I’m a shopping writer – these are the best dining tables to buy for hosting season

Width: 108”
Depth: 30”
Height: 42”
Materials: Oak
Seats: 10

+Great for larger families or gatherings
+Easy to clean
-Some assembly required

This ultra-long dining table is streamlined and sophisticated, with a grooved edge to add interest. It can comfortably seat 10, so it’s great for larger gatherings or family get-togethers. Made from organic oak but sealed with a clear lacquer, the Norma Dining Table is water- and stain-resistant. You can easily wipe away spills and splatters with a soft damp cloth. There is some simple assembly required, which is the case with most dining tables. Anthropologie offers a white glove delivery service, which includes all the unpacking and assembly of your dining table, for a small extra fee. 

Width: 36”
Depth: 36”
Height: 29”
Materials: Marble and metal
Seats: 3

+Handcrafted from natural periods
+Perfect for solo diners or small gatherings 
-Not suitable for mid-size or large gatherings 

A smart circular dining table like this is great for small dining rooms. With a pedestal base to maximize leg room, the Lillia Round Dining Table is best suited to solo diners or intimate gatherings. The marble tabletop is right on trend, while the bronze base provides a great color contrast. This little dining table is a real conversation piece, and it’s easy to care for, too. Simply wipe away any stains or spills with a damp cloth, and use placemats to protect your tabletop from hot pots or pans.

Width: 72”
Depth: 72”
Height: 30”
Base: 22”
Materials: Stone
Seats: 6-8

+High-quality materials and craftsmanship
+Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
-Expensive
-High-maintenance

This dining table has been ably sculpted in the Hellenic style. With space for six to eight diners, and a circular design so that everyone can see and hear each other, this table is perfect for midsize gatherings in or out of doors. It’s made from reconstituted stone, which should age beautifully, oxidizing to create a delicate patina effect. This is a high-quality product, but it’s a little high-maintenance. The stone is porous and will quickly absorb spills and stains, but it’s easy to clean with a soft damp cloth.

Width: 41”
Depth: 41”
Height: 29”
Materials: Valchromat and steel
Seats: 4

+Perfect for a pop of color 
+Available in a wide range of sizes and styles
-Not suitable for larger families or gatherings
-Some assembly required

Playful yet elegant, the Two-Color Table by Hay is a marriage of two materials, sturdy steel and organic wood fibers. Each piece is made to order in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. You can design a table that complements your dining room color palette, or create a piece that pops. Each vibrant table top is made from natural wood fibers, pulped and organically dyed to make a material known as Valchromat. This process results in slight color variation from piece to piece, so that no two-toned table is the same. Just bear in mind that, like with most dining tables, there is some assembly required. 

Width: 35.4”
Depth: 35.4”
Height: 29.5”
Materials: Glass and iron
Seats: 4

+Suitable for smaller families and gatherings
+Affordable
-Some assembly required

Wayfair is one of the best places to buy affordable furniture, so you can grab a good-quality glass dining table for less. For obvious reasons, glass blends well with any and all interior designs. This glass has been tempered and toughened, too, so that it’s scratch-resistant and easily cleaned. There’s also a wear-resisting foot pad to protect your floor. Each part is clearly labeled for simple assembly. Wayfair does offer a professional assembly service, but since it’s almost as expensive as the table itself, I’d recommend skipping it. It’ll also be worth learning how to clean a glass table to get yours gleaming.

Width: 80” extended, 60” unextended
Depth: 38”
Height: 30”
Materials: Solid eucalyptus; walnut veneer
Seats: 8

+Made from natural materials
+Affordable
-High-maintenance

This stylish, slimline table will fit right into mid-century modern homes. The legs and frames are solid eucalyptus, kiln-dried for extra durability. The bevelled edge is super streamlined and really showcases the walnut veneer tabletop. Best of all, and unusually for dining tables, the home delivery and professional assembly of this piece is included in the price. The only downside is that the wood makes it a little high-maintenance. You’ll need to use a surface pad when serving hot dishes and avoid surface cleaners that could remove the glossy finish.

Width: 120” when extended, 84” when unextended
Depth: 40”
Height: 30”
Materials: Reclaimed elm
Seats: 8-12

+Perfect for larger gatherings
+Made from all-natural materials
-Expensive
-Some assembly required

This reclaimed elm dining table comes with two additional 18-inch leaves. When inserted, these extend the table top so that it’s an impressive 120 inches wide. You can comfortably seat 12 around this table, so it’s ideal for larger gatherings or extended family get-togethers. This McGee & Co. table has been crafted to showcase the knots, splits, and discolorations that are native to organic wood materials. With proper care, you can enjoy it for years to come. However, it needs assembly, and you can definitely find a decent extendable dining table for less. 

Width: 43.5”
Depth: 27.5”
Height: 29.75”
Materials: Acacia
Seats: 4

+Suitable for outdoor dining
+Easy to store
+Affordable
-Not suitable for larger families
-Some assembly required

Rust-, water-, and UV-resistant, this dining table is suitable for outdoor use, whatever the weather. The acacia frame lends rustic charm, and it’s easy to wipe clean. The best thing about this dining table is that it’s foldable, so it’s easy to store during the colder months, and it can be pulled out at a moment’s notice on a sunny day. The Positano Table seats four, so it’s ideal for smaller families, and you can use it as a serving table at larger gatherings. While there is some assembly required, Target provides the tools, as well as a detailed instruction manual. 

Width: 71”
Depth: 35”
Height: 30”
Materials: Acacia
Seats: 8-10

+Maximizes space
+Bench and table also sold separately
-Some assembly required

A simple and sturdy dining set like this is perfect for a farmhouse kitchen. The angled blade legs add interest while maximizing leg room and floor space. The Casa Dining Set seats eight to 10, so it’s perfect for larger families, especially because it comes with a Casa Dining Bench. You’ll no longer live in fear of your friend inviting a plus one to the dinner party: dining benches make it much easier to accommodate extra guests. There’s only one drawback: like with most dining sets, you’ll have to assemble this one yourself.