A dining table will see plenty of action through its lifetime, whether it’s from sitting down for family meals, entertaining friends, impromptu office space or enjoying a cup of tea with the paper to hand. No matter what you use your dining table for, it’s a focal point for bringing people together and represents a big investment, too.

At Collingwood Batchellor, we have a range of contemporary, well-made tables to suit a host of budgets. And whether you’re working with an itsy-bitsy kitchen or have plenty of space to play with, you’ve come to the right place!

From rectangular to circular tables and oak to ash, narrow down your options with the help of our dining tables buying guide.

Choosing The Right Table

The first thing to do when choosing a dining table is to measure up and work out how much space you have around the room. Ideally you want your dining table and chairs to fit easily into the area you’ve chosen, while leaving enough room to manoeuvre the chairs in and out.

When you’ve worked out the maximum size of your table, it’s time to narrow down the options available within your budget. Collingwood Batchellor’s dining tables range from £160 to £2,645, but only you know how much you can afford to spend. However, we always say to bear in mind that the dining table is a key piece of furniture you’re likely to have for years to come – so it’s worth spending as much as you can afford.

Once you’ve chosen your table, or you’ve at least thought more about the style you’d like, have a think about the dining chairs you plan to use. You may already have a certain type of chair in mind – or maybe you plan to reupholster your existing set – it doesn’t matter, the chairs will play a big part in how your dining table looks. Here at Collingwood Batchellor we’ve brought together a wide selection of dining chairs and tables to create pre-defined, styled sets. And while this may make things easier for some of you, it will ultimately come down to your own personal tastes and budget.

The last thing to consider when buying a dining table is your lifestyle. Do you have pets? Children? Do you regularly entertain guests; do you have a large family? You’ll probably have thought about some of this already, but these questions should be taken into account when choosing your table’s material. Glass, wood and the various options available all wear differently depending on their use.

Consider Room Size

Large Rooms:

Large rooms are the easiest to work with when it comes to buying a dining table. The large space is perfect for introducing a statement piece into your home, whereas those of your preferring a clean, natural look will be amply provided for with our range of wooden dining tables.

With larger dining rooms it’s important to prevent the space from looking bare. Therefore, we suggest looking at some of our extending dining tables, so you can retract the table for smaller groups while also using the space effectively when extended.

Small Rooms:

Smaller rooms don’t have to be hard work. And believe us, we know there are limitations when it comes to working in a smaller space. However, this is where folding and round dining tables come into their own. Not only do they look great but they’ll also help you to save space, meaning you can say goodbye to that cluttered look you sometimes see in smaller rooms.

Round tables – particularly the pedestal variety – allow you to squeeze in an extra seat, while foldable and smaller extending tables will prepare your home for entertaining guests.

Consider Material

All of the materials and techniques used by our suppliers are tried and tested so that your table will look good and function for years. Having said that, different materials can have different effects and advantages.

Our solid wood and wood veneer ranges make up the majority of our collection. Veneer is a thin piece of wood applied to a solid structure, which – when high quality like ours – will protect the solid wood and help to prevent warping in sunlight or from spillages.

Note: Solid wood is a natural material and as a result, may warp, expand or shrink in sunlight or when exposed to water. The most common problems arising from this are drawers “sticking” and wobbly structures. Veneer helps to limit the effects of warping and expansion – however, is usually made from the same material as the solid base i.e. solid oak and oak veneer.

Glass will naturally bounce light around the room for a brighter look and feel. This see-through material will also help to create a less-cluttered appearance, and all of our glass is tempered.

Faux concrete and metal, as you’ll find on our Nova tables, offer an eye-catching statement look that’s sure to wow guests. Some of these items are occasionally combined with natural materials such as solid wood for a slightly different appearance. These tables are great for those looking to make an statement in their dining room.

Caring For Your Table

  • Dust regularly with a clean dry cloth
  • Repeat this procedure for periodic cleaning
  • Remove stubborn stains with a weak washing up liquid solution and a damp cloth. Dry after with a clean cloth
  • The use of furniture polish or spray is not necessary or recommended
  • Never use abrasive or corrosive cleaning agents
  • Always use placemats and coasters to protect the surface from moisture and heat

Accessories

  • Dining Chairs

From bright and colourful chairs to painted benches and modern seats, we have a wide range of dining chairs to help you create a more personalised look. Try experimenting with different coloured chairs or contrasting materials for a more eye-catching display, and you can even visit us in store to see how we’ve spruced up our sets – they look awesome by the way!

Shop Dining Chairs >>

  • Storage

Cutlery, plates, serving dishes and everything else important at mealtimes will need its own home. And whether you want to neatly tuck everything out of sight in a sideboard or would prefer to display your finest china with our glass-fronted cabinets, we have plenty of options to suit your dining table.

Shop Sideboards >>

  • Dinnerware

It’s time to complete the look with some well-made, contemporary dinnerware. Choose from a whole host of china, dinnerware accessories, candles and more in store (with a small selection online).