Dining Tables

We ask a lot from our dining tables – a place to eat, drink, prepare food, talk, entertain, work, study, not to mention a part-time resting place for bags, books, the post and more! To do it all, a dining table need to be sturdy, stylish and easy to clean too. And if space is at a premium or if you ever have friends and family over for dinner, you’ll also want the flexibility of having an extending dining table. If your dining area is on the smaller side, a smart solution can be to get a taller bar dining table with matching bar stools. If you just need a dining table to seat around four to six people, then a round dining table or one that extends to into an oval shape is always a popular choice, not least because they are so conducive to conversation. On the flip side, if you have a much larger space or a separate dining room, you may want a dining table suited to entertaining. The tables in our range of marble dining tables will certainly ensure that your next dinner party is a very stylish event.

Dining tables for every occasion

Where your new dining table will be deployed – in the kitchen, the dining room or somewhere in between – will determine whether it will be used for casual suppers, formal dining, family meals or dinner parties. Each type of dining has a different vibe, but can you find a dining table that’s flexible enough to suit every occasion? We’re sure you can because that’s how the team here at Furniture Village have designed our range of dining tables. The first quality that you should look for in your next dining table is flexibility and you’ll find that so many of our dining tables are extendable to accommodate extra guests. Another important consideration is making sure your dining table is conducive to conversation. Round dining tables are perfect for that and by cutting off corners they soften the flow of the room and make the most of small spaces.

Choosing the right material for your dining table

When choosing the material for dining tables, there are two key considerations: looks and practicality. If your new dining table is going to see a lot of action – breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea – then you’ll want one that’s going to be stylish, durable and easy to clean. A modern marble or high gloss dining table is all those things. For similar reasons you might also like a glass dining table. If you’re dining room or dining area has a more traditional feel or you’d like something that feels more natural, then you’re going to love our collection of wooden dining tables. A lot of Furniture Village customers love the traditional elegance of solid oak furniture, particularly in a dining room that’s used for dinner parties and those wonderful days when you’ve got the whole family round for lunch. A sturdy oak dining table and chairs set, especially when the dining table can be extended, feels like a proper family dining table: warm, welcoming, reassuring. You’ll find more ideas and advice as you choose your dining table in our dining table buying guide.

Making sure your dining table fits

The size of your dining table or dining set depends on two factors – the size of your dining room and the size of your family. So, first things first – you need to get your tape measure out and decide on how much space you can spare for your new dining table. Our recommendation is that you should always buy the largest dining table that you can without your dining room feeling cramped and overcrowded. Allow at least 90 cm between the edge of your dining table and the nearest wall or significant piece of furniture. This should give you enough space to push back your chair and walk around the table. Another good tip, when it comes to planning the number of chairs that you’ll need for your new dining table, is to allow a minimum of 60 cm per diner for cosy dining. For a little more elbow room, allow 80 cm per person. In addition, you should always factor in another 15 cm between each of your guests that will be seated at your new dining table. You should also factor in the depth of the dining chairs you like into the overall space they and your new dining table will take up. For more detailed advice on buying the right sized dining table, we’ve produced a really useful dining table size guide. Whatever size of dining area you have, extendable dining tables are always a good idea, especially if you regularly host Sunday lunches or Friday night dinners round for your extended family. For smaller space dining table solutions, we have a great range of space saving dinner tables.

Styling your dining table

You’ll have some of your best times around your new dining table. Romantic meals for two, big family lunches, Friday night dinners, entertaining friends. Not only will you want your new dining set or dining table and chairs to look good, but you’ll also want to style your dining room too. At Furniture Village we have a rather brilliant team of creatives and stylists that work closely with our product design and buying teams to put together lots of dining room style ideas. Have a look at how they’ve styled each room around their favourite dining tables and borrow their best ideas. We also post regular features and articles in our dining room inspiration hub.

The finishing touches

Once you’ve got a good idea of the style of dining table that you want, it’s time to turn your attention to some new dining room chairs. If you’ve got your eye on one of our oak or other wooden dining tables, then you’ll want some wooden chairs to go with it. We have a great selection for you to choose from, including solid beech framed chairs, finished in soft grey or antique white and Shaker-style wooden chairs, made from ash and finished with a soft-sheen lacquer. If you’re looking for more modern, fashionable dining chairs that are supremely comfortable and that will also bring a splash of colour to your new dining table, then our range of upholstered dining chairs is where you should search. Beautifully upholstered in a range of fabrics from faux leather to plush velvet and in colours from blush pink to saffron yellow, these dining chairs will perfectly complement your new dining table and transform your dining room. One way to simplify all of this is to choose one of our stunning dining table and chairs sets. Our team of buyers and designers have created a dining set collection that has something to suit every style of home. With your stylish new dining table or dining set centre stage in your kitchen or dining room, you’ll need sideboards and other storage units to go with it and to make the room look complete. We’re also quite sure that you’ll also want to add a new ceiling light or floor lamp too.