Whether you're catching up with friends over a stollen bite and mulled wine, brainstorming your present-buying plan of attack, or delighting hungry hoards with a Christmas lunch, a versatile kitchen or dining table is a key piece of furniture.
Today's designs come in every shape, size and material imaginable, from 'keeping it real' exposed wood with gloriously grainy stories to tell, to sleek and shiny contemporary models featuring intriguing patina finishes and mixed material combinations.
Related: Christmas table decoration ideas that will set the scene for your festive feast
Take your pick from our fabulously festive round-up of best dining tables. These stylishly practical designs will suit all needs and spaces.
Top tip: Look out for lightly sealed finishes to prevent staining – a must in busy family homes!
Best dining tables 2024
Why you can trust Ideal Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Give your space a modern country look with a rich and dramatic dimension. Featuring crisp edges, a tactile but sleek finish and a gorgeously charred natural colour, this extendable design feels equally at home in a rustic farmhouse or contemporary barn conversion.
Buy now: Arundel six-seater dining table in Darkened Oak, £1,695, Neptune
With origins in 16th-century England, this heritage design has been given a Gustavian twist, with minimal turned legs and a delectable smoky painted finish. Dual drop ends supported by pivoting legs can be collapsed or kept upright to suit all occasions and dining spaces.
Buy now: Tieva Gateleg Table With Drawers – Charcoal, £2,275, OKA
Made from beautiful pine for a timeless, rustic look, this chunky favourite provides space for much more than dining – use it instead of an island for kitchen prep, or as a spacious craft table.
Buy now: Brookville table and bench set, £1,200, Garden Trading
Lovingly named after the 18-mile pebble beach off the Dorset coast, it’s minimal, pared-back design gracefully combines steel and oak in harmonized balance, finished off with tactile, rounded edges to reflect the beach’s shelving form...
Buy now: Chesil dining table, from £2150, Oggetto
Wine and dine in sophisticated style upon this smart combination of top-notch solid oak and steel X-legs. A wonderful addition for stylish kitchens or dining areas, you can choose your preferred powder-coated or raw finish legs and coloured oak top finish.
Buy now: Xavier oak dining table on Raw Steel legs, from £1,790, Rust Collections
A solid oak top and refectory style legs pays homage to the Arts and Crafts movement on this sturdy home hero. As part of the Designed by You range, you can create the perfect fit for your space.
Buy now: Lisbon dining table in Oiled Walnut, from £2,849, Heal’s
Social circles go around and around! Avoiding any trace of bump-into edge, this classic beauty takes inspiration from 18th and 19th century craftsmen, resulting in a timelessly elegant piece that comfortably seats four to six nearest and dearest in triumphant fashion.
Buy now: Ellery round dining table, £780, Rowen & Wren
Standing proud as a robin and bright as Rudolph’s nose, this robust statement has been finished with a hard wax oil preventing the need for coasters - definitely one to be welcomed and loved by any busy family home over the Christmas period!
Buy now: Prime oak dining table in Letterbox Red, from £1150, The Farmhouse Table Company
This petite pedestal pretty features a natural weathered finish, meaning that each piece is gloriously unique. Ideal for small dining room ideas, the single leg design is bang on trend for savvy, city-to-country fashionistas.
Buy now: Desert brass round dining table, £740, Rose & Grey
Which of these designs do you see yourself sitting at this Christmas?
-
I put the Simba Hybrid Duvet to the test to see if its 'cool tech' would stop me overheating in bed - here's what happenedAs Ideal Home's Sleep Editor and a self-certified hot sleeper, I tested the Simba Hybrid Duvet on my own bed to see if it's 'cool tech' is worth the investment
-
These are the 4 things I wish I knew before buying outdoor solar lights, so you don’t make the same mistakes I didOutdoor solar lights can be both effective and aesthetic, but only if you buy the right ones
-
These 5 kitchen retailers have the biggest Black Friday discounts we've seen - save money on your renovation just before ChristmasConsidering a kitchen renovation in the new year? This is the best time to buy
-
I've scoured the high street and these are the best Christmas tablecloths, placemats and more to elevate your tableDress your Christmas table in style this festive season with the help of the best table linens
-
Anthropologie just launched the most adorable bow coupe glasses – fans are already going crazy for themThe bow home decor trend is not going anywhere – and we predict these coupes are set to be the ‘it’ item of hosting season
-
8 dining room table ideas – the best styles and decor tips to elevate your dining spaceThe best dining table shapes and ways to decorate them, according to experts
-
Dining room rug ideas – 6 design tricks to instantly transform your spaceMakE it cosy and elevated at the same time
-
How big should your dining room rug be? Experts share the secret to choosing the perfect size rug for your dining spaceNever get the sizing of your dining room rug wrong again with the pros' golden rule
-
Stacey Dooley has drenched her dining room in this year's most popular colour – and we've tracked down the perfect paint shade to recreate itThe Strictly star has given her dining and living space a brave green makeover
-
This viral H&M Home tablecloth sold out almost instantly – this is how to emulate the desired summery look for under £15If you missed out on the H&M Home striped tablecloth, don't worry – we got you covered
-
We just found the ultimate summer home decor bargain at Poundland – grab the on-trend glassware while you still canPoundland’s released a new designer-look home collection for summer
