How To Choose The Perfect Dining Table For You

When choosing a dining table, it is important to prioritise the things that matter the most to you and your family. After all, the dining table is one of the most utilised items of furniture in the home. It's where we all gather to eat, but more importantly, catch up on the day's events. If chosen correctly, the dining table can become the heart of the home.

In this blog, you'll find a list of everything you need to look for and everything you need to know about dining tables before making your final decision. Here are some suggestions to make it even easier for you! Ready to eat your (dining table) heart out? Let’s get started!

The Flow Natural Oak Round Dining Table is a safer and more practical option if you have kids because of its rounded edges.

Consider Every Material

When it comes to dining tables, there is an abundance of materials to choose from, including but not limited to glass, wood, marble, melamine and even a fully scratch-resistant ceramic. To help you choose, our EZ Living Furniture experts advise picking several of your favourite materials and then narrowing them down depending on which best fits your lifestyle and style.

For instance, a glass table isn't something we would recommend for homes with small children because, although shatterproof in most cases, it still isn't the safest material out there.

However, if you are a couple looking to enhance your dining room with something contemporary, then glass could be your perfect fit! So, in short, it's all about analysing what you need at this particular moment in your life, and of course, planning for the future too!

Wood

Aside from creating warmth and character in every room, wood’s biggest asset is its strength. A good wooden dining table could last a lifetime if properly maintained!

If you have a messy household, for instance, the right kind of wood will withstand years of wear and tear. Spilt milk, make-up stains, you name it, wood will endure it!

Hardwood VS Softwood

Although wood has many advantages, it is important to note that some woods can be quite porous. Therefore, we advise cleaning down your wooden table regularly with a barely damp cloth to quickly clean any spills to avoid any potential soakage.

The Outback Mindi Wood Extendable Dining Table is an example of a hardwood dining table.

Hardwoods do not like water and tend to be more porous. Some examples of hardwoods include walnut, oak, mindi, and maple. These woods require a sealant such as Danish Oil. Our experts recommend using this oil on your dining table 3-4 times a year to bring out the depth and warmth of the natural grain of the wood. It is recommended to apply the oil using a cotton cloth for best results.

Interesting Read: Spring Into Cleaning: Top Tips For Maintaining Your Furniture

Oil does a lot to help your hardwood. It will seal your hardwood piece and cover light scratches, but if you burn a hardwood table, oil will do nothing to correct this. You will first need to sand your item down (by a millimetre or so) using sandpaper, and then finish with your oil. Together, sandpaper and oil will make your piece appear brand new again.

While oil is recommended for most hardwoods, it's important to note that some require a specific wax instead. Remember to always read the care instructions of your item to ensure you are caring for your piece correctly.

Crafted from 100% reclaimed timber, the Biarritz Dining Table boasts impressive texture.

Softwoods are non-porous, meaning they do not permit the transfer of water or air; therefore, a sealant isn't necessary. Examples of softwoods are: pine, cedar, birch, and redwood. A softwood dining table is very easily maintained because they do not require any oiling. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe up any sticky spills.

Not unlike us humans, tables can also get sunburnt! If any wood is exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light for a prolonged period, it can change the colour of the wood's surface. We suggest permanently positioning your table out of direct sunlight or incorporating a stylish set of blinds or curtains.

EZ TIP: Use placemats and coasters when eating hot food or drink. In doing so, you will prevent any potential damage or ring marks to your table.

Our Ravello Round Ceramic Dining Table is a strong choice if you decide against wood. Similar to melamine, ceramic is a material designed to withstand the rigours of daily use, as well as having high heat resistance.

Ceramic

Ceramic is one of the leading dining table materials of 2026. It's one of the top choices for homes with small families because of its impressive durability and easy maintenance. Ceramic is heat and stain-resistant, and non-porous, making it incredibly hygienic. In short, ceramic tables combine style and functionality, making them a great option for those seeking a fuss-free, easy-clean dining table.

EZ TIP: A ceramic dining table will last you a lifetime and will continue to look good forever. Don’t believe us? Ask our experts to run a key along a ceramic table in one of EZ Living Furniture’s showrooms throughout Ireland. Our ceramic dining tables really are fully scratch-resistant.

Melamine

Like ceramic tables, one of the biggest benefits of a melamine dining table is its durability. Melamine is a manufactured wood and is similar to particle board, but is much stronger. If you are looking for a dining table that has a smooth finish and is easy to clean, then look no further than melamine! No maintenance is required; simply wipe with a damp cloth to remove any spills.

Melamine dining tables are available in a large selection of colours and shapes, so you are sure to find something to suit your dining room décor. While considered scratch-resistant, our experts still recommend using coasters and placemats to preserve your melamine dining table for as long as possible.

Glass

Glass tables can be great because they are extremely low-maintenance. Unlike wood, glass is porous-free and therefore all mess or spills can be cleaned up in a matter of seconds! On (table) top of that, a glass table can also make your dining room look bigger while also adding a touch of class to your interior.

