The dining table is the centerpiece of your home for enjoying daily family dinners and hosting social gatherings. Choosing the right dining table goes beyond style; it’s about selecting a design that complements your lifestyle, your home’s interior, and creates a comfortable and welcoming space for your family.
In this dining table buying guide, we will discuss everything you need to know to pick the perfect dining table, from exploring different materials like wood, marble, and glass, to deciding on the best shape, size, colour, and style for your home. Plus, we will share some of our favourite designs from our dining table collection at My Furniture to inspire your choice.
Why Your Dining Table is the Heart of the Home
A dining table serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, providing a practical space for everyday meals whilst also acting as a statement piece that defines the character of your dining area. From breakfast and coffee mornings with family to weekend dinner parties with friends, the dining table is the main social hub of your home.
Beyond its role as a hub for family and entertaining purposes, your dining table also plays an important part in the look and feel of your home. As one of the largest pieces of furniture in a dining room or open-plan space, it anchors the interior style and can completely transform your dining area. The right dining table offers the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic, from offering enough space for everyday life to enhancing your interior with the right design, material, and colour.
Choosing the Right Dining Table Material
When choosing your dining table, the material you select plays a key role in defining both the look and feel of your dining space. From the warm and welcoming tones of wood to the luxurious elegance of marble and the modern, airy feel of glass, each material brings its own unique character to your dining space.
Wooden dining tables offer a timeless, durable, and versatile look to any dining space. With their natural grain and texture, wood tables bring a warm, natural, and inviting feel to any dining space. From light woods such as oak to darker woods like walnut, wood tables can suit a range of interior styles, creating anything from a bright and airy atmosphere to a rich and sophisticated feel.
Opt for the Brewster 6-8 Seat Walnut Dining Table for a sophisticated and traditional look, or opt for a lighter wood with the Rocco Washed Grey Oak Dining Table for an airy and relaxed style. Both options provide durability and style, making them perfect for family meals, entertaining, or everyday use.
Marble tables bring a touch of luxury and elegance to any dining space. Known for its natural beauty and unique veining, marble dining tables create the perfect centerpiece for your dining room. Beyond their visually striking appearance, marble tables are durable and long-lasting, making them ideal for both everyday meals and special occasions.
The Parker Brass Dining Table features a luxurious marble top and polished brass base, making it a stylish and sophisticated statement piece for any dining space. Alternatively, the Kronos Chrome Dining Table features a contemporary hexagonal design with a chrome-plated steel base, creating a modern, eye-catching centerpiece that combines style and durability.
Glass tables are perfect for creating a modern and airy feel in your dining space. Their transparent surfaces reflect light, making your dining space appear larger and brighter, while also offering a sleek, minimalist look that complements any contemporary interior. Plus, the table surface of glass dining tables is easy to clean, which makes them ideal for busy families and households.
Transform your dining space with a striking, sculptural dining table inspired by 1920s art deco furnishings and interiors with the Rubell Brass Dining Table. Or, opt for a sleek and contemporary design with a glass top and brass accents with the Aster Brass Dining Table, offering the perfect balance between modern elegance and timeless sophistication.
Round, Rectangular & Extendable Dining Tables: Finding the Perfect Table Shape
When it comes to choosing your dining table, the table shape plays an important role in how your dining space both looks and functions. The shape you select not only affects how many people you can seat, but also how the room feels, whether open and spacious, or cosy and intimate. Three of the most popular and versatile options are round dining tables, rectangular dining tables, and extendable dining tables, which each offer their own unique benefits depending on your home, lifestyle, and entertaining needs.
If you are limited on dining space, round dining tables offer the perfect space-saving solution. With their circular design, round dining tables create an intimate and cosy dining nook where you can interact and socialise with your family and friends easily. Choose from a variety of materials, from timeless woods to sleek glass and luxurious marble, to match your home’s style while maximising both functionality and aesthetic appeal in your dining room.
For a contemporary and stylish option, opt for a round wooden dining table like the Ophelia Washed Grey Oak Dining Table, which combines a warm grey oak finish with elegant pedestal legs, inspired by the Japandi design style. Additionally, the Pino 6-8 Seat Silver Dining Table features a sleek and modern design, featuring a brushed stainless steel base and a 10mm toughened glass top, offering maximum luxury to any dining area.
