Best dining tables, reviewed by an interior's editor

You heard it here first: the formal dining room is back. After years of open-plan living, we’re returning to the layouts of yesteryear, and with them, dedicated spaces for wining and dining. As the popularity of dinner parties and home entertaining continues to gain momentum – a happy hangover, quite literally, from the pandemic – we’re going all-in (and all-out) on separate rooms for serving up veritable feasts for the senses.The centrepiece? A gorgeous dining table around which everyone can gather, of course. But don’t worry: even if you don’t have the space or means to create a formal dining room, there’s a dining table for every home, whether a small, circular one for kitchen-diners, extendable styles for tight spaces or expansive, rectangular styles for grand affairs. How do you choose a dining table?“Dining tables are at the heart of a home, now often accommodating daily life first – snacking, laptops, homework – and 'occasion' dining second,” explains Hannah Armstrong, senior furniture buyer at Heal’s, the British furniture and homeware brand. Best dining tables at a glanceBest for bespoke design – Heal’s Bespoke Dining Table Lisbon: £1,935, Heals.comBest space-saving dining table – Made.com 4 to 6 Seater extending dining table: £579.99, Next.co.ukBest for small spaces – King Living Magnolia Dining Table: £1,980, Kingliving.co.ukBest extendable dining table – Pottery Barn Extending Dining Table: £1,799, Potterybarn.co.uk “We recommend thinking about the whole setting first when choosing a dining table that works for you – proportions, legroom and the overall visual balance of a space all matter, so it's worth ensuring that this blend of functionality and aesthetics is well considered.”She adds: “Before anything else, think about the size and shape of your dining space, and lead with functionality. From compact styles to extendable designs, it's about understanding how the table will be used – will it be a spot for everyday meals or does it need to regularly adapt to changing occasions from dinner parties to family gatherings? For example, styles that have a smooth, easy-to-use extension mechanism are best for more regular daily use, whilst for more ad-hoc occasions, designs with removable leaves can be a simple yet equally effective solution.”As an interior’s editor, I know the brands you can trust for high-quality furniture Nicky Rampley-Clarke/The StandardHannah continues: “Another key consideration is quality. A table, by its nature, needs to be durable and hard-wearing, and should be chosen with longevity in mind that ensure its place in the home for years to come. Solid wood is always a great start when choosing materials and is one of the most dependable options for a dining table, while adding warmth and texture to a space with a lived-in feel. Other natural materials such as marble and ceramics are also great options and bring a sense of refinement and luxury.”She concludes: “Ultimately, a dining table should bring together exquisite design, quality craftsmanship and practical functionality. The best are the ones that work just as hard for a Tuesday night supper as they do for a special occasion — pieces you'll want to gather around for years to come.”Heal’s Bespoke Dining Table LisbonHeal's ★★★★★Best: Dining table for bespoke design What we love: We love how customisable the Lisbon dining table is – in fact, every table within the Bespoke Dining collection from Heal’s can be tailored – with finishes ranging from natural oiled to natural smoked oak, plus different sizes for different homes (between four and six people), as well as natural, chamfered and straight edges. Indeed, creating just the right dining table is almost as much fun as sitting around it. Take note: You’ll need to use the free bottle of furniture oil you get with your Lisbon table to preserve its natural beauty and keep it looking like new after one too many dinner parties. Exclusive to Heal’s and part of its Bespoke Dining collection, the Lisbon dining table combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary versatility. With a design that nods to the Arts and Crafts movement, it features a solid oak top and rectory-style legs, and comes in a range of sizes, finishes and edges. Made.com Deauville 4 to 6 Seater Oval Extending Dining TableMade.com★★★★★Best: Space-saving dining tableWhat we love: Extendable for hosting, space-saving size, expensive-looking dark stain finish, relatively affordable, and easy to assemble Take note: The top won’t be as durable long-term as solid oak, though the legs are solid oak for extra stability Made.com has gone from strength to strength in recent years, from a Bauhaus-inspired collaboration with the Barbican to Mid Century Modern pieces that consistently dominate social media feeds. It’s a go-to for budget-conscious design lovers, and among the best brands for dining tables that look three times the