Updated on Sep. 02, 2024
The best interior decorating hack? A dining set. With a table and seating already styled together, it's a quick way to pull a room together and elevate every meal. Couch dinners are about to be a thing of the past.
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Your kitchen table is more than just a piece of furniture. It’s where you start your day with a cup of coffee and end it with a home-cooked meal. The best dining table set transforms a dining room into a center point for gathering with friends, a homework station or a home office.
Choosing the right dining table set is one of our favorite interior design tricks to make a kitchen instantly look more put together. No more guessing about what chairs or benches might best complement your new table—all the styling is done for you. Just choose between a round dining table and a square table and you’re ready to go!
To find the best kitchen and dining table sets you can buy online, we considered a range of different prices, materials and use cases. Audrey Scheck, founder and principal designer at Audrey Scheck Designs, says that buying a dining table is all about durable, solid materials that are guaranteed to stand the test of time, so we prioritized high-quality designs. We also included four of our favorite options, tested in the homes of Taste of Home shopping editors. Whether you’re looking for a dining table set that seats two or twelve, you’ll find all the top options in the list below.
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Take it from Senior Editor Caitlyn Fitzpatrick: Hunting for the best dining table set isn’t an easy operation. “When my husband and I bought our house nearly four years ago, we luckily had most of the furniture we already needed—except for a dining room set,” says Caitlyn. “That meant it was that much more important to find a truly stunning table and chairs set. We accomplished that with the Saybrook Dining Table with Leaf. While you can purchase the Saybrook table on its own, we opted for the full set, which includes six chairs.”
Caitlyn notes that the off-white table legs and warm brown top have a cool contrast that makes it feel luxurious. She keeps the included 18-inch leaf in year-round, but if your space is smaller, you might just want to put it in during the holidays or big family gatherings (don’t worry, it’s easy to do).
While on the expensive side, this two-tone table truly delivers what you pay for. It measures 80 inches long by 40 inches wide by 30.5 inches tall (with the leaf) and has textured details that give it a slightly rustic vibe.
In addition, Caitlyn has a pro tip: “If you order from Raymour & Flanigan, invest in the five-year Platinum Protection plan. When scented room oils leaked on our table and pulled off the top coating, a rep came to our home and fixed it within a matter of hours, and it looks as good as new.”
Dimensions: 80″ x 40″ x 30.5″ (with leaf) | Material: Kiln-dried hardwood | Seats: 4 without leaf, 6 with leaf | Colors available: One
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Score the ideal communal gathering table. This dining table and bench’s half-modern, half-rustic look feels like sitting down to brunch in an updated farmhouse. While relatively minimalist, the set’s smaller details (like the mid-century table and bench legs) lend any space a little extra style and flair. It doesn’t take up too much room, but it can still accommodate homework or work-from-home needs.
The solid acacia wood table comes with a matching bench and up to four chairs. For smaller spaces, move the table against a wall and rely on the bench to create a cozy nook. The table comes in two length options, which extend to the bench as well. Those with more room can mix and match different dining chairs, with the longer size fitting between six and eight. There’s even the option to add fabric to the chairs for extra cushion.
Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski has the Seb dining set and appreciates that it was easy to set up, requiring only leg assembly on the bench and table. “I’m incredibly impressed with how sturdy this piece is,” she says of the set. “And it’s 100% wood. As for the price, I think it’s very reasonable. You could easily spend this much at Ikea, Amazon or Wayfair for something made of MDF. I’ve stood on the bench a few times to take photos and have not felt like I was going to fall through. Everything is solid wood.”
Dimensions: 70.9″ x 35.4″ | Material: Solid acacia wood | Seats: 4 to 6 | Colors available: One, but can choose wood or fabric chairs
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There’s no need to reach over your aunt to snag seconds at the next holiday dinner. This round stone dining table boasts a rotating lazy Susan turntable in the center, making it easy to serve several dishes during a party. Senior Shopping Editor Daria Smith, who tested the table in her own home, notes that overall, it’s a “very solid, marble-inspired table that’s worth the money.”
