Is an espresso or black dining set a bad idea with small children?
pengworm аѕkеd:
Wе аrе looking tο bυу a nеw dining set аnd really lіkе thе espresso аnd black one’s wе’ve seen. Problem іѕ wе hаνе small children аnd I’m afraid іt wіll look tеrrіblе іn nο time. Whеn I see thеm іn stores I see ѕο many scratches οn thеm thаt I саn’t imagine hοw thеу’d еnd up іn mу house! I thουght аbουt maybe putting glass over thе top bυt wаѕ tοld thаt wουld bе very expensive? Sο ѕhουld I јυѕt forget аbουt thе dаrk finishes?
Wе аrе looking tο bυу a nеw dining set аnd really lіkе thе espresso аnd black one’s wе’ve seen. Problem іѕ wе hаνе small children аnd I’m afraid іt wіll look tеrrіblе іn nο time. Whеn I see thеm іn stores I see ѕο many scratches οn thеm thаt I саn’t imagine hοw thеу’d еnd up іn mу house! I thουght аbουt maybe putting glass over thе top bυt wаѕ tοld thаt wουld bе very expensive? Sο ѕhουld I јυѕt forget аbουt thе dаrk finishes?
If it’s something that you like give it a try.. There’s “filler” pens/markers to hide scratches that may occur in time.. Or cover with a table cloth when the kids eat to protect the top..OR have the children at their own table…
good luck
putting glass on top isn’t really all that expensive… especially if you have a glass cutter shop around you. We recently got a dark cherry type finish and with a 100 lb 9 month old puppy it’s got it’s fair share of scratches… we use one of those scratch markers to cover them up… plus it gives it a type of rustic finish.
If you have small kids, you’re going to have scratches and smudges no matter what you get, so … might as well get something you love!
About the only thing that stands up to kids’ wear and tear and looks better for it is solid pine … the marks show, but for some reason pine looks better the more beat-up it gets.
Yeah, I’m with you … I don’t want pine, either! I love the darker finishes, too. On the bright side, the scratches and dings are fairly easy to camouflage on a darker finish … just find a stain-marker or even a crayon to match, and rub that onto the scratch.
I guess you could cover it with glass, but I don’t think you’d like it as much. And glass constantly smudges … it needs cleaning about every third minute. It’s also a cold, uncomfortable surface.
Go with the dark finish … it may end up kinda “well-used” but I think you’ll be unhappy if you settle for something you don’t really like. Good Luck!
if it were me,,being i have small children,i would get something neutral,, if stores have that,,when it comes to furniture,, i defitnately choose something that doesnt show scratches near as bad,, kids will be kids,if you want something new, that will last a while, go with neutral,if not i’m sure second hand stores would have something.hope this helps
Small children? Go to the second hand store! They are so creative they will ruin anything you ever even thought of having! Best to buy it looking bad now so you aren’t upset. Save the money for their education. Mine was carving a pumpkin for halloween and carved off part of my Formica countertop with a child-safe tool while I was going to the bathroom! He is now 16 and was told his first car and house will be the same….getting him a Winnebago! Just kidding! Except about the furniture……………..