Dining table: a guide to tabletops

The dining table is an important functional element of the interior, which also performs decorative functions. It is at the table that the whole family can gather to spend time together in a comfortable atmosphere during a meal. Such pieces of furniture come in completely different styles, shapes, configurations and materials. And everyone can choose a model to their liking. To help consumers, we offer a guide on tabletops, which contains all the necessary and useful information for those who want to buy a dining table for their home.

The shape of the tabletop is the main criterion to consider when buying a table. When planning to place a new item in a house, apartment or office, it is important to understand how appropriate this or that model will be and how it will look in the interior. When you decide on the shape of the structure, you can further choose the appropriate material and style of the product.

The guide to dining table top shapes includes many different models. Conventionally, all types of shapes can be divided into standard (traditional) and non-standard, which include free-form with an unusual outline.

The standard ones include:

• Traditional rectangular. They are the most popular and in-demand due to their excellent functionality, practicality, and classic sophistication. Standard designs with a rectangular tabletop will allow you to place at the table from 6 to 10-12 people, depending on the length of the product. And given that the rectangular shape is the most convenient for use, such tables are considered the most versatile.
• Simple square. Also common and versatile. They are most often used in small spaces with limited space. Square tables are best for small, narrow rooms. With their rather compact size, such models are well suited for creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
• Round and oval. Convenient and practical models due to the absence of sharp corners. Round tables are ideal for a small kitchen and dining area. If necessary, you can get a tabletop with a folding configuration that will accommodate up to 8-12 people. Rounded tables should be a choice for those who have children in the house.

Custom tabletops:

• Free-form tables with atypical contours that fit perfectly into any modern interior and are suitable for creative people who prefer exclusivity in everything. As a rule, such models are made to order according to the individual models of the customer. Such tabletops can be of a variety of curly shapes: in the form of a sheet, the letter S, in the form of a shard, etc. Designer products are not mass-produced, therefore they have a special character that can emphasize the individuality of the interior.
• Semicircle. Semicircular countertops are not so common, despite the many advantages. The main advantage of such models is the ability to rationally and efficiently use the living space in the house. Along with the practicality and ease of use, such models have an aesthetic component that gives a special charm and attractiveness to the room.
• Triangle and other corner shapes. Such unusual products are incredibly easy to use. They are stable, reliable and can be made according to the individual parameters of the room, which will organically fit the tables into the general atmosphere. As a rule, countertops with corner pieces are suitable for small rooms as well as for original design projects.

Dining table designs can be made from almost any material. It can be any type of raw material or a combination of several materials intended for each individual structural element.

Natural wood countertops are products that are always in trend and are in great demand due to their spectacular appearance, durability, and long service life. The tree laconically interacts with other materials, styles, and decorative elements. The most stable and durable types of wood from which tabletops for dining tables are made are oak and mahogany, walnut, birch, ash. Products from such types of wood are not only distinguished by presentability and aesthetic appeal but also have a high cost. Alternative options for those wishing to acquire furniture made of natural wood will be conifers: pine, spruce, fir, larch. Also, to create wooden countertops, reclaimed wood can be used – an exclusive material that was previously used in old buildings and carries a valuable historical meaning.

Glass tabletops. Beautiful, stylish, practical, and resistant to water and moisture. Dining tables with glass tops are particularly elegant. Due to their transparency, they are able to visually expand the room, which will allow you to achieve a feeling of spaciousness even in compact rooms. Glass dining tables fit neatly into any modern interiors, and are also suitable for designs in the style of minimalism, hi-tech, romantic Mediterranean and others. The best option for your home is a table with a tempered glass top. It has a denser structure and high resistance to scratches and high temperatures.

Marble tabletops bring luxury and elegance to your home. Tables with marble textured surfaces look elegant and appropriate in almost any interior. Due to the excellent characteristics of the material, the countertops made of it are distinguished by their special strength and durability, practicality, and ease of maintenance. At the same time, they are very weighty and require compliance with certain operating rules. For example, avoid placing very hot or cold containers on a marble table. It is not recommended to cut food directly on the marble surface.

Granite countertops are models that are very rarely found in the form of a dining table. They are most often found in houses with a traditional stylistic design, as well as in rooms with a free layout. These tables are made to order to best match the overall design idea.

Laminate and composite wood tables are a worthy alternative to expensive natural wood models. Laminate is a durable multi-layer material that works well to simulate the texture of real wood surfaces. Laminate worktops can be painted in any color, up to pure white or black. Monochrome models fit well into interiors with modern decorative finishes. A more budget option is composite wood. For a spectacular appearance of the product, countertops made from this raw material are additionally covered with veneer, thanks to which dining tables acquire a noble look.

Plastic tabletops are the most common, affordable, and practical option for a dining table. They are lightweight, easy to use and maintain, resistant to moisture and detergents. The huge advantage of such models is that they can be made in different shapes and colors, in any style and with any texture. Despite a lot of advantages, plastic countertops do not fully possess the charm and sophistication that are inherent in models made of wood, marble, granite.

Metal dining tabletops. All-metal structures are rarely found in residential interiors. More often than not, metal serves as the main material for making a table base and stand than for a tabletop. Even it is a very durable, deformation-resistant material, it lacks the comfort that any living space needs. And shiny metal tables require a special approach to keeping them clean, as their surfaces retain fingerprints and traces of other objects. Such models can harmoniously blend into the furnishings of houses and apartments, which are decorated in the loft, minimalist, or art deco style.

When considering a dining table for purchase, it is worth knowing that tabletops come in different configurations that have the ability to transform and grow in size. Modern manufacturers can offer the following options for transforming tabletops:

• Classic sliding design with pull-out sections – these tables can be produced in the original square, rectangular, round or oval shape. If necessary, the working surface can be increased by moving apart the symmetrical halves and installing additional sections in the resulting opening. In other versions, dining tables are increased by attaching additional fragments extending from the end of the structure.
• Extendable table – a model that transforms from a compact into a full-fledged dining table by connecting two or three fragments.
• Transformers – modern tables, which are characterized by multifunctionality and are equipped with special mechanisms to adjust the size of the working surface, height, and other parameters of the product.

The best purchase for you will be a table that fits perfectly into the overall space, will match the stylistic features of the interior, your budget and personal preferences. A good dining table should be designed for heavy use and remain attractive over the years.

Reliable, durable and made of quality materials, these dining tables will delight you every day and will last as long as possible.