3 tips for buying a dining table

Buying a dining table is a pretty big decision. After all, it’s often one of the most hard-working pieces in your home, used for everything from playing to working, not to mention eating. Here are 3 things to consider when choosing your dream dining table.

Breakfast set on a white EKEDALEN table with black chairs and two black pendants, children’s drawings on a wall behind.

1. Size – how many people do you want to seat?

Start thinking about how you’ll be using the table. For example, when you’re eating will there be only plates and cutlery, or will you have lots of serving dishes too? Each person needs about 60 cm of eating space, and a minimum of 80 cm between the table and whatever is behind it, but in this case more is better. If you don’t have enough room for a large dining table, consider an extendable table.

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Dining area with a MÖRBYLÅNGA table, four chairs, a grey patterned rug, a white pendant and glass-door cabinets behind.

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2. Shape – let your room decide

Rectangular tables are ideal for busy dining areas and also great for bench seating which can be tucked under the table. They also offer lots of space because you can use all 4 sides. Round or oval tables generally require a larger room but work well to balance a square room and often allow more people to sit around them. Square tables are good for conversation since everyone faces each other.

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Breakfast set on a round GAMLARED table, two black STEFAN chairs, a grey pendant above and folded chairs on the wall.

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3. Material – choose one that suits your lifestyle

If you have children, or a dinner table that multi-tasks as a desk, choose a durable material like solid wood, strong hardwood veneer or melamine. All our wood-surface dining tables are treated with a strong lacquer which protects the tabletop from scratches and colour fading – making them maintenance-free for many years.

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An open laptop on a white TINGBY table with grey pendant, five white chairs and a pink office chair on a patterned rug.

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