You can choose between 54-inch or 59-inch sizes and options with or without chairs. Daria notes that unlike other dining chairs she’s had in the past, the leather-like chairs that come with this set are incredibly comfortable, making them well worth the extra splurge. She finds herself working from her dining table more often because of this. Additionally, they (along with the table) are easy to wipe clean with a cloth.
That said, the boxes the table arrives in are heavy, so plan for a mover or a few friends to help with assembly. In addition, the assembly is a little confusing, so plan for a few hours of work to get it set up. However, it’s well worth it for the end result, which impresses dinner party guests with its gorgeous sintered stone top, striking gold base and unique turntable center. “I’ve hosted several six-people dinners,” notes Daria. “As far as dining purposes go, the table is very sturdy.”
Dimensions: Can choose between 59- and 54-inch lengths | Material: Sintered stone, stainless steel, PU leather, solid wood | Seats: Up to 6 depending on what option you purchase | Colors available: One
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You’ve earned your reputation as the host of the group by throwing the best dinner parties and cocktail hours. Live up to that precedent with one of the best expandable dining tables. Enter: This breakfast nook dining set, ready to accommodate all daily needs while tying the room together with an elegant, timeless style.
The dual wooden tones are classic; they’ll pair nicely with most home decor and outlast different design trends. The set is also a bit of a chameleon. It’s great for weathering a busy, high-traffic home, but add some nice placemats and table settings for a touch of elegance. Plus, the dining bench makes it a snap to squeeze in a few extra guests for dinner.
Senior Shopping Editor Caroline Lubinsky loves her table, noting that the delivery was easy peasy. “It was delivered almost entirely assembled,” she says. “There is an extension leaf, which is easy to take in and out.” That said, she does mention a few notable cons. “My only gripe is that if you remove the extension leaf, you don’t have a way to lock the table back into place since the leaf has the locking mechanism.”
She also notes that the tabletop is actually particle board inside, making it less durable than it looks. Overall, given the size, she’s still happy with the set for the price.
Dimensions: 72″ x 36″ x 30″ (with leaf) | Material: Hardwood | Seats: 3 to 6 | Colors available: One
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Whether your dining and kitchen areas get lots of activity or they stand at attention for more formal gatherings, you deserve something as sophisticated and high-quality as the Sloane dining set. Gentler hallmarks like fluted detailing on the large dining table and an accompanying bench balance with bold, sturdy legs. As our overall top pick, it’s trendy enough to feel like something from an interior design magazine while embodying a timeless style.
It comes with your choice of four or six fabric or leather chairs. While the set is on the higher end of our list’s price points, the quality far exceeds the cost. The colors are darker but neutral, so it shouldn’t disrupt existing furnishings while still making an eye-catching statement.
Dimensions: 88.6″ x 35.4″ x 29.9″ | Material: Engineered wood with oak veneer; chairs are solid rubber wood frame and cane backing | Seats: Up to 6 | Colors available: One
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Strike a happy medium between an affordable price and quality. This dining table set features two upholstered benches. It pulls off the impressive feat of being compact enough to shine in a tinier kitchen or dining room while still fitting up to six people. This pick is well-suited for small spaces like an apartment—the benches can slide under the table while not in use. Overall, you’re getting a sturdy, elegant table without shelling out too much money. It’s perfect for impressing guests (or, let’s be honest, watching Netflix on your computer with dinner).
Sure, some dining sets dip even deeper into the budget realm, but we like that this one can handle the day’s messes and a few bumps without immediately showing it.
Dimensions: 44.4″ x 27.5″ x 29.5″ | Material: MDF board and solid steel | Seats: 4 | Colors available: Bench: brown and black; table top: gray, Rustic Brown, white
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There are few things better than happy hours watching the sunset or al fresco dinners with family. This outdoor dining set is made for summer evenings, whether it’s grilling hot dogs for all the kids or hosting an elegant dinner. It has an upscale look while being neutral enough to fit in with any backyard style or planned decoration.
