The IKEA Jokkmokk table and 4 chairs appear to have been replaced by Hägernäs. We are currently investigating whether they are the same set.
For many people, the dining table is more than just a place to eat. It’s where we pay bills, use laptops, and play board games. It’s where we help the kids with homework, have coffee with neighbors, and socialize with family and friends. With that in mind, we’re focusing on durable, affordable designs that appeal to everyone, including toddlers who can hold their hands up and those who prefer more room to move.
Our top five include small tables that seat 2 to 4 people, folding tables that are ideal for apartments, and dining tables that seat 10. This guide will also help you determine the best table size, shape, and style for your space, as well as what the table’s material and construction can say about its durability.
Ain-Monique Claret has been covering home products for more than a decade as the lifestyle editor for magazines like Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, and InStyle. During that time, she has written countless home shopping articles and interviewed dozens of interior designers, product testers, and other industry experts. Alex Arpaia is a former staff writer who covered home organization, decorating, and furnishings.
To decide which dining tables to recommend, we scoured the websites of furniture retailers including Amazon, Arhaus, Article, Ashley, Birch Lane, Blu Dot, CB2, World Market, Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, and more. We look for their best-selling and highest-rated dining tables (which aren’t always the same thing).
From there, we selected the most promising models to test. Most were tested in showrooms, including models from CB2, World Market, Crate and Barrel, Ikea, Raymour & Flanigan, Pier 1, and West Elm. Three were interviewed in the Wirecutter office. Rather than testing them side-by-side for this guide, we evaluated each table individually, making sure each of the following attributes passed muster:
This table is more scratch-resistant than cork, and its understated mid-century style will complement a variety of interiors.
Very affordable. Hardwood tables under $700 are rare. The Article Seno Round Dining Table is under $600 and is not only made of oak, making it durable, but it also has slender legs that give it a mid-century chic look without being too fancy or fussy. Other mid-century style tables we looked at were either bulky and out of our price range, or were made of wood veneer.
It is easy to assemble. The Seno table is flat and we just need to screw the legs one by one, no tools are required.
The tabletops are easily scratched. Owner reviews on Article are generally positive, with 469 reviews and a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars at the time of writing, but many of the two- and three-star reviews note that the top is easily scratched. We’ll be keeping a close eye on our Seno table and continuing to test it long-term.
Key Features: Dimensions: 47″ diameter x 29″ height Materials: Oak or Walnut Warranty and Return Policy: One year warranty; returns within 30 days of delivery, minus return shipping costs
This is the best value solid wood table and four chair set we found. It’s a great set for someone moving into a new apartment for the first time. But keep in mind that pine is soft and dents and scratches easily.
The IKEA Jokkmokk table and 4 chairs have been replaced by a Hägernäs table and 4 chairs. Although the price and materials are similar, the design is slightly different. We will be testing the new set soon.
It’s inexpensive, but it doesn’t look cheap. It’s one of the most affordable solid wood tables we’ve found. IKEA has cheaper wood tables, but they’re all unfinished. Many of the other very cheap tables we’ve seen were made of metal or plastic and had a more modern design, so they looked like cheap restaurant tables. The traditional shape and neutral tones of this table make it look more expensive. It also feels very sturdy.
It is like a house in a small apartment. Its compact size allows it to fit into a medium-sized room, and it is also easy to transport. If you move to a larger room later, you can use it as a desk.
The table is very small. It might be comfortable for two or three people, but it would be too cramped for four.
It’s unlikely to stay perfectly smooth for long. The flooring samples we examined had a few scratches, including a few dings that looked like someone had written too hard with a pen—a common problem with softwoods like pine. Fortunately, unlike wood veneer, this surface can withstand stripping and re-sanding.
Compared to the cost of the dishes themselves, the shipping cost is relatively high. You may prefer to make the purchase in person.
Key Features: Dimensions: 46.5 x 29.125 x 29.125 inches (L/W/H) Material: Pine Warranty & Return Policy: No warranty; return within 180 days of purchase for a full refund
If you have a separate dining area, you can put a beautiful table there. These large tables (54 to 92 inches long) will comfortably seat 6 to 8 people, or more if you are willing to squeeze in a little.
This table can comfortably seat 6 to 10 people (when fully extended), but you’ll need a place to store the leaves.
You’ll have plenty of room for a large group. The Article Seno Extendable Dining Table is our most spacious option, seating up to 10 when fully extended. When the tabletop is not attached, it’s a very practical table for everyday use, and can comfortably seat 6.
It’s very easy to assemble. It’s easier to assemble with two people, but one person can do it if needed. Once the table is upside down, you simply rotate the legs to the appropriate position and flip it over – no tools required. To attach the blade, unscrew the handle underneath the table to release the extension, then place the blade on top.
The texture of the two leaves does not match the one on the big table. One is vertical and the other is horizontal, which looks very strange.
Leaf storage not included. Unlike many other table designs, this one doesn’t have convenient slots to slide the flaps under the table. So you’ll need to find a place to store the leaves (each leaf measures 19.5 x 37.5 inches) when not in use.
