What types of wood do you prefer for your dining tables?

last year

last modified: last year

How all,

I am wondering, what types of wood do you prefer for your dining tables?

We are in the process of finding a wooden dining table - our current table is bluestone top, which we like but find hard to maintain and too heavy.

My husband likes oak, but we noticed that all the natural oak table, the grains are quite deep. The store sales person told me that's how oaks are. On the other hand there is maple which is smoother, but it has more holes.

We would like the table to be a place where the kids can do their homework, as well as doing drawings and arts/crafts, so I thought a smoother surface like maple would be better and easier to clean. But on the other hand oak is supposed to be stronger and more durable.

Given our needs - a multipurpose table that's durable, easy to clean, and less prone to scratches/statining, what material do you recommend?

Thank you

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Sabrina Alfin Interiors

last year

Hard to answer this question without understanding what other finishes you have in your home. What is your flooring made of? Can you see the kitchen from the dining room? If so, what finishes do you have there? It all needs to work together. Post some pictures so we can give you better advice.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.
last year
Because of the grain, Oak will show less dings and dents than Maple. Getting the Maple table in an antique finish will help hide normal wear and tear.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO wood is a poor choice if kids do arts and crafts there so no matter what wood you choose you will need to have a cover on thetable for the kids so really not a huge issue as to type of wood. I agree we need pics of your space . I only ever had one wood table and that was an antique one with old oak that was not deep grained but really beurtiful now all the oak is crappy open grained fast growing oak not at all like the old stuff. I have always had a glass topped table one with a metal base ( Corbusier) and the other with a beechwood base and an expandable glass top . The old Corbusier is now our outdoor table and has stood up to canadian winters for 16 yrs we don't even cover it .
hbeing
last year
real.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Investigate reclaimed elm. Found one for you to look at on etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/987847275/reclaimed-elm-dining-table
Imma S
Original Author
last year
Thanks all. You've given good tips and advice. @Patricia Colwell Consulting if you think wood is a poor choice, what do you think is a better choice?
K Laurence
last year
last modified: last year
Love my ceramic tops from Room & Board ! i have them in white , black , & coffee table in grey , & a tulip table in an off white ( forget name ). Modern , so if that’s not your style… IDK. I’m too OCD for clear glass.
Imma S
Original Author
last year
@K Laurence ohhhh I didnt think about ceramic! is it heavy like marble or other natural stones?
K Laurence
last year
Varies, my tulip table about 3/4” thick, coffee table thinner, over glass of some sort, I also have their ceramic tops on credenzas & my outdoor patio dining table, so far indestructible with kids doing artwork, etc.
Paula Tucek
last year
I like solid oak, not planked and not limed/whitewashed. i currently have solid, smooth cherry and it’s developed a ”patina” from my kids. Oak has more grain so it hides small scratches easier. I like quarter sawn white oak in a modern finish. https://www.amishoutletstore.com/shop/amish-dining-tables/single-base-tables/bradley-single-pedestal-table/
blueskyquilts
last year
We are still using (and love) the Danish teak table with pull out extensions that we bought in 1971. we have used it continuously since then and our two daughters grew up doing all kinds of things on it. i have sanded the top down and reoiled it a couple of times. The original chairs are long gone but I replaced them with Cohasset Colonial kit chairs.

Tables like our turn up regularly on my local craigslist for reasonable prices. They are much more expensive if you buy from a dealer or store specializing in mid century furniture.

What types of wood do you prefer for your dining tables?

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

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Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

hbeing

elcieg

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blueskyquilts

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What types of wood do you prefer for your dining tables?

Comments (11)

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Imma SOriginal Author

Imma SOriginal Author

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Imma S
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