Like some of the other best outdoor dining tables, this furniture has steel frames for greater durability when handling the elements.
Dimensions: 64″ x 38″ x 29″ | Material: Heavy duty steel, weather- and UV-resistant fabric | Seats: 6 | Colors available: One
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For city dwellers and those looking to make the most of smaller spaces, meet this three-piece dining set. It adds a little extra style without taking up much room. With two chairs, it’s ideal for living alone, living with roommates or couples who need a cozy place to sip coffee or chat over dinner. If you’re really tight on space, this doubles as a desk.
While there are plenty of trendier options out there, we like that this leans more classic. It won’t look out of place when it’s time to redecorate around it (perhaps upgrading with kitchen storage cabinets), and the mid-century style adds a touch of elegance.
Dimensions: 35.5″ x 29″ | Material: Wood | Seats: 2 | Colors available: One
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Sometimes selecting a budget option can feel like a compromise, but then you encounter a dining table set like this one and it feels like a steal. This is one of our top picks for a high dining set because of its wallet-friendly price and minimalist style. It fits seamlessly with a range of decors. Our favorite part? It includes storage.
Stash your prettiest wine glasses or nicest wine bottles to show off your great taste to visitors, or use it as a place to stash cookbooks, mugs, kitchen tools or anything else needed close at hand.
Dimensions: 36″ x 19.7″ x 36″ | Material: PU leather, engineered wood | Seats: 2 | Colors available: Black, grey, retro
When researching the best dining tables, we found that solid wood designs, benches and bar-top styles are all popular trends. As recommended by both Crickett and Audrey, wood is a great direction to go in since it’s one of the most durable materials.
We also noticed that upholstered chairs are another big trend for this year. With the ability to choose your fabric, this allows you to add a pop of color to your dining set-up. You can also choose a more neutral hue to match the rest of your dining room decor.
The simple answer is budget, quality, material and what it’s for. What this really means: It all depends on you, your house and your lifestyle.
“Who lives in this house?” Asks Crickett Kinser, lead designer at Kitchen Places. “Are you an empty nester? Do you have children? Do you host parties?”
Dining table sets vary wildly when it comes to needs, style preferences and home size. When choosing a dining table set, it’s important to select not just what looks the best online or in store, but what fits best with your space and your lifestyle. You’ll want to consider:
It all comes down to the quality of the materials. Generally, a heavy-duty wood (think oak or cherry) is going to better withstand the dents and dings that come with daily life. Once dented, it’s dented. Metal handles plenty of wear, which is why metal tables are great for the outdoors, but it may feel a bit utilitarian in your home (and probably not suited for those with little ones).
Also, consider the build. Tables with a thicker top and legs offer better longevity and durability.
“Paying attention to these details will help ensure you’re investing in functional and long-lasting pieces for your home,” Audrey says.
For a high-quality dining room table, you might be looking at $2,000 and upwards. However, there are still great options between $500 and $2,000 with enough variety to suit different needs.
We explored dozens of products across trusted retailers, read countless product reviews and got expert takes on trends and interior design. In our research, we aimed to vet the real, lived experience of using each table. We evaluated each pick based on price, quality, durability and style to appeal to different types of shoppers. I have also written many similar articles, helping shoppers find everything from gift sets to cleaning products to home decor.
We also chatted with experts to get a better idea of what makes a good dining table. Crickett Kinser is the lead designer at Kitchen Places and Audrey Scheck is the founder and principal designer at Audrey Scheck Design. Both have years of interior design experience under their belts and guided us in the right direction by teaching us about what to consider when purchasing a new dining table.
Melissa Lee, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, also updated and contributed to the research of this piece. She’s been working in commerce journalism for six years and has written hundreds of product reviews in the home and DIY space.
