Your perfect dining table
How to choose the perfect dining table for your home
The dining table is one of the hardest-working pieces of furniture in your home. It’s where families gather for dinner, children tackle homework, friends enjoy coffee, and special occasions are celebrated.
Choosing the right dining table isn’t simply about finding one you like the look of. The perfect table needs to fit your room, suit your lifestyle, accommodate the people who use it and complement the rest of your home.
At Ashgate Furniture Co in Chesterfield, we help customers find the right dining table every day. Here’s our guide to making the perfect choice.
Start by measuring your space
Before falling in love with a dining table, measure your room carefully.
A common mistake is choosing a table that fills the room but leaves little space to move around it.
Ideally, allow at least 90cm (3ft) between the edge of the table and the nearest wall or piece of furniture. This gives everyone enough room to pull out chairs comfortably and walk around the table.
If your dining area is part of an open-plan kitchen, remember to allow space for cupboards, doors and walkways too.
Choose the right shape
Rectangular dining tables
Rectangular tables are the most popular choice and work well in most homes.
They’re ideal for:
- Families
- Larger dining rooms
- Open-plan living
- Entertaining guests
They also make it easier to add extra seating when needed.
Round dining tables
Round tables create a more sociable dining experience because everyone can see each other easily.
They’re perfect for:
- Smaller dining rooms
- Apartments
- Couples
- Kitchen diners
Without corners, they also help rooms feel more spacious and make moving around them easier.
Square tables
Square tables suit compact spaces and work well for two to four people. They create an intimate setting and are ideal for smaller households.
Think about how many people you need to seat
As a general guide:
- 2 people – 80-90cm round or square
- 4 people – 120cm rectangular or 120-140cm round
- 6 people – 150-180cm rectangular
- 8 people – 200cm+ rectangular
Don’t just think about everyday use.
Ask yourself:
- Do you host Christmas dinner?
- Do the grandchildren visit regularly?
- Do friends often come round?
Buying slightly larger can save replacing your table in a few years.
Extendable or fixed?
One of the biggest decisions is whether to choose an extending table.
Fixed tables
A fixed table is simple, sturdy and perfect if your dining needs rarely change.
They’re ideal if:
- You have a dedicated dining room.
- Your household size stays the same.
- You prefer a seamless tabletop.
Extending tables
An extending table offers flexibility without taking up unnecessary space every day.
It’s a brilliant choice if you:
- Entertain regularly.
- Have visiting family.
- Need to maximise a smaller room.
Modern extending tables are much easier to use than older designs and many extensions store neatly within the table itself.
Match your lifestyle
Think honestly about how your dining table will be used.
Young family?
Choose durable finishes that are easy to wipe clean.
Love entertaining?
Consider a larger or extending table.
Working from home?
Your dining table may double as an office several days each week, so comfort becomes even more important.
Choosing the right material
Solid wood remains one of the most popular choices because it’s durable, timeless and develops character over the years.
Oak and mango wood are particularly popular thanks to their beautiful grain patterns and natural warmth.
Wood veneer tables offer an excellent balance between style, practicality and affordability while still giving the appearance of natural timber.
If you prefer a more contemporary home, painted finishes and black metal frames create a clean modern look.
Don’t forget the chairs
Your dining table and chairs should work together both practically and visually.
Allow approximately 60cm of width per person so everyone has enough elbow room.
Mixing upholstered chairs with wooden benches is becoming increasingly popular and creates a relaxed, modern feel.
Dining tables we love at Ashgate Furniture Co
We stock a wide selection of dining tables to suit every home, from compact kitchen diners to large family dining rooms.
Roxby round dining table
If you’re looking for a table that makes the most of a smaller room, the Roxby Round Dining Table is an excellent choice. It’s 140cm round design comfortably seats four people while encouraging relaxed conversation. The oak veneer top and stained oak base create a warm Scandinavian-inspired look that’s equally at home in contemporary or traditional interiors.
Dorset 1.75m dining table
For families who love to entertain, the Dorset Dining Table offers plenty of space with timeless farmhouse styling. Crafted from solid mango wood with a striking cross-leg base, it’s built to become the centrepiece of family meals for years to come. The hand-finished natural wood gives every table its own unique character.
Surya large dining table
The Surya Dining Table is ideal if you love the warmth of natural wood with a modern twist. Made from solid mango wood with elegant turned legs and a retro-inspired design, it combines practicality with style and provides generous seating for family dinners and celebrations alike.
Why buy your dining table from Ashgate Furniture Co?
When you buy from Ashgate Furniture Co, you’re not only investing in quality furniture—you’re also supporting Ashgate Hospice.
Our experienced team can help you choose the right size, shape and style for your home, and many of our dining tables are available with free delivery across much of the UK.
If you’re local to Chesterfield, we’d love to welcome you into our showroom, where you can see a selection of our dining tables in person and compare finishes, sizes and styles before making your decision.
Ready to find your perfect dining table?
Whether you’re furnishing your first home, upgrading your family dining room or searching for a statement piece, we’re here to help.
Browse our collection of dining tables online or visit our Chesterfield showroom to discover quality furniture that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Products by Category
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Angus Black Dining Table
£369.00 -
Large Hamilton Dining Table
£189.00 -
Roxby Small Round Dining Table Oak
£219.00 -
Goa Medium Dining Table
£369.00 -
Extension for A-Line Round White Oak Dining Table
£299.00 -
A-Line Round White Oak Dining Table
£829.00 -
Dorset 2m Dining Table
£569.00 -
Dorset 1.35m Dining Table
£445.00 -
Medium Hamilton Dining Table
£149.00 -
Avery Extending Dining Table
£199.00
