Purchasing the wrong dining table can be a frustrating and costly mistake. If the size is unsuitable for your dining space, you’ll be banging your knees or struggling to fit guests. Choosing an impractical material like glass or marble might mean a table that scratches and stains easily under daily use.
I’ll walk through the types of dining room tables so you can select the perfect one, whether your dining room is cozy or spacious. I’ve also connected with an expert interior designer, and she’s shared her insights on what she thinks of certain dining table styles.
Different Types of Dining Tables
Purchasing a new dining table is an extremely personal experience for many reasons. This furniture will be the centerpiece of your dining room where you entertain guests and share important meals with family.
Key Things to Know About Dining Table Types
Here’s a quick overview of the major dining table styles, broken up into 7 main categories:
- Shape: Rectangular, square, round, oval, freeform
- Material: Wood, glass, laminate, metal, marble, tile
- Style: Traditional, modern, rustic, industrial, shaker, contemporary
- Capacity: Two, four, six, eight, 10 or more
- Bases: Four legs, pedestal, trestle, cross-legged, sawhorse
- Top: Slab, drop
- Legs: Spindle, tapered, cabriole
Dining Table Shapes
Table shape should be the first consideration. The materials and style can follow once you’ve decided on a shape.
1. Rectangular
As the most popular table shape, the rectangle comprises the most populated category. Being the most functional shape allows for playfulness, especially for a modern design.
My second example is a glossy, minimalist rectangle table.
2. Square
A square dining table is the simplest shape, with its four legs equidistant from each other. These are perfect for four diners and compact spaces.
Square tables can also feature a glossy white surface and ultra-minimalist design, perfect for brightening any space.
3. Round
Round tables allow for shifting seating options and often hold features such as hinged edges or a leaf, which turns it into an oval shape.
Tina Martindelcampo, an interior designer in Los Angeles, prefers round tables over other shapes:
“I gravitate towards a round table because I love the way you can gather in a circle and always keep the same distance across from your guests. It is easier to maneuver in a room around a circle table compared to a rectangle because there are no sharp edges. Round tables are also more convenient in small spaces like apartments or eat-in kitchen nooks.”
Our second round table is a striking all-wood example, with central lazy Susan built-in.
4. Oval
The oval design is popular among table shapes, allowing for the sensuous curves of a round table, but with a lengthier surface area, providing more space for diners.
My second oval table example is a modern minimalist design with a narrow, long body over wire frame legs.
5. Freeform
The idea of a freeform table is that there is no concrete definition. This category includes dining tables that do not fit within standard shapes.
In my freeform example below, you’ll see a rounded triangle shape in contemporary glass and metal construction, with lengthy sides for six diners in total.
Dining Table Top Material
The tabletop is where you’ll interact most directly and often with your dining table. While many designs are holistic, some dining tables feature a different top material than the frame build.
6. Solid Wood
The best example of a solid wood table is a unique piece, with one side of the structure holding ample built-in shelving for decorative or utilitarian storage.
7. Glass
Glass tabletops bring an elegant, airy feeling. This kind of table opens up the visual space, providing a clean, modern design in a room.
8. Laminate
The laminate tabletop is based on a multilayered construction. This results in a sturdy, appealing, yet wear-resistant surface you can use as a kitchen table.
9. Metal
Metal tables bring a modern, hard-edged touch. The material is stain-resistant, hardy, and cool to the touch and fits well with an industrial or contemporary interior design.
10. Marble
Marble is often seen in homes as a kitchen countertop, although it can be found on certain luxurious dining table models. Imbuing any space with an elegant, rich tone, traditional tables made from marble will present a heavy, textural surface that’s cool to the touch and easy to clean.
While marble isn’t the most popular choice for tables, it’s Tina’s top pick for material:
“If I could only purchase one table for the rest of my life, it would be made with marble. Not only is marble beautiful to look at, but it’s a solid material and will develop a natural patina over time. Most homeowners choose to decorate with wood tables, which is fine, but a marble table will instantly elevate your home’s design.”
11. Tile
One of the more unique tabletop constructions involves the use of tile. Whether across the entire surface or used artfully in specific placements (usually framed in solid wood), tile can make for a textural, detailed dining or kitchen table surface.
Dining Table Styles
With dining table styles, you’ll choose the visual language of your new furniture. This is important to consider, especially if your dining room connects the living room and kitchen together. It needs to be a piece of furniture that works with multiple spaces.
When it comes to styles, Tina has a clever design hack she likes to use:
“My favorite design trick is blending modern and traditional styles together, creating an unexpected result. A good example would be pairing a traditional dining table with modern chairs. There are usually carved details on the base or edging of a traditional table, but that shouldn’t intimidate anyone from mixing it with streamlined modern chairs.”
12. Traditional
Traditional tables are the most common when shopping for dining tables and upholstered chairs. With elegantly carved wood, detailed textures, and rich proportions, this style is timeless and powerful.
13. Modern
A modern design evokes a graceful mixture of utility and aesthetics that flourished in the 20th century, with clean lines and sharp angles framing unfussy surfaces. A modern style brings a thin, airy element to any room.
14. Rustic
The rustic style utilizes unpainted wood in more natural, hand-carved shapes for simplistic dining tables. Like farmhouse style, it has a back-to-nature feel that is popular in cabins and cottages across the country. If you’re going to make your own dining table, this is a great style to consider.
15. Industrial
Industrial style conveys the look and feel of factory machinery and tools, with naked metal and bold, paired with wooded dining chairs. This example shows a crossed I-beam frame and a natural hardwood tabletop.
16. Shaker
Shaker furniture is defined by a direct focus on simplicity and utility, bereft of unnecessary embellishment. The natural wood tone features a solid rectangular construction, straight lines, and a matching set of seats.