Key Features: Dimensions: 71 x 37.5 x 29 inches without leaves; 110 x 37.5 x 29 inches (L/W/H) when unfolded Materials: White oak or black walnut Warranty and Return Policy: One-year warranty; returns within 30 days of delivery, less return shipping costs
At just over 92 inches long, this sturdy table is ideal for larger dining rooms. It’s less expensive than similarly sized tables and has cleaner lines than most rustic farmhouse tables.
This is the largest, most beautiful table we could find for under $1,000. With its distressed finish and picnic-style design, the IKEA Möckelby table has a casual, rustic look, but its clean lines and slightly spaced legs make it more versatile than other farmhouse tables. It feels heavy and sturdy, and given the high shipping costs, it’s a better deal to buy in-store than online.
It’s very comfortable. The shallow front and wide legs provide more legroom, and the center crossbar makes a surprisingly good footrest.
The seam in the middle of the table can be a place where debris can get trapped, so if you don’t put a tablecloth or runner on the table, it can take extra time to clean up.
It’s not solid wood. The experts we spoke to don’t recommend installing wood veneer over particleboard because it’s less durable and Ikea doesn’t guarantee it. However, the customer reviews we saw were very positive.
Key Features: Dimensions: 92.5 x 39.375 x 29.125 inches (L/W/H) Material: Oak veneer Warranty and Return Policy: No warranty; return within 180 days of purchase for a full refund
If you don’t have room for a dining table but want to host guests occasionally, a folding table can be propped against a wall or between other furniture when you’re not entertaining.
This affordable, classic-style round table is crafted from solid acacia wood and folds to just 18 inches wide, seating four when extended.
Good size. The Jozy Round Weathered Ash Wood Folding Dining Table measures 36 inches in diameter when extended, which is somewhere between a classic 30-inch bistro table and a standard round table (42 inches or larger) that can comfortably seat two or four people. When folded, it measures 18 inches wide, which is a good size for a side table. The legs are well proportioned to the tabletop, and the style makes the table look like an antique rather than a recently purchased piece.
We think it’s built to last. Although this solid acacia table is less expensive than similarly sized wood tables we looked at, the solid acacia floor model of this table feels sturdy, even when fully extended.
You have to be careful not to scratch it. The floor table we looked at had some scratches, but not as bad as some of the pine tables we saw at IKEA, and this table can withstand repeated sanding since it’s made of solid wood.
It’s small, but not tiny. The table looks bigger in person than it does on the website, and more like a coffee table than a side table.
Key Features: Dimensions: 36 x 18 x 30.2 inches (L/W/H) when folded; 36 inches in diameter and 30.2 inches high when opened; Materials: Acacia; Warranty and Return Policy: No warranty; Return within 60 days of purchase for a full refund
The best dining table for you is one that fits your budget, is sturdy, fits your space, and has a style that you’ll enjoy for years to come. To find a model that meets these requirements, consider the following factors.
A dining table is a deceptively large piece of furniture. “In addition to the surface area of ​​the table, you need three feet of clear space on all sides—the more the better!—so you can sit comfortably in a chair and move around the space,” says interior designer Lucy Harris, principal of Lucy Harris Studio.
So, whether your dining area is part of a multi-purpose space (like one large room divided into a living room and dining room) or a separate dining room, start by measuring the length and width of your dining area. Then subtract about 6 feet from both measurements to get your desired dining table size.
“Then think about how you’ll use the table and how many people will typically sit at it,” says Max Dyer, vice president of marketing for La-Z-Boy. To avoid feeling cramped, each person sitting at the table should have 22 to 24 inches of clear space around the perimeter of the table, or more if the chairs are large. Below, we’ve provided size recommendations based on the number of people expected.
Additionally, the visual weight of a piece of furniture affects how it feels in the room. It may technically fit in a display case, but if it’s a dark or bulky piece of furniture, or if it’s placed too close to other furniture, it will feel large.
If space is at a premium, consider choosing a table that can be folded and unfolded. Experts favor extendable tables, which are a single piece that rests on a base when the table is open. Drop-leaf or butterfly tables are also available, but they tend to be less sturdy.
Finally, measure any areas you’ll need to move the table through, including doorways, hallways, and tight corners in the room that may limit your mobility.
Tabletops come in two basic shapes: square/rectangular or round/oval. Ideally, your table should fill the space proportionally. Scroll through the gallery below to see some examples:
The most common shape is a square or rectangular table, so they tend to come in a variety of styles, sizes, and extension options. But a round or oval table will provide nearly the same surface area, and will also give you more room to maneuver around the room because it cuts off the corners. The only downside? By arranging all your dishes on a round or oval table, you’ll lose some of the space to accommodate them.
The base of the table affects how many people can sit at it. There are three common types: legs, bases, and stands. When you buy a table in person, sit at it and make sure your feet can fit comfortably without hitting the legs; also make sure you have enough room for your knees and to cross your legs when you move it all the way in. The apron (the frame that supports the tabletop) can reduce the amount of space you need to move around.