Buying Guide · Dining Tables
Solid wood dining tables: how to choose a modern table that lasts.
Wood species, sizing, finishes and care, and the questions worth asking before you buy, with modern solid wood dining tables from Copeland, Ethnicraft, Noir, Huppé, Urbia, Moes and Arditi.
A dining table is the piece a household uses hardest and keeps longest. That is why so many people start their search with solid wood dining tables: real timber can be refinished, it ages with character, and a well-built one can outlast several sets of chairs. This guide covers what actually matters when you shop for a modern solid wood dining table, from choosing a species and size to finishes, care and the details on a spec sheet that are easy to miss.
01 · Why solid wood
What "solid wood" means, and what it doesn't
Solid wood
The top and/or base is cut from whole boards or slabs of timber. Scratches and wear can usually be sanded and refinished, and grain, knots and color vary from table to table.
Veneer
A thin layer of real wood bonded over a stable core. Good veneer is not a shortcut. It allows book-matched grain and very stable wide tops, but it can only be lightly refinished.
Mixed construction
Many modern tables combine both, for example solid wood legs with a veneered top, or a solid slab on a steel base. Always read the "Material" line for the top and the base separately.
A good example is the Huppé Fly Walnut Table: its product details list solid walnut legs with a walnut veneer top. That is a perfectly good design choice. You just want to know it before you buy.
02 · Wood species
Choosing a wood: walnut, cherry, oak, teak and acacia
Each species changes the mood of a room as much as the shape of the table does. These are the woods you will find across our dining tables:
| Wood | Look | Good to know | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut | Deep chocolate brown, flowing grain | The classic mid-century and modern choice. Pairs well with black, brass and cream upholstery. | Copeland Audrey |
| Cherry | Warm reddish tone, fine grain | Cherry naturally darkens and deepens with light exposure over time. | Copeland Exeter |
| Oak | Pronounced grain, light to dark stains | Takes stains well, from pale natural to brown and black, so it suits Scandinavian and contemporary rooms. | Ethnicraft Torsion |
| Teak | Golden honey brown | Naturally oily wood, often finished with oil. | Ethnicraft Bok |
| Acacia | Varied tones, visible knots | Popular for chunky slab and natural-edge tops with a more organic, rustic-modern look. | Moes Bent |
03 · Sizing
How big should your dining table be?
Start with the room, not the table. A common planning rule is to leave about 36 inches between the table edge and walls or furniture so chairs can slide out, and to allow roughly 24 inches of table edge per diner. Standard dining height is about 29–30 inches.
- Rectangular tables make the most of long rooms and seat the most people.
- Round and square tables suit compact rooms and make conversation easier. See round dining tables.
- Extension tables stay compact day to day and grow for holidays. Look for self-storing leaves so you never have to find a closet for them.
- Trestle and pedestal bases free up legroom at the corners, so you can fit an extra chair.
For reference, the made-to-order slab tables from the Arditi Collection list these suggested sizes:
| Seats | Suggested top (W × L) |
|---|---|
| 4–6 | 42″ × 72″ |
| 6–8 | 42″ × 96″ |
| 8–10 | 48″ × 96″ |
| 10–12 | 48″ × 108″ |
| 12–14 | 48″ × 120″ |
Source: Astrea Live Edge Walnut Dining Table specifications.
04 · Finishes & care
Oiled, lacquered or varnished: finishes and everyday care
Oiled finishes
These soak into the wood for a natural, matte feel. They are easy to spot-repair, but need periodic re-oiling and quicker attention to spills. Ethnicraft lists an oiled finish for the Bok table.
Lacquer and varnish
A protective film on the surface that resists everyday spills and rings. Copeland uses a clear, low-sheen protective top coat, and Ethnicraft finishes the Torsion table in varnish.
Low-emission finishes
If indoor air quality matters to you, look for certifications. Copeland lists its finishes as GREENGUARD Certified for low chemical emissions.
Simple care that works for any solid wood table
- Wipe spills promptlyUse a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry it. Avoid soaking the surface or using harsh or ammonia-based cleaners.
