From slow brekkies to Friday night takeaways and everything in between, the humble dining table sees a lot of life. It’s where conversation flows, laughter lingers, and moments—big and small—are shared. When you’re selecting furniture for your dining room, you’re setting the stage for all this to take place.
Whether you’ve got a big open-plan layout or you’re working with a cosy nook, this guide is packed with practical tips and fresh dining table and chair ideas for NZ homeowners like you, so you can figure out what works for your home and your lifestyle.
The Heart of the Home: Why Your Dining Space Matters
Why does the kitchen always get all the glory? The dining room is where the magic happens. It’s where birthdays are celebrated, weeknight dinners turn into heart-to-hearts, and friends become family over one too many servings of dessert.
That’s why having the right dining table and chairs isn’t simply a style choice, it’s a lifestyle one, too. The right setup makes it easier to linger a little longer, squeeze in a few more guests, or clear space for a board game battle after dinner. It’s about creating a space that elevates those everyday moments into something memorable. When your dining room feels good, life around it tends to follow suit.
Setting the Stage: Clever Tips for Choosing Your Dining Set
Once you’re clear on what matters—how much space you’ve got, how to use it, and what style speaks to you—shopping for your dining table and chairs becomes less stressful and whole lot more rewarding. It’s your chance to combine comfort, function and good design into one hardworking setup.
As you narrow things down, keep the practical stuff top of mind. Is the tabletop material tough enough for daily use? Will it survive the occasional red wine spill or sticky pancake session? Durability matters, especially if your dining room doubles as a work zone or a place to host frequent guests. When it comes to figuring out how to decorate a dining room, your furniture choices will lay the foundation. Start strong and everything else will flow naturally.
Size & Space: Creating a Dining Room to Move and Mingle
Before you go out and fall in love with a dining set let’s talk logistics. No matter how stunning it is, if it turns your dining room into an obstacle course, it’s not the right fit. A little measuring now = way fewer stubbed toes later.
Start by mapping out your space. Don’t just measure the room—factor in how much clearance you’ll need to pull chairs out comfortably, walk around the table, and maybe even sneak in a dance move or two. 90cm is usually a good starting point.
Not sure what shape suits your setup? Here’s a quick guide:
Round tables: Great for smaller rooms or square spaces. They’re cosy, perfect for conversation, and help soften corners.
Rectangle tables: A classic pick for longer rooms and big families. They maximise seating and space efficiency and can be positioned near a wall in narrow spaces.
Square tables: The small space stars! They’re clean, balanced and easy to style.
Extendable table: Hosting extras? These are your secret weapon. Compact most days and generous when it matters most.
Gateleg table: Excellent space saving solution. They can be folded down when not in use, making them perfect for those tight spaces.
Urban Sales has a stack of dining tables in different shapes and sizes to suit kiwi homes of all kinds.
Style That Speaks Volumes: Defining Your Dining Room Vibe
Now let’s talk style. If you’re on the hunt for dining table and chair ideas in NZ that actually reflect your taste, you’re in the right place. When you’re stuck on how to decorate a dining room that feels like it belongs in your home, ask yourself this: what kind of atmosphere do I want to create?
Here a few dining table ideas to get the wheels rolling:
Scandi
Scandinavian (or Scandi) style is characterised by light, natural colour palettes, with tables most often made of light-coloured wood. It showcases textures and clean lines to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Scandi style is intentional, fresh and lets the details—like your choice of dining chairs—shine. Great for those who like calm and not clinical.
Urban Sales has all the pale, timber tables and sleek chairs to make your dining room have that Nordic glow.
Coastal
Craving that sun-bleached, toes-in-the-sand feeling, even if your closest beach is two hours away? Coastal style is the next best thing. The coastal interior design style reflects the serene and picturesque beauty of the beach and ocean. This style creates breezy, relaxed living spaces that evoke a seaside ambience. It incorporates natural materials such as wood, stone, and woven textiles and utilises a natural colour palette, including soft blues, sandy tones and warm beiges.
Urban Sales makes riding the coastal wave easy with dining sets that look like they just breezed in from a seaside cafe. No actual ocean breeze required.
Contemporary
Prefer something a bit edgier? A contemporary setup might be more your speed.
Contemporary is characterised by sleek and simple lines, often accompanied by intriguing geometries that capture attention. It evokes a sense of clarity and an airy feel to your space. Contemporary style embraces a broad range of materials, from cool metals to glass that can create an illusion of space and openness.
Urban Sales has plenty of modern pieces that tick all those boxes. It’s a little bit luxe, a lot functional, and definitely not afraid to steal the spotlight at your next dinner party.
Comfort is Key: Choosing Chairs You'll Want to Linger In
No one wants to cut dinner short because their chair feels like a medieval torture device. If you’re going to be spending hours sitting in it, you need chairs that quite literally have your back. They don’t necessarily need to match your table, but there are a few golden rules to follow that’ll make everything work together seamlessly.
Start with the height. Your seat needs to be between 10 – 15 cm from the underside of the table rail and between 24 – 30cm from the table top. Translation? Plenty of legroom, zero awkward shuffling.
Back support is another non-negotiable. Long means (and longer chats) are so much better when your spine’s not crying for help. If your chairs don’t already have built-in cushioning, you can purchase chair cushions separately to sit atop the chair seat.
If you’re in the market for dining table and chairs NZ shoppers swear by, Urban Sales has a whole range designed to keep you comfy and your room looking fab. Whether you’re styling a sleek Scandi setup or going for something soft and coastal, you’ll find dining room chair ideas to suit your style and your sitting needs.
Your Perfect Dining Set is Waiting. Let's Find It Together!
Whether you’re setting the table for two or hosting the whole whānau, we’ve got dining sets to suit every taste, budget and size of home. From timeless Scandi to modern statement makers, our collection of dining tables and chairs in NZ is designed to bring joy, connection and good times to your daily routine.
Ready to upgrade dinnertime? Dive into our range and see if we can spark something special.
