When you think of meals at home, you imagine your family around the custom wood table catching up about how their days went, remembering every Holiday feast and each birthday celebration with your friends. With this, you would want your dining table to be sturdy, spacious, and comfortable for everyone.

Dining tables have a lot of variety available in the market. If you have moved to a new pad or want to renovate your home, you should make sure to pick out the most fitting table for you since this would be the centerpiece in the dining area.

If you are still clueless on which factors to consider and what type of table you could get with your budget, you do not have to worry. We will walk you through everything you need to know in choosing the right dining table for your home!

Factors to Consider When Buying a Dining Table

Shape

You may see various tables in different shapes displayed in furniture stores and just pick which is the best looking one. But it is not as simple as that, each shape has a distinct function and purpose compared to the others.

Round Tables

If you have a small space where you want to set-up the dining table, a round table would work the best. Round tables have smaller footprints compared to other shapes, letting you walk around the space without bumping or getting too crowded.

It is also designed to accept additional guests, just pull up an additional chair and you can place it anywhere. Since everyone is facing the center, it is easier to get someone’s attention and have a chat. Round tables work flawlessly for both formal or casual dining set-up.

Square Tables

Square-shaped ones are ideal if you have two to four people in the house. It offers intimacy and makes your dining area appear more welcoming. Afterall, having a long custom dining table could make the atmosphere seem cold if only a few people use it.

Another benefit of using a square table is you can expand it when needed. Simply combine two tables and it could now cater more guests, once the event is done, you can put away the extra table and you are back with the larger area.

Rectangular Tables

This shape is the most common one for dining tables. Perfect for large families or people who receive guests often, rectangular dining tables have more space and could be customized depending on your needs.

Since dining rooms are rectangular, it is only fitting to get a rectangular table if you have enough space for it. It is beneficial to have this table shape when you need a large area to put dishes for  serving. You can also place this against the wall in times you need more walking space in the room.

Oval Tables

For people who want a long custom table but do not have enough space for a rectangular one, you should go with oval tables.

This shape can accommodate more people compared to square and round tables but does not occupy as much space as rectangular ones. Its curved edges also give an illusion of a wider surrounding area.

Size

Sizes may vary on the shape that you picked. Regardless of the shape, there are standard sizes you should consider to make sure you will be comfortable with your new dining table.

The standard height for every dining table is from 28 inches to 30 inches. This is important to check since lower height may not leave enough space for your knees and too much height would make an awkward gap for your hands and the table, both making you uncomfortable.

Sizes for Different Tables Shapes

To give you a quick reference of which table size to get for your home, we have created a summary you can check when buying a dining table.

Shape	Capacity	Size
Round	Maximum of 4 pax	36in to 44in diameter
	4 to 6 pax	44in to 54in diameter
	6 to 8 pax	54in to 72in diameter
Square	4 pax	36in to 33in square
Rectangular	Maximum of 4 pax	36in (W) x 48in (L)
	4 to 6 pax	36in (W) x 60in (L)
	6 to 8 pax	36in (W) x 78in (L)
Oval	Maximum of 4 pax	36in to 44in diameter
	4 to 6 pax	36in diameter & 56in long
	6 to 8 pax	36in diameter & 72in long
	8 to 10 pax	36in diameter & 84in long

Materials

There is a wide range of materials used for dining tables, starting from wooden tables to glass and marbles. In order to get the best quality for your new table, we listed the best materials you could look for in the market.

Wood

In terms of durability and longer life span, wooden custom tables are your go-to. Wood gives your dining area a homey and authentic accent. Each wood has unique patterns and you have a lot of options from oak, elm, walnut, and more.

Wooden tables require less maintenance, and you could sand and refurbish it through the years and keep it look brand new. Although wood is popularly used for rectangular shaped tables, you can now find round and oval tables available.

Metal

If you are cool with an industrial ambiance, you can look for metal tables. Metal promises sturdy and long-lasting tables without scratches and nicks since it is resilient to environmental damage.

However, since metal absorbs heat, it is not advisable for warm spaces. You should also keep an eye on the floors since metal is heavy and direct contact to the floor could leave scratches and damages.

Glass

If you prefer an elegant setting, you may look more into glass tables. Since it is made of glass, these tables are highly versatile in terms of shapes, framing, or designs.

This type of table makes your dining area look open and larger. However, it requires more care due to its fragility, and you would have to wipe it more often since it easily gets marked with fingerprints and dust.

Marble

Perhaps you are going for a luxurious vibe and prioritizes aesthetics, we would suggest getting a marble table. Its rich color and patterns liven up the whole dining experience.

Aside from its ability to blend in any motif, you can also expect durability from this material. However, since marble is a soft stone, it is prone to scratching and staining so it would demand more care and maintenance if you want to keep it flawless.

Table Bases

Another factor you should consider is the table base you prefer. We have listed the three most common bases and their differences.

Four-Legged

Four-legged table base is the most common one for dining tables, specifically for rectangular tables. Since it has four legs, it assures durability even when topped with heavy materials. When buying, it is best to test out if all legs are balanced to avoid wobbling.

Cross-Legged

A cross-legged base offers more stiffness with its diagonally-crossed brace. This is most commonly used for outdoor dinings.

Pedestal

Pedestal bases mean all the support comes from the center, ideal for small dining tables. This type of base provides more space for your legs to give you the maximum comfort.

Budget

In terms of budget, it is hard to place a range for each table type due to the wide range available in the market. The pricing varies from the size, design, material, and the brand. It would be best to pick out a specific size, shape, and material before checking the prizes in your local furniture store.

If you are considering a custom-made dining table, you should know that it will likely cost more compared to store-bought ones. Since it is made specifically tailored to your liking added with the personal customer service, it will reasonably cost more than generic ones.

Tips in Choosing the Right Dining Table for Your Home

Choosing the best dining table that fit your renovation would mostly depend on your preferences. We can only help by giving you the information you need, as well as these tips:

• Measure the size of your room before anything else. This determines the type of table you can consider.
• Pick out the material. We would recommend investing in a wooden table since it would require less attention, provides a warm ambiance, and is the most durable.
• Set your budget range. It is hard to purchase anything without a proper budget. We would suggest making a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves to balance out your priorities in searching for the perfect dining table.
• Consider maintenance required. Different materials require different levels of care to make sure you get the best of your table lifespan. We have made a quick summary of maintenance needed for each material.

Maintenance for Your Dining Table

Wood

For wooden tables, you should dust the table regularly and wipe it with damp microfiber cloth to get rid of crumbs and grimes. If there are sticky spots, prepare warm water, drop a mild dish soap, and gently rub until the stickiness is gone. Make sure to wipe with dry microfiber cloth after to make sure no water sits on your table.

In case a water ring stains your table, mix vinegar and olive oil equally and apply to the stain. For prevention, make sure your wooden table is far from the heat register to avoid any damages from high temperature.

Metal

You can clean your metal table with sponge and water mixed with non-detergent soap. For stubborn dirt, you can use a multi-purpose cleaner. You should not use abrasive scrubbers on metal tables since it would leave unwanted scratches. In case there is rust present, lightly sand the rusted part and cover it with touch-up paint.

Glass

Glass is a hard material to keep clean, it is best to use coasters and placemats every meal to avoid spillage and leaving marks. Make sure to wipe your table with warm water and mild soap to prevent any grimes. Do not put heavy items on your table as well as it may chip and damage the glass.

Marble

For marble tables, you can simply dust off your table twice a week with microfiber cloth. Make sure to wipe your table with a damp cloth periodically, and only use mild soap if needed. Do not use scrubbers nor apply any dusting spray to keep your marble top shiny and flawless.