Through researching various dining room tables and speaking with an interior design expert, we’ve compiled a list of the best dining tables to help you find the table that best fits your space. We looked at tables that had flexible seating arrangements, durable designs, different finish choices, and more. “When selecting a table, it all comes down to what you value,” says Arlene Lord, interior designer at Lord Design. “If you use the dining table every day and what’s your comfort zone relating to wear and tear. It’s important to pick one that works well for you.” Our blue-ribbon pick for the best overall dining table to fit any space is the Seno Walnut Dining Table. It’s a class design, built with durability, and has plenty of room for seating. Here are the 10 best dining tables to fit any space. Keep in Mind: Because it’s made with natural wood, color and texture will vary so no two tables are alike. The A-frame legs are positioned toward the table’s rectangular corners, opening up end space for additional seating. If you love this table like we do, but don’t have the space, there are two smaller round versions to choose from. Legs do need to be screwed on, but assembly should only take about 15 minutes. Because this table is solid wood, it is porous and small cracks and fissures may appear when there are changes in temperature or humidity. “Wood will show wear and tear but can be refinished. Keep in mind, life leaves marks, embrace it,” Lord says. For daily cleaning, wipe with a damp, nonabrasive cloth. Price at time of publish: $1,099 Dimensions: 86.5 x 37.5 x 29 inches | Material: Solid black walnut wood | Seating Capacity: Six to eight | Shape: Rectangle Keep in Mind: This table is made with engineered wood. The table’s shape combines a minimalist modern with a classic retro design. The tulip-shaped table has a circular base, which gives extra legroom for additional guests. The 31.5-inch round tabletop is plenty of space for two people, but it can seat up to four. Assembly directions say it takes 15 to 20 minutes to put everything together. The tabletop is a smooth finish and is easy to wipe down, but it is made with engineered wood. Therefore, spills and messes must be cleaned quickly to avoid permanent stains. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products. Price at time of publish: $190 Dimensions: 31.5 x 31.5 x 29 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Seating Capacity: Two to four | Shape: Round Keep in Mind: The five leaves have to be stored somewhere when not in use. The sturdy solid wood table is built with FSC-certified hardwood and is available in four finishes: Canadian dark oak, Siberian birch, Australian acacia, and American mahogany. And its heavy-duty telescopic mechanism, made of rust-proof aluminum, is covered with a lifetime warranty. And with five leaves, there is a wide range of seating options available. But you will need space to store them when they aren’t being used. It’s also recommended you clean the table only with products specifically made for hardwood. Price at time of publish: $2,199 Dimensions: (Collapsed) 18 x 38 x 30 inches, (fully expanded) 118 x 38 x 30 inches | Material: Hardwood | Seating Capacity: Two to 12 | Shape: Rectangle Keep in Mind: You’ll need two people to assemble this table and it’s made with manufactured wood. Its finish comes in two color choices: antique cream or dark gray. With elegant inward curved legs and a crisscross foot base, the pedestal base is solid and stylish simultaneously. The table is made of a combination of solid and manufactured wood with a veneer top. Because of its weight (100 pounds), two people are needed to assemble this table. Price at time of publish: $442 Dimensions: 44 x 44 x 30.25 | Material: Solid and manufactured wood base, veneer top | Seating Capacity: Four | Shape: Round Keep in Mind: Shipping may take three to five weeks. It can be ordered in four sizes, starting at 47 x 28 inches, and up to 75 x 35 inches. The standard height is 30 inches, but it can also be built in various sizes. This flexibility can accommodate any space from studio apartments to open-concept kitchens and for family members short and tall. Each table is built with solid maple wood, and the tabletop plank boards are hand-cut and individually stained with a dark walnut stain. For an additional fee, you can choose from over 30 different colors to customize your dining table. You can also upgrade and opt for a distressed look if you prefer vintage farmhouse style. The straight legs are packaged separately. They will need to be assembled at the dining table base, which should only take five to 10 minutes. Once secured, we recommend that two people flip the table upright. The topcoat surface is finished with multiple coats of a water-based polyurethane sealant, which provides a durable and food-safe surface. We love how the wood grain shines through, but be aware that natural wood will show scratches and dents over time. Price at time of publish: $539 Dimensions: Starting at 47 x 28 x 30 inches, up to 70 x 35 x 30 inches table height, custom selected | Material: Solid maple wood | Seating Capacity: Four to eight | Shape: Rectangle, also available in square Keep in Mind: The top is veneer, so it’s not as durable as solid wood. Its boomerang-designed base seats up to six people, giving plenty of room for diners to stretch their legs. Assembly is relatively straightforward since you have to assemble the legs and attach them to the tabletop. The top is veneer and susceptible to scratches and watermarks so make sure to clean the table after meals. Price at time of publish: $560 Dimensions: 70.5 x 43.5 x 29.5 inches | Material: Solid and manufactured wood base, oak veneer tabletop | Seating Capacity: Six | Shape: Oval Keep in Mind: The table is heavy—it’s made with solid wood and marble. The Kelsey Marble Dining Table’s base is solid rubber wood with tapered angled legs. It’s then topped with a 1-inch-thick Carrara marble top that’s smoothly finished with rounded edges and detailed with an inward angle cut. Marble is a natural stone, so each top is one-of-a-kind with different color undertones, veining, and texture characteristics. Legs with gold-tipped ends need to be assembled and secured to the underside of the marble top and according to the site’s customer service, the one-piece marble top will need to be gently set on the base by two to four people. When cleaning, use appropriate cleaning supplies specifically for marble. Price at time of publish: $1,499 Dimensions: 63 