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A lot of elements make up a beautiful dining room—décor, light fixtures and maybe some plants—but a dining table is the true anchor for the space. Here are our top picks.
A lot of elements make up a beautiful dining room—décor like paintings and floating shelves, a few light fixtures and maybe some plants—but a dining table is the true anchor for the space. Available in all shapes, sizes and styles, the best dining table for your home is one that can comfortably seat your whole family (and maybe the occasional guest or two) and matches your aesthetic. Our top choice overall is Pottery Barn’s Mateo Extending Dining Table, which has an extendable design made from solid wood and accommodates up to eight people. Our favorite dining table overall is Pottery Barn's Mateo Extending Dining Table, which has a butterfly leaf design and slightly distressed finish.
Because dining tables get a lot of use, you want to select one that’s built to last. “Durability is the most important consideration when selecting a dining room table, especially for families with young children or those who frequently host,” says Lindsie Davis, principal designer at Blueberry Jones Design. “Solid wood surfaces are always going to have more longevity than veneer surfaces. For a more modern look, stone tops are also a great option that can easily withstand the wear and tear of daily life.” Other factors to consider include the size of your dining space, whether the table is extendable and its style. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorites right now, including extendable dining tables, round dining tables and ones for small spaces, too.
Best Overall Dining Table
Pottery Barn Mateo Extending Dining Table
Dimensions: 73 x 30 x 30 inches | Material: Kiln-dried solid poplar wood with poplar veneer | Seating capacity: 6–8
Best for: Classic wooden design Medium to large households Durable materials
Skip if: You have a more modern aesthetic
The Mateo Dining Table has a timeless design that will fit in with virtually any decor style, and its durable construction ensures it can be used for years to come. It's crafted from solid popular wood and comes in two finishes—light or dark brown—and it has a built-in butterfly leaf that folds out of the table, allowing you to easily extend its length by 18 inches when you have guests over. There are adjustable levelers on each of the table's legs, and the product is even Greenguard Gold certified.
Best Budget Dining Table
Zinus Louis Soho Dining Table
Dimensions: 30 x 48 x 29 inches | Material: Steel | Seating capacity: 4–6
Best for: A spacious, budget-friendly dining setup A matching table and benches
Skip if: You prefer dining chairs over benches
Don't stress if you're shopping on a budget—there are plenty of well-priced tables on the market these days, including ones that come with seating. For instance, this metal table from Zinus is stylish in its simplicity, and it comes with two matching benches that slide under the table for easy storage. A durable steel frame and an enormous number of glowing reviews make it even more worth your while, as does its under-$200 price and solid construction.
Best Small Dining Table
Gilta Round Dining Table
Dimensions: 35 x 35 x 29.5 inches | Material: Solid and manufactured wood | Seating capacity: 2–3
Best for: Small living spaces Boho or eclectic décor Multiple finish options
Skip if: You have a large household
If you only need to seat two or three people at a time, the Gilta Dining Table is a smaller option to tuck into a corner of your home. This round, pedestal-style table comes in three different finishes, and its fluted base gives the piece a distinctly bohemian feel that would pair well with rattan dining chairs. Despite being on the smaller side, this table's wooden construction makes it sturdy and durable—in fact, its thick tabletop can support up to 300 pounds. Not bad for a stylish, mid-priced table!
Best Extendable Dining Table
Article Plumas Dining Table
Dimensions: 30.25 x 92.5–112 x 42 inches | Material: Solid wood with veneer | Seating capacity: 6–10
Best for: An extendable design that seats up to 10 Hosting large gatherings
Skip if: You prefer white glove delivery
If you to have friends over for dinner or host holiday gatherings, an extendable dining table—like Article's Plumas—is a smart investment. Available in two finishes, walnut and white oak, the table comes in three lengths. The largest option is 92.5 inches when closed, and when you extend the butterfly leaf, it measures 112 inches, making it spacious enough for 10 people. Just keep in mind that, despite its higher price point, this table ships flat and some assembly is required upon delivery.
