Forever Furniture: A Buyer's Guide to 'The Dining Table'
There comes a time when a make-do piece of furniture won't do. Here's our guide to buying a dining table once and well
Susan Redman
16 May 2015
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
The dining table is not only a gathering spot for family and friends but also a focal point in the home. If you intend on shopping for one you’ll have forever, you will probably only want to buy once. So what do you need to look out for? A dining table needs to be well-crafted and strong, seat a good many people, and be of a good shape and size to suit most rooms. As a dining table can be an expensive investment, you will need to take your time in your search to tick off the key criteria you hope the table will satisfy at home. Here are 12 suggestions.
1. Select a dining table made of sturdy stuff
If you want a table to last through years of dinner party wear and tear, choose a timber table made from an Australian hardwood, such as blackbutt, spotted gum or jarrah. European hardwood species include mahogany, walnut, maple and oak, and common Asian varieties, teak and ironwood, are also great options. Tables made from engineered or composite woods, which include plywoods and MDF, are durable and economical, but are never as strong as a hardwood.
If you want a table to last through years of dinner party wear and tear, choose a timber table made from an Australian hardwood, such as blackbutt, spotted gum or jarrah. European hardwood species include mahogany, walnut, maple and oak, and common Asian varieties, teak and ironwood, are also great options. Tables made from engineered or composite woods, which include plywoods and MDF, are durable and economical, but are never as strong as a hardwood.
2. Timber is tops but don’t discount glass
The advantage of a glass dining table is that it works well with many decor themes. And because it has a reflective surface, it is an excellent choice for any space that might need to look a little lighter and brighter. Glass dining tables are tough, too. Today’s tables are made with tempered safety glass, which means the glass is scratch and heat resistant and won’t shatter if knocked. You can also choose glass that is tinted in a range of different colours, even black. Another benefit of a glass table is that you can surround it with versatile seating arrangements, from mismatched dining chairs to multi-coloured options.
Ideas for mixing up dining chairs
The advantage of a glass dining table is that it works well with many decor themes. And because it has a reflective surface, it is an excellent choice for any space that might need to look a little lighter and brighter. Glass dining tables are tough, too. Today’s tables are made with tempered safety glass, which means the glass is scratch and heat resistant and won’t shatter if knocked. You can also choose glass that is tinted in a range of different colours, even black. Another benefit of a glass table is that you can surround it with versatile seating arrangements, from mismatched dining chairs to multi-coloured options.
Ideas for mixing up dining chairs
3. Go for the tried and true: A weathered wood table has already passed the test
A second-hand timber table with a farmhouse or industrial heritage has already passed the test of time. Any scratches and nicks in the tabletop surface have mellowed into design details, becoming features to admire. If you accidentally add a few more to it, it won’t matter. For this reason, these tables are great for families with children – you never have to worry about whether your brood is unwittingly or even intentionally marking the table. The damage, if minor, will only become a part of the beauty of the piece. That said, it’s worth protecting your table with a hard wax polish, which should be applied about twice a year.
A second-hand timber table with a farmhouse or industrial heritage has already passed the test of time. Any scratches and nicks in the tabletop surface have mellowed into design details, becoming features to admire. If you accidentally add a few more to it, it won’t matter. For this reason, these tables are great for families with children – you never have to worry about whether your brood is unwittingly or even intentionally marking the table. The damage, if minor, will only become a part of the beauty of the piece. That said, it’s worth protecting your table with a hard wax polish, which should be applied about twice a year.
4. Impress your guests
Marble is a big investment, but without exception marble dining tables are nearly always showstoppers. Tables crafted from quality imported marble are extremely beautiful. Buy without guilt if you truly fall in love with one – marble’s timeless appeal will make it a table that is always in fashion – but do be aware that a marble tabletop comes with a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, marble tables of any kind are bulky and heavy. Secondly, they have to be well looked after as the marble can crack and stain. To overcome these limitations to buying a marble table as a forever piece, choose a small round table, which is a lighter choice than most rectangular ones, while still being able to seat four to six guests. To avoid stains, keep the table cleared and clean at all times, covering with a table cloth or placemats when foods like beetroot or red wine are on the menu.
Marble is a big investment, but without exception marble dining tables are nearly always showstoppers. Tables crafted from quality imported marble are extremely beautiful. Buy without guilt if you truly fall in love with one – marble’s timeless appeal will make it a table that is always in fashion – but do be aware that a marble tabletop comes with a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, marble tables of any kind are bulky and heavy. Secondly, they have to be well looked after as the marble can crack and stain. To overcome these limitations to buying a marble table as a forever piece, choose a small round table, which is a lighter choice than most rectangular ones, while still being able to seat four to six guests. To avoid stains, keep the table cleared and clean at all times, covering with a table cloth or placemats when foods like beetroot or red wine are on the menu.
