December is the month of hosting, but dining table styling is a year-round necessity for character and depth. The dining table when not in use can still be a statement of style and luxury, adding contrast and texture to the room without being a boring blank object. It’s also a great way to celebrate the seasons or special celebrations such as birthdays, milestones and of course, Christmas.

Like most of our modern-day furniture, the origins of the dining table can be traced back to ancient Egypt, when they were simple structures of wood or stone used in the practical sense to bring households together or provide a surface for elaborate banqueting. Once they became more about displaying wealth and status, people chose to have them crafted from more elaborate materials such as marble, or with more intricate designs carved into the wood. Traditionally, dining tables were rectangular so that the head of the household could be seated at the top of the table in a position to look at all of their guests. As time passed, the Romans introduced a circular dining table shape, which allowed all occupants to have an equal view of each other and created a much more informal, sociable and relaxed space.

Which dining table is best?

In today’s world, we have the luxury of choosing between a variety of different shapes, materials, heights and sizes for your own dining table. When it comes to choosing the best for you, you’ll want to ask yourself three important questions:

• How big is the dining area where you’ll place the table?
• What is the maximum number of people you’ll need to seat around it?
• Do you have a preference on shape?

Once you’ve measured the area where the table will be going, you can figure out the size of table you’ll need by considering how many people you’ll want to sit around it. This is usually just the number of people in your household, but if you regularly host, you might want to factor some guests in too.

The most important thing to ensure comfort when sitting at a dining table is room. Each occupant will need enough room to slide in and out easily on their chair, and enough elbow room for eating, talking and relaxing. Nobody wants to be cutting into their Sunday roast with only 10cm of tolerance.

So, a comfortable rule of thumb is to allow each setting at the table at least 80cm of space. If you’re a household of six people, you’d times 80 by 6 to get 480. That means, for six people to be comfortable, the complete perimeter or circumference of your table would need to be 4.8m. By giving people 80cm each to themselves, you should also be able to avoid any awkward knee-touching or accidental games of footsie beneath the table too.

What are the different types of dining tables?

To keep things simple, dining tables can first be defined by whether or not they extend. An extendable dining table will either have a built-in or separate plinth that needs to be added once the two halves are pulled apart to create a larger surface. These are a great option for those who don’t always need to seat a larger number of people but enjoy hosting bigger groups occasionally. You can get all sorts of different extending dining tables, including those that are round or square or rectangular, crafted from all different types of materials.

Then, you can differentiate types of dining tables by their shape, which can be round, square, rectangular or potentially even completely irregular. Iconic shapes throughout history have included the Tulip by Eero Saarinen which is oval with a pedestal base, Alain Gilles’ Big Table for Bonaldo and of course, the classic Farmhouse dining table, which are an enduring staple in dining room design.

Finally, you can tell different types of dining tables apart by the style of their base. You’ll want to consider this carefully as different styles of base might have legs that get in the way, or could be a statement feature in the room, like many other Bondaldo pieces.

Examples of dining table bases include the pedestal base, which is one central leg that supports the entire surface, like with our Baobab Table, a more industrial style base with either cross-legs like the Beeston Dining Table or stretchers like the Dexter Dining Table, or simple straightforward style bases like the mid-century inspired Krista Dining Table.

How to decorate your dining table

Decorating your dining table will come entirely down to personal preference, but there are a few failsafe basics that you can start with:

• A centrepiece: a dining table centrepiece will add drama, shape and personality. This could be anything - a vase, sculpture, bowl or candelabra. Our favourites include the Evanora Vase, Zia Bowl and Silas Candlesticks.
• Candlelight: A candle-lit glow will make any and every meal feel like a truly opulent and intimate event. Go chunky and maximise the glow with the rustic pillar candles or go for a twisting taper candle to illuminate a more mid-level. Either way, candles create a more photogenic environment and ambient feeling that your guests will thank you for.
• Glassware: You can leave place settings laid out all the time. It creates a more lived-in look without compromising your attractive aesthetic. Opt for coloured glassware for contrast.

Does the dining table need to match my chairs?

Matching your dining table to your chairs will create a polished, pristine look that many people favour. It is based entirely on your own preferences and you should also consider things like comfort and practicality. There are some dining chairs that work well with most dining tables, such as the Cesca, Brooklyn and Mid-Century Scandi Chair. If in doubt, opt for a natural, warm-coloured material such as wood, as this is most likely to blend with any aesthetic.

Does a dining table need a rug?

You might choose to add a rug beneath your dining table in order to ‘ground’ it to the space and create a connection between the floor and your table. Rugs add warmth and comfort and can be a great way to add colour without necessarily committing to it for a long period of time (replacing a rug is much easier than re-painting walls or furniture).

However, if you have children or just happen to be a messy eater yourself, you might think twice about investing in a beautiful rug to place beneath the table, as it may end up stained or damaged.

How to style your dining table 

December is the month of hosting, which is why dining table decor often steps up throughout the festive season. From statement centrepieces to contrasting glassware, adding some touches of personality unlocks a whole new level of hosting.

UK furniture brand Where Saints Go specialises in high-quality and unique furniture for all aesthetics. In their latest guide, they’ve explored the different types of dining tables and what essential staples should be used when styling them. To start, the three questions you should be asking yourself when choosing a dining table are:

• How big is the dining area where you’ll place the table?
• What is the maximum number of people you’ll need to seat around it?
• Do you have a preference on shape?

Once those three have been answered, the brand takes you through different style and base options, referring Saarinen’s iconic tulip and even revealing what the ideal amount of elbow room is for each person sitting around the table.

When it comes to the final stage of styling, Where Saints Go’s Faye Leeming offers insight as to what the failsafe essentials for a beautiful dining table are:

“Decorating your dining table will come entirely down to personal preference, but there are a few failsafe basics that you can start with:

• A centrepiece: a dining table centrepiece will add drama, shape and personality. This could be anything - a vase, sculpture, bowl or candelabra. Our favourites include the Evanora Vase, Zia Bowl and Silas Candlesticks.
• Candlelight: A candle-lit glow will make any and every meal feel like a truly opulent and intimate event. Go chunky and maximise the glow with the rustic pillar candles or go for a twisting taper candle to illuminate a more mid-level. Either way, candles create a more photogenic environment and ambient feeling that your guests will thank you for.
• Glassware: You can leave place settings laid out all the time. It creates a more lived-in look without compromising your attractive aesthetic. Opt for coloured glassware for contrast.”