- Use placemats, coasters and trivetsHeat and standing moisture cause most of the marks you will see on wood.
- Mind sun and climateWood reacts to humidity and light. Keep tables away from radiators and vents, and expect lighter woods and cherry to change tone over time.
- Follow the maker's guidanceRe-oil oiled finishes as recommended, and check the care instructions for your specific finish before using any polish.
05 · Our picks
Modern solid wood dining tables we love
Every table below is available at Modern Studio. Materials are taken from each product's specifications, and prices are current starting prices. Check the product page for sizes, finishes and lead times.
Copeland · Made in VermontExeter Extension Dining Table
Solid North American cherry or walnut, made to order. Self-storing butterfly leaves extend to 96″ or 112″.From $7,035Shop now →
Copeland · Made in USAAudrey Extension Dining Table
Solid American black walnut or cherry on a double-X trestle base, with one 24″ self-storing leaf.From $5,177Shop now →
Copeland · SquareCatalina Square Extension Table
Solid hardwood top and angular center-set legs. A square table that extends.From $5,335Shop now →
Ethnicraft · Alain van HavreBok Extendable Dining Table
Offered in teak and oak finishes, oiled. Five sizes, extending up to 118″.From $3,999Shop now →
Huppé · Made in CanadaFly Walnut Table
Solid walnut legs, walnut veneer top. Eight sizes, including single and double extensions.From $3,709.68Shop now →
Urbia · Natural edgeBrooks Natural Edge Table, U Base
Handmade from solid hardwood in four top colors, with black, pewter or brass bases.From $2,386Shop now →
Moes Home · SlabBent Solid Slab Dining Table
A solid acacia top with natural knots on a bent iron frame, in three lengths up to 118″.From $2,100Shop now →
Arditi Collection · Made to orderAstrea Live Edge Walnut Table
A walnut and resin live-edge top. You approve your wood slab before production.From $6,875Shop now →
Noir · Los AngelesShifter Dining Table
Solid walnut in a dark walnut finish, with metal-capped accents.$8,025Shop now →
Noir · Los AngelesRomeo Dining Table
Solid mahogany with a hand-rubbed black finish.$5,451Shop now →
Ethnicraft · Solid oakMikado Dining Table
Solid oak by designer Alain van Havre, with refined modern detailing.From $4,129Shop now →
Ethnicraft · Fixed topBok Dining Table
The fixed-top version of the Bok, for rooms that do not need a leaf.From $1,999Shop now →
06 · Before you buy
A short checklist for buying a solid wood dining table
- Read the material line for the top and the base"Solid wood", "solid hardwood", "veneer" and "wood & resin" describe very different builds.
- Check lead timeMade-to-order tables take longer. Copeland lists typically 8–14 weeks and Ethnicraft typically 12–16 weeks on the products above.
- Measure the room and the path inLong slab tops and one-piece tables need clear doorways, stairs and turns.
- Plan for growthIf you host a few times a year, an extension table with self-storing leaves often beats buying the biggest top.
- Match chairs to the tableCheck apron height and leg positions against chair arms. Browse dining chairs and dining benches.
- Request finish samples when offeredWood tone on screens varies. Natural grain and color differ from table to table.
FAQ
Solid wood dining table questions
Are solid wood dining tables worth it?
For a piece used every day, yes for many households. Solid wood can usually be sanded and refinished, and it ages with character. Well-made veneer tables can be an excellent choice too, especially for very wide tops.
What is the most durable wood for a dining table?
Dense hardwoods such as oak, walnut and cherry are long-standing furniture choices. In practice, the finish matters as much as the species. A protective lacquer or varnish resists spills better day to day, while an oiled finish is easier to touch up.
What size dining table seats 6?
A rectangle around 72″ long is a common starting point. The Arditi Collection suggests 42″ × 72″ for 4–6 diners. Allow about 36″ of clearance around the table for chairs.
What makes a solid wood dining table look modern?
Clean, slim profiles, considered bases like trestles, U-frames and center pedestals, and restrained finishes. Pair the table with simple lighting and chairs that contrast in material or color.
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