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A Buyer’s Guide to Dining Tables

Mar 13, 2019 | Beginner's Guide, Buyer's Guide, Dining

A great dining table stands the test of time and promises several unforgettable meals and intimate conversations.  

But, what is the key to finding the perfect dining table for your space - one that will last for years to come, won’t break the bank, and will align with your home's design style? 

Although there are so many factors that determine whether a dining table is the right one for your space, we’ve narrowed it down to these few tips (in no particular order) that will help you make the right purchase! 

#1 Start with a Measuring Tape 

 

One of the very first steps and by far the most important one in the process of buying the perfect dining table is to record accurate measurements of your dining room. All items that will accompany the table in the dining room must be accounted for when measuring the room and final decisions must be made keeping these numbers in mind. This will help you find the right shape and size table. 

Depending on your room’s shape and available space, you’ll know what your options are. When measuring, here are a few basic measurements to make a note of: 

  • the dimensions of the room 
  • the dimensions of the table 
  • the available space between the table and the closest wall 
  • the height of the chairs to be used with the table 
  • and, the height of the ceiling in the room for light fixtures 

 

#2 Choose the Right Shape and Size 

 

Once you’ve accurately measured your dining room or area, it is safe to proceed and find the perfect dining table that will fit your space. Today dining tables are available in several different shapes with each having its own benefits and limitations. Based on the configuration of your room some tables may or may not be suitable.   

The size of your table will depend on two things – the number of usual guests & the available space. In the image below, we’ve listed a few things to know about each shape. 

#3 Choose the Right Material  

 

From wood to stone, dining tables are available in numerous different materials and coatings! Since each of these materials is unique and has its own benefits and limitations, we thought we'd include a few tips on the material that you should choose.   

It is important to remember that the ideal choice of material for you will depend on the forecasted usage of the dining table, your budget and willingness to maintain it. For example, if you have children in the house or if you’re just as clumsy as a five-year-old, it is probably not the best idea to keep a glass table at home even though they look great are budget friendly.    

In the image below, we’ve listed a few characteristics of some of the materials used in the fabrication of dining tables. Depending on the way you intend to use your table, one or more of these materials may suit your needs. 

  

#4 Choose Timeless 

 

Choosing vibrant colors that stand out can be a disaster when looking for a dining table. Think about it this way – the more vibrant the color, the sooner and more likely it will go out of style. Buying a coral-pink toned table may not only cost you a fortune but also leave you with an out-of-trend piece a few months later. Thus, we recommend sticking to timeless designs and colors – natural browns and neutral colors accented with metal or just plain.  

If you’re looking to add a touch of color to your dining room, paint your walls! This is a great way to elevate your dining experience. Choose a color that you like, paint your dining room wall(s) with it and perhaps add a few décor items to take away from the wall color if it is too bright. 

#5 A Table that Stands the Test of Time 

 

If you’re trying to save a few dollars by cutting on extra costs, a new dining table is probably not the best thing for you to invest in right now. We strongly recommend spending those few extra dollars on buying a premium quality dining table made from materials that are proven to stand the test of time. For example, although tables made from veneers and fiberboards cost significantly lesser than solid wood tables, they’re also not as long-lasting as solid wood tables.   

In addition to their lack of durability, synthetic materials are also visually unattractive due to the absence of natural grains and texture that is commonly seen on organic materials like wood and stone. Our recommendation is simple – spend that extra dollar (or wait until you can) and get a table that will last you for years! 

Now that you have an idea of what might fit your needs, go check out the Mercana Marketplace for a massive collection of dining tables! 

That’s all we have for you in this buyer’s guide. If you think we missed out an important point or if you have questions for us, leave a comment below and lets us know!  

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The short answer

Neither shape is better on its own; the right one depends on your seating layout, your traffic flow and how you use the room. A round coffee table suits compact rooms, sectionals and busy households, while a rectangular coffee table suits a long sofa and rooms that need extra surface.

Shape is one of the first decisions our design team makes when a coffee table moves from sketch to sample, because it sets how a seating group feels and functions. Below is how we think it through, and how designers and stagers can apply it to a real floor plan.

 

  • When a round coffee table works best

    Choose round when the room needs softness, easy movement or a centre point for seating on several sides.

