Top table – eating in is the new going out

Latest Interiors finds eating in is the new going out this autumn

Autumn is settling in, and it’s too cold and wet for any more picnics, paddles or cheeky BBQs. In fact, the festive season is – yikes – just around the corner, and with it comes all that eating and entertaining. And this year, it’s time to dine in, in style – dinner parties, pop-up restaurants and great Brighton bake-offs mean that eating in is positively hip. This week, Latest Interiors stays in for supper, and checks out the finest dining furniture.

Size & shape
We all love the idea of a grand dining table, but for most of us this just isn’t practical. Oblong tables are the easiest to accommodate in limited space, round or oval are the trickiest. A folding table (simple folding or drop leaf) gives you the most flexible eating space. Coloured veneers are this season’s key trend, in bold colour or stark white for a clean, modern look. If you have an open-plan kitchen/living room with a bay window, think about using a curved clear or coloured glass table top and trestle legs for window-view dining.

We love retro ‘50s formica tables, still enjoying a well-earned renaissance, as are other period pieces from the 20th century. For very small areas, glass tables give an illusion of space as the light shines through them. Classic high-backed chairs make for a comfortable meal – we also love classic white Eames dining chairs this season.

Another good space saver, perfect for dining and breakfast rooms, is an oblong table paired with refectory-style benches. These fit underneath the table top when not in use.

Dress for dinner
Remember to accessorise when planning the perfect dinner party: rub down your wooden table top with a couple of drops of scented oil, or burn good-quality scented candles to create a welcoming atmosphere: orange, cinnamon, ginger or sandalwood are the best pre-dinner party scents (they also help eliminate any morning-after aromas of cooking or tobacco). Real cotton or linen napkins, sparkling glasses (add a little vinegar to hot, soapy water before washing them) and plain white tableware all help to create the perfect eating-in experience. However, to add a contemporary accent, mix some coloured or metallic glass and china pieces in to the spread to bring your table to life. Now all your perfect dining table needs is the perfect dinner.