5. For buyers on the move, choose a table that is easily transportable
For those who don’t anticipate that they won’t be living in the same house forever, a heavy purchase may prove to be a bugbear, weighing you down each time you move. If you fall in love with a metal or marble table, don’t be discouraged from buying it, but do think about how you might safely transport it home. As suggested above, choose a small round marble table, or a timber table with detachable legs. If you are looking for a table to suit an urban-industrial decor theme, don’t go all out with a (heavy) metal table but consider a (lighter) timber table with some metal design features, such as the one pictured here. Plastic as an alternative to timber is light and can be moulded into some very cool shapes, but be aware that the pigment colour can fade over time.
For those who don’t anticipate that they won’t be living in the same house forever, a heavy purchase may prove to be a bugbear, weighing you down each time you move. If you fall in love with a metal or marble table, don’t be discouraged from buying it, but do think about how you might safely transport it home. As suggested above, choose a small round marble table, or a timber table with detachable legs. If you are looking for a table to suit an urban-industrial decor theme, don’t go all out with a (heavy) metal table but consider a (lighter) timber table with some metal design features, such as the one pictured here. Plastic as an alternative to timber is light and can be moulded into some very cool shapes, but be aware that the pigment colour can fade over time.
6. Consider a designer pack-and-go dining table
Plywood is lightweight and durable and can be flat-packed and assembled as needed at home. It may only be a novel idea for now but the idea your dining table can be packed up and moved as necessary is very impressive. Plus it works well in a modern Nordic or contemporary Asian-style home, both trends that are now firm favourites.
Plywood is lightweight and durable and can be flat-packed and assembled as needed at home. It may only be a novel idea for now but the idea your dining table can be packed up and moved as necessary is very impressive. Plus it works well in a modern Nordic or contemporary Asian-style home, both trends that are now firm favourites.
7. Settle on a shape that will work in most rooms
Round tables look good in compact rooms and living areas that have square dining zones. They also offer flexible seating. If you buy a six-seater, eight can usually be accommodated at a pinch – the larger the diameter, the more people can be seated. On the other hand, rectangular tables have limited seating spots due to the position of their table legs and because only one person can be seated at each end. However, if you choose a rectangular table with leaves, the table can be extended to accommodate extra guests whenever an event is planned, such as for a family Christmas or birthday party.
Round tables look good in compact rooms and living areas that have square dining zones. They also offer flexible seating. If you buy a six-seater, eight can usually be accommodated at a pinch – the larger the diameter, the more people can be seated. On the other hand, rectangular tables have limited seating spots due to the position of their table legs and because only one person can be seated at each end. However, if you choose a rectangular table with leaves, the table can be extended to accommodate extra guests whenever an event is planned, such as for a family Christmas or birthday party.
8. Problem solve with a versatile shape
Ovals are the new oblongs. Similar to a rectangular dining table, the oval dining table is elongated to work in a narrow room but visually seems to occupy less space because of its rounded corners. They also have all the benefits of a round table in that they provide a cosy and intimate setting, but can usually seat more people.
Ovals are the new oblongs. Similar to a rectangular dining table, the oval dining table is elongated to work in a narrow room but visually seems to occupy less space because of its rounded corners. They also have all the benefits of a round table in that they provide a cosy and intimate setting, but can usually seat more people.
9. Colour is cool but beware of the trendy hue
Today’s on-trend shade is tomorrow’s fashion fail, so choose wisely. Classic colours, such as the primaries red, yellow and blue, usually have staying power, mainly because they are so unapologetically basic. Red is a very popular colour, especially in homes that have a subtle Oriental theme, as red is a colour traditionally associated with celebration, and this will work even if the home is minimal and modern.
Today’s on-trend shade is tomorrow’s fashion fail, so choose wisely. Classic colours, such as the primaries red, yellow and blue, usually have staying power, mainly because they are so unapologetically basic. Red is a very popular colour, especially in homes that have a subtle Oriental theme, as red is a colour traditionally associated with celebration, and this will work even if the home is minimal and modern.
10. Black is always the new black
If you aren’t expecting your table to suffer wear and tear, choose the most sophisticated and elegant table you’ve always dreamed of owning. Black tables are notoriously tricky, especially if they are veneered, because the smallest scratch will show up and ruin the look of the tabletop. If you are the careful type, however, black is super cool and will always be so.
If you aren’t expecting your table to suffer wear and tear, choose the most sophisticated and elegant table you’ve always dreamed of owning. Black tables are notoriously tricky, especially if they are veneered, because the smallest scratch will show up and ruin the look of the tabletop. If you are the careful type, however, black is super cool and will always be so.
