Choosing the Right Dining Room Table for a Growing Family

It’s where the kids complete their homework, where the birthday party candles get blown out, where the weekend art projects take up residence, and where in-depth conversations unfold long after the little ones have been tucked into bed. So, for any family looking to invest in a dining room table, it needs to meet a very specific set of criteria: It can’t just be pretty; it also has to be tough, versatile, and able to handle whatever life (or your offspring) dishes out. Which is why, when parents are looking into fully vetted dining table options like Serena & Lily dining room tables, it’s clear these are the kinds of sturdy surfaces that can stand up to both daily life and to the next generation.

Why the Dining Table Matters in Family Homes

Without children, people use their dining tables almost exclusively for the occasional dinner party or holiday gathering. But for families with kids? The dining room is the place where the extra table leaf rarely comes out, because it's covered by a puzzle, with a biology project on top. It’s where after-school snacks turn into deep conversations. And it’s where, increasingly, school-age kids plop down with a Chromebook to bang out a report and do a Zoom call. A great dining table provides stability, comfort, and enough space that you’re not elbow to elbow, no matter how many people you have around it.

As they get older, you’ll use your kids as an excuse to buy things you would have had to have somewhere else in the house, a table for them to do schoolwork, a playroom for them to play in, to justify the things that are useful for you too. If your dining table is well-made, you won’t mind the ink stains, scratches, and errant snack crumbs. And you won’t need to get another table when they graduate to middle school.

Size and Shape: What Works Best for Families

Obviously, one of the main things to consider when you look for a dining room table is size. Because you are a family, it is best for your table to be flexible. You will have family over or your kids’ friends over, and you will want everyone to be comfortable. Rectangular tables are a great choice when you need extra seating, and they work best in any room size. If the dining room is very small, a round or oval table with a pedestal footing is a great choice too. The table is round, so there are no annoying corners, but it expands to allow for more seating. It is a perfect table too for those with small children, since when all is removed from the table, the child can’t fall on anything sharp.

If you are still growing your family, expandable tables are a great choice. If you start with a smaller family but see it expanding soon, you will want to have an expandable table. You can have a smaller table with fewer chairs every day but expand it when family is over for the holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions. This table will last your family through adulthood, and you won’t have to worry about replacing it. The table will probably outlast your chair cushions!

Materials That Can Handle Real Life

Dining tables are meant for family homes, so they should be able to stand up to some use and abuse. Wood is an obvious choice since it’s warm, durable, and also ages gracefully.

Plus, it helps hide any dings and scratches. After all, eating dinner with young kids isn’t always smooth sailing. We also love finishes that ensure protection or have surfaces that are easier to clean. This is especially important when there are messy eaters or mini artists at the table. Pay attention to which materials the tables are made from, and find one that will look beautiful, but also stand the test of time.

Parents also appreciate finishes that keep the beauty of the piece intact, while making it, practically speaking, function as well.

Style That Grows With Your Family

Yes, it’s all about the functionality — but let’s not forget the style. Your dining table is the gathering point for the family. If you love the look of it, you will end up spending hours at the table. It’s the largest piece of furniture in the room and will set the tone of the room for better or for worse. A neutral white table will last forever, allowing you to make more substantial decorative moves throughout the home without it clashing.

Serena & Lily is a brand everyone will forever know for their laid-back luxury vibe. Timeless designs that are the perfect balance of comfortable and stylish. You can have the entire family at this table and then be sure to impress the in-laws when they come over for Thanksgiving dinner.

A Table That Becomes Part of Your Family Story

With each passing year, the dining table accumulates stories from your family. Stories of everyday dinners and intimate gatherings. Of quiet conversations and memorable moments. Finding the dining table that best matches the rhythm of your family enables each of these moments to comfortably nestle into the flow of everyday life.

For most families, shopping for options like Serena & Lily dining room tables doesn’t just mean shopping for tables. It means shopping for the place where family happens. The table that’s at the center of so many of your daily traditions. And when you take the time to find just the right one, your dining table becomes more than simply a flat surface. It’s a place where conversation and connection ebb and flow.

Nanny to Mommy