Which dining table material suits your lifestyle? (Buying guide)

A dining table should of course look beautiful, but it is at least as important that it suits the way you live. In your home, do you mostly linger at the table over a good glass of wine, or does your toddler bash away at it with a fork while there is crafting going on everywhere? The answer to that question largely determines which dining table material suits you best.

Because one top can take a knock, while another needs a little love and care. In this buying guide we take an honest look at all the materials, with their strengths and their points to watch. That way you will find exactly the match that suits your daily life, and you will know in advance what you are getting into.

The charm of wood: timeless, warm and natural

Wood remains a popular choice, and not without reason. It is warm, natural and instantly gives a dining table a timeless look. There are, however, important differences between the types of wood, and these also determine how you maintain your wooden dining table.

Solid oak is pure nature. Every table is unique thanks to the knots and the grain, and you can see that the wood is alive. That also means it can develop light scratches or dullness over the years. The great thing is that this need not be a problem. Over time, you can sand a solid oak top down and re-oil or re-lacquer it, after which it looks as good as new. Take a look at our oak tables.

If you want the look of real wood but with a calmer appearance and a friendlier price, an oak pattern in veneer or decor is a lovely option. It looks like wood, but has fewer colour variations than solid wood and is therefore a little more even. Do bear in mind that veneer and decor are more sensitive to moisture and heat than solid wood, so be a little more careful with them.

Then there is the difference between oak and walnut. Walnut is the trend of the moment. It is darker and more elegant than oak and instantly gives your interior a luxurious, hotel-chic atmosphere. Where oak looks light and natural, walnut brings depth and allure. If you are looking for that warm, refined look, take a look at our walnut dining tables.

The indestructible family tables: completely scratch-free and maintenance-free

Do you have young children, or does your table see intensive use? Then above all you want a dining table that is scratch-free and easy to clean. Fortunately, there are excellent materials for that.

HPL and melamine belong in the same category. They are pressed plastic top layers, often with a convincing wood or concrete print. They are budget-friendly, virtually scratch-proof and you simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth. If there is plenty of crafting and spilling going on in your home, this is an ideal choice that leaves you nothing to worry about.

Fenix is the innovative material of the moment. It has an extremely matt, luxurious look that you will not find anywhere else. Its biggest advantage is that it is anti-fingerprint, so no more greasy fingerprints on your top. You can literally rub small micro-scratches out with a special magic sponge, so the material, as it were, repairs itself.

Fenix is strong, but not indestructible. A red-hot pan or cutting without a board can cause permanent damage, because deep damage does not repair itself. Even so, for everyday family use it is one of the lowest-maintenance tops you can choose.

Luxury and statement: ceramic, marble and concrete (look)

If you are looking for a real eye-catcher, you will soon end up with these three materials. Each of them makes an impression, but they differ considerably in ease of use.

The advantages of a ceramic dining table are hard to beat. Ceramic gives you the best of both worlds: the luxurious look of natural stone combined with unrivalled ease of use. It is heat-resistant, scratch-proof and non-porous, so stains do not soak in. You could, so to speak, put a hot pan on it without worrying. For anyone who wants luxury and practicality, this is often the ideal choice.

Marble is beautiful, classic and one hundred per cent unique, because no two tops are the same. This does come with an honest caveat. Marble is a natural product and therefore porous. It requires care with acids such as wine and lemon juice, which can otherwise leave a ring. Marble is therefore the perfect table for people who are naturally tidy and want ultimate, timeless luxury.

Concrete or concrete look fits beautifully in an industrial or Japandi interior. Bear in mind that real concrete can be heavy and quite prone to staining. A concrete look, made in HPL or a special plaster coating, gives you the same rugged look but is a lot more practical in everyday use.

The decision table

Use the table below to see at a glance which material suits your situation.

Matching the material to your floor: how to avoid a mismatch

Many people get stuck on the combination with their current floor. A shame, because with a few simple styling rules you can match your dining table beautifully to your interior.

A wooden table on a wooden floor is the big dilemma. It can certainly work, but contrast is important. Finding exactly the same wood colour is virtually impossible and often looks washed out, as if it is not quite right. So go for difference. A dark walnut table on a light oak floor works beautifully, or exactly the other way round. If you want to play it safe, break up the whole with a large rug under the dining table, which instantly creates a warm, clearly defined dining area.

Also think about material contrast. If you have a busy wooden floor, opt for the calm of a plain Fenix top, an HPL table or a sleek ceramic top. If, on the other hand, you have a sleek, somewhat cool poured floor, a solid oak table brings exactly the warmth such a space needs. By playing consciously with that contrast, you make your dining table truly work together with your interior.

Need personal advice?

After reading this guide, are you still unsure which material suits your life best? Completely understandable, because some choices you only really make once you have seen and felt something. Come and experience the materials, such as the soft Fenix or the rugged oak, for yourself in our showroom. Or simply order colour samples via the website, so you can take your time at home to see how everything comes together with your floor and your interior.