If you’re anything like me, most of your in-home socializing takes place around food. Friends and family spend a lot of time at my home eating, drinking, and talking around the dining room table. I recently renovated the space and shelled out for brand new dining room furniture. Despite my initial fears, I didn’t spend much, and the task proved more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

Before I began shopping I took measurements of my dining room. As I learned the hard way, you definitely need to make sure to have your dimensions with you when you go furniture shopping. The last time I went shopping for a dining room set, I was distraught to find that my dining room furniture did not actually fit in the nook between my living room and kitchen. Now that I actually have a dining room, I knew I had more space for creativity, but I certainly wasn’t going to take any risks.

As with shopping for any home furnishings, you need to know what exactly your furniture functions to do everyday. While this may seem a little obvious, there are practical considerations that often go overlooked. Sure, you’re going to eat on your dining table, and your dining room furniture functions in part as décor, but beyond that, what else? I play cards on my dining table. A lot of hands touch the table top, and sometimes, in moments of angst, those hands don’t touch gently. I knew a glass top was not for me. No, I needed something sturdy that wouldn’t show fingerprints. Dark wood seemed suitable and durable for what I needed.

Aesthetically speaking, you want your dining room to be pleasing to all who enter (unless you’re sick of cooking and serving friends and you want to send a very passive message to stop coming). I personally enjoy guests, and I have a sort of Zen theme going in my home – something that offsets intense poker games. I went with a minimalist look and the dining room furniture that I purchased is very contemporary in style.

Shopping for dining room furniture can be a pleasant experience. Just try to be practical and don’t rush any major decisions. The end result will be a dining room set that you can be proud of!