Choosing the Perfect Dining Room Table

The Holidays are fast approaching – time for family gatherings, cocktail parties and neighborhood dinners. It’s this time of year that we forgo the breakfast bar and put our dining furniture to good use.

If you are in need of a new dining set, don’t fret. Visit your nearest Hennen’s showroom in St. Cloud, Willmar or Alexandria. With many styles in stock and convenient delivery, you can be ready for the Holidays in no time.

Choosing a dining table that works for your family and your space can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’ve got this. The friendly, professional design consultants at Hennen’s will help – but a little preparation never hurt anyone. Jot down your thoughts to these five questions and you’ll be ready for a great shopping trip.

1. How Many People Do You Want to Seat?

How many people will use the table on a daily basis and how many for special occasions? If your current space is smaller than you like, consider borrowing space from an adjoining room or swapping rooms for more possibilities. Many tables come with leaves or extensions that will help you transform your entertaining power from modest to mega.

2. How Often Will You Use Your Dining Table?

Will you use your table daily, once per week, or only on special occasions? Knowing this will help your design consultant assist you in choosing the right materials. If your dining table is also Homework Central, then a stain-resistant veneer top may be a good choice.

3. What Shape Table Will Fit in Your Space?

It’s time to think outside the box. Dining tables can be rectangular, round, square, hexagon and many come in counter height pub styles. Bring a photo of your space and room dimensions along to help sort out your options. If your dining space is situated near a window, consider maximizing the view outside.

4. What Style of Table Do You Like?

To articulate your design style, bring photos from your Pinterest board or your favorite magazines. Taking photos of other rooms in your home will also help your design consultant help you choose a table that’s perfectly you.

5. What Colors Are You Drawn To?

Along with style, consider color. Do you want your table to match the other wood in your home? Or do you want to make a statement with an accent color? In addition to stained options, consider partially painted or fully painted pieces for a pop of color.

To browse Hennen’s large selection of dining sets, follow this link: http://www.hennenfurniture.com/BrowseDiningRoom.aspx?LinkID=432

Happy Shopping!

Preparing Your Home For A Holiday Celebration

The holiday season is a time to be thankful and gather with friends and family. When trying to make time to spend with all of your loved ones, your home can become crowded with decorations and guests. With the season right around the corner, it is important to plan ahead for your celebrations and make sure you make the most of your space.

Add Additional Seating

There are many ways to add seating to your home without spending a ton of money. By adding cushions to the floor, your younger guest will be able to find a seat anywhere in the room, without sitting directly on the ground. Keeping folding chairs in a closet is a great way to add seating when you need it. You can take out one chair at a time, or set all of them out for your guests. Sneaking seating can also be added and pulled out when needed!

Set Up A Buffet Table

Food is an important part of any gathering. It is common to place all of the food on the dining room table and pass each dish around. To create more seating and avoid clutter on the the table, set up your food buffet style and allow guests to create their own plate before taking their seat. By having a buffet table, you avoid having to reach over other people for food and no longer risk spilling food or breaking dishes. For more styles of tables, check out the selection at Hennen!

Always Have Extras

As a host, you will never know when someone is going to invite their significant other or bring a friend from out of town. Always plan ahead when it comes to the amount of food you will provide. It is also nice to have small gifts on hand so there isn’t anyone left without a gift to open. Gift cards or a bottle of wine are always good options. If there are no additional guests, they can always be used later on or for personal use. You can also purchase e-giftcards and print them out from home!

By following these tips, you will be prepared for the holiday chaos and be able to spend more of your time with your family and friends, enjoying your celebration!

Do you have any other rituals you do to prepare for the holidays? If so, share with us with a comment below!

How To Arrange Your Furniture For A Holiday Gathering

The Holiday season is only weeks away and a lot of time will be spent with friends and family! Making everyone feel comfortable is more than just good food and good company, it can also depend on the layout of your furniture. Here are three different ways to arrange your furniture for the type of Holiday gathering you’re planning to have:

Lots of Friends and Family

If you’re having a large gathering, it would be best to arrange your furniture in an open and spacious way. Try not to have furniture or large coffee tables in the middle of the room and keep your sofas and chairs close to the wall. Also, try to make sure you have plenty of seating so everyone can feel comfortable! This layout will make everyone feel involved and welcomed!

A Mix of Adults and Children 

If there will be an almost equal amount of children and adults at your gathering, it would be best to create spaces with your furniture. Place your sofas and chairs in the middle of the room and create mini living rooms. Maybe have a coffee table and a comfy area rug for the children to color or play games on. You could place this play area on a different end of the living room. This will give the adults and children more privacy without being completely separated. 

A Small Gathering

If you are planning on having just a few friends and family members, it will be best to create a small and intimate space. To do this, you can place your furniture close together and across from one another. Try mixing the sizes of your furniture and have a large sofa and a few small chairs or vice versa. This layout allows for conversation and intimacy and having different sizes of furniture will still give people space if they need it. 

Whether you are having a large or small gathering, you can create a comfortable impression and feeling with the layout of your furniture. Your Holiday gathering will be a success! To find the perfect furniture for your gathering and layout, visit our website or stop by one of our three locations!


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