The Best Dining Tables for Entertaining This Winter

As the darker nights roll in and the colder months approach, indoor gatherings become more frequent, creating the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. When it’s your turn to host, there’s no better place to bring everyone together than around a warm and inviting dining table. 

In this article, Sustainable Furniture will delve into the best dining room tables to set the tone for your occasion. We’ll be examining factors such as shape, size, and design and how these features can influence the overall atmosphere of your gathering, helping you invest in the best dining table for your needs.   

 

The Best Dining Tables for Entertaining This Winter

From modern kitchen tables to traditional dining room designs, there are countless ways to style your entertainment space. To streamline your decision-making process, we’ve organised our recommendations into categories, spotlighting the best tables for each need, preference or occasion. 

 

The Best Dining Table for Formal Dining 

A traditional dining table is an excellent choice if your entertaining style is hosting dinner parties, showcasing lavish spreads, or serving full-course meals. The most classic design that springs to mind is a rectangular shape, perfect for creating a grand atmosphere for fine dining with your loved ones. 

Reclaimed Teak Taplock Dining Table:

For a truly magnificent dining experience, the Reclaimed Teak Taplock Dining Table is a top contender. This piece, expertly crafted from Reclaimed Teak using traditional joinery methods, not only exudes strength and beauty but also promises durability, making it a wise investment for your home. 

Its rectangular design naturally lends itself to a sophisticated, formal dining experience as it establishes a distinct ‘head’ and ‘foot’ of the table. The sharp, clean lines add to this formality, bringing symmetry and balance – hallmarks of refined dining. All that remains is to arrange the table with your finest crockery, cutlery, and glassware, ready to impress your guests with your immaculate presentation.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: Length 240cm x Width 120cm x Height 78cm
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Materials: Reclaimed Teak 
  • Seating Capacity: 8-10 people
  • Additional Information: The Taplock table is available in a total of six sizes, with matching backless benches in five sizes. 

Why We Love It: 

✓ Rustic and timeless appeal

✓ Traditional dining design

✓ Perfect for dinner parties 



The Best Dining Table for Sparking Conversation

How about trying a round table to foster a more relaxed dining experience? This design eliminates hierarchy, promoting an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. The circular shape encourages free-flowing conversation, creating a warm and inviting environment perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or game nights. 

 

Farmhouse Pedestal Dining Table:

We highly recommend the Farmhouse Pedestal Dining Table. This graceful design boasts a generous tabletop with ample space for your plates, a charming centrepiece, or even a fun board game, so it’s great for various entertaining experiences. Although you can use the table to serve traditional meals, it’s especially great for casual dining. Arrange several platters in the centre and allow everyone to reach in to grab their food! 

We especially recommend this design because it has an elegant pedestal that maximises legroom for extra comfort, and the light Pine timber opens up the room, creating a bright and breezy ambience.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: Length 160cm x Width 160cm x Height 76cm
  • Shape: Circular
  • Materials: Reclaimed Pine with a light grey wash. 
  • Seating Capacity: 6-8 people. 
  • Additional Information: The Pine Farmhouse Pedestal comes in two sizes and two distinct finishes – choose between a white painted base or an all-natural look. 

Why We Love It: 

✓ Encourages relaxed and friendly dining 

✓ Beautifully carved pedestal 

✓ Boasts a sleek and ergonomic design

 

The Best Dining Table for Large Gatherings

Investing in a large and durable table may suit you well if you have a lively household or frequently host friends and family. We encourage you to explore our collection of 10-seater dining sets and see what captures your attention. 

Reclaimed Elm Pedestal Dining Table - Extra Wide:

We recommend the Reclaimed Elm Pedestal Dining Table - Extra Wide for large gatherings. True to its name, this table features an expansive surface, ideal for hosting everything from casual meals to lively social events. It can also live up to the rigours of a bustling household. Solid reclaimed Elm and traditional joinery techniques give this table exceptional strength and durability. Additionally, the hand-carved pedestal is reinforced by two beams, providing further resilience. 

Maximise seating by incorporating contemporary dining benches along either side of the table and placing chairs at the head and foot. This arrangement offers greater flexibility and encourages diners to shuffle up and share the space.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: Length 240cm x Width 120cm x Height 78cm
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Materials: Reclaimed Elm 
  • Seating Capacity: 10+ people.
  • Additional Information: The Reclaimed Elm Pedestal table comes in four sizes, including this 2.4m Extra Wide option. Matching chairs or benches are also available.