17. Contemporary
Contemporary design can appear in various looks, as long as they meaningfully present an “of the now,” up-to-date appearance. For this example, you can see a white circular construction from the base to the tabletop.
18. Extendable
An extendable dining table allows you to expand it if you need more dining space for family dinners or game nights. It could be a rectangular or square dining table with a drop-leaf table that you can hide.
19. Parsons
A Parsons dining table features sleek, straight lines for a simple and clean look. It’s often part of contemporary dining pieces because of its no-frills base and natural materials.
20. Mid-Century Modern
This dining table style originated around the 1940s to 1960s, using upholstered chairs for a more formal look. It highlights the natural tones and solid wood for a light and airy feel.
21. Farmhouse
A farmhouse style radiates a warm, welcoming feel in dining rooms. This is one of my favorite styles for a dining table because it has a rustic, cozy, and vintage feel.
Dining Table Capacity
The size of your dining table affects how many people can comfortably sit around it. While you want to maximize seating capacity, you don’t want to end up with a cramped room.
22. 2 Person Table
A two-person table is perfect for couples or roommates living in a small space. Here is my collection of small, space-saving kitchen dining sets and dine-in kitchen tables.
23. 4 Person Table
A four-person dining table is perfect for small families or couples, allowing intimate conversations and easy reaching. However, it could be too small for entertaining larger groups or holiday gatherings.
24. 6 Person Table
A six-person dining table accommodates medium families or dinner parties. The downside is that it can feel less intimate than smaller sizes.
25. 8 Person Table
This accommodates eight people and provides ample room for large families, dinner parties, and holidays. However, this requires a sizable room.
26. 10+ Person Table
Some traditional tables can also have a generous size to host 10 people or more. These are often seen in large formal dining rooms. Usually, if you have a table this large, it’s used for special occasions, and you’d likely also have a smaller one that you use more regularly.
Dining Table Bases
You can also consider the base design when choosing a dining table. The base influences aesthetics, legroom, and perceived stability. Weigh in priorities like the convenience of picking dining chairs versus openness.
27. 4 Legs
A four-legged base has a classic and stable design for tucking in dining chairs closely. However, there’s less legroom around the base, creating a visually heavy appearance.
28. Pedestal
Pedestal tables have a clean, open look, focusing on the tabletop. Here’s why interior designer Tina recommends pedestal bases:
“A pedestal base is wonderful to have when you are entertaining guests, because it allows you to seat more chairs at the table without bumping into the legs. Pedestal tables usually have intricately carved details on the base and are more beautiful to look at.”
29. Trestle
A trestle table uses a dual-leg design for visual support and stability. While a trestle table has a timeless and elegant look, it does leave a bulky footprint.
30. Cross-Legged
A cross-legged base has distinguishable space for legs between crosses. Similar to a trestle table, this design is visually heavier and makes it more challenging to pick chairs.
31. Sawhorse
A sawhorse base has an industrial, rustic, and farmhouse style. While this makes a table incredibly sturdy, the legs are fixed, limiting leg room.
Dining Table Top Types
The type of tabletop you choose can significantly affect the available legroom for more comfortable seating.
32. Slab Top
A slab top has no drop-down or under-top frame, resulting in more legroom.
33. Drop Top
Also known as a framed-in top, the drop top has a frame built under the top for added support. Because of this, you get less leg clearance.
Dining Table Leg Styles
Below, I’ve illustrated the popular types of table legs.
34. Spindle legs
The spindle leg has a Victorian design, exuding elegance and grace.
35. Tapered legs
This leg design runs straight down vertically, making the legs thinner as they reach the foot.
36. Cabriole legs
This style shows the knees curving outward, flowing down to curve inward at the ankle, creating an ornamental piece. These legs are common pieces to see on dining tables.
Dining Table Sizes
The size of a dining table depends on what type of dining table you are referring to. With any of the different types, you must also measure the table’s perimeter, allowing about two feet of space for each seat. Here are some considerations:
- Square tables are usually designed to comfortably seat four people, although you will see them in larger sizes. Typically, they’ll measure between 36-44 inches on each side.
- Rectangular design styles are the most commonly used type of dining room table. They’ll usually seat four to six people and can be designed to be much bigger.
- Typical lengths are 48 inches for a table big enough for four people, 60 inches to seat six people comfortably, and 78 inches long for seating eight people.
- An oval table measures very similar to a rectangular design.
- A round table gets measured by its diameter. A table for four people would be 36-44 inches in diameter.
- Most dining tables will be 28 to 30 inches tall, although there are other taller heights. Counter height tables will measure 36 inches high, and bar height ones are 42 inches tall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Typical Dining Room Tables?
Typical tables for dining rooms are rectangular, oval, or round in shape, made of wood, glass, or metal, and seat 4-6 people comfortably with a standard table height of around 30 inches. The most common styles are traditional, modern, or rustic.
Which Material for a Dining Table Is the Best?
The best dining table material depends on your priorities, although natural materials, like wood, are a classic option that withstands daily use while providing a warm, cozy look. Glass and metal tables are also popular for their sleek, modern aesthetic.
How Do I Choose the Type of Dining Table for My Home?
When making a dining table purchase, first consider the shape and size needed for your space and the number of diners. Then, pick a durable material that matches your home’s style, like wood for traditional rooms or glass for modern spaces.
Conclusion
Evaluating dining table types in terms of shape, size, material, and style will ensure a seamless fit for your dining space. From rustic wood to sleek marble, the ideal table for entertaining and connecting with family is out there. Use this overview of the main table varieties to find your perfect dining table style.
