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How to Choose the Right Dining Table for Your Home

There has to be one centrepiece in every home that gives the space a special ambience. Sometimes it’s the big chandelier, other times it’s wall art or some kind of bold decoration, but most often, it’s the dining table. It’s the central gathering spot for the whole family at least once a day and the furniture piece around which you gather your friends and family when entertaining. But before buying, you should consider the material, size of the room and shape of the table.

Popular Dining Table Materials

Manufacturers use various materials to design dining tables in different styles and shapes. The care and maintenance process is not the same for every table material, so you’ll have to choose the one that works best for your preferences and budget.

Wood

Wood is easily the most popular material there is. It’s very versatile and easy to manipulate. It’s always a sturdy construction that adds elegance and a rustic feel to the room. You can choose from hardwood, softwood and composite wood. Experts recommend hardwood as the best option for a dining table because of its durability and attractiveness.

Oak

Oak is a hardwood that can sustain repeated usage and has a classic scenic look that is difficult to match. Because oak trees require a longer growing time, the wood is more expensive. But that slow-growing process creates a thick wood that ensures your table will last for a long time if you take care of it the right way. You can find it in light and dark shades, so you have many options when it comes to colours.

solid wood dining table
source: lindseyteak.com

Walnut

You can easily distinguish walnut wood by its deeper and more robust appearance. It can range from light to dark chocolate brown. It’s ideal for the making of a strong 12 seater solid wood dining table and for smaller size tables as well. As one of the most desirable woods, walnut is pricier than other woods, but it will undoubtedly make your dining table an outstanding focal point.

Pine

When it comes to colour, pine has softer shades than the rest of the hardwoods. The colours range from creamy white to yellow. Pine is strong and durable, but it’s more budget-friendly than the rest. Because of its light tone, pine is also an excellent material to dye, meaning you can quickly get your preferred shade incorporated into your décor. And, while it’s a strong material, it’s also light, allowing you to carry it around the house with ease.

Teak

Teak is one of the most attractive and high-quality hard timbers worldwide. Teak’s natural beauty is obvious and that makes it a bit pricier. It’s a favourite among interior designers and homeowners. It might take a teak tree up to 4 decades to be cut and used. That’s why, it’s frequently salvaged from old constructions, docks, or houses and repurposed in modern teak furniture. It’s rich in natural oils and has minimal moisture absorption. Your 12 seater solid wood dining table will look great when teak is the star in the room.

Glass

A glass tabletop is contemporary, open, and sophisticated. Glass is extremely simple to clean and maintain. The frame that supports the glass can be made from metal, wood or graphite. It has a refined appearance, and a simple vase filled with flowers may make a dramatic statement. It allows for some beautiful decorations that’ll make the room shine. It can be shaped and cut in many different forms and sizes to fit your interior design. But because fingerprints and dust stick to it, you’ll have to clean it frequently.

Metal

If you want a striking and elegant table, metal is the right choice for you. It’s very sturdy and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. A good thing about the summer is that it feels cool to the touch. It’s stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about spilled juice or some alcoholic beverage. Metal dining tables work best for contemporary or industrial interior designs.

Marble

Marble is now a popular material for specific high-end dining table designs. Marble has a rich, beautiful tone, making it luxurious. Its beautiful shades create unique colours and patterns. Another good thing is the simple cleaning and maintaining process. Plus, it doesn’t stain or scratch easily. Very similar to marble and its qualities, are granite and onyx.

Size

People often disregard this factor when they’re buying a dining table. One rule of thumb is that there should be at least 1m of breathing space on all sides of the table so everyone can stand and sit without obstacles and barriers. The easiest way to know what size table you need is to measure the size of the room and subtract 2m. Even if you love that 12 seater wood table you saw at the store, it’s all in vain if you don’t have enough space.

teak wood outdoor dining table
source: kettler.co.uk

Shape and Style

According to the available space, size of the room and your personal preferences, you can choose from various shapes of dining tables. Some of the most common are:

  • Rectangular – very famous, good divider of rooms;
  • Square – suitable for square rooms, always trendy;
  • Round – seats many people, very comfortable;
  • Oval – practical, saves space;
  • Freeform – suitable for artistic designs.

When it comes to styles, the market is filled with different ones, and each of them makes its own statement. Pedestal tables usually have a small tabletop and a single column it stands on. They’re commonly used in small rooms with limited space. Farmhouse tables give a rustic and aged look. They have sturdy legs and a thick tabletop that’s durable. The rustic modern dining table is a combination of wood and modern elements such as metal, and with the proper lighting, they can look amazing.


Trestle tables have a tabletop and 2-4 trestle supporters. They have a sturdy construction and can come in many shapes, sizes and styles. The traditional oval dining table looks elegant and often features detailed designs on the legs. They sometimes include a leaf to extend it if needed. The shaker tables are simple, functional and durable. They’re rectangular and made from cherry, cedar, pine or maple. The industrial tables have a wooden tabletop and metal legs; that’s why they’re heavy and bulky.

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