How to choose a dining table

Size the table to the people who sit at it every day. Allow about 60 cm of table edge per diner: a 140 cm table seats four comfortably, 180 cm seats six and 200 cm seats six to eight. Round tops suit squarer rooms and easy conversation, with 120 cm taking four to five and 160 cm taking six. Then add 75 to 90 cm of clearance behind each chair before you settle on a length.

Tables marked Solid have solid wood tops, which can usually be sanded back and refinished years later. Tops in MDF with ash, oak or walnut veneer show real wood grain over a stable core that is less prone to warping in humid weather, while melamine tops are the easiest to wipe after meals with children.

Whatever the top, use coasters and mats, wipe up water rings quickly and keep the table out of direct sun to protect the finish. For a table that grows with visitors, see the extendable range.

Buying guide

Extendable Dining Tables: Sizes, Seats and Clearance