When it’s time to invest in a new dining room table, touring furniture showrooms can feel overwhelming—the choices are limitless, and they all look perfectly styled and beautiful. But which one is the best fit for your home? The answer to that question depends on your needs.
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular materials for dining room tables and find out which option is right for you.
Wood
You really can’t go wrong with a wood table—it’s timeless, classic, and will likely last for years.
When it comes to durability, you can’t get any better than wood. The piece you buy today could become an heirloom you pass down to your children. Wood tables are easy to clean and maintain and, because they’re made from actual wood, each piece has its own unique characteristics.
Another benefit to wood—because it’s so long lasting, its style is guaranteed to come back in fashion.
The most popular types of wood used for making tables are oak, pine, and walnut. Most woods are available in a variety of shades, allowing you to pick a table that compliments your current décor and style.
Laminate
At the opposite end of the pricing spectrum lies laminate and, before you turn your nose up at this more affordable option, you may want to consider the benefits.
While laminate often gets a bad rap for looking as cheap as it costs, there have been some pretty amazing advances in the appearance of laminate tables, allowing buyers to enjoy a lovely table that is cost efficient and easy to clean.
Because laminate tabletops are made from heavy paper pressed with melamine, the result is a sturdy veneer that can be printed to look like a variety of more costly materials. Wood, stone, and marble veneers make laminate tables look incredibly high end and, like actual wood, laminate is a breeze to clean.
Glass
A glass tabletop is an elegant and modern option for the dining room. Because you can see through it, glass helps open up the space and can make a small dining area appear larger.
It’s important to note there are two varieties of glass used in tabletops: annealed and tempered. Annealed glass is the regular glass you see every day, while tempered has been heated and is more resistant to breaking. If you want your table to last, be sure to select one made from tempered glass.
However, even tempered glass can break under enough pressure. This, plus the fact that it requires more maintenance to keep it smudge free, makes glass a poor option if you have kids at home.
Metal
Many people overlook metal as an option for dining room tables, but this oft-forgotten material deserves a second glance.
Metal tables are incredibly durable and resistant to the scratches and knicks that can plague wood tables (though, we think knicks and scratches are part of the lived-in charm of wood tables). Metal tables can withstand a tremendous amount of weight and wear and tear.
Another perk to metal—it’s completely customisable. While exposed metal lends itself to a modern industrial vibe, painted metal allows you to blend your furniture seamlessly with the existing color palette of your home.
Marble
There’s just something classy and luxurious about a marble table done right. Marble brings an organic element to the dining room and is available in a variety of finishes.
The downside to marble (if there must be one) is the maintenance. Although it is heavy and dense, marble is a soft stone and prone to scratches and staining. You’ll want to make sure your marble tabletop has been professionally sealed—and even then, you’ll need to use coasters on the table.
On the plus side, if you enjoy making homemade pastries and pies, you’ll love having a marble tabletop. Because marble remains cool, it makes the perfect surface for rolling out pastry dough. Who knew?
When it comes down to it, there is no single right choice for a dining room table. The perfect table for you will depend on your taste, your space, and the needs of your family.
Happy hunting, Goldilocks…we know you’ll find the table that’s just right!
You can also send us your queries and requests through this online form and one of our experts will call you soon to discuss your specific requirements. They will have detailed discussions with you before coming up with the most suitable solutions.
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