By Joseph Ssemutooke

The dining table should be as much a place of comfort as it is of convenience. And that extra effort should be invested into the setting up of the chairs and tables.

Tables for a dining room need to be large enough to allow adequate elbow-room as the family dines. Allow 24 to 30 inches per person and at least 30 inches across the table. The standard dining height should be at 28 to 30 inches.

Complex and artful shapes can also work well, but only as long as the leg placement does not interfere with comfortable seating. To see whether the table wobbles, one should lean against the table from all angels.

Dining chairs should have upright backs so that diners can sit comfortably close to the table and still have the support of the chair back. Artistic designs with backs that are not upright are discouraged. Chairs with legs that spread out widely are discouraged because they fit awkwardly at the table, are easy to trip over and are usually weaker than other chairs.

The arms should be low enough so that the chairs slide under the tabletop.