Familes, Couples Or Roomates: 10 Dining Tables That Are Great For All Meal Times

Keep these pointers in mind before you've placed an order for a dining table. Whether you're a family of two or more, you need to assess all these points to make the right choice. 

Material: Picking the right material can be daunting, but it's the most important step in buying a dining table. Here's what you can consider:

Wood: Durable and easy to repair; but it's expensive compared to other materials.

Glass: Economical as a tabletop, but can chip from heat and easily showcase stains, scratches and fingerprints.

Stone: Durable and sturdy, but it's difficult to restore if it chips and stones like marble can be exorbitantly priced.

Laminate: Resistant to staining and easy to maintain, but it's often perceived as low quality.

Metal: Doesn't get damaged easily and is cheaper than wood, but it requires special cleaning tools. 

Measure your space: Bring out your measuring tape! Leave at least three feet around the dining table, as you need to factor in other furniture. Always remember the more the negative space, the better! Also think about the visual weight of your dining table. Is it going to swallow up too much space and look bulky in your dining room? If yes, then it's best to consider an option that's sleek. 

Shape: Certain shapes work better with certain room types. This is the rule of thumb: Square/circular tables work better in square rooms, but they don't look great in rectangular rooms. While rectangular and oval-shaped tables look better in rectangular rooms.

Ease of maintenance: Prioritise your material because that's the best way to ensure you're bringing home a low-maintenance dining table. But, you also need to look for the construction. Look under the table and at its legs, wood joint to wood is usually a sign of sturdy construction. While multiple hooks and joints signify a weak construction. If there are gaps in the joints, that means you're in for high maintenance. 

Choose which parts you need: Dining tables usually come with chairs, but do you need all of them? If you're got a spare wall, why not install a seating booth there and add chairs on the other side? That way you can save some money. Gauge all your requirements, if you're short on space, get a table with extendable hinges which you can open out when you're entertaining or eating only. 

Style: Choose your aesthetic wisely because it needs to match the rest of your space and furniture. While your dining table will be the hero of your dining room, you can choose from contemporary, eclectic, modern to even Scandinavian. There's a lot to choose from, so ensure you know what style you're going for before you invest in one.

Pick your budget: It's always easy to go overboard when you're shopping for your home. But remember, there's still a lot of furniture you need. The best way to go forward is to make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. That way if you find a table you like, you can check the boxes and see what matches your budget best while making the purchase. 

Be careful with colour: It's great if you're a colour buff! But what may be hot today, may look outdated tomorrow due to constantly evolving decor trends. It's best to stick to your primary colours if you want a splash of colour in the room. 

Reevaluate your needs: Dining tables can be a bit of an expense. So do you really need one? If you live alone or only with one other person, it's possible that you spend most of your mealtimes in front of the TV. If that's the case, then a dining table may not be a great investment. Asses your needs before you invest in one!

Need an extra spoon you'll have to make a trip to the kitchen for? Look below! The table comes with two drawers perfect to store your cutlery. This dining table set includes a table from Urban Ladder's Arabia series and 4 chairs from the brand's Gordon series. The tables and chairs are made of Sheesham wood, and it comes in two types of finishing: Mahogany or Teak. This solid wood table is a good investment if you're looking for a simple, elegant design that's apt for a rental home or even one that's cramped for space. 

After purchase care: Use coasters and mats for hot objects as it may damage the polish. Wipe any spillage with a dry, soft cloth immediately as it may leave a stain. For day-to-day cleaning, wipe it down with a damp cloth. The brand recommends getting a  6 monthly wax rub-down for solid-wood furniture to keep it looking new!

If you're looking for a modern and sleek style dining table? This might be it! Available on HomeTown's website, the Corona 4-seater round table is made of marble-look toughened glass top. With chopstick-like legs made of mild steel with a wood grain finish, this table is built to last. The chairs have a bucket-seat style and the legs are just like the table's. The whole set is easy to maintain and clean! 

After purchase care: Use placement mats for decorative items and/or hot objects to avoid scratches and cracks. For day-to-day care, dust the furniture with dry, lint-free cotton cloth to keep it well-maintained. 

