If you need a new dining table, there are a few features to consider. We will help you find the right wooden table.
Anyone who has ever needed a new table knows the problem: the selection is huge, most models look good at first glance, and it's often hard to know what to look for.
Here, we have presented 12 features for dining tables that will help you find a good wooden table. Since we are fans of live-edge tables, some tips apply specifically to this type of table – however, you can also use them to assess other wooden tables.
General characteristics regarding material, manufacturing, wood type, and color
Do you value naturalness and a solid wood tabletop?
A solid wood table radiates naturalness and brings a very special atmosphere into the room. With it, you definitely have a unique piece of nature in your home.
By the way, solid wood tables fit almost any living style – whether modern, industrial, Scandinavian, or country house – you can hardly go wrong with them.
Is your table handmade and does it have a real live edge?
A live-edge table is something very special. If it is also handmade and the table edge is a real live edge, you have a unique, individual piece of furniture that you will be envied for.
A real live edge corresponds to the natural growth form of the tree in height – and no two trunks are alike. Due to the different growth of each tree, every live-edge table has a different edge shape, grain, and color.
What color and type of wood should the tabletop be?
In principle, tabletops can be any color if they are lacquered. However, they are usually lacquered in a "wood color" and finished in natural, walnut, or stone. Oiled or untreated tables always have the color of the wood.
The common wood types are:
- Acacia
- Oak (wild oak)
- Beech (wild beech)
- Mango
- Sheesham
- Teak
- Rough Wood
Important features for the tabletop
How thick is the tabletop and is it made of real wood?
Tabletops of good standard tables are approx. 26 mm thick. In addition, there are tops with 35 or approx. 50 mm. You should definitely make sure that the tabletop is made of real wood. Chipboard or panels made of wood substitutes (MDF or HDF) may look like wood, but they do not have the strength and natural appeal of real wood.
What surface protection is best for a tabletop?
Tabletops can be untreated, oiled, or lacquered. Lacquered surfaces are relatively insensitive to dirt and moisture. With oiled and especially with untreated surfaces, every drop can lead to unsightly stains. So if you are looking for a practical table and not a display piece, choose a lacquered surface.
Side edge optics in a checkerboard pattern or continuous lamellae?
For thicker tabletops (50 mm), a distinction is made between solid wood tops (the entire top is uniformly thick) or reinforced tops (only the edges are thicker). Solid wood tops are very heavy and "unwieldy," reinforced tops are easier to move. Pay attention to "checkerboard patterns" on the edges; continuous wood structures are definitely more beautiful.
Do reinforced tabletops have a continuous wood grain?
Reinforced tabletops are those where the edges of the table are thicker than the interior of the tabletop. The table then has the appearance of a solid top but is lighter. It is beautiful if the wood grain continues with the reinforcement – less beautiful if two slats were simply glued together without regard for the grain.
Does the tabletop have battens?
The stability of the tabletop is determined by the cohesion of the individual slats. Tops with battens on the underside of the top are particularly stable.
Other features for a solid wood table
How can the frame be attached and is it adjustable?
When attaching the table legs, it is useful if the legs or the table base can be fixed at different positions. This gives you more legroom depending on the setup and makes you more flexible when placing chairs. Of course, the frame attachment must ensure that the table stands stably afterwards – so there are certain technical limitations here.
Which frame, in what shape, and made of what material?
Table bases are primarily made of metal or wood. Among metal frames, the U-shape predominates. Among X-shaped frames, you find the spider version, the star shape, and the simple X-version. Metal frames suit both modern and natural living styles. Tables with U-frames are a bit more stable; with X-frames, you have more legroom.
Features for costs, production, price comparison
Can you screw the tabletop and frame together yourself?
You can get tables ready-made or as individual parts with a tabletop and table base or individual table legs. This is also reflected in the price: fully assembled tables from brick-and-mortar stores are usually more expensive than tables from online stores that you assemble yourself. Assembly, by the way, is not rocket science and can be done by non-professionals.
Is the table sustainably produced? Is B-ware checked before delivery?
Of course, you can buy a beautiful new table and acquire a super natural product. Or you can opt for the more sustainable version and get a B-ware table with minor cosmetic flaws. Important: the goods should be checked to avoid functional defects. This way, you give the good piece a second chance and conserve resources.
Is the table in its quality class cheaper than competing products?
As everywhere else, there are different price categories for tables. And of course, an extra-thick table must be more expensive due to its material alone than a normal standard table or a more affordable variant with a thin top or plywood. Here you have to decide what is important to you and what an appropriate quality is worth to you.
In addition to these table features, there are a few important points to consider when selecting and setting up the table. This primarily concerns room size, placement, chairs, and the number of people who will sit at the table.
Room size and number of people at the table
What room size is available for setting up the table?
For setting up a table, you naturally need a certain amount of space. Add at least 60 cm to each side of the tabletop size, 80 cm is better. Then you can comfortably get up without straining. Especially with chairs that do not have a swiveling seat, the space behind for moving when getting up is important.
How many people usually sit at the table and how many when "there's something going on"? For rectangular tables: 70 cm in width per person is comfortable even for wider chairs. It should never be less than 50 cm, otherwise, you cannot sit and eat comfortably. If you expect more people, a dining table with extension leaves might be more suitable for you. Then you gain 4 additional seats or have more space for food – just stay flexible.
What shape should the table be? Rectangular, oval, or round?
Dining tables are available in rectangular, oval, or round shapes. The advantage of a rectangular table is that it requires less space to set up and can be placed against the wall in an emergency.
An oval or round table can more easily accommodate an additional person, but it requires more space to look good and not cramped. However, round and oval tables are more conducive to communication, as people sit facing each other, regardless of table size.
