Dining tables
A dining table is for much more than meals: it brings the family together, makes space for conversation and accompanies everyday moments at home. At the heart of the dining room, it should balance size, comfort and character. The Nordlys collection invites you to choose furniture that suits your space and the way you welcome guests, with attention to lines, materials and combinations. These guidelines will help you find a table you enjoy using every day.
How do you choose your dining table?
Start with your actual needs. A table for two has different requirements from one where a family gathers every evening. Distinguish everyday seating needs from occasional entertaining, then assess the available space. This helps you choose beyond a photograph: the right table works with your habits, seating and routes through the room.
Choose the right size for your room and your guests
Measure the dining area with the existing furniture in place. Allow for pulling chairs back, opening a sideboard and walking through to the kitchen. As a starting point, allow around 60 cm of table width per person, although comfort also depends on the width of the seats and table legs. A tabletop holding shared serving dishes needs more depth than one where individually plated meals are brought from the kitchen.
If you are considering an extendable table, check its dimensions both open and closed, and where the extension leaf is stored. Maximum capacity should not be your only criterion: an easy-to-use everyday table offers more than a large arrangement that is difficult to set up.
Choose the right shape: round, oval or rectangular
Round tables encourage conversation and have a continuous outline, which is pleasant in rooms where people often move around. Rectangular tables suit elongated spaces and make seating easy to organise. An oval shape combines useful length with softly rounded ends. To compare shapes, mark each outline on the floor with masking tape and arrange your chairs around it.
Also examine the table base. A central pedestal can make some seating arrangements easier, while corner legs leave the centre clear. The space the base occupies on the floor and under the tabletop matters as much as its appearance.
Which materials should you choose for a durable dining table?
Choose a durable table by considering its entire construction: tabletop, joints, legs and surface protection. The material sets the tone, but alone does not determine resistance to everyday use. Check the model's stated composition, care instructions and recommended precautions. Furniture suited to your routine will be easier to keep in good condition.
Solid wood: a sturdy choice for everyday life
Solid wood appeals through its presence, grain and the way it changes over time. Oak, for example, has an expressive grain, while other wood species offer different textures or colours. In our selection of wooden dining tables, compare the materials carefully: a wood appearance does not mean every part is solid wood.
Strength also depends on the joints and the stability of the base. Wood remains sensitive to large changes in humidity and temperature. Keeping the table away from direct heat and protecting its surface are simple ways to help preserve it.
Finishes that are easy to care for
Choose a finish for its appearance and the care it requires. Varnished, oiled and painted tabletops may need different cleaning products. Follow the product information, use a soft cloth and remove water or food stains promptly. Trivets and pads under rough objects help prevent marks.
Think about everyday uses: breakfast, homework and celebratory meals. A surface that is easy to clear, without bulky permanent decorations, makes these activities more enjoyable. Regular care is easier than trying to remove an old mark.
A dining table for every interior style
A table's style comes from its proportions and its relationship with nearby furniture. A Scandinavian silhouette, light wood and simple lines create a welcoming atmosphere. More distinctive legs add a contemporary presence, while a dark finish creates contrast in a bright room. You do not need exactly the same material everywhere to achieve harmony.
Instead, choose a common thread: curves, a warm colour or a matt finish. In a room already rich in textures, a simple table lets other elements stand out. In a restrained interior, the tabletop can become the focal point. Keep the table, pendant light, rug and storage furniture in proportion for a balanced arrangement.
Pairing tables, chairs and benches in the dining room
Dining chairs directly affect comfort at the table. Compare their seat height with the clearance under the tabletop, allowing for any apron beneath it. Also check that armrests fit underneath if you want to tuck the chairs in fully. Different chair designs can work together when they share a proportion or colour.
A dining bench creates a continuous line and can make seating easier to tuck away, provided it fits between the table legs. A dining banquette creates a more enveloping atmosphere beside a wall. In both cases, check access to the middle seats: guests should be able to sit down without moving all the furniture. Combining a bench with chairs creates a lively arrangement suited to your room's layout.
Nordlys dining tables: design and shared moments every day
A welcoming table and enough room to move around the seating encourage time together. To choose your Nordlys model, consider your room's dimensions, the number of guests and the materials you like. Give practical details as much attention as design: legroom, ease of cleaning and compatibility with your existing seating.
A table that remains relevant as your décor changes will naturally find a lasting place in your home. Our article on the life cycle of Nordlys products explores these ideas of using and preserving furniture. Browse the collection with this in mind: the right shape, a suitable finish and enough space to share meals, from impromptu dinners to family gatherings.
