

As you can see, measuring is the foundation. It directly influences your decisions on shape and material, helping you pull together a look that’s both practical and beautiful.

Balancing Visual Weight and Other Elements

Beyond the physical tape measure numbers, you also have to think about a table’s "visual weight." A heavy, dark, solid wood table is going to feel much larger in a room than a sleek glass-top table of the exact same size. In many of the bright, airy homes you see around Lake Mary and Sanford, choosing a table that feels lighter can help maintain that open, spacious atmosphere.

Finally, don’t forget to look up! A chandelier can make or break a dining space. You’ll want to measure for this, too, so be sure to check a good chandelier size guide to make sure it's properly scaled to your table and ceiling height.

Once you have these measurements in hand, you can walk into our Longwood showroom with total confidence, knowing exactly what size and style will fit your home perfectly.

Choosing the Right Shape for Your Dining Room

Now that you have your ideal measurements, we can get to the fun part: picking a shape. This decision goes way beyond just fitting the table into your room's floor plan. The shape you choose sets the entire tone for your dining space, influencing everything from the flow of conversation during dinner parties to the feel of your morning coffee.

It’s about creating a space that works for your Central Florida lifestyle. Whether you're hosting a big family gathering or enjoying a quiet meal, the right table shape makes all the difference.

Classic Rectangular Tables

There’s a reason the rectangular table is a timeless classic. It’s practical, familiar, and works beautifully in most dining rooms—especially the longer, narrower spaces we see in so many Central Florida homes.

• Best For: Big families or anyone who loves hosting a crowd.
• Pros: You simply can’t beat a rectangular table for maximizing seating. It also gives you plenty of room down the center for all those serving dishes during holiday meals.
• Considerations: In a tighter space, those sharp corners can feel a bit imposing. If you have little ones running around, you might find yourself worrying about bumped heads.

Welcoming Round and Oval Tables

Round tables are brilliant for creating a cozy, connected atmosphere. There’s no head of the table, so everyone feels included in the conversation, making it perfect for lively family dinners.

Oval tables are a fantastic middle ground. You get the linear seating of a rectangle but with soft, rounded corners that are much easier to navigate around. They just have a more relaxed, gentle feel.

Our Design Team often recommends round or oval tables for smaller, square-shaped rooms or eat-in kitchens in the Orlando area. Their lack of sharp corners makes a space feel larger and more open.

Modern Square Tables

If you have a square-shaped room, a square table can create a wonderfully balanced and contemporary look. Just like a round table, it fosters a sense of intimacy by seating everyone at an equal distance from one another. It's a clean, symmetrical choice that feels both modern and inviting.

Ultimately, thinking about how you'll really use the room will point you to the right shape. For some extra guidance, take a look at our tips on how to choose the best furniture for the layout of your home.

Selecting Materials That Thrive in the Florida Climate

When you’re choosing a dining table here in Longwood—or anywhere across Central Florida—you have to think beyond just looks. Our weather is a major factor. The relentless humidity and strong sun can be tough on furniture, causing some materials to warp, fade, or even start peeling over time.

Picking the right material isn't just a detail; it’s a critical step in making a smart investment that will stay beautiful for years. At Slone Brothers, we've seen what lasts and what doesn't. We've built our reputation on providing furniture with real, long-term value, focusing on durable options that are a perfect match for Florida homes.

Dining Table Material Comparison for Florida Homes

To help you decide, we've broken down the most common materials we see, evaluating how they stand up to our local climate and lifestyle. This chart should give you a clear picture of what might work best for your family.

Ultimately, the goal is to find that perfect balance between the look you love, the durability you need, and a material that won't fight a losing battle against the Florida weather.

The Timeless Strength of Solid Wood

There's a reason solid wood is the gold standard. It’s strong, durable, and brings a natural warmth to a room that’s impossible to replicate. Woods like oak, maple, and cherry are especially resilient and can handle our humidity when they’re properly finished and maintained.

This is where the quality of Amish and American-made furniture really stands out. The craftsmanship is second to none, ensuring each piece is built not just for its looks, but to last a lifetime. A solid wood table isn't just furniture; it's a future family heirloom that can be refinished decades down the road. To keep it looking its best, check out our guide on how to care for wood furniture.

Durable and Modern Alternatives

While wood is a classic, other materials offer fantastic performance with a different vibe.

• Metal: Tables with metal bases or frames are incredibly sturdy and stable. They won’t be bothered by humidity and can lend a cool, modern or industrial feel to your dining room.
• Performance Laminates & Solid Surfaces: Don’t mistake these for the cheap particleboard of the past. Today's high-quality laminates are tough as nails—resistant to moisture, stains, and scratches, making them a fantastic, practical choice for busy households.

Choosing a material suited for our climate isn’t about limiting your style—it’s about ensuring your investment lasts. A well-chosen table will resist the subtle daily pressures of humidity and sunlight, looking just as good in five years as it does today.

A Quick Word of Caution

Based on our experience, some materials just need a little extra thought in a Central Florida home. Wood veneers, for example, can look beautiful, but lower-quality versions are notorious for peeling or bubbling in our consistently humid air. If you fall in love with a veneered piece, just make sure it’s from a reputable brand known for quality construction.

In the end, the right material is a blend of your personal style, your family’s lifestyle, and the practical demands of our unique Florida environment.

