Top 10 dining tables
The perfect dining table is not what makes a home, but it certainly helps set the scene for the memories that do. A space to gather with your favourite people, the dining table is not just a place for eating...
A place for conversation, laughter and making memories – eating dinner alongside your friends and family has been shown to have some serious benefits. Studies have shown that sharing mealtimes is great for our mental health, helps us to fight obesity and even helps children to do better at school. We think that’s pretty clever.
In a world where the boundaries between work and home are becoming ever more blurred, the dining table is also having to double up as a desk in many homes. It can be a challenge to find a beautiful design that fits your style and space and also has the quality and longevity to last a lifetime.
Whatever the size of your home, we think the humble dining table deserves to be celebrated in your spaces - here are some of our favourite designs to help inspire.
Knoll Saarinen Tulip Dining Table
Unhappy with the ‘ugly, confusing, unrestful world’ underneath the tabletop, Eero Saarinen set out to revolutionise the world of dining. Designing a table supported by just one central podium, he created a sculptural form which has become an icon of mid-century design.
Featuring a stunning marble top, the Knoll Tulip Table’s rounded shape and absence of legs make it an extremely flexible design that encourages conversation - the perfect spot for dinner with family and friends.
Warm Nordic Runa Dining Table
Inspired by the ambience of Nordic forests at dusk, this beautiful dining table is one of our favourites. With its organic curves, the Runa Dining Table comes in three wood finishes: Walnut, Smoked Oak or Teak Oiled Oak.
One for the organised souls out there – the sculptural form of the Runa hides a discreet drawer in its top, perfect for storing placemats, cutlery and napkins.
&Tradition In Between SK4 Dining Table
Whether you have large, small or awkwardly shaped spaces, the In Between series from &Tradition is designed to adapt seamlessly to your home. With detachable legs, the table can be easily transported if you decide to move, making it into a long-lasting dining companion.
Made from solid oak and using traditional woodturning techniques, the curves and angles of the table legs reflect the curves of the matching In Between chairs - the perfect match.
Carl Hansen & Son CH327 Dining Table
We couldn’t list our top ten without featuring a dining table from the royalty of Scandinavian design, Carl Hansen & Son. The ultimate hardwood table, the CH327 Dining Table is a solid oak table that embodies the traditional, timeless simplicity of Scandinavian style. This is a style that will never grow old. We think it looks pretty perfect when paired with the iconic wishbone chair – check out the set.
GUBI Epic Dining Table
From design duo GamFratesi, we just had to include the GUBI Epic Dining Table in our top 10. Inspired by historical constructions such as the Colosseum and Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this dining table combines two simple geometric shapes, the circle and the hexagon to create a beautiful structure. Crafted from Travertine Stone, the monolithic shape celebrates the materiality of the stone and the natural beauty found in its veins - a truly stunning piece of design.
e15 Bigfoot Dining Table
e15’s bold and beautiful Bigfoot Table is now over 20 years old – where has the time gone? A modern design classic, this chunky table has legs that intersect the tabletop and measure a hefty 13.5cm x 13.5cm.
Each leg is carefully cut in a way which reveals the annual growth rings of the tree from which they came. Thanks to this lovely detail, every Bigfoot has subtle differences which make it completely unique.
Frama Sintra Dining Table
A contrast of warm cork and cool marble, the Sintra Dining Table from Frama is all about the materials. Making your dining experience a relaxing affair – natural, tactile materials like the ones used here have been shown to have a calming influence, helping to reduce our stress levels. A true statement piece, the tabletop comes in a stunning marble or limestone finish.
Muuto Linear Steel Table
Developed alongside its indoor sibling, the Muuto Linear Steel Table is a modern outdoor dining table with a distinctively Scandinavian look. Crafted from steel, this table is perfect when paired with a bench to create a relaxed and informal dining experience. A design defined by its straight lines and understated details, this table embodies the longevity and functionality of modern, Scandinavian design.
Kristalia Thin-K Aluminium Table
With a tabletop that is only 6mm thick, the Thin-K is an ultra-sleek aluminium dining table with a few hidden secrets. The extendable version of this table can be set at 3 lengths, 170, 210 or 250cm – a great solution for if you live in a small space, but still love to host a dinner party.
Case Furniture Dulwich Extending Dining Table
British design at it’s best, the Dulwich Dining Table was designed by the award-winning Matthew Hilton. Slender in its appearance, this extending dining table has a cleverly hidden mechanism that allows the table to change size without making the design bulky. Metal runners and ball bearings create a smooth gliding mechanism, and the table can be easily extended by one person.
We hope you’re feeling inspired by our selection of designer dining tables. Share your own dining table setups with us via Instagram @nest_co_uk.
If you need a little help choosing the design that’s right for you, or would like to find out more information about any of the featured dining tables - contact our team on 0114 243 3000, email info@nest.co.uk or send us a message via Live Chat. We’d be happy to help you discover your very own forever design.
