How to choose the right dining table for your home

Play a game of cards, lie over a few glasses of wine or invite your neighbours to a meal. These are just a few examples of why function should be considered when choosing the size, material and shape of a dining table. Whether you're looking for a small round kitchen table or a large extendable dining room table, it's always a good idea to choose a high-quality model that will stand the test of time. Although the high-quality dining tables at NO-GA come from some of the furniture industry's most exclusive brands, we want to help you make the choice that suits your home and your needs.

Length

The length you should choose, whether you are looking for a rectangular or oval dining table, is very individual. First and foremost, you need to consider your living space and how many chairs will fit. The most common lengths of a dining table are 180, 200 or 250 cm, but can of course be ordered in several dimensions in between depending on your living space.
If you use the popular Ton 14 or Ton 18 chairs by Michael Thonet, which are only 41 cm wide, you can easily fit four chairs per side on a 200 cm long table. The wide Y-chair, on the other hand, has a width of 55 centimetres and can therefore only accommodate three per side on a table of the same dimensions.

Tip: always measure the width of your current chairs before buying a new table. Also, don't forget that the table legs may limit the number of chairs you can fit. By looking at pictures of the dining table, you can quickly estimate the distance. If you are unsure, you can always contact our customer service for more information.

Width

If you are looking for an oval or square table, the width should be at least 80 centimetres. This is so that you can set plates, glasses and cutlery on a tray on both sides of the table without colliding with the person in front of you. If you plan to seat two guests on each short side, the width should be around 100 centimetres.

Tip: Also keep in mind that there should be at least 60 centimetres of free space between the table and the wall on each side so that you can pull out the dining chairs as smoothly as possible. If you place armchairs around the dining table, you should allow a few more centimetres, depending on the shape of the chair. Do you or someone in your family use a wheelchair? Then the distance should be at least 120 centimetres.

Height

The height of a good dining table today should be somewhere between 72-75 centimetres. The reason we say today is because people are getting taller and taller. Just a few decades ago, the standard measurement for a dining table was only 70 centimetres, which is not at all relevant today. This height allows the legs to move freely, while also making it easy to get in and out of the chair without bumping the table. It also prevents the elbows from falling unnaturally, which can put strain on the shoulders and neck, especially when sitting for long periods of time.

Tip: It is usually said that there should be about 30 centimetres between the height of the dining table and the height of the chairs. Don't forget to check if the table you're buying has a very thick table top or frame. Otherwise, there is a risk that legroom will be limited.

Choose dining chairs with the right seat height

It is not uncommon to replace your dining chairs when you invest in a new dining table. Therefore, it is obviously a good idea to look at the seat height of the chairs to make sure they match your table. You'll be surprised how much difference a single centimetre can make. Of course, you should also take into account your own height so that you can sit comfortably. Here are some examples of our most popular table heights:

Table height 72 cm: A lower dining chair, such as the Charles & Ray Eames chairs from Vitra, is perfect here. The models were raised slightly in 2016 to a seat height of 43 centimetres.

Table height 74 cm: This height works very well with most of the popular dining chairs in our range. For example, the Y chair from Carl Hansen, Beetle from Gubi and Globus from Stua with a seat height of 45 centimetres. Chairs like the Seven from Fritz Hansen, About a Chair from HAY and No. 14 or No. 18 from Ton with a seat height of 46 centimetres also work well.

Tip: If you choose an upholstered dining chair, the seat height may increase slightly depending on the type of upholstery. If the upholstery is very soft, it sinks down when you sit down and is therefore not as noticeable as a firm upholstery.

Square dining tables

You've probably noticed that most people, at least in Sweden, usually have a square table with a rectangular shape in their kitchen or dining room. The reason for this is that it is very easy to find a good placement in the interior design based on the walls of the room. In addition to the placement, it is also very easy to measure and calculate how many seats it can accommodate.

Square tables are often quite modest in their dimensions. This is because a larger size would immediately result in the table becoming very unwieldy. If you have a dining room dedicated to large dinners, you can still use a small square kitchen table for family breakfasts. It's also great for those who live in a smaller space but still have enough room for a table larger than a café table.

In order to make room for setting the table and be able to sit comfortably, almost all square dining tables are optimal for 4 people. Of course, it's always possible to crowd together on occasion, but if you often have a lot of guests visiting, you should instead look at a rectangular shape that is guaranteed to offer a more pleasant dinner.