Sometimes fingerprints, smudges, and scratches can appear on a glass table, but don’t let that stop you. To avoid scratches, always use placemats when dining at your glass table.

EZ TIP: To clean your glass table cheaply and efficiently, mix water and vinegar together and apply this solution directly to the glass. Use a newspaper afterwards to remove any streaks.

The Rego Round Black Dining Table boasts a gorgeous white marble top, bringing elegance, glamour, and fine design to your interior.

Marble

There are two main types of marble: one that has a matte finish, and one that has a sealant already applied, which creates a shiny look. The Rego is the latter. The treatment of your marble will all depend on its type. Not unlike a glass table, a marble table will enhance the beauty of any room.

Like wood, marble is also extremely durable, and if cared for properly, will easily withstand the test of time. However, scratches can sometimes be seen on a matte marble table, so to avoid any dents or bumps, we suggest investing in good-quality placemats!

A marble table that is already sealed is a lot easier to care for and is not susceptible to stains or water absorption. If you do, however, prefer the matte finish, always keep coasters close by.

As you have now learned, matte marble can be porous; therefore, putting the final finish on your marble is essential if you want a stain-free table. Adding a seal will make your marble waterproof. If you are applying sealant, we advise that you wait for a full 24 hours before putting your table to use. This will allow the sealant to be fully absorbed without the mess.

EZ TIP: To know if your seal has been successful, splash a small amount of water on your table, and if the water does not bead, then you will need to reapply the seal.

Measuring Matters

When selecting your dining table, it is important to note that the standard table height is 30 inches (or 76cm). Although the standard height is 30 inches, the average height can range anywhere between 28 and 30 inches (71 to 76cm).

When measuring, you will need to take the table-to-wall space into account. When selecting the right size dining table, make sure you have at least 24” of extra space all the way around the table. There’s no point in getting a beautiful dining table and dining chairs if your guests struggle to access their seats. The only thing people should be squeezing is the fresh orange juice placed beautifully on your new dining table.

Finally, there should also be 7” between the chair arm and the apron of the table so that the arm of the chair doesn’t get stuck or wedged under the table.

EZ TIP: Before you even enter a furniture store, get the dimensions of a table you like. Place newspapers on the floor to the width and length of the table, now add more newspapers according to the chair dimensions and how far they will extend. This is a great way to visually understand how much floor space each item will consume.

You should also take into consideration any surrounding drawers or presses. Actively pull out or open these items as far as they go and compare them against the newspapers. This will give you an accurate indication of whether the sizing needs adjusting or not.

Suitable Shapes

Choosing the appropriate shape of your dining table is just as important as, if not more important than, choosing the material. The most common shape is the rectangular table. This table has the ability to fit more than 4 people, so if you have a busy house, this one is for you!

Square-shaped tables are best suited in square-shaped rooms. These tables can provide a sort of intimacy that rectangular tables cannot.

Like square tables, round tables can also create intimacy and a cosy feeling, and are highly suggested for every couple. Oval tables are like rectangular tables in that they can fit many around them, except they tend to occupy less space.

EZ TIP: Before investing in a specific-shaped dining table, you should ask yourself this one question: “How many people are regularly catering for?”

If the answer is between 2-4, every shape will fit your needs, whereas if you’re likely to entertain big crowds or simply have a big family, definitely consider either a rectangular, oval, or extendable dining table.

Extending Dining Tables

Extending mechanisms or additional surfaces are the real MVPs of the dining room interior. Like a hero that answers the call once summoned, these extending inserts are capable of either accommodating extra guests or simply increasing the table surface. Ultimately, they are the lifesavers of domestic hospitality.

These extensions come in many shapes and forms and can be placed either at the end or even in the middle of your dining table. Such mechanisms include pull-out rod extensions, sliding leg extensions, central butterfly systems and many more.

EZ TIP: To see how durable your extended piece is, simply press down on the constructed extension with an open palm once assembled. You will now be able to determine whether this extension is durable. If it withstands the added pressure, this means it is stable. However, if you feel it could give way and snap at any stage, this is a sure sign of its instability.

Another problem that can arise over the years with extendable table parts is colour discolouration. If your table is exposed to ultraviolet sunlight every day and your extension piece is only exposed once a month (if even), there may be a colour difference in your table parts over a long period of time.

Therefore, we suggest you put the extendable part in a place that can receive equal sunlight exposure, like a spare bedroom!

Check out our range of extendable dining tables.

Visit One Of EZ Living Furniture's Showrooms

We hope that after reading this blog, you have a better idea of how to choose the perfect dining table for your home. If you still have questions, feel free to pop into one of EZ Living Furniture stores nationwide and ask our experts. You can also ask our online team too!

For the ultimate dining room décor, Read: How to choose the perfect dining chair for you.

"After all, one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well" (at the perfect dining table!) – Virginia Woolf.

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