How many times in a lifetime do you buy a dining table? Has your old dining table been passed down to you from mum and dad? (I know mine has!) You may have decided that it is finally time to treat yourself to a new one, but where do you start? In this article, you’ll find lots of dining table inspiration to make choosing a new table easier.
Dining table design – what shape is best?
Rectangular, round, or square? The first thing you need to decide before looking for a table is what shape you’d prefer.
Consider the size of your family first – how many people need to fit around your table? Then look at where you’ll be putting your dining table and how much room you have.
If you are a family of four, any shape will work for you. However, if you plan to have an odd number of chairs (perhaps 5 or 7), then opt for a round table.
Rectangular tables aren’t practical for a family of five because at least one person would be left sitting on their own, feeling like they’re out on a limb!
Consider the size and shape of your dining room. If you think a round table would stick out like a sore thumb, then go for a rectangular table. It’s always possible to sit one person at the end of the table so they can still join in the conversation.
Choosing a dining table finish
Wood, cement, glass, and marble are the most common dining table finishes, but which do you prefer? Before settling on a dining table design, consider what your table needs to match up with.
If you have a wooden floor, you may want to pick a different finish or a contrasting wood for your table. We don’t recommend trying to find an exact match between your floor and dining table because unless you’re very lucky, it will never be quite right.
If you’re looking for a wood alternative, then consider cement. This contemporary material has a cool industrial feel. If you’ve just moved into a new house or live in an open-plan renovated warehouse, this style of table works really well.
Just like cement, glass is another contemporary alternative to wood. What’s more, it lightens the space due to its reflective nature, so it’s great for making small spaces appear bigger.
And last but not least is marble. Marble has a luxurious feel that looks beautiful contrasted with gold or brass cutlery. This trending material is making a resurgence, so expect to see more of it as you search for dining table inspiration.
Dining table inspiration from Furl
Now enough of the tips – we have a few dining table ideas of our own to show you.
This elegant dining table, which we call the 4×4, has a wooden top and metal legs. It’s perfect for large families or people who like entertaining. The larger version of this table can seat up to 14 people when fully extended.
Made from carefully selected hardwoods that have been chosen for their character and durability, this table comes in oak and walnut. Its four legs sit crisscrossed underneath the table in an architecturally stunning design.
‘Biground’ is an engineering marvel. This cleverly designed round table has patented overlapping sections that allow it to expand in three different ways. The hidden mechanism is so easy to use that anyone can do it!
It can seat up to 10 people and comes in a range of wood finishes.
We call this our magic table. The Newood transforms from a coffee table to a dining table – perfect for anyone short on dining space who is looking for a table they can use in their lounge.
The table top effortlessly raises from 23cm to 80cm above the ground and extends outwards to seat up to ten people. It does all of this without an obvious join or bracket in sight. It would be impossible to guess that this ordinary coffee table can transform so elegantly into a dining table by simply looking at it.
Learn more about the Newood
If you’re still looking for dining table inspiration, then look no further. We have lots more to show you. Browse the full range of dining tables here or visit our showroom to discover what makes our tables unique.