Large dining table - where to find??

[dogschewbones]

We've had a nice but not-huge table for years, but if we're to have people round we need a bigger one. Ideally it'd be a table that seats 10 comfortably, but 14-16 at a pinch.

Two problems:

1. I can't find anything nice - where to look? Ideal table would be solid, elegant, nice both for homework/craft, and for Christmas dinner


2. There's a length trade-off. 2.5m isn't really all that long for the numbers we'd like to be able to seat, but longer than that will get in the way of the door - unless we push the table up against the window most of the time (which would mean people couldn't get around the end). Which would you go for - shorter table which we can always walk around, or longer (so we can seat more when we need to, but have the everyday compromise)?

I am mega indecisive and find it hard to picture things...

What style do you like, OP? I can think of a few places I know do good stuff, but visually very different. We have a lot of reclaimed wood/Industrial style pieces, but that might not be your bag at all.

On the length - this is screaming for an extendable table. Then you can have the short length for every day, and attach the extra bits when you need them. The best kind let you store the extra leaves under the table itself.

Get an extendable table with a leaf you can take out. My table seats six without its leaf and 10 with

Local auctions usually have large tables (and other large pieces of wooden furniture). You might not find something you like immediately but with patience you're likely to find treasure. And the prices beat new. And it's ethically sound. And great fun

Shorter and wider, so the two ends can seat either side. You can get 14 nicely seated.
I'd look to have one made, it will be more affordable. Also measure your chairs.

Be careful with leg position and extendable tables - it often doesn't give you as much room as you'd expect. Look for legs that don't sit at the edge of the table.

its worth looking at The Cotswold Furniture Company if you like that sort of thing. They have large extendable tables. We have one from John Lewis. Agree re leg position but it’s usually a toss up. Extendable tables with the extra leaves stored under the table usually have legs at the four corners.

Neptune has tables that come in different sizes.

The IKEA Norden tables are great, heavy and classic design. I've got the smaller one extended for sewing today but they did a 2m + one IIRC. There are hundreds on eBay/Facebook I expect.

Depends on your budget and style but antique tables might fit the bill?

This website might give you some ideas?

We have this table-

www.houseofoak.co.uk/deluxe-oak-240cm-extending-dining-table.html

I LOVE it! Not sure if it's your style but can recommend.

These guys do different sizes

abacustables.co.uk

Danetti have reasonably priced extending tables

Really helpful ideas, thank you. maybe we do need to have something made - where would we get that done?
I have looked for an old one but without success. They are either too fancy and dining roomish, or have loads of massive legs!
we will have assorted chairs…

Keep an eye out for Open Studios type events or county shows - we’ve seen furniture makers at these events.

Also try Instagram?

Googling might bring up a local manufacturer?

e.g., I found this one through Google:

www.griffinandsinclair.co.uk/commissioning

We got one from Etsy which did a huge range of sizes for the same table.

We marked out the size on the floor with masking tape and sat and walked around it and jiggled chairs before deciding on size.

We got a solid oak 8 seater from Oak Furniture Land 12 years ago and it's still in perfect condition. It's withstood DD painting, colouring and glueing all over it. Any particularly stubborn marks have just been lightly sanded and then the table re-waxed.

This! And the bigger the piece of furniture, the better bargains there are to be had, as people tend to live in smaller homes nowadays. I’ve seen amazing Georgian flame mahogany dining tables, fantastic quality, going for less than £100. They have outlasted their owners and will outlast us. Enjoy the hunt!

Not sure if this may be to industrial in style but https://www.rcc-furniture.com/ have lots of different sizes and use reclaimed wood.

Putin's got a nice big table.

We just got one made from the rustic table company. V pleased. Ours is 7 feet and seats 10

A word of warning on RCC - we bought a garden table from them a few years back and had a few issues (over promised/underdelivered).

We are in a similar dilemma to you. Had initially planned to go with an extending option but having looked at quite a few in person are pretty set on this 240cm table

www.amara.com/products/air-dining-table-oak-240cm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&amss=lcd&gclid=CjwKCAjw7IeUBhBbEiwADhiEMZJAoC-N0r0znindLRPrv8YtkrK9bsP6n2dxgwTmdduCqGsVR7f2shoCcoAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

We had one made from UKAA -they do wood and metal tops and different style of legs, drawers etc. Compares price wise with nice quality tables from big furniture shops. We had antique zinc top, but they do scrub top too and any size you want.

I'd look at local antiques places can find really excellent quality stuff for the same price as cheap tat brand new.

We've just bought a dining set from Barker and Stonehouse - sits 8 compacted and measures 240cm, has 2 independant folding leaves of 50cm, so sits 14 at a push extended.

we have a similar issue that fully extended it's too big - but manageable a few times per year, but the compacted size is perfect.

I did find an oak table specialist online when I was looking, but cant remember the name - fairly basic but timeless designs, but, a very large range of sizes and extensions.