The furniture you choose for your dining room must be comfortable enough to encourage your guests or family to relax and enjoy their meal.

Flexibility is another factor to take into account: by choosing an extending table or adding a sideboard to your dining room, you can create a dining area that is suitable both for everyday use and for larger dinner parties.

Dining tables

The dining table must be large enough to seat, your guests comfortably, with ample leg room. There is no point squeezing a 10-seater table into a small dining room if your guests cannot gel in and out of their seats. Instead, invest in a table that can be extended when necessary. Alternatively, chairs can be positioned on either side of a sideboard if you need to create extra seating spaces occasionally.

If your dining room is large enough, an easy way to create more seating space around a small dining table is to place a large piece of MDF on top of it. A tabletop that is around 30cm/12in longer than the table at each end will add two extra spaces comfortably. (Make sure the overhang is not out of proportion with the table, however, as this will result in an unstable surface that is likely to topple.) Always apply paint or varnish to seal the MDF, and cover it with a tablecloth to conceal its identity. The tabletop can be removed as required, and stored in a garage or, if cut in two and hinged, beneath a double bed.

Side tables and sideboards

A side table is a useful addition to the dining room. Ideal for storing crockery and cutlery, it also offers an area on which to lay a buffet, for example, allowing your guests to serve themselves and then retire to the dining table. It can also provide extra seating spaces if you are having a large dinner party, and children often appreciate the chance to sit separately from the adults.

If the word sideboard conjures up visions of dark wood and heavily carved furniture, think again. There is a wide range of contemporary versions available as well as stylish traditional options.

Serving trolleys

One handy extra for the busy family dining room is a heated serving trolley to keep food and plates warm. Unfortunately, the range of serving trolleys available – either in a traditional style or a more fresh and contemporary one – is rather narrow. If you have problems finding a trolley in a style you like, keep searching – it can be extremely useful for the family home.