Dining Furniture Style Guide
A Comprehensive Guide
A dining area can be one of the most intimate atmospheres in your home. There is nothing more enjoyable than eating good food in the company of your family and friends. Finding the right dining room furniture to fit your needs can be a very demanding task. Fortunately for you, we offer hundreds of dining sets in different styles, sizes and shapes, such as pedestal tables and drop leaf tables, to suit any room size.
To further accommodate your needs, please take a moment to read this style guide, which explains the different types of dining room furniture we sell, and mentions their main features. Having a better understanding of the key features for each dining style will help you pick a look that is right for you. Below you will find the following dining furniture styles:Contemporary/Modern, Traditional, Transitional, Casual, Country/Farmhouse, Mission/Shaker, Rustic, French Country/Provincial, Tropical/Exotic, Windsor, and Queen Anne/Chippendale.

A mixture of wood, glass and metal, an s-shape table base,
and abstract table legs impart a distinct, modern feel.
Contemporary / Modern dining furniture sets add a truly unique and memorable touch to a dining area. The smooth surface tables usually have right angle corners, distinct edges, and asymmetrical lines. Characterized by design details and constructed of iron materials, these dining room furniture sets normally feature abstract designs, especially on the base or legs of the table and chairs. Overall, contemporary and modern dining sets brings a bold, distinctive character to any space.

Lightly carved details with a clean
surface area create a majestic feel.
Traditional dining furniture sets evoke images of understated elegance and the grand style of the 18th and 19th centuries. The tables come in various shapes and sizes, but they are most commonly rectangular or round, with a mix of straight and curved lines. Many pieces in traditional dining room furniture sets have light carved detailing with little or no surface decoration. Wood pieces will often be finished with darker stains.

Classic, with a dash of modern style, transitional
dining sets make dynamic additions to any decor.
Transitional dining furniture sets are a seamless blend of traditional and modern that fit in with almost any d飯r. They feature a simple, angular look and edgy construction materials, such as glass and metal, as well as classical lines and carved wood details. Transitional dining room furniture sets usually come in lighter finishes, with matte surfaces, and comforting curves.

The natural, light cherry wood finish offset
by the midnight black upholstery, brings feelings
of warmth & charm to any home.
Casual dining furniture sets create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. White, natural or light finishes along with the decorative turned, carved, straight or tapered legs accentuate this simple yet classy style. Round and oval shaped tables are poplar in this category, but many casual dining furniture sets do include rectangular or square tables. Casual tables usually feature smooth tops with striking highlights.

The flawless oak finish and rounded legs
capture the spirit of country living.
Country / Farmhouse dining furniture sets are casual and rooted in nature; terms such as "comfortable" and "homey" are often used to describe country dining. An air of romance surrounds this furniture style and the distressed finishes give it an antique, almost nostalgic, warmth. Most Country and Farmhouse dining sets are made of pine or oak, and the finish is usually washed, rubbed, or painted - all over or on certain areas, such as the table base. Country collections normally have simple lines with little emphasis on decorative details.

The dark natural finish protects & enhances
the beauty of the wood, exuding true elegance.
Although slightly different, Mission / Shaker dining furniture sets are grouped together because they share many similar characteristics. Both Mission and Shaker tables have clean, spare, rectangular lines. Oak is a popular, but not exclusive, component of Mission and Shaker style furniture and ornamentation is rare. The main difference between the two styles is Shaker sets tend to be lighter in color and less heavy-handed than Mission style dining sets.

The unpolished appearance embodies timeless class
that evokes the natural charm of any dining room.
Rustic dining furniture sets are rugged in appearance, calling to mind images of deep forests and log cabins. Exposed and rough woods, simple lines, with worn/distressed or natural finishes over woods such as pine, ash or cedar, characterize these dining room furniture sets. Most pieces have a textured appearance and the legs are usually thick and squared. Often, rustic dining sets incorporate natural details, such as leather upholstery or nail-head trim.

Delicate, seemingly hand-crafted features
captivate the beauty of the French countryside.
The graceful curves of the cabriole legs easily distinguish French Country / Provincial dining furniture sets from other styles. Beautiful scalloped edges and aprons enhance most tables and carved detailing tops off many pieces. In general, the dining furniture appears slightly rustic, with a welcoming, old-world feel.

The West Indies style, tropical cherry finish
and subtle detailing encourages relaxation.
Most Tropical / Exotic dining furniture sets call to mind images of relaxing island retreats and swaying palm trees. Constructed of wicker, rattan or wood, these dining sets typically consist of highlighted wood finishes, wrought iron scrolls on the table bases, and upholstered chairs in neutral fabrics. Many tables are round with a glass top, but wood tops and rectangular/square shapes are also common. Hand painted patterns and details, such as palm trees, are also key features for tropical and exotic dining room furniture.

The thick spindles, rounded back & splayed legs have been a
common sight in many causal dining rooms since the 1700s.
Unlike other dining styles, Windsor dining furniture sets are distinguished by their chairs. The familiar spindle back design and splayed legs are reminiscent of the early 1700s and the simple, beautiful craftsmanship hasn?t changed much in over 300 years. The chairs are constructed of wood, with side stretchers running between the front and back legs, and the seats are not upholstered. Windsor dining tables are simple in design, much like casual and country dining sets. They can be round, square, oval or rectangular and come with or without extensions. In keeping with the simple design, Windsor dining room furniture sets do not have much detailing.

Queen Anne/Chippendale dining sets are admired
for their unparalleled sophistication and elegance.
Queen Anne / Chippendale dining furniture sets are elegant and stately in appearance. The tables commonly feature a scrolled, decorative skirt and corners, a rectangular-shaped apron frame and beveled edging. The sturdy table and chair legs appear delicate, with carved knee cabriole legs that taper to a graceful Queen Anne foot. Queen Anne chairs normally have a rounded, almost feminine look, while Chippendale chairs seem a bit more masculine with their squared backs.
A dining area is not complete without accessory furniture; luckily finding just the right addtions has never been easier! Whether you are looking for a china cabinet to display your beautiful china or a sideboard for extra storage, we have the right look for you. Our casual and formal dining sets give you the option of purchasing matching side chairs and arm chairs, buffet tables, curio cabinets and more! We offer a wide variety of selections at great prices with free shipping!
Just when you thought it couldn?t get better, we also offer chandeliers and ceiling fixtures, rugs, pot racks, serving carts, kitchen islands and baker's racks. Use our super browse search engine to help narrow down your options. We have something for every style and taste, so browse through our user-friendly website and create the dining room of your dreams!
If you'd like a little more advice, or have a specific question that we haven't answered here, feel free to give our experts a call at (866) 513-1660. The knowledgeable, friendly staff at Dining Rooms Direct is always happy to help!