    • Sectionals and L-shaped seating. A circle reaches every seat equally, so no one sits facing a corner.
    • Compact or square rooms. With no corners to walk around, a round top keeps pathways open in condos, dens and reading nooks.
    • Busy households. Rounded edges are kinder to shins in high-traffic rooms.
    • Rooms full of straight lines. A circle breaks up a rectilinear sofa, rug and media console.

    The Shima Round Coffee Table brings this idea to a generous 45-inch circle in solid wood, with arched cut-out legs that keep the base visually light. For a smaller footprint with natural stone, the Rumer Coffee Table sets a 36-inch round of veined white marble on dark brown hardwood legs.

When a rectangular coffee table works best

Choose rectangular when a long sofa anchors the room or when the table has to work hard.

  • A standard three-seat sofa. A rectangle echoes the sofa's length, so every seat can reach the surface.
  • Long, narrow living rooms. The shape follows the room's proportions instead of fighting them.
  • Function first. More usable surface for trays, books, games and serving, plus room for shelves or storage below.
  • Formal or symmetrical plans. A rectangle reads as structured and balanced, ideal for facing sofas.

The Tabor Coffee Table wraps recycled pine in a black oak veneer waterfall frame for a clean, architectural rectangle. For collectors, the Arelius Rectangular Display Coffee Table pairs a glass-topped shadowbox with a black metal base, turning the centre of the room into a place to show treasured objects.

Oval and square: the in-between shapes

If you want the reach of a rectangle with the ease of a circle, choose oval; if your seating forms a square, choose square.

Oval gives a long sofa full coverage while removing the corners, which makes it a strong choice for families and tight walkways. The Shima Oval Coffee Table measures 48 by 28 inches in solid mango wood and arrives fully assembled. The Terra Oval Coffee Table adds a fluted base that conceals a lift top and storage.

Square suits a deep sectional or four chairs arranged around a central table. At 48 inches square with a 3-inch reclaimed wood top, the McArthur Coffee Table anchors large seating groups. The Lucas Coffee Table scales white marble down to 30 inches square for condos and paired-chair corners.

Sizing and clearance guidelines

Whatever the shape, scale matters more than style: a well-sized table makes a seating group feel intentional.

Guideline

Rule of thumb

Length (rectangular or oval)

About two-thirds the length of the sofa

Diameter (round)

About half to two-thirds of the sofa length; larger for a sectional's corner

Distance from seating

14 to 18 inches, close enough to reach a cup

Height

Level with the seat cushion or 1 to 2 inches lower

Walkways around the table

30 to 36 inches where people pass

When a room is between sizes, a round or oval table usually gives back more circulation space than a rectangle of the same surface area.

Pairing shape and material with your sofa

Contrast is the simplest rule: pair a heavy, square-armed sofa with a softer shape, and a curved sofa with cleaner lines.

With a dark brown or leather sofa, avoid matching the tone exactly. White marble, light wood or a metal base adds the contrast that keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy. The Rumer and Lucas coffee tables both bring white marble into that palette.

Is marble still in style? Yes. Natural stone continues to anchor both modern and transitional rooms, and veining means no two tops are alike. Look for surface-tested finishes if the table will see daily cups and glasses.

With a light or curved sofa, a darker table in wood or blackened metal grounds the room, and an oval or rectangle adds structure.

Explore the collection

Browse Mercana coffee tables in round, oval, square and rectangular shapes, across Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Transitional, Industrial and Farmhouse styles. Each piece is designed in-house and specified with full dimensions, materials and clearance details.

For interior designers, stagers and retailers: register for a trade account to view wholesale pricing and availability. Shopping for your own home? Find a Mercana retailer near you.

Is it better to have a round or rectangular coffee table?

Round is better for sectionals, compact rooms and high-traffic homes. Rectangular is better for a long sofa, narrow rooms and when you need more surface or storage.

Does a round coffee table work with an L-shaped sectional?

Yes. A round table reaches every seat in an L-shaped layout and leaves an open path around the corner.

What size coffee table do I need?

Aim for about two-thirds the length of your sofa, 14 to 18 inches from the seat, and level with or slightly below the cushion height.

What coffee table goes with a dark brown sofa?

Choose contrast: white marble, light wood or a metal base keeps a dark sofa from feeling heavy.

Is an oval coffee table a good compromise?

Yes. An oval offers the reach of a rectangle along a long sofa without hard corners.

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