The formal dining room is making a comeback, according to interiors editor Nicky Rampley-Clarke. After years of open-plan living, dedicated spaces for entertaining are returning, driven by the continued popularity of dinner parties and home entertaining. The centrepiece of this trend is a quality dining table, and there are options for every home, from small circular designs for kitchen-diners to extendable styles for tight spaces and expansive rectangular tables for grand occasions.
How to choose a dining table
Hannah Armstrong, senior furniture buyer at Heal’s, advises thinking about the whole setting first. “We recommend thinking about the whole setting first when choosing a dining table that works for you – proportions, legroom and the overall visual balance of a space all matter, so it's worth ensuring that this blend of functionality and aesthetics is well considered.”
She adds: “Before anything else, think about the size and shape of your dining space, and lead with functionality. From compact styles to extendable designs, it's about understanding how the table will be used – will it be a spot for everyday meals or does it need to regularly adapt to changing occasions from dinner parties to family gatherings? For example, styles that have a smooth, easy-to-use extension mechanism are best for more regular daily use, whilst for more ad-hoc occasions, designs with removable leaves can be a simple yet equally effective solution.”
Quality and materials matter
Armstrong continues: “Another key consideration is quality. A table, by its nature, needs to be durable and hard-wearing, and should be chosen with longevity in mind that ensure its place in the home for years to come. Solid wood is always a great start when choosing materials and is one of the most dependable options for a dining table, while adding warmth and texture to a space with a lived-in feel. Other natural materials such as marble and ceramics are also great options and bring a sense of refinement and luxury.”
She concludes: “Ultimately, a dining table should bring together exquisite design, quality craftsmanship and practical functionality. The best are the ones that work just as hard for a Tuesday night supper as they do for a special occasion — pieces you'll want to gather around for years to come.”
Top picks for every need
For bespoke design, the Heal’s Bespoke Dining Table Lisbon (£1,935, Heals.com) is highly customisable, with finishes from natural oiled to smoked oak and sizes for four to six people. It features a solid oak top and rectory-style legs, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.
The Made.com Deauville 4 to 6 Seater Oval Extending Dining Table (£579, Next.co.uk) is a space-saving option that extends for hosting. It has a dark stain finish and solid oak legs, and is easy to assemble, according to reviewer Daisy Lester.
For compact spaces, the King Living Magnolia Dining Table (£1,980, Kingliving.co.uk) has a reduced width and curved corners, crafted from natural timber with fixed or extendable styles seating four to six.
The Pottery Barn Summerville Extending Dining Table (£1,799, Potterybarn.co.uk) extends from four to eight seats with two discreet leaves, made from kiln-dried meranti and engineered wood with white-oak veneers in a dark-brown finish.
West Elm’s Ellington Oval Pedestal Dining Table (£1,189.95, Westelm.co.uk) features a fluted pedestal base and oval surface, seating six comfortably.
Andrew Martin’s Michelangelo Dining Table (£1,795, Andrewmartin.co.uk) is noted for its sculptural base and richly-veined grey marble top, inspired by Renaissance sculpture.
Nicky Rampley-Clarke is a freelance editor with bylines in Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, The Mail, Forbes, Livingetc, House Beautiful and The Standard, and works with high street brands to advise on products and content.