In Between SK6

&Tradition

Ten Table

Dk3

Androgyne Dining Table Rectangular 210 cm

Audo Copenhagen

Unna Table Extendible

Zanat

Rectangular dining tables

Perhaps the most common type of dining table. If you have a very specific style or taste, this is the form with the greatest freedom of choice of materials, dimensions and functions. For example, it is often possible to special order rectangular tables if you want them customised for your own home. At the same time, there is often a good selection of extendable variants with 1-2 extension panels.

Tip: Want to buy a rectangular dining table but keep your old dining chairs? Make sure that the distance between the table legs is not too different from your previous table. That way, you won't be disappointed when you unpack the table and realise the chairs won't fit.

Florence Knoll High Square Table

Knoll

Quaderna Dining Table

Zanotta

Four Table

Kartell

Table 81C

Artek

Round dining tables

If you're a social person who likes to invite people over for dinner, there's not much that beats the round dining table. Even if you have a round dining table for 4-6 or even 8-10 people, no one is left out of the conversation. The shape gives everyone a good view, so you don't have to lean forward or back to speak to someone.

If you have always had a square table, the transition can be difficult at first, especially since the walls are not as helpful. If you find that the table and dining chairs suddenly feel disjointed by the contrast between the shapes, you can place a round rug under the dining group. This ties everything together nicely. Keep in mind that the rug should be large enough so that the back legs of the chairs do not fall outside.

When choosing the size of a round table, it's important not to forget the difference between a diameter of, say, 100 centimetres and 150 centimetres. The circumference will be more than 1.5 metres larger. For enough space to set the table, while still being able to sit comfortably, each person needs about 70 centimetres. By calculating the circumference, you can quickly find the most suitable size for you. The chairs also take up space, with a retracted chair extending about 20 centimetres and an extended chair 60 centimetres.

The most common sizes are between 100 and 120 centimetres so that the table is not too bulky. These sizes are reasonable for most homes, while providing plenty of space for a family of four and enough room for two guests. Keep in mind that even if the table surface has a lot of potential, the table legs can get in the way. So always check the measurements of your dining chairs and compare them to the distance between the table legs. A pedestal table avoids this problem.

Table 90A

Artek

Concorde Table - Round

Poliform

XZ3 Table Ø120

Magis

Sir Gio Table

Kartell

Round dining tables with an extension leaf

A round or oval top dining table combines the best of both worlds. Do you prefer a round shape for aesthetics, but often have many guests over? With extension boards, you can easily extend your dining table, leaving plenty of space on both the short and long sides. However, the range of these tables is considerably smaller.

Of course, you also have to take into account that the round table becomes oval when you add your extension leaves. However, this is a very good feature if your floor plan simply doesn't have enough space for a larger diameter table top. Ideal if you only need space for 4 people on a daily basis. Depending on which model you choose, and how many extension leaves you use, you can then double the number of seats.

Some tables come with built-in storage facilities for the extension leaves. If the model you have chosen does not have this feature, it is important that you store them safely in the same climate as your dining table. Also, the extension leaves do not wear and age at the same rate as the rest of the table, which is why many manufacturers offer the leaves in different materials.

GUBI Dining Table

Gubi

Epic Dining Table Elliptical 240 x 120 cm

Gubi

Eames Segmented Boat-Shaped Dining Table

Vitra

Sengu table 230 x 116 cm

Cassina

Pillar table

Pillar tables are perfect for those who really want to make the most of the possibilities of a round dining table, without having to use extension leaves and make the shape oval. It's much easier and cheaper to accommodate anywhere from 6-12 people because you don't need as much table space. Unlike a standard round dining table with four legs, you can fit in more chairs that allow you to fully utilise the round shape.

Oval dining tables

At some point, we've all had to share the short side of a standard rectangular table with someone else. You often have to wrestle with your elbows for space and have a poor view of half the table. An oval dining table alleviates this problem significantly, as it is precisely on the short side that the shape is most noticeable. For the long sides, there is also a clear improvement from a social point of view, although the shape cannot really compete with a round dining table. Another advantage is that you still retain the same flexibility in placement, as you can still use the walls as guidelines.

Café table

Although the name may sound limiting, it is becoming increasingly common to use a café table as a dining table. If you live in a cramped apartment or have a floor plan with few options, a square or round café table can be the solution. It allows you to socialise, eat and use exactly the same functions as a traditional dining table - but in a smaller format.
The downside of a café table is that it often only seats 2-4 people, making it difficult to host many guests for dinner. However, its favourable size makes it very versatile. For example, if you move to a larger home, you can continue to use the table in other rooms, on the balcony or in the conservatory if the materials allow it.

