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Every home needs a dining area, which means that all homes need a dining table of sorts. The size and practicality of your table depend on where you’ll place it and how much space you have at your disposal. Nevertheless, if your dining table is in the corner of your living room, the end of your kitchen, or in a dedicated dining room, it’ll always be a focal point.
You want it to be a big part of the room’s interior design, so what type of dining table should you pick? Rather than looking at size and shape, let’s focus on another important element: the material. What options can you call upon, and which one will be the best for you?
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Solid Hardwood
Oak, walnut, pine and other hardwoods are popular table options because they offer so much durability. You can buy a hardwood dining table and feel confident that it’ll last for a very long time. There’s also something about a proper hardwood table that looks classy and will suit almost any interior design style.
You’ll enjoy this option if you want high-quality furniture that’s built to last - but be aware that genuine hardwood is expensive and needs to be maintained. Still, it’s hard to look beyond this option, particularly if you want to create a rustic dining setting.
Engineered Wood
Can’t afford solid hardwood dining tables? Engineered wood is a similar option, but far more affordable. It’s also easier for you to maintain and is less likely to crack or warp - you also won’t have to worry about hot things touching the table as much. A really good option if you love the appeal of a hardwood table but feel like it’s just too far out of your budget.
Of course, opting for engineered wood means you lose out on durability and long-term quality. You are more likely to experience small scratches in the surface, so it’s probably only worth considering this if you’re on a budget or don’t intend to keep this dining table for that long.
Marble
Stone dining tables are wonderful when you want to make a true statement. You’ll see two stone varieties on this list, but let’s start with marble dining tables, as they really set the standard. They’re as luxurious as they come - and you won’t find a better dining table option if you wish to create a high-end interior. The best thing here is that marble tables are all unique because the veining differs across each piece.
What are the downsides? Well, marble is expensive and heavy, so it’ll be hard to move. You also need to seal it correctly to prevent staining. If you can handle these drawbacks, then a marble table will be the ideal way to create a luxury interior design statement.
Granite
Granite is the second stone table option on this list, and it doesn’t quite carry the same luxury appeal as marble. That being said, it can look fantastic in the right setting and still provides the same durability and heat-resistance as marble. It’s a tad cheaper than marble, but still on the higher end of the scale when compared with the other dining table materials out there.
It’s probably right for you if you want a high-end kitchen table but can’t quite stretch all the way to a marble one. You get all the same cons as a marble table, so maybe that will sway your decision? It’s really quite a niche option - for most people, it’s worth investing in the higher-quality marble stuff as you’re already spending a lot of money on granite, so you may as well go all the way.
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Laminate
You’ll see more companies make laminate dining tables as this material is super affordable and quite flexible. By “flexible”, we’re talking about the different designs, shapes and colours available - you can’t actually bend the tables! Due to how laminate tables are made, they’re pretty scratch-resistant and should be the easiest tabletop to keep clean overall. Liquids and food substances won’t stain the surface; all it takes is a quick spray and a wipe.
As you can already tell, the benefits of laminate tables come with a couple of obvious downsides. These tables don’t always look that high-end, and they may begin to peel after a few years. Consider them when you’re looking for the cheapest option available and are willing to sacrifice style and quality.
Glass
Glass dining tables are like Marmite: you either love them or hate them. On the plus side, glass tables are quite affordable and very easy for you to clean. They also suit a lot of interiors and can be fantastic when you’re short on space - the glass makes the table feel smaller, and it becomes less noticeable.
Already, that’s enough of a reason to avoid glass tables if you want to make a statement! You also have a higher risk of cracks and scratches, even on tempered glass, than you do with other table options. And of course, worst of all, glass tables will show dust and fingerprints more easily than anything else. You’ll need to dust it down and give it a wipe every day, or it looks terrible.
Metal
While not as common as the other dining table materials, metal is still an option you can think about. It’s very durable, requires almost no maintenance and suits an industrial interior design aesthetic - which is popular at the moment.
Realistically, most of you won’t want a metal table because it feels too industrial. You don’t always feel like you’re at home when you eat from a metal table, and it also feels quite cold to touch. So, it scores pretty low on the comfort side of things - again, you’re only going to want this if the industrial aesthetic is your thing.
Summary: Which Dining Table Material Is The Best?
Each material could suit one of you, so here’s a quick rundown of where each one is truly at its best:
Hardwood: Best for longevity
Engineered Wood: Best for people who want hardwood, but it's out of their budget
Marble: Best for a high-quality statement table
Granite: Best alternative to marble
Laminate: Best for budget-conscious people
Glass: Best for small spaces
Metal: Best for industrial aesthetics
Make your decision based on this, and you’ll soon have a new dining table to enjoy with the family!
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