How to Choose and Care For Your Wooden Dining Table
On the hunt for a new dining table? Know what you're buying with this expert guide on common woods and maintenance tips
Cherry, oak, ash, black walnut, South American walnut, maple, teak, high-quality veneer – knowing the difference between a $300 and $3,000 wooden dining table can involve a complex exercise in research, searching, assembly. Even if you’ve done your homework, it’s easy to be confused by the multitude of brands and marketing tricks out there. Say Chase and Calvin of Grey & Sanders, a Singapore-based line specialising in Scandinavian-influenced wood furniture, “Salesman misdirection is common in the furniture world, so find out more about the woods you’re buying before investing heavily.”
In this quick guide, the wood furniture specialists explain the qualities of common woods in the Singapore market. They also give us their expert take on what to look out for when choosing a wooden dining table, as well as how to care for your table so it sees you through the years.
In this quick guide, the wood furniture specialists explain the qualities of common woods in the Singapore market. They also give us their expert take on what to look out for when choosing a wooden dining table, as well as how to care for your table so it sees you through the years.
More about MDF
MDF is engineered from residual hard and soft woods and processed at a high temperature and pressure. MDF is often lauded for its affordability, however, Grey & Sanders warns this might not always be the case as MDF is considered premium engineered wood.
Most MDF pieces are covered with a veneer – a thin slice of wood that is then sanded down to create a more natural, seamless look. Because of MDF’s strength and versatility, the material tends to be used in more design-forward pieces that require thinner pieces of wood.
Premium furniture pieces tend to use thicker veneers that are more scratch- and water-resistant; however, thick veneer also tends to lift away from the piece more easily. Unlike hardwood pieces, MDF is not easily refurbished when scratched.
MDF is engineered from residual hard and soft woods and processed at a high temperature and pressure. MDF is often lauded for its affordability, however, Grey & Sanders warns this might not always be the case as MDF is considered premium engineered wood.
Most MDF pieces are covered with a veneer – a thin slice of wood that is then sanded down to create a more natural, seamless look. Because of MDF’s strength and versatility, the material tends to be used in more design-forward pieces that require thinner pieces of wood.
Premium furniture pieces tend to use thicker veneers that are more scratch- and water-resistant; however, thick veneer also tends to lift away from the piece more easily. Unlike hardwood pieces, MDF is not easily refurbished when scratched.
Solid hard wood is best for durability
This is no surprise, of course, but don’t blindly shell out money for furniture claiming to be hardwood! Grey & Sanders lays out some guiding principles when it comes to discerning the quality of your hardwood:
This is no surprise, of course, but don’t blindly shell out money for furniture claiming to be hardwood! Grey & Sanders lays out some guiding principles when it comes to discerning the quality of your hardwood:
- Black walnut, South American walnut, American walnut – what’s the difference? Don’t be fooled by marketing. Black walnut is often obtained from North America, and is priced at a premium due to logging restrictions. South American walnut is cheaper, but be warned – South American walnut is an entirely different species from black walnut wood! Many retailers here market South American walnut as “American walnut” in order to charge a premium. Both woods are beautiful hardwoods with distinctive grain, but black walnut is much harder to find due to its scarcity. When in doubt, assess what wood you’re buying by reviewing the woodgrain.
- Zebrawood is a popular exotic hardwood with a striking woodgrain. It is more affordable than black walnut due to where the tree is grown and logged – the cost of logging is lower in Africa than it is in North America.
- Ash wood is commonly used for standard dining tables and is popular for its price point and durability. Its natural, lighter tint suits homes decorated in a Scandinavian or Japanese palette. Ash wood is also commonly stained to a deeper walnut colour for a premium look.
- Teak is hard-wearing and contains silica, which helps furniture keep its shape without warping or raising grain. While more expensive, teak can be used for both indoors and outdoors as it is naturally water- and fungal-resistant. Teak is an endangered wood, though, so look for FSC-certified teak wood furniture to ensure your table has been responsibly sourced and made.