Materials on dining tables

When you buy a dining table, it is an investment. You probably have no plans to replace it for several years. That's why it's important that you choose a model of sufficiently high quality and not least in materials that offer maximum durability based on how you plan to use the table and your family situation.
Knowledge is important to us, and we are happy to share everything we know. If you want to go more in-depth into the different materials, you can find our complete material guides below:

Marble

With a living natural material like marble, the aesthetic benefits are hard to beat. Each marble table is also completely unique in its pattern and comes with natural imperfections that undoubtedly have their charm. However, marble tables require a lot of maintenance and are sensitive to all sorts of liquids, so it might not be the best choice if you have small children.

Tip: Always use coasters as marble is sensitive to both heat and liquids. If you do happen to spill, it's important to wipe up immediately to avoid leaving unsightly stains. Treat regularly with a protective marble oil and avoid all types of cleaners that are not specifically designed for marble. Before choosing a marble dining table, read our full guide here.

Laminate

Laminate is a very good choice for families with children or those who don't want to feel their heart rate increase every time a guest puts a glass down directly on the table surface. The material has a high tolerance to liquids, dirt, scratches, pressure, shocks and sunlight. In most cases, a very thin layer of laminate is glued to another material such as plywood, chipboard or solid wood.

When it comes to cleaning, dish soap and a damp cloth are enough to remove dirt and stains from children's meals and restore the original shine. Compared to linoleum, laminate is not as smooth and soft. Laminate also does not have the same sound-absorbing capacity as linoleum.

Another type of laminate - compact laminate - is a particularly strong and durable material that is both dirt and water resistant. Maintenance is kept to an absolute minimum as the material is completely non-porous, so there is no risk of bacterial growth. The material is also, in many cases, suitable for outdoor use if the rest of the table's material allows it. If you want to know more about laminate, you can find it here.

Nano laminate

Nano laminate has become an increasingly popular material for dining table tops due to its long list of benefits. Being extremely matt, available in many different colors and having a low light reflection, it is very pleasant to look at. At the same time, it is resistant to mold, fingerprints and scratches. The smooth surface makes it easy to keep clean and does not require much maintenance, which is often appreciated by families with children. Read more about nanolaminate here.

Linoleum

Linoleum has a very soft, smooth surface that is not only durable and easy to maintain, but also comes with soundproofing properties. Generally speaking, linoleum is often matte in its finish, with more color options than laminate. However, the material has a lot in common with laminate, such as its high tolerance to sunlight.

However, when cleaning a linoleum table, you should always remember to use a neutral detergent to avoid damaging the table surface. The reason for this is to maximize its lifespan. To keep the dining table looking good, you should also treat the surface with linoleum soap. This is available in our online store. Complete guide for linoleum can be found here.

Solid wood

Woods such as oak, ash, beech, birch and walnut give your home a very warm and homely character. Because it is a natural material, just like marble, a wooden table also has a unique grain. Again, some maintenance is required to preserve its beauty for longer, although not to the same extent as a marble table. The choice of finish also comes with big differences between aesthetics and protection. Also, don't miss our complete wood material guide, which you can read here.

Oil: An oiled finish makes the table extra resistant to grease stains. This is because the wood is saturated during the treatment and thus has a very low absorption capacity for grease. However, stains from common liquids may still occur if not wiped away. Requires regular oil treatment.

Clear varnish: Here, the choice has been made to close the pores in the surface, but there is a risk of water rings if a glass is left unsupported. Aesthetically, it preserves the natural color of the wood, while providing a slightly glossy, shiny finish.

Matt varnish: As with clear varnish, matt varnish also seals the pores of the wood, preventing the material from drying out. A matt lacquered oak table requires significantly less maintenance than a dining table treated with oil or soap. The disadvantage is that scratches and marks cannot be repaired as easily as the latter.

Stain: If you choose a stained dining table, you can get the best of both worlds. You normally retain the natural grain of the wood through your desired color. This leads to an incredibly nice, albeit subtle, contrast from the shade differences that occur.

Sawn: The sawn, or soaped, finish is one of the most popular choices, especially for oak but also for woods like beech and ash. The reason is the light, natural look that is emphasized. The disadvantage of a sawn finish is that it requires regular treatment with soap flakes to maintain its appearance.

Veneer

Veneer is a thin layer of wood that is glued to a substrate such as plywood. It works great mainly for conference tables, but also some dining tables. The reason it is not optimal for dining tables is that veneer is rarely more than a couple of millimeters thick. It is therefore sensitive to scratches and bumps, which is why we advise families with children not to choose veneer.

Tip: We at NO-GA always advise our customers to choose high quality furniture for the longest possible lifespan. If you buy a dining table in oak, walnut, ash or similar, it can therefore be good to choose solid wood over veneer. That way you can sand down any scratches and other wear and tear.