An important part of any kitchen design, both aesthetically and functionally, are the dining table and chairs. They assist in sending a message about the kitchen's style, formality, comfort level and more.

As current trends continue to move toward an appreciation of natural materials and interesting textures, here is a collection of cool, new dining tables and chairs I spotted at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.

Important considerations when purchasing a dining table and chairs for the kitchen are:

size and shape based on lifestyle needs (does it need to expand?)

maintenance of table top

color, texture, materials coordination

comfort

formality/informality

adequate space for movement around the table and chairs

style relationship to kitchen and surrounding rooms