Keeping the dining room table outfitted with placemats, chargers and even full place settings was something I use to do. However, with two little kids it just seemed like a problem waiting to happen.

Our formal dining room table has a center piece and a table runner. I don't have to dust each plate, charger, move everything to dust the table...the list goes on. 

In the kitchen, we had a custom quartz table top created for our old table. Now, I don't have to use placemats. Again, it has made cleaning after meals simpler. After collecting the dishes from the table, I simply have to wipe down the table. 

Maybe one day I'll go back to fancy mats and chargers for daily use. The dining room doesn't look as fancy on a regular basis. Special occasions I pull out decorations.  But for now, it's about what makes my life easier. 

Having a nicer table and fancier decorations make the two spaces feel complete.  It give it a nice look even with the tables themselves lacking the extras. ​

 The table still wonderful. It is one of the best investments I made in the space. The overall cost of the table was that of a table its size. However, the new table would have had a stone that doesn't match our countertops. The table has been used and abuse. Toy cars have rolled on it. Toys thrown down on it. Kids have gotten paint on it. Christmas cookies have been rolled out on it. Clean up is a breeze. No water stains, no paint stains, no need to grab 50 towels to put under kids' art projects. and no scratches. Lastly, I do not need placemats because everything can be placed directly on the table!