price. In my small London abode, the Deauville neatly tucks into the dining space. It’s pleasingly extendable for larger dinner parties, while the smaller, four-seater size leaves ample room for working from home, hosting smaller groups and enjoying screen-free mealtimes. The table’s curved lines and elegant tapered lines don’t dominate smaller spaces, while the dark stain finish gives it a luxurious, expensive look. Assembly is easy – even for the flatpack-challenged – and it’s quick to extend by releasing the safety latches. King Living Magnolia Dining TableKing Living ★★★★☆Best: Compact dining table What we love: With a reduced table width and curved corners, the Magnolia dining table is made – quite literally – for tight or awkward spaces.Take note: Keen hosts may want to choose the extendable design over the fixed style to accommodate larger gatherings for social occasions. Delicate proportions are teamed with graceful aesthetics in the Magnolia dining table from King Living – the Australian furniture brand that has finally landed in the UK – together with an understated silhouette and compact design. It’s beautifully crafted from natural timber in a choice of complementary finishes, with the option of fixed and extendable styles to seat between four and six of your nearest and dearest. The smooth, clean finish and sleek, angled legs complete the look. Pottery Barn Summerville Extending Dining TablePottery Barn ★★★★★Best: Extendable dining table What we love: The flexible design of Pottery Barn’s Summerville dining table includes two discreet extension leaves that take this from a four- to eight-seater in an instant. Perfect for being able to accommodate those impromptu guests. Take note: Because of its porous natural wood surface, you’ll need to be quick to wipe up any spills, and use coasters and placemats to avoid stains. I, for one, couldn’t be happier that Pottery Barn – the interiors brand from the US that veers on the side of traditional – has landed in the UK, and with it their Summerville dining table. The vintage-inspired design is made from a combination of kiln-dried meranti and engineered wood with white-oak veneers in a dark-brown finish that imitates the wear and tear of an heirloom passed down through generations. It looks and feels solid and works as well in a country kitchen as it does in a more formal dining room. It’s extendable, too. West Elm Ellington Oval Pedestal Dining TableWest Elm★★★★☆Best: Dining table with a pedestal base What we love: It’s all about the on-trend fluted pedestal base with the Ellington dining table from West Elm. Not only does it give the solid oak texture and interest, but makes for a real conversation-starter at your next dinner party – no more awkward silences, if indeed you have them. Take note: The pedestal base does mean that leg room is restricted when you want to gather a couple more guests than is strictly comfortable around the table, such as at Christmas. West Elm’s Ellington dining table is characterised by its oval surface and pedestal base featuring an on-trend fluted design that adds texture while accentuating the natural grain of the wood. A solid core is combined with veneer and engineered wood in a blonde finish that skews the table more towards contemporary than traditional – perfect for getting that Scandi look. It comfortably seats six – although any more may be a struggle, as with any pedestal design. Andrew Martin Michelangelo Dining TableAndrew Martin★★★★★Best: Dining table for expert craftsmanship What we love: The attention to detail in the Michelangelo dining table from Andrew Martin – the designer furniture and luxury interiors brand – is what makes this table the host with the most. Small, yes, but sculptural and oh-so beautiful. Take note: It’s not huge, so I’d suggest this table is best for smartening up a forgotten corner of your kitchen, or making a statement in the centre of a garden room – in addition to a larger and more formal design for larger gatherings elsewhere. Inspired by Renaissance sculpture – fancy! – Andrew Martin’s Michelangelo dining table is pure artistry, as the nod to the iconic Old Master in the name suggests. Let your guests admire the sculptural base meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans and featuring rounded contours and considered details. Allow them to pore over the richly-veined grey marble top with a soft-matt finish that feels oh-so luxurious to the touch. Proof, if it were needed, that every everyday piece, like a dining table, can be elevated by great design. Why trust me?As a freelance editor with bylines in Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, The Mail, Forbes, Livingetc, House Beautiful and, of course, The Standard, Nicky is an expert on lifestyle and interiors. He also works with some of the biggest brands on the high street to advise and create content, so he understands products, what goes into making them and how they perform.