A look at dining room furniture in history
In order to know the history of the dining room furniture you will need to understand how
the evolution of dining room furniture took place in the last two centuries.
In the first half of the seventeenth century dining room furniture was very simple, consisting of four to six chairs, a table and three or four drawers for storage.
Dining room furniture at that time was also quite utilitarian, as there were no elaborate designs and most of the tables and chairs were made from simple woods such as oak, pine and cherry. The first chairs were created with a backrest, which was a simple wooden frame with a back to support the weight of the person sitting on it.
The introduction of chairs
The introduction of chairs to the kitchen & dining tables brought about an entirely new set of expectations. Dining room tables were now to be used for more than just eating but were to be attractive as well. The table was no longer simply a place to eat; it was a style icon of its own and represented social status. Its size was to be in proportion to the large room and the chairs should be comfortable enough to sit on without causing discomfort.
Assortment of new shapes
Dining tables of the late eighteenth century were no longer just simple rectangular units. The major change was the addition of cabriole leg tables, which were a kind of extension of the rectangular tables by being able to adjust their length and breadth and to have leaves instead of a solid bottom.
The coffee table
Another innovation was the introduction of the ‘coffee table‘ into the dining area. This piece of furniture had coffee tables at each end that contained a different type of glass or metal. Each type of material came in a variety of colors and matched the colors of the surrounding furniture.
Antiques and collections of the past
A popular furniture set of the late nineteenth century was the collection of antique solid wood tables. These tables were made from a variety of materials such as wood, iron, and wicker.
In the middle of the twentieth century, with the coming of mass production, dresser furniture was made from steel which eliminated the need for the use of wood. These changes marked a beginning in the destruction of the wooden furniture that was once considered so valuable.
Today there are still many people who value the history of the dining-room furniture. A typical family will be interested in knowing where they can find such an item. Today they can find a number of online auction sites, where people are selling items they no longer want.
Coffee tables: The design tells of different theories and influences on this object so practical and widespread in our homes. |
Mixing antique and modern furniture: the rules to follow
When you’re furnishing your home, it’s important to understand the style that you want to go with. A home needs a predominant trend in order to maintain coherence and elegance. You should mix antique and modern furnishings, as well as few but good pieces of furniture. An excess of these items however, will only lead to a cluttered and chaotic effect, not elegance or refinement
For example, we would never recommend putting a rustic table in the living room with Louis XVI chairs and a Provençal sideboard in the kitchen. Mixing up styles like that will just make your home look like a messy jumble.
In conclusion
The history of the dining-room furniture is a fascinating one. Dining rooms were usually used as an area for people to sit and eat meals. It is only natural that such an important piece of furniture would have many historical attributes. The dining-room furniture is something that you can enjoy and be proud of.
article by:
A tech enthusiast with a passion for interior design,
architecture and modern technology.
