The Heart of Your Home: Dining Room Furniture at Dufresne
Your dining table isn't just where you eat dinner. It's homework central at 7 pm on a Tuesday. It's where you spread out that jigsaw puzzle that's been "almost done" for three weeks. It's coffee with a friend on Saturday morning, Thanksgiving dinner with 12 people somehow squeezed around it, and that spot where everyone ends up during parties, even though you set up chairs in the living room.
At Dufresne Furniture, we know your dining room works hard. That's why our collection goes beyond just looking nice. We're talking about furniture built for real life and everyday use.
Building Your Dining Room
Whether you're furnishing your first home or finally upgrading that hand-me-down table, the right dining furniture makes every meal, every gathering, and every random Tuesday night just a little bit better.
Dining Sets - Want the easiest route to a put-together dining room? Start with a dining set. You get a table and matching chairs that already work together, which takes all the guesswork out of coordinating styles, heights, and finishes. Sets typically come in 5-piece (table plus four chairs), 7-piece (table plus six chairs), or larger configurations. Perfect if you want everything sorted in one decision.
Dining Tables - The heart of it all. , which come in various sizes to suit any occasion. We offer cozy two-person setups as well as extendable options that effortlessly transform from everyday dinners to festive holiday feasts. Round tables are ideal for fostering conversation and fitting into compact spaces, while rectangular tables provide ample room for spreading out your meal. The extendable tables are especially convenient for Canadian homes, offering flexibility for daily use while also accommodating the entire family during holidays.
Counter Height Tables - Sitting at about 36 inches high, counter height tables create a more casual vibe that works great in kitchens, breakfast nooks, or open-concept spaces. They're perfect for quick meals, homework sessions, or that spot where everyone stands around chatting during parties. Bonus: they make smaller spaces feel bigger and work well in rooms with high ceilings.
Bar Height Tables - At around 42 inches tall, bar height tables (also called pub tables) are ideal for tight spaces where you want seating without the bulk of a full dining setup. Great for apartments, basement rec rooms, or creating a casual eating area in your kitchen. They're also perfect for game nights since everyone's at the right height for cards or board games.
Dining Chairs - You're going to spend time in these chairs. Like, a lot of time. Look for ones that feel good after an hour, not just the first five minutes. Upholstered seats are easier on your back during long dinners. Wood chairs are practically indestructible and easy to clean. And if you've got kids who wiggle, armless chairs make it easier for them to actually reach their plates.
Bar Stools - The right bar stools can turn your kitchen island from a prep station into actual seating for breakfast, homework, or keeping the cook company while they're making dinner. Counter height stools (24 inches) work with 36-inch counters, while bar height stools (30 inches) pair with 42-inch surfaces. Swivel seats are easier for kids, and backs make them comfortable enough for lingering over coffee.
Dining Benches - Here's a secret: benches are perfect for families with kids. You can fit three small people where two chairs would go, and cleanup is way easier without chair legs collecting crumbs underneath. Plus, they tuck completely under the table when you're not using them, which means more floor space for dance parties or when you're trying to vacuum. Mix a bench on one side with chairs on the other for a look that's both practical and stylish.
Servers - Think of servers as the smaller, space-saving cousin of the buffet. Usually around 48 inches wide or less, they give you storage and a serving surface without taking over the whole wall. Perfect for condos or smaller dining rooms where you need function but don't have endless space. Great for holding table linens, storing serving pieces, or creating a coffee station for when guests are over.
Buffet Tables - Buffets are the workhorses of dining room storage. They're where you stash table linens, hide board games, display your grandmother's serving bowl, and create a landing zone for casserole dishes during potlucks. The top becomes extra serving space when you're hosting, and the drawers and cabinets keep everything organized but out of sight.
Hutches - A hutch pairs a base cabinet with upper shelving, giving you both storage below and display space above. Perfect for showing off nice dishes, your collection of vintage teacups, or family photos. They're statement pieces that add height and visual interest to your dining room while being incredibly practical.
What to Think About Before You Buy
Measure Your Space - Leave at least 3 feet around your table so people can actually pull out their chairs and walk behind seated guests. If your room is tight, skip the arms on your chairs or go with a bench on one side. And remember: that extendable table needs space to extend. Measure with the leaves in, not just when it's closed.
Count Your People - Be honest about how many people you regularly feed versus occasionally feed. A table that seats six daily and expands to eight or ten for holidays hits that sweet spot for most families. Going bigger than you need means you're always yelling across the table, but going too small means someone's eating on the couch during Thanksgiving.
Think About Your Lifestyle - Got toddlers? Glass tables show every fingerprint, and sharp corners are just asking for trouble. Wood tables with a distressed finish hide scratches and wear beautifully. Living alone or with one other person? A small round table creates a cozy vibe and takes up way less space than you'd think. Hosting every holiday? You want that extendable table, period.
Match Your Style (But Make It Yours) - Modern, farmhouse, traditional, or that eclectic mix that somehow works perfectly in your home. Your dining room should feel like you, not like a furniture showroom. And here's the thing: your table and chairs don't have to match exactly. Mixed wood tones? Great. Different chair styles? Even better if they have something in common like colour or shape.
Frequently Asked Dining Room Furniture Questions
What size dining table do I need for my space? Measure your room and subtract 6 feet from both the length and width to allow 3 feet of clearance on all sides. That's your maximum table size. For comfortable seating, figure about 24 inches of table space per person.
Can I mix and match dining chairs? Absolutely! Mixing chair styles adds personality and lets you get exactly what you want. The trick is keeping one thing consistent, like all wood tones or all upholstered seats or all the same colour. Two matching chairs at the ends with different chairs along the sides is a classic combo that works in any home.
What's the difference between a buffet, sideboard, and server? Honestly? The names get used pretty interchangeably. Technically, buffets are larger (around 60 inches), sideboards are medium (48-60 inches), and servers are smaller. But what matters is whether it fits your space and holds what you need it to hold.
How many chairs fit around a dining table? For rectangular tables, figure 24 inches per person on the long sides and 30 inches on the ends. A 60-inch table fits six, 72 inches fits eight. Round tables are trickier since the base limits legroom, but generally, 48 inches fits four, and 60 inches fits six.
Should I get an extendable table? If you host holiday meals, have family visit regularly, or ever think "I wish this table was bigger" more than twice a year, yes. Modern extendable tables are easy to use, and most store the leaves right in the table so you're not digging through the basement looking for them.
Ready to Make Room for Everyone?
Your dining room is where memories happen. First day of school photos, birthday cake with way too many candles, the announcement that someone's engaged, or just regular Tuesday spaghetti night. The right dining room furniture makes all of it better.
Shop our full collection of dining room furniture online or visit your nearest Dufresne location. Want help figuring out what fits your space? Book an appointment with one of our furniture experts who can walk you through options, measurements, and making sure everything works together.
Because at Dufresne, we're not just selling tables and chairs. We're helping Canadian families make life better, one meal at a time.