Whether you're living alone or have a partner to share your home with if you're looking for a table that won't require too much space? A wall-mounted one might do the trick for you! IKEA's Norberg is an easy-to-attach table that you can mount by the window, in a nook to repurpose it as a work desk, or in a tiny kitchen if you don't have a separate living or dining room. This table transforms into a practical shelf for small items when it's folded, open it up when you need to use it. The tabletop is made of melamine, making it easy to clean. 

After purchase care: Wipe clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. For maximum quality, re-tighten the screws when necessary (2-weeks after installation). 

Light, bright and modern - if this description fits what you visualise your dining table to be, head to Mi Casa Collective. With a classic contemporary aesthetic, this dining table has subtle colours on its underside, which perfectly complement any room it's placed in. Mind you, this isn't a set. So, all you get in this purchase is the table, which is made of white ash wood, and veneer, and has subtle metal accents. 

After purchase care: Use placemats and coasters to place hot objects; wipe it daily with a dry, soft cloth. 

Add a bit of mid-century flair to your space! Whether you want to use this as a four-seater or six, this table by Pure Home + Living is a great addition to your home. With oak wood legs, a sleek walnut brown finished top showcasing a rich woodgrain finish, this table is ideal for those intimate indoor family feasts. This table offers a rounded-corner rectangular silhouette with tapered legs, giving you ample negative space with its almost-sleek look.

After purchase care: Wipe with a dry cloth after every use and avoid placing hot objects without place mats or coasters. 

Got a BIG fam or are you that friend who loves to play host? Then the Caribu Extended Table by Urban Ladder is ideal for you! It comes with eight chairs from the Ingrid collection; offering a set that's fit to take on many at the table. With modern aesthetics and a sleek finish, this table is made from chrome. The chair frame is also made from chrome, but the upholstery is fabric (if you opt for the dark version) or leatherette (if you choose the white variant). The six-seater extends to eight and sits everyone comfortably. But make sure you have ample space in the room you're going to set this up in, as it can be a bulky piece of furniture. 

After purchase care: Avoid using abrasive materials as the glass surface of the table might scratch. It can be cleaned with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth.

If you think extendable tables make room uncomfortable, IKEA's Ingatorp proves to be quite the opposite. Perfect for when you have guests over, the edge of this six-seater pulls out to seat eight and its legs remain at the edge so everyone can fit in comfortably. Wearing a traditional look with details like turned legs, this piece can be the centrepiece of your dining room. We loved the black variant (there's a white one too!) which has a hardwood veneer top layer that is both stained and lacquered for durability and to allow the natural wooden texture to shine through. The legs and underframe too are made of sturdy, solid hardwood. 

After purchase care: For day-to-day care, wipe it clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner, and then wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

A contemporary design that can easily make the piece look art - is that what you're looking for in your dining table? Then we recommend considering the Seattle Dining Table by Gulmohar Lane. With a klin-treated hardwood tabletop and a metal cage base, this table will stand out and be the hero of your dining room. It's a sophisticated mix of tradition with its wooden tabletop and modern with its metal stand. Make sure you purchase comfortable chairs along with this, to make your mealtimes special. 

After purchase care: Dust it regularly with a clean, dry cloth; and occasionally wipe it with a damp cloth and then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.

Don't mind splurging? Consider this mélange of metal and marble by Sweet Magnolia. A rectangular piece of white marble is contrasted with a black metal base resulting in a beautiful piece of furniture you can dine on. The top is made of wonder white marble, while the base is made of iron coated with black powder. While this table is high on aesthetic, it can also be a heavy piece although it may not appear bulky. 

After purchase care: Regularly wipe it with a damp cloth and then wipe it dry. Staining can occur easily on marble, so ensure you wipe any spillage immediately with a dry cloth. 

If you're big on adding unique pieces to your home and are a big spender compared to the rest of us, consider Prava's Abstract Energy dining set. A perfect dining set for any decor theme, the solid wood table has a light walnut finish and playful curved top. The chairs match the sentiment with rounded backs and comfortable, plush seats. The best bit? Prava offers installations too and will send over someone 2 days post delivery to have your set installed. 

After purchase care: Wipe the wooden table with a dry cloth regularly and use placemats to avoid stains. Ensure you dust the chairs regularly and occasionally get them deep cleaned.