Why We Love It: 

✓ Extra wide tabletop 

✓ Sturdy pedestal base

✓ Chunky solid construction 

 

The Best Dining Table for Small Spaces

Are you living in a compact apartment or contending with a small dining room? Limited space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a dining table. Instead, use this opportunity to create a cosy and intimate entertaining area. Choose an efficient design that will optimise functionality without overwhelming the space.

 

Reclaimed Teak Oval Pedestal Dining Table:

The Reclaimed Teak Oval Pedestal Dining Table is a great choice, a nifty design that can nestle into small spaces and comfortably seat two to four people. We intentionally selected an oval shape as it evokes the elongated appeal of a traditional dining table, but it’s gently curved to create a sense of openness. This design prevents your smaller dining room from feeling cramped or cluttered.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: Length 120cm x Width 80cm x Height 76cm
  • Shape: Oval
  • Materials: Reclaimed Teak 
  • Seating Capacity: 2-4 people. 
  • Additional Information: The Reclaimed Teak Oval Pedestal Dining Table is also offered in a larger 1.8m x 1.2m size.

Why We Love It: 

✓  Captivating hand-carved pedestal

✓ Made from rich Teak

✓ Space-saving solution

The Best Dining Table for Versatility 

If you value your floor space and prefer not to have it permanently occupied by furniture, you would benefit from an extending dining room table. Expand the table when you wish to entertain, then effortlessly compact once the occasion ends.

Eden Extending Dining Table:

The Eden Extending Dining Table is a versatile and practical choice. Its attractive Oak design, featuring an elegantly painted frame and a light grey wash table top, is perfect for everyday meals or intimate dinner parties with its standard length of 1.2 metres. However, it effortlessly extends to 1.53 metres, accommodating larger gatherings or unexpected guests, making it a great addition to any home. 

Many assume extending tables are flimsy or complicated, but The Eden defies that perception. Like all our tables, it’s made with precision from strong, sustainably sourced materials and traditional handcraftsmanship. The convenient butterfly extension leaf is cleverly stored within the table to keep your dining area neat and clutter-free. With no fuss involved in extending, the Eden is the ideal choice for flexible entertaining.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: Length 120cm extending to 153cm x Width 80cm x Height 78cm
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Materials: Solid Oak tops, stainless-steel handles and painted frames
  • Seating Capacity: 4-6 people
  • Additional Information: The Eden Extending Dining Table is also offered in a larger size (90cm x 1.4m-2m) and an oval design (1m x 1.8m-2.3m).

Why We Love It: 

✓ Flexible and hassle-free 

✓ Modern Oak design

✓ Traditional moulded elements

 

The Best Dining Table for a Statement Piece

A bold dining table is the perfect companion for hosts looking to leave a lasting impression on their guests. Transform a regular gathering into an elevated entertainment space by thinking outside the box when choosing your dining table.

Reclaimed Teak Root Block Square Dining Table:

Any of our Teak root designs are excellent candidates for a statement piece, but we especially recommend the Reclaimed Teak Root Block Square Dining Table. This angular design brings a sense of balance and symmetry, ensuring everyone feels included and making table presentation effortless.

The table's main attraction is its sculptural root block base. It’s constructed from excavated root pieces and artfully arranged to form a contemporary pedestal. This sturdy base supports the impressive glass tabletop and reveals ample legroom for diners. To add a real wow–factor, consider placing a light on the pedestal to create a warm, atmospheric dining experience that will captivate your guests.

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 50cm x 50cm x Height 76cm (Root) 140cm (Glass) 
  • Shape: Square
  • Materials: Teak Root and toughened safety glass
  • Seating Capacity: 6-8 people
  • Additional Information: The Reclaimed Teak Root Block Square Dining Table is also available in a larger 1.8m Rectangular design. 

Why We Love It: 

✓ One-of-a-kind design

✓ Bevelled glass for safety

✓ Sculptural status 

Find the Best Dining Room Tables at Sustainable Furniture 

There you have it – our top picks for entertaining during the winter season! If you have any further questions about the products mentioned, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team, who will gladly assist.

Otherwise, we invite you to explore our complete array of dining tables and curated dining sets. This article has only scratched the surface of the furniture we offer, and there are plenty more enchanting pieces for you to discover and incorporate into your living space.