Dining Tables

Designer Dining Tables

A dining table is the anchor of any room built around eating and talking at length. It carries breakfast, homework, dinner for two and dinner for ten, so it has to hold up to daily use without losing its line. That is why independent studios give it so much attention: a single oak slab left to show its grain, sheet steel cut and welded into a frame, or a carved stone top reads one way under a full table setting and another way bare.

Every dining table on ADORNO is made by an independent designer, studio or gallery, in open editions, limited runs and unique pieces. They come in solid oak, walnut, ash and chestnut, steel, cast bronze and aluminum, marble, travertine and terrazzo, and glass. They are shaped through wood and cabinetmaking, metalwork, joinery and stone carving. From a compact kitchen table to a dining room table for ten, most are made to order, with lead times on each product page.

Choosing a Shape

• Round dining tables put everyone at the same distance and keep conversation in the middle. A round dining table for 4 suits a small dining room or kitchen, and a pedestal base frees space for chairs.
• Oval dining tables soften corners along a tight path between kitchen and living space, where a rectangle would force people to turn sideways.
• Rectangular dining tables seat the most people per footprint, and they are the natural choice for a dining table for 8 or a long room.
• Square dining tables suit a room where the table stands apart, with chairs on every side and no wall to push it against.

Getting the Right Dining Table Size

• Per person: Allow about 60 cm (24 in) of table edge for each seat.
• Round: Choose 90–110 cm (35–43 in) for 4, 120–140 cm (47–55 in) for 6, and 150 cm (59 in) or more for 8.
• Rectangular or oval: Choose 120–150 cm (47–59 in) for 4, 180–200 cm (71–79 in) for 6, 220–240 cm (87–94 in) for 8, and 270 cm (106 in) or more for 10.
• Width: 90–100 cm (35–39 in) leaves room for plates and serving dishes, while a narrow dining table keeps conversation close in small spaces.
• Height: Standard dining table height is 72–76 cm (28–30 in), with enough clearance for most chairs and benches.
• Clearance: Leave 90 cm (35 in) from the table edge to the wall for chairs pulled out, and 110 cm (43 in) where people walk behind seated guests.
• Placement: In a dining room, center the table under the light fixture. In open-plan spaces it marks the boundary between kitchen and living areas, so its shape and color can blend with the cabinetry or stand against it.
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Materials, Styles and Color

• Wood dining tables come in oak and ash, chosen for density and a grain that reads clearly pale or darkened, and in walnut for depth. Chestnut has a warmer, redder tone that ages toward deep brown, and a solid wood dining table can be refinished for decades.
• Marble dining tables and other stone and terrazzo tops bring weight, a cool surface and veining that makes every piece unique. They suit rooms that take in a lot of daylight.
• Metal dining tables include steel and aluminum, finished matte or left with a visible weld line, and cast bronze for sculptural pedestals. A metal base is often paired with a wood or stone top.
• Glass dining tables carry less visual weight and let the base show through.

Color runs from black, brown and natural wood through beige and white, with the occasional blue, amber or yellow top where a studio hand-paints or stains the wood. For style, minimalist dining tables pare the form down to a flat top and plain legs. Mid-century modern and Scandinavian pieces round the edges and taper the legs. Modern and contemporary dining tables follow current proportion rather than a historical reference.

Care by Material

• Oak, ash and chestnut: Wipe with a damp cloth, oil or wax occasionally, and keep away from direct sun and heat to avoid warping or fading.
• Marble, stone and terrazzo: Seal as recommended, and wipe up wine, citrus and other acids at once to prevent staining.
• Steel and aluminum: Wipe to prevent dust buildup, and keep moisture off unsealed steel, which can mark.
• Glass: Use a standard glass cleaner, and put felt pads under objects to avoid scratches.

To complete the room, pair your table with dining chairs or a bench, or explore the full range of tables, from side tables to coffee and console tables.