Matching Your Table to Your Style and Needs

Once you’ve nailed down the practical stuff—size, shape, and material—it’s time for the fun part: finding a table that truly feels like you. Your dining table is a big deal, a central piece of furniture that should reflect your home's unique personality. Whether your home has a breezy coastal vibe, a clean modern look, or a timeless traditional feel, the right table will anchor the entire room.

This is where the details really start to shine. The style of the legs, for instance—whether they're tapered, turned, or part of a solid pedestal—can completely change a table's character. The finish plays a huge role, too. A light, weathered wood finish feels right at home in a Lake Mary house with coastal decor, while a deep, rich stain adds a sense of formality perfect for an elegant Sanford home.

Defining Your Personal Style

Not sure where to even begin? A great first step is to simply look around your home. What themes, colors, or textures do you see in your other furniture and decor? Identifying what you already love makes it so much easier to find a table that fits in seamlessly.

If you want to explore different aesthetics, our guide on popular dining room styles is packed with inspiration.

As you browse, think about these key design elements:

• Leg Style: A trestle base often gives off a rustic or farmhouse feel. Simple, straight legs feel more modern, while ornate, carved legs are classic and traditional.
• Edge Profile: It might seem like a small detail, but the edge of the tabletop has a big impact. A simple, straight edge is clean and contemporary, while a beveled or ogee edge adds a layer of sophisticated detail.
• Overall Proportions: Consider the table's "visual weight." A thick, chunky table makes a bold statement, whereas a table with slender lines feels lighter and more graceful in the space.

Functionality for Real Life

Style is important, but your table has to work for your actual life. One of the most common questions we get in our Longwood showroom is about table leaves for extending seating. If you love to host holiday dinners or big family get-togethers, an extension table is an incredibly practical choice.

There are two main types of leaves to consider:

• Removable Leaves: These are separate pieces you store when they're not in use. They offer the most flexibility in how much length you can add to your table.
• Butterfly Leaves: This clever design features a self-storing leaf that folds and tucks away neatly right inside the table. It's wonderfully convenient—no more digging through a closet trying to find that missing leaf!

Your Perfect Table, Your Way
What happens if you find a style you love but need it in a specific size or a different finish? That’s exactly where our Custom-Order Program comes in. You don’t have to settle. We can help you design a table to your exact specifications, ensuring it’s a perfect fit for both your style and your space. And with our Low Price Promise, you're guaranteed the best value on a piece that's perfectly you.

Bring Your Vision to Life with Our Design Team

Now that you're armed with some great ideas, the next step is actually seeing these beautiful tables in person. A photo just can't do justice to the true grain of an Amish-crafted table or the solid, reassuring feel of quality construction that tells you you've found an investment piece. We’d love for you to come down to our Longwood, FL showroom to experience it firsthand.

Our complimentary In-House Design Team can take a look at your measurements and ideas, offering personalized recommendations to make sure your final choice is absolutely perfect for your home. If you're looking for even more specialized input, some homeowners also find it helpful to work with an exclusive designer service to really fine-tune the details.

For anyone hunting for exceptional quality at a fantastic price, our large Clearance Outlet is a must-see. It's always filled with high-quality finds that deliver some seriously incredible value.

Ready to find the perfect piece for your home? Visit the Slone Brothers Furniture showroom in Longwood, FL, and let our design experts help you get started! Let our family help yours find the perfect dining table—one that will be the backdrop for lasting memories for years to come.

Have More Questions? We've Got Answers

After helping Central Florida families find their perfect dining setup since 1980, we’ve heard just about every question you can imagine. Here are a few of the most common ones we get asked in our Longwood showroom, along with some practical advice from our team.

How Do I Choose Dining Chairs to Match My Table?

This is where you can really let your personality shine! Some people love the classic appeal of a coordinated set, while others prefer to mix and match styles for a more eclectic, collected look. There's no wrong answer, but there is one golden rule: proportion.

No matter what style you choose, always aim for about 12 inches of space between the top of the chair seat and the bottom of the tabletop. This ensures everyone has enough legroom to sit comfortably through long dinners and conversations.

A great designer trick is to create balance. Try pairing soft, upholstered chairs with a heavy, solid wood table to soften the look. If you're feeling stuck, our in-house Design Team can pull different combinations on our showroom floor so you can see exactly how it will look and feel in your own home.

What Makes Amish Furniture Different?

It all comes down to centuries-old craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to quality. Amish furniture isn't just a style; it's a method. Each piece is built using time-honored techniques, like mortise-and-tenon joinery, and constructed from hand-selected solid hardwoods.

The result is furniture that's far more durable and stable than anything mass-produced. It’s a true investment in heritage quality. When you choose an Amish-made table from Slone Brothers, you’re not just buying furniture—you’re bringing home a future heirloom built to withstand decades of family dinners, holiday celebrations, and everyday life.

How Can I Protect a Wood Table from the Florida Climate?

That beautiful Florida sunshine is great for the beach, but it can be tough on solid wood furniture. Humidity and direct sunlight require a little extra care, but it’s easier than you think.

First, we always recommend using window treatments to filter that harsh, direct sun, which can cause the finish to fade over time. Running your air conditioning helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, preventing the wood from expanding and contracting too much with our wild humidity swings.

Finally, your best defense is choosing a table with a high-quality, protective finish from the start. We can guide you to the right pieces for our climate and give you specific care tips to ensure your table remains a stunning centerpiece for years to come.