Size does matter
Deciding what wood to buy isn’t the only decision you’ll be making. A fundamental decision concerns size: specifically how large a table you need, and what shape will work best for your home.
Generally speaking, these are the numbers everyone should know:
Deciding what wood to buy isn’t the only decision you’ll be making. A fundamental decision concerns size: specifically how large a table you need, and what shape will work best for your home.
Generally speaking, these are the numbers everyone should know:
- Each diner needs about 60 centimetres of table edge at a table. Exclude table edge space blocked by table legs
- There should be at least 106 (ideally 122) centimetres of space between the table and walls or furniture
- It is difficult to reach the centre of tables wider than 122 centimetres
- Don’t forget delivery logistics! Will it fit in your condo or HDB lift? If you live in a landed house, will it go through your front door (and if your dining room is up or down a staircase, will it fit that)?
How does that translate to the dining table you should be looking at?
If you are a family of six or less living in a smaller home, your best bet is an oval or round table with a pedestal base. Round tables are more intimate; pedestal bases maximise table edge space by eliminating table leg blockage. Avoid round tables with a diameter larger than 122 centimetres as they make conversation and serving difficult.
If you are a family of six or less living in a smaller home, your best bet is an oval or round table with a pedestal base. Round tables are more intimate; pedestal bases maximise table edge space by eliminating table leg blockage. Avoid round tables with a diameter larger than 122 centimetres as they make conversation and serving difficult.
Black’s great, but… it’s hard to hide dings and scratches, especially on veneered tabletops.
If you have small children, Grey & Sanders recommends opting for a hardwood table, which can be easily repaired if scratched.
If you’re short on floor space, consider tables with drop-down leaves that accommodate extra seats. The most common drop-down leaf tables are made with MDF, although there are several solid wood options.
If you have small children, Grey & Sanders recommends opting for a hardwood table, which can be easily repaired if scratched.
If you’re short on floor space, consider tables with drop-down leaves that accommodate extra seats. The most common drop-down leaf tables are made with MDF, although there are several solid wood options.
Care Tips
Generally speaking, there’s no difference in maintaining a hardwood dining table or one made of MDF. Grey & Sanders recommends cultivating good habits to prolong the lifespan of your wooden tables:
Generally speaking, there’s no difference in maintaining a hardwood dining table or one made of MDF. Grey & Sanders recommends cultivating good habits to prolong the lifespan of your wooden tables:
- Use coasters for cold drinks
- Avoid placing hot pans or pots directly on the table; instead, use trivets as a barrier
- Avoid throwing down sharp or heavy objects like keys
- Clean with a damp cloth and work in the direction of the wood grain
- Use a water-based topcoat if you are concerned about spillage and stains
- Ethnicraft Online, which offers a selection of eco-friendly solid wood furniture, also recommends cleaning up spills immediately to prevent long-term stains. If you prefer to work out stubborn stains on your own, ensure the surface is dry and clean before sanding it down with extra fine sand paper (minimum 320 grit). Sand in the direction of the wood grain before applying a thin layer of Osmo Hardwax Oil and let dry for at least a day
- Solid wood tables can also be refurbished once every three to five years
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What’s your preference when it comes to dining tables? Wood, glass, marble or metal?
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What’s your preference when it comes to dining tables? Wood, glass, marble or metal?
MORE
Read more dining room stories
Dining tables can be categorised into two camps – solid hardwood and non-solid wood.
With the trend of live-edge wooden tables here, Grey & Sanders tells us the most common woods they see are zebrawood, black walnut, and South American walnut.
Ash wood is also often seen as it’s great value for money, and teak, while considerably more expensive, is popular for its durability due to its dense woodgrain and natural oils that repel insects.
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is by far the leading contender for non-solid wood furniture. Many stores carry the affordable MDF with walnut veneer as it tends to not crack or warp.