Dining tables: why they’re important and what you need to know before buying one

Did you know, the most expensive piece of Scandinavian furniture ever sold was a Peder Moos’ Villa Aubertin Dining Table?

The record-breaking sale was made in 2015 and the piece fetched a whopping £602,500 (A$1,101,122). More than four times its sale estimate.

The stunning table was 3.6 metres long and featured thin curved legs with wing-shaped braces.

It was as unique as it was beautiful. A true staple of Scandinavian design.

Now, we’re not suggesting one needs to go out and spend a million dollars on a piece of furniture.

But it’s nice to see a time when the humble (or in this case not so humble) dining table was given the kudos it deserves.

A recent survey conducted by smart oven pioneers “June”, found that the table is becoming an increasingly less popular surface to eat on. While 72 per cent of respondents said they grew up eating at the dining room table, only 48 per cent do so today. Sit down meals with the family are being replaced by bedroom or couch eating.

It’s our aim to change that.

A dining table doesn’t just bring a family together. It promotes a practice called mindful eating.

When someone sits down at the dining table, they are more likely to pay attention to what’s being served and savour it. Eating more slowly aids digestion and promotes relaxation.

So we know why they’re important, but how do you know which is the right table for you?

Excuse the cliched expression, but dining tables come in many shapes and sizes.

Thought really needs to be put into what works best for your space. A table becomes the centrepiece of a dining room; a place where you entertain your guests and showcase all your hard work in the kitchen.

Your first step should be to measure up your space.

Knowing the size you can work with will determine the shape of the table — whether it be rectangular, square, round, oval or freeform. While most spaces will suit a rectangular shaped table, if a space is on the smaller side, than oval or circular tables really come into their own.

If entertaining is important to you but you don’t have as much space as you’d like, then why not go for a Midcentury extendable table? This is a brilliant example of form and function. 

Whatever size and shape table you choose to go with, please ensure there’s enough space around each side so guests can circulate. When it comes to chairs too, make sure there’s a gap of about 20cm between the table and your thigh so you can sit comfortably.

Now you know what to look out for, we can get to the fun part.

What type of styles are out there.

There are countless dining table styles so we’re just going to focus on four of our favourite (call us biased), some of which we’ve already mentioned.

French Provincial

For those who want a touch of luxury alongside comfort, then a French Provincial dining table may be the one for you.

When we say French Provincial, this is reminiscent of the decorating style of the homes in Provence in the South of France in the 17th and 18th century. Think ornate carved details balanced against the homeliness of county white or wood details.

Other defining features of this style include light colours, exaggerated curves and cabriole legs.

As French Provincial furniture is quite a unique and decorative furniture style, it is important to ensure that your dining table fits within your dining room décor. A French dining table combined with matching dining chairs, buffet and even a small display cabinet will complete the look and leave a lasting impression on friends and family alike.

Scandinavian

Scandinavian design is arguably the most popular furniture trend; one that shouldn’t really be considered a trend anymore.

Why?

It never dates.

Design trends come and go but nothing seems to have the same staying power like Scandi décor.

From IKEA, to hallowed designers like the aforementioned Peder Moos’ Villa Aubertin or Hans Wegner, designer of the Wishbone Chair, or Kaare Klint, the very father of modern Danish furniture design, people just can’t get enough of these minimalistic pieces.

Image by Nathan Oakley from Unsplash

While simple, such pieces work in any space. Think clean, simple lines, that blend in without sacrificing beauty. If your dining room is already laden with statement pieces, go Scandi.

Industrial

Confession time. At the mention of industrial design did your mind immediately think of polished concrete and an austere New York Style loft?

Don’t worry, that’s the stereotype industrial design has been laden with. We’re here to bust this misconception.

There’s so much more to the style than that. Rich exposed brick, textured slabs of wood, metal and iron elements, and of course sleek concrete are also hallmarks of the trend.

Image by Natural Goods Berlin from Unsplash

How you choose to implement this style is up to you, but to keep a homely feel, you need a subtle touch. Too many pieces may make your place feel cold.

So, if you want an industrial-look table, we recommend building your dining room around that one feature piece.

Midcentury

We have saved what might just be the best to last. If you are seeing the term Midcentury around a lot, it’s because this style is seeing a resurgence.

Also known as Midcentury modern the trend is an elusive one to define. Loosely, it refers to the architecture, furniture, and graphic design from the middle of the 20^th century. Think Mad Men or the famous Eames chair.

Image by Spacejoy from Unsplash

Décor from this era blends form and function. Uncluttered and sleek lines with both organic and geometric forms are characteristic of Midcentury furniture.

Now being frank, buying authentic Midcentury furniture can be easier said than done. Getting your hands on authentic pieces can take time. Often you’ll find furniture neglected and in need of a proper refurbishment or, if it’s in good nick, it goes for a small fortune.

So to save yourself time and stress go for Midcentury-inspired pieces.

Image by Nathan Van Egmond from Unsplash

We promise you, these too will become collectible in time.