x 35.4 x 29.9 inches | Material: The base is solid wood, the tabletop is Carrara marble with a plywood core | Seating Capacity: Six | Shape: Rectangle Keep in Mind: The glass top is heavy and will need at least two people to lift it and place it properly on the table base. Boomerang-shaped legs supported by a horizontal beam create this contemporary solid wood trestle table base. Its open minimalist form leaves plenty of legroom for dining, and its sturdiness anchors a nearly half-inch-thick tempered glass top. We love the option of choosing brown or white for the table base. The sleek 75-inch-long glass top surface highlights the trestle table base, and its rounded corners offer a modern, feminine look. Even though it looks light and airy, glass tabletops are usually heavy, and this one weighs 128 pounds. Make sure you have a friend or two to help move it in place. Price at time of publish: $930 Dimensions: 75 x 39 x 30 inches | Material: Tempered glass and solid walnut wood | Seating Capacity: Six | Shape: Rectangle Keep in Mind: It’s susceptible to water marks and scratches, so ongoing protective maintenance will be needed. This extendable table comfortably seats six, but with the two built-in leaves, the table can be adjusted to seat 10. The angled conical tapered legs and soft edge corners grant room for those who sit at the end. When the leaves aren’t being used, you can conveniently store them under the table. This table is made with engineered wood and veneer, which has the tendency to peel away due to moisture so due diligence is needed to protect its surface. Tablecloths, table runners, hot pads, and placemats can help preserve the table’s top. Price at time of publish: $1,399 Dimensions: 78 x 38 x 29.5 inches | Material: Walnut veneer and engineered wood | Seating Capacity: Six to 10 | Shape: Rectangle Keep in Mind: Avoid placing very heavy objects on the leaves when they’re extended. Seating six may feel crowded. We love the relaxed farmhouse style of the trestle base with its oversized X-shaped legs painted an antique off-white. Its traditional color choice contrasts nicely with the tabletop’s various depths of walnut wood grain stain. With all drop leaf tables when the leaves are extended, be mindful, the leaves hold less weight than the fixed top of the table. Price at time of publish: $100 Dimensions: 40 x 43 x 31 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Seating Capacity: Four to six | Shape: Drop leaf, rectangle
What to Know About Dining Room Tables Before Shopping
Dimensions
Not only do dining tables need to accommodate your family’s lifestyle, but they also need to fit the space properly. “When considering the size of your table, there isn’t a one size fits all approach,” Lord says. Map out the room’s floor plan, dimensions, and measure for clearance space between the table, chairs, and any other furniture that is up against the walls. This will prevent buying a table that might be too big and crowd everyone out.
Material
Over time, solid wood, engineered wood, veneer, and marble table tops will show wear and tear. “Wood and stone can scratch and stain so if that’s not your cup of tea, look for a table that has a heavier wood grain or marble that’s textured with a matte finish. This will help disguise signs of use,” Lord says. Glass table tops that sit on an open table base should have a thickness of 3/8 or 1/2 inch. This creates durability and strength of the glass itself.
Seating Capacity
To sit comfortably at the table, the general rule of thumb for seating capacity is that each person needs, depending on their own size, about 24 to 30 inches of space. Generally, a table 54 to 60 inches in length can seat four to six people. If you plan on hosting dinner parties often, a dining table that is 108 to 120 inches can seat 10 to 12 diners.
Shape
The four most common dining table shapes are rectangle, round, square, and oval, and each shape creates a different dining experience. Rectangular tables fit nicely in narrow spaces and can seat large groups. Though a round table can often seat the same number of diners as a rectangle or square table, it looks smaller and makes the space seem more significant. Square tables work well, coincidentally, in square rooms and can add an intimate or cozy feeling. Oval-shaped tables are versatile and can be used in most spaces. “Most rooms are rectangular so matching the room’s space is a no-brainer. But it’s ok to mix it up a little and go off the design grid,” Lord says.
Your Questions, Answered
What size rug is best to go under a dining table?
The fool-proof measuring formula for the perfect size of rug under a dining table is the first to measure your table and the depth of your chairs. Ideally, your carpet will need to be 18 to 24 inches larger than your tabletop on each side. This will allow your chairs to slide back and forth over the rug. If your table has leaves, remember to measure them and add them to the total size.
What is the best way to decorate a dining table?
Whether your dining space is elaborate and formal or clean and simple, perishables such as fruits, flowers, and natural greenery are foolproof for any tabletop decor. Centerpieces such as fresh-cut stems from your garden arranged in a vase, an oversized bowl filled with seasonal produce, or tall branches of leaves organically displayed in a favorite piece of pottery are some of the best ways to decorate a dining table.
How do you clean a dining room table?
To buff and remove grime from a wood or marble table top, dip a soft cotton cloth into a weak solution of water and dishwashing soap. Wring out the cloth then wipe the entire tabletop. With a dry cotton cloth, wipe the table dry. Avoid any abrasive rags as they will scratch the surface. To remove dust, use a microfiber cloth or electrostatic duster like a Swiffer duster. For a glass table top, only use a microfiber cloth. To begin with, wipe away any dust and then spray water on the glass top and wipe until dry. For stubborn spots, spritz a little vinegar on the glass and wipe until completely dry.
Who We Are
Shannon Quimby is a freelance producer for Better Homes & Gardens. Brandi Fuller is a writer and editor specializing in home and garden products at Better Homes & Gardens. Her writing has also been featured in Southern Living. To make this list of the best dining tables, they researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, material, seating capacity, and shape. They also interviewed certified interior designer, Arlene Lord, for additional insight.
