The Best Dining Tables To Dine In Style

They say the way to the heart is through the stomach, so it’s really no surprise that the dining table is the heart of the home. Playing host to nibbles, speedy morning breakfasts, and family Christmas lunches, every home needs one whether it’s tucked up in a corner of the kitchen, set aside in the dining room, or taking centre-stage in an open-plan kitchen.

If you’re on the market for a new dining table, we’ve picked out a list of the best from a range of budgets, shapes, styles, and sizes. From extendable dining tables to round tables, farmhouse-inspired to trendy modern tables, find the perfect dining table for your home to entertain family and friends.

Best Dining Tables 2022

Bringing industrial chic to the dinner table, the Lucien has cast powder-coated aluminium legs that complement the deep mango wood rectangular tabletop. Made responsibly by MADE, the timber can be traced back to its forest of origin and designed by Tim Fenby, it balances style and practicality. The brilliant design extends to accommodate up to eight people and can be wiped clean with a dry cloth.

Seats: 6-8 people

Size: H76 x W160-200 x D90cm

Pros: Extendable, great quality, vibrant wood

Cons: Very heavy - will be more difficult to manoeuvre

Review: "Better in life than the photos show, we are extremely pleased with the table so easy to put the legs on and the red ribbon I thought was a festive touch (!) led me to the screws I thought I had lost - packaging excellent. Takes two to turn upright after putting on the legs - it’s a robust piece of furniture!"

With a shabby chic, rustic finish, this sturdy farmhouse-style table has an on-trend neutral colour palette that brings out the natural grain in the driftwood surface. The chunky, off-white distressed frame may be a little harder to move but it would look great in most dining rooms or those with a farmhouse-inspired theme. It’s available to buy with matching dining chairs, a bench, or an add-on-the-end extension leaf for more people at extra cost.

Seats: 6 people

Size: H75 x W160 x D100cm

Pros: Extendable, sturdy design, matching chairs/ bench available

Cons: Extension leaf needs to be bought separately

With the length of a rectangular dining table without taking up as much space, this oval dining table has a contemporary look that would beautifully suit mid-century décor. Crafted using traditional methods, this table is made of quality solid oak and oak veneers and has been coated with a lacquer to make it even more robust. Designed to accommodate six, though you can squeeze in two extra seats, we’re a fan of the semi-circular pedestal base with spindle rods that bring a little extra sophistication and retro appeal.

Seats: 6 people

Size: H75 x W200 x D90cm

Pros: Looks more expensive than it is, sturdy, available in two oak tones

Cons: Legs take up a lot of room under the table

Review: "I ordered this table in the lighter colour, it's sturdy and looks very expensive. I love it, no issues."

The epitome of contemporary design with industrial vibes, the Boone Dining Table has lovely clean lines that’ll frame your dining space well with a stylish flair. It has black matte powder-coated metal legs and a contrasting concrete resin top. Customers have rated it highly for quality with its sleek, modern design, describing it as easy to clean and sturdy.

Seats: 8-10 people

Size: H76 x W230 x D100cm

Pros: Sturdy, sleek and modern, able in two resin top colours

Cons: Prone to scratch

Review: "Lovely table. Very sturdy. Looks great and good value compared to other similar tables."

With a Scandinavian-inspired design, this durable glass-top dining table is sleek, minimalist, and a relaxed fit perfect for fitting into a corner of your kitchen for casual breakfasts and dinners. The robust, splayed base is made from natural solid oak, and with no defined edges, you could squeeze four people or more around the curve. Sturdy and simple, it can be easily paired with a range of dining chair designs. Also available with dark wooden legs.

Seats: 4 people

Size: H76 x W120 x D120cm

Pros: Assembled for you, eco-friendly, a good fit for small kitchens, quick dispatch

Cons: Glass top collects dust

Review: "This is a visually stunning table, I have 4 chairs around it but can easily seat 6. It arrives and the team assemble the table which took about 20 minutes and took all the packaging away. Can not fault."

If you’re looking for an affordable dining table for a new home, Dunelm’s Fulton dining table is one of the best budget options you can find for less than £200. Made with durable materials and with a rustic pine-effect finish, the flip top can easily be extended to double the width to accommodate up to six people. Also available in an oak finish, it may be quite plain in design but it’s perfectly practical for all your dining needs.

Seats: 4-6 people

Size: H76 x W80-160 x D80cm

Pros: Extendable and compact when closed, sturdy, easy to assemble, good for small spaces

Cons: Laminate wood-effect, not wooden, and so not as long-lasting

Review: "Great table, easy to put together, sturdy, simple, great to have such a compact table that can flip to seat so many. Wood effect is convincing from a distance and even has a slight texture to it."

This gorgeous vintage-style dining table as part of La Redoute Watford range gives off 1950s elegance with the walnut marquetry effect inlaid top and tapered steel matt lacquered legs. Large enough to comfortably seat six people, the whole family can enjoy dinner around the table with the bevelled edges preventing accidental bumps into the corners.

Seats: 6 people

Size: H75 x W150 x D90cm

Pros: Easy to assemble, stylish, subtle pattern, sturdy

Cons: Comes heavily packaged in polystyrene

Review: "Came quickly and with good communication. Arrived so securely packaged there was no possibility of it being damaged in transit. Easily assembled and beautiful, looks great in our mid century flat."

