We’re in a similar situation and I think it just depends on your lifestyle. My husband grew up in a house with “nice” furniture that was constantly being policed, but we’re way more relaxed and chose to do less expensive for the time being so that it’s one less thing to worry about. Another option is getting something you like for less via facebook marketplace - that way if it gets destroyed at least you wouldn’t have paid full price for it.

Btw our current dining table is Polish-made solid oak from IKEA that was extremely inexpensive but very heavy and has held up to pretty much anything we’ve thrown at it (three moves, crazy dog who climbs surfaces when there is thunder, toddlers banging all sorts of plates and utensils, crayons, you name it) and still looks brand new. I keep thinking about switching it out for something that fits more with the style of our new place, but it’s just so practical that I can’t seem to part with it!

I bought a solid wood table with chairs and benches from World Market about 15 years ago and it only cost about $700 for everything on sale. It has held up beautifully with 4 kids and is refinishable when we need to do that. Not sure if they still have the same quality these days though.

I'd do a tulip table, and add chairs in wood.....

They come in lots of sizes, no legs in the way.

Crate and barrel chair

Thanks everyone! I actually came across this one looking on IKEA. My only concern is whether or not we’ll be able to fit chairs at the ends. We have a large family all nearby that will be coming over pretty frequently.

Your chair will always get hooked or will bump the legs on the end of that table.

I think if you’d be using those ends only a couple of times a year it could work, but for regular use it would be a pain. I also love pedestal/tulip tables, but watching my 2.5 year old climb in her chair and lean on the table I don’t think I’d go that route unless the base was exceptionally stable. I actually just ordered a three legged round table for our kitchen nook and have some concerns about that too re:tipping.

Oh and on a side note we have the Tripp Trapp in the dining room and just bought an IKEA junior chair for the kitchen and that junior chair is fantastic! So compact and yet virtually impossible to tip over, and my daughter absolutely loves it since it’s a “real” chair in her eyes. Highly recommend when the time comes!

Whoever gets put on the ends of that Ikea table is not going to be very comfortable--there's not much room there. It looks like it will seat 4 people max.

A round pedestal table would be better--60" seats 6 comfortably.

Look for a dining table with a stainless top.

Grrrrr, recently I can't save an image from websites. This idea:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/gracie-oaks-stainless-steel-top-dining-table-lrkm4179.html?piid=

My daughter has a winner...vintage PB, and she cleans it with soap and water. Clean cloth to polish it dry. Amazing...the table has to be 20 years old and it looks brand new.

Does your lifestyle require moving much?

lightweight concrete material is weather resistant and virtually indestructible, great for any home, especially those with young kids prone to spills. Perfect to pair with benches, chairs, or any combination.... could place outdoors someday....

GDF Studio Jessica Indoor Faux Live Edge Antique Teak Concrete Dining Table · More Info

Thanks everyone! Doing some research and found we’re looking for a style similar to this photo.

We won’t be moving it around a lot but it would be nice if it had an expandable leaf. My main concern with this one from West Elm is it says veneer. I’ve seen veneers paper thin all the way up to 1/8” thick solid wood. Does Article or West Elm have good quality veneer?

Or is there a true solid wood version of something similar anywhere? I’ve been searching high and low

Room and Board makes a similar table that also extends when you have company: Ventura Table

Comes in a few different finishes.

https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-extension-tables

https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/dining-and-kitchen/tables/ventura-extension-tables

Nothing from anywhere online in "wood" will survive nine thousand bangs with a spoon and three times as many wipe down. Long before you dump it, it will look like hell.

A table with leaves AND MID CEN? You are in the land of four legs, and 1'st dibs or Ebay and something from the early sixties. Teak, walnut....etc.

You're going to have to pick your poison : )

PS

Plenty of luxury priced tables are veneer. Allowing a certain stain, and STABILITY to a wood top with no warping.

This is why very old antique frm tables are either narrow or planks : ) They have no veneer..

Depending your willingness to part with dollars for the real time period?

Try Chairish, Ebay, and 1st Dibs.

If you want a truly indestructable table have a solid surface table custom made for you. That's what we did 35 years ago and the table is still here in great shape after 2 boys and all their friends!

We eat 98% of our meals at a 42" solid oak table that my husband bought before we were married -- so it's probably 35 years old. Our kids grew up eating at this table and -- being kids -- have not been gentle with it. The thing about solid wood is that you can refinish it as needed.

Chairs, however, don't last as long. We just bought new chairs, and I think they're the third set that've been paired with this table.

Our dining room table is larger and is also solid oak -- wow, is it heavy. It came from Goodwill and cost $50 (chairs included).

I anticipate owning these two tables literally for the rest of my life.

I have two young children that are rough on things… we had a table top made from a granite yard and it has been awesome not having to worry about damaging it.

I think the problem I’m finding with these online places is they say “solid wood” but it just means wood veneer on MDF or pine or something like it. I’ve seen a few real solid wood pieces but nothing with leaves yet.

We have a coffee table that is solid wood from Cost Plus and an island from IKEA that is butcher block top and those have take a beating the last 5 years and still look great.

It's ALL imports from West Elam or anything similar. You are gonna have to decide what's important MOSTLY. And most of the time. Or pay up. Either way? Plan NOT to die with it. : ) unless something solid surface topped, butcher block topped, or pay out the nose for a custom something.

Best bet USA made??Customized sizes?

https://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/custom/tables-by-the-inch/ventura-table-by-the-inch

www.roomandboard.com has ”Linden table by the inch” where you tell them what size you want and choose among their quartz and granite top options.