Best Round Dining Table
Pottery Barn Sausalito Round Extending Dining Table
Dimensions: 54 x 54 x 30 inches | Material: Solid wood, engineered wood, MDF and Sungkai veneer | Seating capacity: 4–6
Best for: An extendable circular design Farmhouse-style dining spaces
Skip if: You're shopping on a budget
Circular dining tables work well in smaller living spaces, but the downside is that they generally can't seat as many people. Pottery Barn's Sausalito Dining Table solves this issue, thanks to its drop-in leaf that extends the tabletop to accommodate up to six people at a time. The farmhouse-style design has intricate legs with a warm, lightly distressed finish that looks lovely in all styles of dining room, though it is slightly pricey given its smaller size.
Best Farmhouse Dining Table
Birch Lane Kinston Dining Table
Dimensions: 31 x 39 x 95 inches | Material: Solid wood | Seating capacity: 8
Best for: Large dining spaces Homes with farmhouse style decor Free white glove delivery
Skip if: You have a smaller living space You want a lightweight table
While Joanna Gaines may be able to pick up a bygone farmhouse table at one of the many flea markets she frequents, you may not have the time for such a venture. If that’s the case, never fear: You can opt for a new table that looks as if it’s been pulled from an early 20th century farmhouse. Birch Lane’s Kinston table is a robust, solid piece with stunning legs and molded accents that give it a time-worn feel in the best way possible.
Best Mid-Century Dining Table
West Elm Mid-Century Expandable Dining Table
Dimensions: 60 x 38 x 30 inches | Material: Solid eucalyptus frame; engineered wood top with walnut veneer | Seating capacity: 4–6
Best for: Classic mid-century design An extendable dining setup A durable wood design for under $1,000
Skip if: You want delivery ASAP
This lovely dining table checks all the boxes for a quintessential mid-century design: It has slim tapered legs, an angular silhouette and even the iconic acorn wood finish. What more could you ask for? The design comes in three sizes, each of which are extendable, thanks to a drop-in leaf, and it's made from FSC-certified wood that's durable and sustainable. The only downside is that the lead-time for delivery can be several weeks, depending on where you live.
Best Glass Dining Table
West Elm Jensen Round Dining Table
Dimensions: 42 x 42 x 30 inches | Material: Solid wood and tempered glass | Seating capacity: 3–4
Best for: Smaller households A durable table for a reasonable price
Skip if: You regularly host large gatherings
West Elm's Jensen Dining Table—which is owned and loved by senior home and kitchen Amanda Arnold—has a chic glass tabletop that lends an airy feel to a dining room. What's more, it's easy to clean at the end of the day. Well-suited for smaller spaces, this round table can seat three or four people at a time, and it has an angular wooden base in an acorn-colored finish. It's also very reasonably priced, considering it's made from solid wood and thick glass.
Best Splurge Dining Table
Arhaus Jacob Dining Table
Dimensions: 120 x 45 x 30 inches | Material: Solid wood and iron | Seating capacity: 12
Best for: Contemporary living spaces Hosting large gatherings Durable solid wood construction
Skip if: You have a small dining space You're on a budget
If you want your dining room table to be a statement piece, it's worth splurging on a design like the Arhaus Jacob Dining Table. This contemporary design comes in four lengths, ranging from 72 to 120 inches, and the largest size is able to seat up to 12 people comfortably. The tabletop is made from solid hardwood for unbeatable durability and comes in two color options, and the X-shaped base is crafted from heavy-duty iron with a flat black finish.
Best Dining Table Set
Castlery Seb Dining Table Set
Dimensions: 59.1 x 31.5 x 29.5 inches | Material: Solid acacia wood | Seating capacity: 4–6
Best for: Matching dining table and seating Ability to customize your setup More rustic mid-century design
Skip if: You want multiple finish or fabric options
The Seb Dining Table Set is ideal if you want a cohesive set of table and chairs to furnish your dining space. The collection has a slightly rustic mid-century design, and you can mix and match different pieces to suit your space. For instance, the table comes in either 59- or 71-inch lengths, and you can choose between benches, regular dining chairs or padded chairs for seating. All the pieces work perfectly together, and you can purchase an extended warranty for up to five years if you want to protect your investment.
