The dining table guide

How to choose the right designs for your dining room

What size fits your needs, what shape is ideal, and which tabletop should you choose? We'll guide you through the many options in six easy steps, covering the most common questions and considerations, from size to design to material and maintenance – to help you make the right decision.

Step 1: How big should your dining table be?

The ideal table size depends on your space and lifestyle. If you have a large dining room and love to host lots of dinner parties, you might like to go extra-large. However, if you have a more compact area, a small dining table or an extension table could be the perfect solution. Either way, size is the first thing you should consider, and we recommend measuring to make sure your furniture fits – ideally, there should be at least 1 metre from table to wall.

Do you prefer oval, round, square or rectangular? It often depends on how much space you have and the dining room style and layout. Explore the different shapes below.

    • Dining tables with extension leaves

      A dining table with extension leaves gives you a lot of flexibility. A comfortable table for everyday life, while the concealed or supplementary extension leaves offer plenty more seating when needed. That’s why extension tables are particularly suitable for smaller spaces – for gathering lots of people around the table on occasion.

    • Round dining tables

      A round or oval dining table is a great way to create an intimate dining setting and soften up your space. The soft curves elegantly contrast the straight lines of a modern home to create a harmonious balance – and create an eye-catching focal point in the dining room.

    • Square dining tables

      A square or rectangular dining table is slightly more space-efficient than a round one, offering plenty of seating space in any room. It can be centred in the space or placed closer along a wall in smaller dining rooms. A classic choice that can be paired with both benches and dining chairs.

    Do you prefer solid, FSC® certified wood with lots of character, or perhaps veneer with a more uniform look? Regardless of whether you choose solid wood, veneer or laminate, you can be sure that it is of the highest quality. Explore our most popular materials and their qualities below.

    • Solid wood

      Solid wood is a natural material brimming with lots of character and warmth that live in the beautiful grains that give each piece a unique expression. Every single piece of wood is responsibly forested, dried and sorted with great respect for nature and craftsmanship. Since wood is a natural material, it is affected by its surroundings, and you should therefore treat it regularly – and with love. If you do this, you'll have a table that can last for generations and only become more beautiful year after year. Read more about solid wood and proper care of the material here.

    • Veneer

      Veneer consists of thinly sliced wood, which is added layer by layer. The manufacturing process ensures a uniform surface with excellent durability. Therefore, this enables veneer to retain the living, natural characteristics we know from solid wood, just in a more uniform and lighter version. Like solid wood, veneer is a vibrant natural material that lives and breathes, which is why it is affected by the room it is placed in. Wood can contract or expand depending on where you place it, which is why you should give the same care and maintenance to veneer as solid wood. Read more about veneer and proper care of the material here.

    • Marble

      Marble is a natural material, where large blocks are cut up and transformed into your furniture. All our marble types are of the finest quality from Italy and are available in different types and colours. But they all share nature’s qualities, which provide a beautiful and timeless piece of furniture that is only enhanced by lasting care and love. Read more about care of marble here.

    • Soft seat upholstery

      Many of our dining chairs come in upholstered versions. Our LEATHER is 100% , while all furniture fabrics are certified according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, and are available in a range of beautiful colour tones and textures, from wool to bouclé, linen and velour.

    • Laminate

      Laminate is a durable and versatile material and we work with both HPL high pressure laminate and FENIX NTM® nanolaminate from the Italian company Arpa Industriale. All laminate types have different properties, but they are all characterised by being resilient, durable and easy to clean. Usually daily cleaning with a wet cloth is enough, while we recommend our Bolia Laminate Cleaner for more thorough cleaning. You can learn much more about the material and proper care and maintenance here.

    Step 4: Designed by you, for you

    Our dining tables and dining chairs are tailor-made just for you. Customise the material, colour, size, and the upholstery for your chairs. Each design allows you to play around with beautiful combinations, creating the perfect dining room.

    Need a little extra help or do you have any questions about the material or design you're interested in? We’d love to help you.

    Let us help you make your interior dreams come to life. Every Bolia store is designed to inspire, and we are always here to advise you. Stop by for a coffee and a peaceful experience, and let us help you curate the right designs, colours combinations and materials for your home.

    Your local store is designed to inspire – and our passionate team is here to help.  
    Drop by for a cup of freshly brewed organic La Cabra coffee and let’s chat about your ideas.  

    Book a free appointment in-store or via FaceTime – just send an email to your local store with your preferred time and a short description of your needs, and we’ll take care of the rest.  

    After your visit, we’ll send you a personalised offer including all the designs we discussed, fabric samples, and details to review at home. Make changes, take measurements, and place your order from the comfort of your home – or stop by again and let us assist you.

    Create the perfect dining room by pairing your table with our carefully curated selection of dining chairs. You'll find our recommended chair-and- table combinations, designed to thoughtfully complement your table and create a seamless look. For a truly personalised touch, explore the customisation options available for our upholstery dining chairs and seat pads, allowing you to tailor the design in your favourite fabric or traceable leather.

    We are selective when it comes to choosing materials and manufacturers and only the best is good enough. That’s why all our designs come with a 10-year warranty.

    Proper care and maintenance can make your table last a lifetime. Explore our care guides and tips and tricks here, and find the right care products for your table. We offer full care kits that provide you with everything you need.

    Our designs are made for being loved a lifetime – that’s why we offer you a 10-year warranty on every single design.

    All our wood designs are FSC™- certified to ensure responsible forestry that protects both forest workers and biodiversity. We only use the best timber and thoroughly quality check furniture before sending it home to you.

    The dining room is the heart of the home where friends and family gather. Create the perfect setting that can be easily transformed from everyday comfort to beautiful fine dining – with quality tableware, atmospheric lighting, inviting fabrics, and elegant accessories for festive occasions.