Inviting guests over for a meal is a natural part of socializing with loved ones and professional colleagues. You want to give your guests an elegant meal with sparkling conversation. A core part of any meal is simply having the dining room furniture to go along with the experience. Outfit your dining room with these suggestions from the experts. Elegant meals are possible when you focus on the furniture before you decorate the space.

A dilemma that often defines your dining experience is the number of guests. For an intimate affair, look for dining tables that serve four or six people. Grand gatherings call for a more elaborate setting, however. Long dining tables that seat more than eight people are smart choices for large households.

Oils, shellacs and lacquers are the common terms in the world of table finishing. You simply want a durable finish that shines up neatly with a little buffing. For an old-fashioned appearance, lacquer is incredibly durable. The wood shines through as a brilliant addition to your dining space.

As an alternative, consider polyurethane as your finish of choice. It's a modern finish that's nearly indestructible during dinner parties.

The seats surrounding the dining table must be considered on a higher level than other details. Most people opt for either a comfortable or an elegant appearance in the dining space. Casual areas work well with fabric seat covers. Your guests will feel comfortable on the cushy supports for those long conversations.

Wood seats look spectacular and clean up easily, but they aren't meant for long-term comfort. It's ultimately your preference when it comes to comfort versus elegance at the seat level.

Ideally, purchase any dining table that has an expandable option. Leaves that number from one to four might be options for your table's extension ease. While you will need to store extra chairs when you collapse the table into a smaller shape, you'll always have them on hand when you have extra guests at your table.

Find your dining solutions at a local furniture store that's a top choice for residents of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who are looking for quality furniture and design options. Drop by Fairfield Galleries today.