If you’re really strapped on space, choosing a folding, drop-leaf dining table will give you the option to make your table smaller or tuck it against one wall when not in use. This traditional wooden number can be retracted, partially extended, or fully extended as required. It has wheels so you can move around your limited space with ease and an added bonus? It comes with four coordinating dining chairs that can be stored in the centre partition.

Seats: 4 people

Size: H75.7 x W32-132 x D85cm

Pros: Great value, easy to use and keep clean, ideal for flats and smaller kitchens

Cons: Chairs not the best quality

Review: "This table fitted very neatly into my small apartment, it is particularly useful that the chairs fit inside the structure. I had originally planned to keep this in a cupboard until needed but it looks attractive enough to simply sit in the corner of the room and be used as shelving until used. Would absolutely recommend."

The perfect fit for minimalist or Scandi-inspired homes, the blonde-oak Chevron Dining Table is available as standard with a fixed tabletop to sit six people, or you could choose the extendable version to accommodate extra chairs. Featuring four slender, tapered legs and a subtle chevron finish, the solid oak and oak veneer is coated in a specialist matte lacquer for longevity.

Seats: 6 people

Size: H76 x W160 x D90cm

Pros: Trendy, easy to style, subtle pattern, available as extendable for an extra £500

Cons: Quite expensive

For a dining table that offer the most extendable potential, look no further than the Habitat Drio Extending Oak Dining Table. It can go from seating four persons to 10 when the two extension leaves are added, ideal for family gatherings. With clean-lines and a contemporary shape that won’t date, this timeless table will stand the test of time with the wood veneer tabletop finish providing ample protection from scuffs and stains.

Seats: 4-10 people

Size: H75 x W120-240 x D95cm

Pros: Huge extension for versatile use, ideal for families, sturdy build

Cons: Bit basic

Review: "Excellent quality - a real family table with excellent leaves to extend. Very solid & heavy."

OUR VERDICT: Which Is The Best Dining Table?

Our top pick would be the Chevron Oak Dining Table due to its versatile, minimalist design that’ll fit most home styles and light oak that’ll help brighten your dining area. It has a sturdy build and finish that’ll make it last for years to come and help it to survive the accidental spillages and stains that come from home dining. If an extendable table is what you’re after, you can opt for the extendable version instead.

FAQs

What Style Dining Table Should I Choose?

This is completely up to you. If you’re not sure, consider any existing themes you already have in your home – dark colours may better suit a walnut wood or industrial-style table, while lighter hues may be best for a more minimalist, Scandi-inspired design. If you’re still not sure, choose a table that’s simple and versatile – even if your style changes, your table will stand the test of time.

A key consideration that’ll help you determine the style may also lie in whether it’s extendable. If you’re often hosting large gatherings or anticipate you will be in the future, choosing a table that can be extended will keep you future-proofed should the occasion arise. Just make sure the space can accommodate the table and its extension.

Read next: The Best Paint To Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets

What Dining Table Shape Is Best?

The best shape for your dining table depends largely on the space you’d like to provide your diners, and the space you have available for your dining table.

Rectangular dining tables are generally the most popular, providing the space to seat larger groups, upwards of four people, with space in the centre of the table for serving food. An ideal choice for dining rooms, large open plan living rooms, and narrow spaces, it’s with this shape you’re most likely to be able to extend for more guests.

Providing a smaller area, a square dining table is more intimate making it ideal for smaller groups of up to four people. Placing everyone at equal distance, it’s a better fit for smaller spaces, square rooms, and dinner conversations – you can talk to everyone around the table without feeling too distant.

If you’re working with a small space or want to make the most of a corner of your kitchen for dining, a round dining table is best. It keeps the cosy atmosphere you can get from a square table but the rounded corners provide more flexibility. You can move freely around the table without hitting corners and place your seats wherever fits best along the curve.

Oval tables are growing in popularity, taking the benefits of both a round and rectangular dining table. You can enjoy the increased size of a rectangular table but without it seeming to take up as much room as the ‘corners’ are cropped. This gives you the flexibility to add extra seats and it makes your space seem bigger too.

What Is The Most Durable Dining Table Material?

If you’re looking for a dining table that’ll survive family gatherings and use day-in-day-out without picking up stains and scratches, these are the best tabletop materials to survive:

Solid wood: One of the most popular materials is a solid wooden table with woods including oak, ash, teak, pine, walnut, and mango wood to name a few. They can vary in price, colour, and grain but all variations are all strong and durable to withstand constant use. Often finished with a varnish, wax or oil, this provides an added protective surface to prevent scuffs, stains, and damage from liquids.

Metal: If you’re looking for an industrial-chic finish to your dining table, you won’t be surprised to hear that metal tabletops are durable and strong, requiring very little maintenance thanks to the smooth finish.

Read next: The Best Integrated Fridge Freezer For A Seamless Finish

Veneered tabletops: If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a solid wooden dining table, a veneer tabletop, if made well, can provide a dining table that’s just as durable.

Ceramic: Often found in more modern designs, a ceramic top dining table is strong and sturdy, resistant to heat, scratches, and heat.

Marble: Classic and timeless, marble is a natural material that’s very strong and durable. However, it requires more care and maintenance than other materials and is extremely heavy which might be a deal breaker if you’re looking to move your dining table around.

Where Can I Shop For Dining Tables?

If you haven’t quite found the dining table of your dreams from this list, here are some of the best retailers for dining tables available to shop in UK:

MADE.com

John Lewis & Partners

Danetti

Habitat

Oak Furnitureland

Argos

Dunelm

Furniture Village

IKEA

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