Have you been considering upgrading your dining room table for a while? If so, now is the perfect time to make the change. With so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. However, wood is always a timeless choice. Wooden dining tables bring a unique, sophisticated charm to any room, adding a natural beauty that enhances the space with warmth and a welcoming vibe.
Best Woods for This Purpose
Oak
The dining table is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s the heart of the home where families gather to share meals, create memories, and enjoy each other’s company. It should feel cosy, comfortable, and warm—qualities that can be easily achieved by choosing a table made from oak. Oak dining tables are not only beautiful but also incredibly durable, making them the perfect centrepiece for any room.
Oak is a hardwood that withstands high pressure, temperature fluctuations, and the everyday wear and tear of family life. A well-chosen oak table can last for generations, making it a worthwhile investment. It’s an item that will grow with your family, serving as a lasting piece that can be passed down to future generations. Plus, oak tables require minimal maintenance and cleaning, making them both practical and elegant.
To keep the table in great shape, a coat of wax or varnish can be added (this is a personal preference), and some homeowners even choose to place a glass or marble cover on top for added protection against scratches and damage. However, even if your table gets a few dings, don’t worry—oak can be repaired with ease. Regular dusting and occasional polishing will keep it looking like new for years to come.
The beauty of oak lies in its unique graining and rich tones, which add warmth and sophistication to any dining room. Whether your style is sleek, rustic, traditional, or classic, there’s an oak table that will suit your space. Oak comes in a range of colours—from light yellow hues that brighten up a room to dark, rich tones that make a bold statement. Whichever shade you choose, an oak table will create a welcoming, homely atmosphere that makes every meal feel special.
Teak
Teak is one of the most beautiful and exceptional hardwoods in the world. It has a natural beauty that can’t go unnoticed and it makes it a bit pricier than the others. Despite this, it’s still a favourite among homeowners and interior designers. Teak takes up to 4 decades to grow fully and be ready to be cut.
That’s why manufacturers and builders salvage it from docks, houses, or old constructions and repurpose it for other pieces of furniture like dining tables. It has plenty of natural oils and minimal moisture absorption. No matter what size your dining table is, teak will make it look magnificent.
Walnut
Walnut is one of those hardwoods that’s hard to miss because it’s deep and has a very robust look. Its shades can vary from light to dark chocolate brown. Just like oak dining tables, walnut ones are dense and very durable. This wood is very desirable and pricy. However, it’ll transform your dining room and turn into a focal point everyone will love.
Pine
Compared to the other hardwoods, pine has gentler colour variations. The tones vary from yellow to creamy white. Even though it’s more affordable than the other hardwoods, it’s still very strong and durable. Pine is also easy to dye because it’s lightly toned. If you ever get bored of the same tones in the room, you can easily change them and add some freshness to the space. Plus, pine is light. This means you won’t have to struggle to move the table when you need to.
How to Choose the Size
The typical dimensions of a table for four to six people are 75 x 150 cm to 100 x 180 cm. However, the chairs you choose will determine how many people may eat at the table. For example, chairs with armrests will take up more space on your Tasmanian oak dining table than the ones without armrests.
When selecting a dining table, it’s important to consider the space you need for comfortable movement. Pull the chairs in and out to see how much room is required—aim for at least 70 cm of clearance around the table. For a 6-8 seat table, the ideal dimensions are typically around 90×180 cm or 100×240 cm. If you have a larger family and need seating for 8–12 people, look for a table with a minimum size of 140×300 cm to ensure everyone has enough space.
What About Shape & Style?
When it comes to the shape of the table, it will mainly be determined by the size of the room. You have several basic options to choose from. The rectangular one is the most popular. It’s also simple and a good room divider. Square tables are best for smaller rooms and are always trendy. Round tables can seat many people and feel comfortable. Oval-shaped tables are very practical and space-saving.
Style-wise, there are plenty of options. The pedestal table has a simple design with a small tabletop and one column to support it. It’s commonly used in limited-space dining rooms. Farmhouse tables have a rustic vibe and an aged look. The rustic modern tables are a combination of wood with some modern materials, such as glass or metal. Trestle tables have a tabletop and 2-4 trestle supporters. They’re sturdy and come in many shapes.
The classic oval dining table has a sophisticated aesthetic and usually has intricate leg decorations. In order to lengthen it if you need it, they sometimes include a leaf. The shaker tables are sturdy, practical, and easy to use. They are rectangular in shape and made from maple, pine, cedar, or cherry. And the industrial tables are heavy and bulky because of the thick wooden tabletop and metal legs.