For large families and open dining spaces, rectangular dining tables are the perfect choice. From providing ample seating for everyone to offering a timeless and versatile look that suits any interior style, rectangular dining tables serve multiple purposes. Whether you want a rectangular dining table to fit your large family or to host dinner parties for family or friends, rectangular dining tables are incredibly spacious, enhancing your dining experience with maximum comfort. Plus, with different materials to choose from, such as classic wood or elegant glass finishes, you can choose the material that complements your interior the most.
For a practical and robust rectangular dining table for everyday family use, the Corinna 6 Seat Dining Table Oak is perfect. Featuring a sleek oak veneer tabletop and solid oak legs, whilst comfortably seating 6 people, this rectangular dining table combines timeless style and everyday functionality. Additionally, the Loretta Dining Table offers a timeless and elegant style to enhance your dining space. This rectangular dining table features a toughened glass tabletop with a marble effect finish and a tapered wooden base, perfect for making a style statement in your dining space.
Extendable dining tables are the perfect choice for those who want flexibility without sacrificing style. Ideal for both everyday meals and entertaining, an extending dining table stays compact for daily use but expands easily when extra seating is needed for larger gatherings or meals. With a wide range of designs, from classic wood to modern glass or marble finishes, extendable dining tables offer a versatile and space-saving solution that adapts to your lifestyle.
Extendable dining tables offer stylish flexibility for how you use your space. The Como Walnut Extending Dining Table is the perfect extending dining table with a solid walnut base and veneer top, and it expands from 180 cm to 260 cm, seating up to eight people. If you’re looking for a darker, extendable dining table, the Capri Black Extending Dining Table is perfect. Featuring a solid ash base, ash veneer top, and matt black lacquer finish, this extending dining table will seat up to six people while complementing your dining space with style.
Dining Table Colours: How to Match Your Table to Your Home
Choosing the right dining table colour can significantly influence the look and feel of your dining space. The colour you select should complement your home’s interior style and colour scheme whilst enhancing the overall feel of your dining area. From neutral tones such as white and grey to dark colours like dark wood and black, the right shade can either create a calm, understated backdrop or make a bold and stylish statement.
- Neutral Tones – Shades like white, grey, or natural wood work perfectly in minimalistic or Scandinavian-inspired interiors, creating a calm, airy, and versatile feel.
- Dark Wood or Black – Rich, deep hues add a bold and contemporary touch, ideal for modern homes or spaces seeking a sophisticated and dramatic focal point.
- Marble & Glass – Lighter, reflective surfaces enhance brightness and openness, making them perfect for modern, minimalist, or urban interiors where a sleek and polished look is desired.
Dining Table Style Ideas: Matching Your Table to Your Home
Choosing a dining table that complements your home’s style can transform your dining area from ordinary to exceptional. Here’s how to match table designs to popular interior styles:
- Modern/Contemporary – Look for sleek lines, glossy finishes, and minimalist detailing. Modern dining tables often feature metal, glass, or high-gloss wood surfaces that create a clean, sophisticated aesthetic.
- Scandi/Minimalist – Light wood tones, simple silhouettes, and functional design are key. Scandi dining tables bring warmth and simplicity, perfectly suiting open, airy spaces with a focus on practicality.
- Industrial – Characterised by a mix of metal and wood with raw, unfinished textures. Industrial tables are ideal for lofts or urban-style interiors, offering durability and a bold, edgy vibe.
- Luxury/Elegant – Marble tops, high-end finishes, and sculptural bases define this style. Luxury dining tables serve as statement pieces, adding sophistication and a touch of opulence to any dining room.
Dining Table Buying Tips
Before purchasing your dining table, keep these key tips in mind to ensure you make the right choice:
- Measure Your Dining Space – To ensure you pick the right size dining table, take accurate measurements of your full dining area, including the space needed to comfortably move around the table and pull out chairs. This prevents overcrowding and ensures the table fits perfectly.
- Consider Dining Chairs & Dining Set Collections – Think about how many dining chairs you’ll need and whether you want matching dining set collections. Coordinating chairs can enhance the look of your table and create a cohesive dining space.
- Think Long-Term – Consider durability, maintenance, and how the table fits your lifestyle. Choose materials and finishes that can withstand daily use, are easy to care for, and will remain stylish for years to come.
Following this checklist helps you select a dining table that not only looks great but also meets your practical needs for everyday life and entertaining.
Shop for Dining Tables at My Furniture
At My Furniture, we offer a curated furniture collection of dining tables that blend style, quality, and functionality to suit various home aesthetics. Whether you're seeking a statement piece or a practical everyday family table, our collection has something for every style and space.
