Dining tables for the perfect Christmas dinner

Christmas is a time to spend with friends and family and, if you’re thinking about treating yourself to a new dining table set, you’ll want something stylish and practical that can be enjoyed for years to come. The big day will be here sooner than you think so we’re sharing our top tips and advice to help you choose the perfect dining table for Christmas… and all year round.

Accommodate your extra guests with an extendable dining table. They come in a range of sizes, shapes and styles, from the contemporary, rectangular Bristol Oak Extending Dining Table to the country, circular Fleur grey painted round dining table. Some extend by just one leaf, while others extend to seat the whole extended family!

Extends from 132cm to 198cm

Extends from 110cm to 145cm

Extends from 120cm to 170cm

Extends from 210cm to 275cm

Best of all, when those extra seats aren’t needed, these tables can be folded down to a more manageable size and create a more spacious feeling in your dining area.

From elaborate turned legs to industrial reclaimed table tops, there are plenty of dining table styles to choose from. Match with sideboards and display cabinets – so you can carry the style across your whole dining area for a coordinated look.

With its with gentle curves and tapered legs, the Ercol Teramo is a contemporary pale oak dining range inspired by the traditional Shaker style. Choose between two different styles of dining chair, for a casual or more formal look, and coordinate with a wider range of occasional pieces.

Combining contemporary and classic design, the stone grey paint and limed oak surfaces of the Fowey Painted range looks relaxed by day yet effortlessly elegant for entertaining, especially when dressed up for Christmas with holly and ivy.

The combination of chunky iron legs and a mid-tone solid oak top certainly gives this Soho Dining range a stylish industrial feel. Crafted from solid European oak, this contemporary range has a selection of tables and sideboards, as well as coffee tables and a television unit available.

Made using traditional craft techniques and modern machining, the Ercol Windsor range features the beauty of displayed dovetail joints and iconic oval wooden handles. Choose an Ercol Windsor dining table and chair set to dine in real style this Christmas.

Complete your dining room with a coordinating sideboard, dresser or console table or add some contrast with contemporary touches, such as our elegant Ribbon End Table. The addition of a mirror can transform your dining space by increasing the amount of natural light cast across the room, as well as giving the impression of a larger space.

One of the challenges at Christmas can be finding that extra seating for your extra guests. We’ve got a wide range of seating available to make sure you’re guests are comfortable as they tuck into their turkey, from beautifully upholstered seating in a range of colours to classic wooden dining chairs and benches. Keep extra seating handy in your hall, study, spare room or bedrooms while they’re not in use, ready to bring out for those special occasions.

To help you visualise your table, place a sheet on the ground or place carboard boxes where the dining table will go. This can really help you to get a feel for the space you’re working with, and allow you to test spatial boundaries. Check out our full guide to measuring up. 

When choosing the shape of your dining table, consider the amount of people you want to seat as well as the shape of the room. The bigger the table, the more your guests will be restricted to conversations with the person next to them. With a rectangular table, however, there is the opportunity to chat to the people beside you and across from you. In smaller spaces, such as cottages or flats, a round table may be a better option. Not only does it make moving around easier, but it will create breathing space, helping the room to feel less crowded.

Besides how many people you want to seat, you also need to consider allowing enough space for people to pass comfortably around the table. To ensure you have adequate room around a dining table, we recommend that you leave a minimum of 35 inches (89cm) for clearance space from any nearby object, be it furniture, walls, doors or windows. This space should allow your guests to get up during a meal should they need to. However, for a more comfortable space around your dining table and a more elegantly proportioned room, we’d suggest allowing 45 inches (114cm).

Many precious memories are created around the Christmas dinner table, and the big day will be here sooner than you think! We have a wide range of beautiful dining tables and chairs in a range of styles to suit your home. So remember to order in plenty of time for Christmas!

Please check stocks online or contact us for most up to date delivery information.