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted editors have years of experience scouting out the best furniture and home decor on the market, and we’ve published dozens of stories on the subject, including firsthand tested reviews of couches, bean bag chairs and bed frames. The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: Rebekah Lowin, Amanda Arnold and Sholeen Damarwala. The author of this piece, Camryn Rabideau, is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics. For tips on selecting a dining table, we spoke with multiple design experts, including Lindsie Davis, principal designer at Blueberry Jones Design and Peter Spalding, co-founder and chief creative officer of Daniel House Club. We refresh this story regularly to ensure that all of our picks are in-stock and up-to-date; it was last updated in August 2023.
How We Chose The Best Dining Tables
To find the best dining tables for your home, we scoured through dozens of top-rated products, looking for options that are stylish, durable and functional. We looked at bestselling dining tables from brands and retailers that we trust, including Pottery Barn, West Elm and Castlery. At the advice of our experts, we prioritized tables made from solid wood, which tend to be the most durable and last the longest under heavy use. We aimed to include tables in a variety of sizes and shapes, including options with extendable tabletops for more versatility. We also considered the style of each table, selecting options that match a variety of common decor aesthetics, including traditional, farmhouse and contemporary. We read through dozens of reviews for each table, only selecting products with a minimum average rating of 4 stars.
What To Look For In The Best Dining Tables
Is your current dining table looking a little worse for wear, or does it simply no longer your style? If you’re thinking about bringing home a new table, here are the factors to consider as you shop.
Material
Dining tables can be made from a wide range of materials, including wood, metal, glass, engineered wood or even plastic. However, you’ll ideally want to select a durable option that can withstand daily use. “Wood is very durable for a dining table, as long as you care for it with the proper cleaners, and it’s also a lot more repairable than people realize,” says Peter Spalding, co-founder and chief creative officer of Daniel House Club. “Wood is also nice because it absorbs the sound of clinking plates and glasses and is a better insulator, so it is never cold to the touch.”
Size
You want to measure your dining space to figure out the right table size for the room. “When measuring, you’ll need to allow enough ‘breathing room’ around the table for an easy flow of movement,” explains Davis. “Each chair should be able to comfortably pull away from the table, and there should be space for walking behind it. At a minimum, aim for 3 feet between the dining table and the wall or other furnishings, but 4 feet is ideal if space allows.”
Shape
Dining tables are commonly either a rectangular or circular shape, and the layout of your dining room will dictate which shape is best for the space. “Consider the shape of your dining room,” recommends Spalding. “If it is square or very near square, you should consider a round table. A 60-inch round table will fit eight people and would be perfect in a space that’s 13 x 13 feet.” For rectangular rooms, a rectangular table is usually the way to go: “A lot of rectangular tables are 40 or 42 inches wide, which is a comfortable talking distance. If you go rectangular, pick the longest length you can have with 3 or 4 feet left over at either end.”
Style
Of course, it’s also important to find a table that matches your home’s aesthetic, whether it’s traditional, modern, farmhouse or another popular style. “A dining table is one piece that should respond to the style of your house,” says Spalding. “It’s an anchor piece, and it can be surrounded by chairs of another style to convey a little bit of free will.”
Which Is The Best Dining Table Brand?
There are many excellent dining table options available online, and brands like Pottery Barn, West Elm and Castlery are always a safe bet. These retails offer a good variety of well-made furniture at reasonable prices, and they’re known for their superior customer service, in case you run into issues. For instance, our top pick is the Pottery Barn Mateo Extending Dining Table, which is available from Pottery Barn. It has a timeless design that doesn’t go out of style, and it’s made from solid kiln-dried wood with a poplar veener, all for less than $1,000.
What Type Of Dining Table Is Most Durable?
For hundreds of years, people have been crafting and using solid wood dining tables, and the material has stood the test of time: It’s still a coveted option when it comes to modern tables. Wood is easy enough to repair, and it’s strong and sturdy, too. (Marble is popular at the moment, but it’s much more difficult to clean, and metal tables can get dented.)
How Much Does A Quality Dining Room Table Cost?
Dining room tables can range in price from $100 to upward of $10,000, depending on where you shop. For a high-quality piece, you should expect to pay around $1,000 (or more). “You can have very fine new or antique or vintage pieces for around $4,500 to $15,000,” says Spalding. “This is typically a piece of furniture that gets a lot of use, so buy the best you can afford so you don’t have to replace it in a few years.”
author Camryn Rabideau,Contributor