STORY
Along Victoria’s coastline, where the tide sets the rhythm of the day, a table is where a gathering finds its centre. That same sense of place shapes Kett Furniture, whose collections take their names from towns like Otway and Avoca. Choosing dining furniture is really about choosing how you want to host.
A well-chosen dining table and chairs set does more than fill a room. It sets the tone for every dinner, every long conversation and every occasion worth marking. This guide walks through the essentials of building a considered dining set, from table shape to chair pairing to material choice, so your next gathering feels effortless.
Wye indoor armchair for relaxed dining
Good dining furniture starts with space, not style. Before browsing tables, measure your room and map how guests will move around it. A set that crowds the walkway undermines even the most beautiful pieces.
Allow roughly one metre of clearance around the table for chairs to pull out comfortably. Well-balanced dining proportions pair a 73 to 76 centimetre table height with 43 to 49 centimetre seat height, giving guests comfortable legroom. Kett’s dining furniture is built with these proportions in mind, so every piece feels considered rather than accidental.
It helps to sketch the room before deciding on a dining table and chairs set. Note doorways, sideboards and traffic paths, then work out the largest table your space can hold while still leaving guests room to move freely during a long, relaxed evening.
Portland armchair for upholstered dining comfort
Table shape shapes conversation as much as it shapes the room. Round tables draw guests into an intimate circle, ideal for smaller dinners. Rectangular dining tables suit larger, more formal entertaining, with a natural head and foot for hosting. Oval tables balance the two, while square tables suit compact, contemporary spaces.
Think about your typical guest count first. A table for six usually sits closer to 1.6 to 1.8 metres in length, depending on its shape and the chairs you choose, while an eight-seat setting often needs around 2.0 to 2.4 metres for more comfortable entertaining. For a closer look at sizing a set for regular six-seat entertaining, see our dining furniture guide on choosing the right dimensions for your space.
Coordinating a table with chairs is not always about matching every element. Kett’s approach favours coordination over uniformity, letting timber tones, fabrics and finishes tell a cohesive story rather than a rigid one.
A fully matched dining table and chairs set gives a considered, formal look. Increasingly, though, sophisticated entertaining spaces mix two chair styles in complementary fabrics, or pair a solid timber table with upholstered leather chairs at the ends. Kett Furniture’s bespoke upholstery makes this coordination straightforward, since fabrics and leather can be customised across pieces.
Chair selection deserves the same attention as table choice. Upholstered seats add warmth and comfort, while timber or metal frames suit a more contemporary aesthetic. The key is ensuring seat height and proportions complement your chosen table.
Material choice should reflect how often you entertain, not just how a piece looks in a showroom. Solid timber, including oak and ash, develops a natural patina over years of use and is sourced from sustainably managed forests. These qualities separate genuine, lasting pieces from furniture built for a season rather than a lifetime.
Upholstered dining chairs in premium fabric or fine leather add warmth and comfort, particularly for longer dinners. Glass and ceramic tabletops suit a more contemporary dining room furniture aesthetic but require more careful care around heat and marks.
Wipe timber surfaces with a soft, dry cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners that strip natural oils. Use coasters and placemats to protect surfaces against heat and moisture during everyday entertaining.
For upholstered pieces, light vacuuming and prompt spot-cleaning keep fabrics looking their best. Kett Furniture pieces are made to order, with upholstery hand-built in Melbourne by skilled craftspeople, so each piece is intended to be cherished and passed down, not replaced.
Otway Armchair in Solid Ash & Fabric or Leather Upholstery
Choosing dining furniture is ultimately about hosting with confidence and investing in pieces that improve with use. Explore the Kett dining collection to see how thoughtful proportions, sustainable materials and enduring, Australian-designed craftsmanship come together.
Kett furniture is available exclusively through Cosh Living showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, where you can experience the comfort and craftsmanship of each piece firsthand and sit in the chairs before you decide.
Most households find a table for six the most versatile size, with an eight-seat table suited to larger, more frequent entertaining. Measure your room first to confirm the largest table that still allows comfortable movement.
Not necessarily. Many sophisticated spaces pair dining tables and chairs in complementary rather than identical finishes, using timber tones and fabrics that harmonise instead of match precisely.
With proper care, solid oak and ash pieces develop a deeper patina over decades and are designed to be passed down through generations rather than replaced.
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