You don’t invest in a dining table often; this type of furniture is made to last. As with any major home goods purchase — from sectional sofas to storage dressers — finding the perfect style can be challenging. You want it to withstand the test of time and various furniture trends and be something you won’t get bored of dining on. Plus, you have to consider the size and seating options you’ll want for you, your family, and your guests. Fortunately, with plenty of stylish and elevated options on the market, there’s no doubt your ideal dining table is just waiting for you to add it to your cart.
To help, we curated a guide to the best dining tables of 2024. Whether you’re looking to create a cute breakfast nook in your apartment or find a statement piece for a large dining room, there’s something for every sized space, and every aesthetic, from modern farmhouse to Scandinavian-chic. There are options for all budgets, too, from brands like Amazon, West Elm, Castlery, Wayfair, and more, so keep reading to shop our top picks. But first, we’ve outlined some details to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a dining room table, courtesy of Cameron Johnson.
What to Look For in a Dining Room Table
Johnson recommends using painter’s tape to “mark the dimensions of the table you have in mind,” noting that “this exercise should give you a sense of how full the space will feel with that particular size table.” Likewise, you’ll get a feel for whether there’s a comfortable amount of space around the table. Pro tip: he recommends grabbing a spare chair from another room to imagine what sitting at the table will be like and how much room there will be when someone pulls a seat out. Smart, right?
As for what shape and style to look for, Johnson says you should base this decision on your home’s aesthetic and your room’s shape and function. For example, a long rectangular dining table will complement a similarly-shaped room, while a round table can transform small, unused square footage into a cozy breakfast nook. Some more ideas? “For more casual dining, one might consider bar-height seating or a picnic table style,” he continues, “or a more traditional table with full-backed chairs for formal seating.”
What Makes a Quality Dining Room Table?
Whether a dining table is “quality” is highly subjective, but regarding price tags, a principal determinant is its materials. Generally, “wood is the most popular material, given its sturdiness, resilience, and durability,” whereas “polished concrete or stone-topped tables tend to be pricey but very high in quality,” according to Johnson. More affordable dining room table materials include glass-top designs and those constructed from medium-density fiberboard (MDF). These are usually less costly to create, but likely less durable and long-lasting than the former options.
Ready to see our favorite dining tables? Keep reading to shop our top picks for 2024 based on Johnson’s recommendations and extensive market research.
Expert Featured in This Article
Cameron Johnson is the CEO and founder of the furniture rental company Nickson Living.
