In a large kitchen, a huge kitchen table fulfills a wide range of functions, providing additional prep space for chopping and mixing and will also serve as a reservoir for large frequently used items such as a food processor. Chances are, if your food processor has to be removed from a high shelf and returned after use, you won’t get a good value. Provides a convenient surface for tossing large shopping bags that you can then pack without bending over. Provides a play area for young children on rainy days, where they can spread out their paints, crayons, and puzzles. Covered with a blanket or sheet, it is a perfect tent or cave for children. Best of all, it evokes the image of a large and happy family sitting at a Sunday barbecue cooked with love. The large kitchen is the center of the home.

Unfortunately, these days many of us are forced to live in small spaces, but it is not necessary to have an uncomfortable and inconvenient table. Manufacturers and designers have come together and created a wide variety of styles and designs to meet each and every need. The size and shape of your kitchen will determine your choice of table.

Generally, if the table is to be placed in the center of the room, an oval or round table saves more space than a square table without dangerous sharp corners. On the contrary, if the table is going to fit in a corner, a square or rectangular table will be the best option and many tables are designed with rounded corners.

Small kitchens ask for small tables and a good alternative is drop down tables that can be accessed when needed. Depending on your personal style, bistro tables are available in sleek and playful designs, don’t take up much space, and provide ample dining space for one or two. If space is at a premium, make sure the attached chairs are the folding variety that can be stowed away or hung on a convenient wall when not in use.

If not required for dining purposes, a well-designed butcher block will provide plenty of storage space, using minimal floor space. It is important to have enough space to move freely around the kitchen, especially when carrying hot pans from the stove to the sink.

With so many alternatives available on the market, you can be sure to choose a table that makes optimal use of the available space and provides an attractive and functional essential piece of furniture.