From dinner parties and family celebrations to an impromptu workspace, the dining table is one of the hardest working pieces of furniture in your home.

Your dining table ends up being much more than just a place to eat; the dining table is a place to connect with friends and loved ones, and during the global pandemic, it became our office for a while as well. It’s one of the larger pieces of furniture that you’ll buy for your home, so it’s important to take your time when choosing the right one. Hopefully, the right dining table will last you as long as the rest of your kitchen! Our expert team can help you choose the perfect dining table as part of our kitchen design service, but here are some things to consider when browsing.

Size matters

The size of your dining space will determine a lot about the best dining table for you. It needs to be big enough to comfortably seat your family and any additional guests that’ll regularly be dining with you, but not so big that it crowds the room or makes it difficult to navigate. Ideally, you’ll want 75cm between the table and the wall or neighbouring furniture to allow you to move freely around the table – you don’t want to have dining chairs scraping your walls or people having to move every time someone else gets up.

Conversely, a compact table can look lost in a larger room.

Shape

The shape of your table is also reliant on the space it’ll be in. A round table works well in smaller rooms and the lack of sharp corners saves hips and small heads! If you opt for a pedestal base, you’ll be able to squeeze a surprising amount of people around the tabletop. Square tables can work well too, especially if you want to push them into a corner when not in use.

Rectangular tables are more at home in longer, more slender rooms, offering maximum seating without capitalizing on limited floor space. Extending tables are an excellent option if you need extra seating from time to time.

Materials

It’s important to consider what daily activities your table may encounter to work out what table will work for you. Choosing something hard wearing will ensure that you’re not looking at a replacement in a few years’ time!

Natural wood is a popular choice for families, and with a little care, it’ll age beautifully over the years. Hardwood will last considerably longer than softwood, so look for oak, maple, walnut, cherry, or mahogany. We believe in making the best choices for the environment, so if you’re buying a new table, seek out furniture that carries the FSC certificate to ensure the wood used is sustainably sourced. Using reclaimed wood is an alternative greener option.

Glass tables offer the illusion of light and space, even if both are at a premium. Modern reinforced glass stands up well to the rigorous of daily life, but still might not be the best choice for young families. Marble has been on-trend for a while now and shows no signs of disappearing. Real marble is costly, but there are some excellent imitations on the market.

Seating

As well as a table, you’re also going to need somewhere to sit. When purchasing a table and chairs separately, you’ll need to ensure that your chosen chairs will fit under the table, allowing at least 30cm between the seat of your chair and your tabletop.

If you’re short on space, you might want to consider folding chairs that can be stored away when not in use. Benches are also becoming increasingly popular, thanks in part to their flexible seating options.