Dining rooms are essential spaces in our homes where we nourish, gather, and celebrate. They can also serve as meeting rooms or study areas. Given their high traffic and visibility, selecting the right dining room furniture is crucial for a pleasant experience.
Durability is a primary consideration for dining furniture. Cortney McClure, founder of Cortney McClure Design, emphasizes, “Dining furniture should be sturdy and withstand anything from family meals to kids’ crafts.”
We also appreciate that most of the furniture at West Elm is contract grade and kiln-dried, ensuring durability. Customization options abound, whether you’re looking for drop-in leaf tables, different finishes, or specific colors and shapes. However, it can take a month or so to receive your furniture after purchasing from West Elm, so plan ahead if you need it by a specific time frame.
IKEA offers modern designs and quick delivery. Good starter-home pieces are available. What we don’t like is that it’s made with less durable materials and assembly can be time-consuming. IKEA keeps things simple with classic designs and streamlined sets. The furniture features timeless, clean-lined silhouettes that can blend with any furnishings. Affordable price points and quick shipping times are beneficial for those setting up a rental space or first home. Many pieces are small-space friendly, with two-seater and extendable tables available. You can buy pieces separately or as a set, with options seating up to eight people. Many IKEA pieces are made from particle board, less durable than solid wood used by some other retailers. Assembly may take extra time and effort. CB2 is a great choice if you’re looking for a statement piece. We love the eye-catching, unique designs created in collaboration with designers. Tables range from black-and-white marble to glass on sculptural stones. There are also classic silhouettes and colorways for those who prefer pared-back pieces. CB2 has a beautiful selection of chairs, stools, and credenzas to mix and match. The wood pieces are largely FSC-certified for sustainability, but there’s a stricter return policy as a 50 percent deposit is required upon purchase. For an ample stock of high-quality classics, Pottery Barn has you covered. The over-70-year-old brand offers an easy-to-browse selection of chairs, tables, and accessories, as well as dining collections. You can filter by color, material, and sales to quickly sift out pieces that don’t match your style or budget. Plenty of features are available, such as extendable tables, extra storage, or contract-grade pieces.Pottery Barn is renowned for its sustainable wood furniture, offering a range of customizable chairs in various colors and finishes. The durability of their pieces is a standout feature, though their traditional style may not suit contemporary preferences. Castlery’s classic designs blend seamlessly with most spaces, featuring high-quality wood pieces and outdoor-friendly options. Their dining room staples are reasonably priced and come with clean-lined silhouettes that can complement various aesthetics. Castlery also offers dining sets for easy coordination, but customization options are limited. Article provides a streamlined selection of dining room furniture with clean-lined silhouettes and a subtle mid-century modern flair. Their pieces are easy to mix and match, and the variety of sizes caters to different groups and homes. Article’s tables are made from solid wood, ensuring durability, but there’s less variety compared to other retailers. Costco is known for its reliable quality and unbeatable price points, offering ample options for large groups and functional, durable pieces. Their dining sets prioritize functionality, with many extendable or storage features. However, style variety is limited, and a membership is required for purchases. Wayfair stands out as a retailer that offers every style and shape under the sun. They provide fast shipping and helpful user reviews, making it suitable for various sizes and styles of spaces, though quality can be inconsistent.
Looking for the perfect dining room furniture? We’ve rounded up the best retailers offering a wide selection and high-quality options.
Wayfair stands out for its extensive variety of dining room furniture, catering to artistic, functional, round, and short pieces. However, this wide range can lead to inconsistent quality. It’s crucial to check materials for durability before purchasing. One of the advantages of Wayfair is the ability to mix and match styles, colors, and finishes. Additionally, they offer fast delivery times and user reviews, helping you visualize the furniture in your space before making a purchase. For top-notch quality in design and durability, we recommend retailers like Pottery Barn, CB2, and West Elm. These brands provide ample variety and customizable features. If you’re seeking sturdy construction and timeless pieces, Article and Castlery are reliable options that blend well with various styles. Our selection process for the best dining room furniture retailers focused on durability, design, and versatility. We consulted industry experts and researched dozens of retailers, evaluating them based on these criteria. When choosing a dining room furniture retailer, consider the variety of styles available. Retailers like Pottery Barn and Wayfair offer a wide selection, making it easy to find a piece that matches your preferences. Durability is key in a high-traffic area like the dining room. Solid wood is more durable than MDF or particle board. Some retailers, like Lulu and Georgia, prioritize quality materials and construction. Contract-grade furniture, found at retailers like West Elm, is designed to withstand heavy use. Understanding how you’ll use your furniture can guide your material choice. Consider questions like: ‘Do you use your dining area daily or just for special occasions?’ ‘Do you host long dinner parties?’ ‘Do you have children who might spill?’ These factors will help you decide on the best materials for your needs.Popular Furniture Size and Shape Options
The most common dining table shapes are square, rectangle, circle, and oval. According to the layout of your space, choose your furniture appropriately. Retailers like Pottery Barn offer ample style options for each of these shapes and customizable sizes. In small spaces, adaptable designs can be useful. ‘I love gate-leg and self-storing leaf expandable tables,’ says Mayer. ‘Lulu and Georgia and West Elm both have great options, not to mention IKEA, whose Norden gateleg table with storage is basically an NYC rite of passage.’ Should You Choose a Dining Room Furniture Set or Individual Pieces? The answer to this crucial question depends on personal preference. ‘Dining sets are convenient and eliminate the guesswork of pairing pieces, which could be a significant advantage for some people,’ says McClure. ‘However, buying separate pieces allows for more customization and creativity. Mixing a vintage table with modern chairs can add charm to a space, which is something I love doing in my own designs.’ If you choose the latter option, Mayer suggests double-checking that the seats’ heights and arms meet the table’s clearance. ‘One advantage of a set is that the spatial logistics have already been determined,’ she says. Costco is a reliable retailer if you opt for a set as it offers several options for different-sized groups. Why Trust The Spruce? This roundup was written by Shagun Khare, an interior design and home decor writer specializing in furniture, room layouts, and lifestyle. She has been in the design field for over three years and has been writing for The Spruce since 2021, covering home trends, furniture shopping, and expert-backed design advice. Our Experts: Madelaine Mayer, founder and principal of AD:ROIT Cortney McClure, founder and principal designer of Cortney McClure Design 9 Dining Room Tables We Love For Every Type of Decor