11. You can’t go wrong with a classic country table
Generally, the country-style dining table is large and therefore suitable for families or for people who regularly entertain. They are usually made from a solid timber, like oak or pine, making them very robust. They also have an uncomplicated design suitable for most schemes, although, pleasingly, many country tables feature elegantly turned legs that support the tabletop. The only real consideration in buying such a table style is whether you go for an upmarket one, such as a French colonial table, or settle on a table with the rustic appeal of an English country farmhouse. Whatever you choose to suit your home, you can be assured that both will look drop-dead gorgeous when they are set and dressed for a country farmhouse feast.
Ideas for stylish tabletop settings
Generally, the country-style dining table is large and therefore suitable for families or for people who regularly entertain. They are usually made from a solid timber, like oak or pine, making them very robust. They also have an uncomplicated design suitable for most schemes, although, pleasingly, many country tables feature elegantly turned legs that support the tabletop. The only real consideration in buying such a table style is whether you go for an upmarket one, such as a French colonial table, or settle on a table with the rustic appeal of an English country farmhouse. Whatever you choose to suit your home, you can be assured that both will look drop-dead gorgeous when they are set and dressed for a country farmhouse feast.
Ideas for stylish tabletop settings
12. Invest in a bluechip: A case for retro
Anything retro should be considered a keepsake piece of furniture that has the potential to be handed down from generation to generation. The dining table that catches your eye at a market or auction may not even be particularly fashionable or even fit into your present decor scheme, but don’t let that deter you from buying something of quality and style from another era. It may well prove to be the best investment of all, escalating in price in decades to come.
TELL US MORE
Have you found ‘The One’? What makes your dining table a ‘Forever Dining Table’?
MORE
12 Casual Dining Options for Your Home
Striking Dining Table Settings to Impress Guests
Indulgent Dining Rooms: 12 Elegant Designs to Inspire You
Anything retro should be considered a keepsake piece of furniture that has the potential to be handed down from generation to generation. The dining table that catches your eye at a market or auction may not even be particularly fashionable or even fit into your present decor scheme, but don’t let that deter you from buying something of quality and style from another era. It may well prove to be the best investment of all, escalating in price in decades to come.
TELL US MORE
Have you found ‘The One’? What makes your dining table a ‘Forever Dining Table’?
MORE
12 Casual Dining Options for Your Home
Striking Dining Table Settings to Impress Guests
Indulgent Dining Rooms: 12 Elegant Designs to Inspire You
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Nice article, Susan. As owner of Refined Elements LLC and a leading maker of custom tables, I especially love the comments about "sturdy stuff". Our tables are produced from hardwoods that we sawmill from salvaged from fallen or dead trees. So these are "sturdy" from an extreme sense. No veneers, no MDF, no plywood, etc. I feel that you are being a bit hypocritical in point #1 vs #6 in that you don't but do recommend plywood based tables. FYI, the density of plywood is actually higher than most hardwoods; thus, heavier in a 1:1 comparison. So it is not necessarily true statement that plywood is lighter. It does have a higher strength to weight ratio as it is a glue based laminate (it does off-gas in your home). Overall, I enjoyed the article. Glass? It is a horrible, horrible surface to keep clean. I would never, never recommend it as a dining table. Marble, granite, composite engineered stone, and even concrete make some great table tops. Heavy but certainly can offer a "Wow" factor. You talk about farmhouse or reclaimed tables with rustic finishes? I agree but if the furniture maker is using an industrial grade finish (not found on most commercial retail furniture) then the concern about scratching is not a huge factor. A table finish should be as durable as flooring! Problem is, most retail furniture finishes are total junk. What's even more important to consider is staying away from high gloss finishes. They look wonderful initially but overtime will show every small surface scratch. For this reason, we do not go beyond semi-gloss and try to keep the sheen between satin & semi. We go to great expense in purchasing expensive 2-part top coat finishes which we hand buff to create a finish that is extremely durable, yet, brings out the natural figure & character in wood like walnut. Of course, we have the benefit of specializing in custom dining tables here in Texas. Our tables reside from NYC to LA, and we have yet to receive a single complaint. Keep up the good work. BTW, I think Houzz is missing a well written article about dining tables that discusses the ergonomics of table design both from a human factors standpoint but also how a table fits in a particular space. Oh, don't forget about live edge tables for a huge "Wow" factor! We've create some true masterpieces that I feel belong in a museum. Maybe after I've long since left this wonderful world! :)
And challenge the sources of your lumber or materials. We focus on salvaged lumber and built urban wood furniture. Outside of genuine reclaimed, it is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly form of lumber available. No reason to cut health trees when we can re-use dead or dying. At our TX Urban Sawmill, we like to say "Saving the environment, one tree at a time!"
If you are looking for a timeless "forever" dining table, with the versatility of not only a dining table, but also a bar height table, consider a stunning industrial cast iron crank table topped with a river tabletop from these guys hiilo.com