A live-edge is always something special. Especially with a live-edge table, as it immediately draws the eye in the dining room, office, or conference room.
But it also makes a real statement on so-called ancillary furniture like lowboards, sideboards, or highboards. Here, the horizontal top panels are usually made with a live edge, but doors can also feature this special shape.
What a live edge always is: A special and unique form of natural woodworking and always one of a kind.
In this text, we would like to give you some tips on how to perfectly furnish your dining room with a live-edge table or live edges and what all that entails.
First of all: What exactly is a live edge?
A live edge refers to a furniture edge that corresponds to the natural growth form of the tree in height. During the production of furniture panels, the bark is removed, and the outer edge is left in the natural wavy state of the tree's growth – just as the tree grew lengthwise. To compensate for excessive unevenness, the edges are usually re-milled and sanded according to the growth form.
Due to the different growth of each tree, every live edge is unique in shape, grain, and color. Therefore, furniture with a live edge is truly one of a kind and an eye-catcher in any dining area, living room, or conference room.
Live-edge boards for tables or other furniture pieces come in various thicknesses, usually between 23 and 55 mm. The thicker the (table)top, the more effective the live edge appears.
The most commonly used wood types for live-edge furniture are oak and acacia; other woods can also be used depending on their stability. Other terms for it are – sometimes regionally different – forest edge, natural edge, live edge, forest fringe, and irregular edge.
Which live-edge furniture should it be?
In most cases, the dining table is the focus of the selection – and rightly so. In a dining room, the table is simply the dominant piece of furniture. Of course, you have to decide on the size of the table and the additional options it should offer. Here, room size and the number of people are the most important criteria, to which all other points should be subordinate.
You can read how to find the optimal table in our article "Optimal Dining Table: How to Find It with the Dining Table Advisor." And what characteristics a good live-edge table should have can be found on the page top-Baumkantentische.de.
Once you have decided on a table, the next step is to furnish the rest of the room. In larger rooms, there is nothing wrong with also accommodating ancillary furniture.
However, in smaller rooms, you should be sparing with additional furnishings. This is not only aesthetically pleasing but also advisable for functionality. After all, you want to be able to sit comfortably at the table and have enough space for chairs – especially behind you when getting up.
Choose suitable dining chairs
A live-edge table is a great choice for your dining room, but matching chairs are just as important and emphasize the table's style. Comfort should be paramount, as you will surely spend long evenings with family and friends at the table.
Leather or wooden chairs are a good choice as they have a natural look and perfectly complement your live-edge table. If you prefer something a bit more modern, you can also opt for metal or plastic chairs.
Also, consider the size when choosing chairs. Here, freedom of movement to the back and sides is important: A seat should offer about 60 cm of space at the table. The distance from the table to the wall or to the furniture behind it should be about 80 – 90 cm – after all, you need space to move and sit down.
The main paths to the kitchen or living room should be more generously dimensioned, as possible traffic routes must be taken into account here. With swivel chairs, you can calculate a bit more tightly. To sit down and especially to get up, you can turn the chair and don't have to push it back – which saves space and is still comfortable.
Also, factor the frame shape of the dining table into your considerations to determine where each chair can be placed. Spider frames are the most "legroom-friendly" as the frame does not extend to the outer edge of the table.
Also consider the height of the table and chairs. The standard height of most tables is about 75 cm and that of chairs about 45 cm. There should be about 25-30 cm of space between the underside of the table and the seat height. However, these measurements may vary depending on body size.
Choose suitable table decorations
What would furnishing a room be without appropriate decoration? A live-edge table is an eye-catcher in itself, but suitable decoration can perfectly round off the ambiance in the room. Natural materials such as plants, wooden candlesticks, or clay vases perfectly match your table and create a harmonious look. A suitable rug can also complete the overall picture.
For those who like it a bit bolder, a piece that deviates strongly from the style of the rest of the furnishings can be consciously integrated for a rug or chairs and other furniture pieces. Be it a modern figurine, a "grandpa armchair," an industrial-style lamp... but don't overdo it, otherwise, it quickly creates the impression of a chaotic hodgepodge.
Lighting in the dining room
This brings us to the topic of light in the room. This is usually a combination of naturally available light through the windows and additional lighting. Pleasant additional lighting is essential for a cozy atmosphere in the dining room and is absolutely necessary for evening "sessions."
A pendant light above the table, for example, not only provides sufficient light but can also be a real eye-catcher. If you need additional light sources, you can also place indirect lighting on the walls or a floor lamp in the room. You can get inspiration from various lamp and lighting online shops, for example, at Lampenwelt.
Place the live-edge table in the room
Depending on the size of the room, placing the table can be a challenge. Our tip: If possible, place the live-edge table in the center of the room so that it becomes the focal point of the dining room.
However, if the table is too large for the center of the room, you can also place it against a wall to save space. But also consider the live edges here. Usually, the table is shaped with live edges on the long sides, while the short sides usually have straight edges. To achieve the optimal visual effect, one of the natural edge sides should be in direct view.
Care for your live-edge table
Even if it's sometimes a bit annoying: To enjoy your live-edge table for a long time, you should maintain it regularly. This is not a particularly great effort, but it is definitely worth it over time.
It is best to clean the table with a damp cloth and, if necessary, use special wood care products. Avoid exposing the table to direct sunlight or moisture. Feel free to read our guide article on caring for live-edge tables.
