Dining Tables That Bring Everyone Together
Think about your best memories around a table. Birthday dinners where the cake got a little lopsided. Holiday meals where someone (again) forgot the cranberries. Tuesday nights when everyone actually made it home for dinner at the same time. Your dining table isn't just furniture, it's where life happens, where conversations start, and where your family gathers even when phones are competing for attention.
At Dufresne Furniture, we know that finding the right dining table means finding the heart of your home. Whether you're furnishing your first place in Winnipeg or upgrading your family home in Regina, we've got dining tables that work for real Canadian families and real Canadian spaces.
Finding the Right Size for Your Space
Small Dining Tables- Living in a condo or apartment? Small dining tables and bistro sets give you proper dining space without taking over your entire living area. Perfect for cozy breakfast nooks or those open-concept spaces where your dining area shares room with your living room. Round tables are especially smart in tight spaces, no corners to bump into when you're squeezing past.
Medium Dining Tables - The sweet spot for many homes. Seats four to six comfortably, handles weeknight dinners easily, and can squeeze in a couple extra chairs when friends drop by. These tables fit beautifully in most dining rooms without making the space feel cramped or empty.
Large Dining Tables - Got a crew to feed? Large dining tables comfortably seat six to eight (or more with extensions). Perfect for families who actually use their dining room or folks who love hosting. Yes, they take up space, but there's something special about everyone fitting around one table instead of the kids getting exiled to a separate spot.
Extendable Dining Tables - Here's the genius solution: tables that grow when you need them to. Extension dining tables start at a manageable size for everyday use, then expand for holiday meals, game nights, or when your kid brings home half the soccer team. Leaves can be stored away when not in use, or some models have self-storing extensions built right in. It's like having two tables for the price of one.
Styles That Match How You Actually Live
Rustic and Farmhouse Tables - That lived-in, welcoming vibe never goes out of style. Rustic dining tables with their distressed finishes and sturdy builds can handle daily life with kids, pets, and the occasional craft project that takes over the table. Plus, a few extra scratches and marks just add to the character.
Modern and Contemporary Tables - Clean lines, sleek finishes, and minimalist vibes. Modern dining tables work great in open-concept homes where your dining area flows into your living space. Glass tops keep things feeling open and airy. Metal bases add an industrial edge that's big in Canadian design right now.
Counter-Height Tables Want something a bit more casual? Counter-height dining tables create a relaxed, kitchen-island feel. They're perfect for families with teens who prefer the casual vibe, or for smaller spaces where you want to define the dining area without blocking sightlines.
Materials That Work for Canadian Homes
Solid Wood Tables - Built to last generations. Solid wood dining tables can take the wear and tear of daily family life and still look beautiful. Oak, maple, and pine are popular choices that handle our climate well. Yes, you might see some expansion and contraction with our temperature swings, but that's just wood doing its thing.
Engineered Wood - More budget-friendly without sacrificing looks. Quality veneers give you beautiful wood grain patterns while being more stable than solid wood. Great for busy families who want the look of real wood with easier maintenance.
Glass and Metal - Easy to clean and perfect for modern spaces. Glass-top tables make small dining areas feel more open. Just know that every fingerprint shows up, so maybe not the best choice if you have little kids who like to "help" clean.
Things to Think About Before You Buy A Dining Table
Measure Your Space - You need at least 36 inches of clearance around your table for chairs to pull out comfortably and people to walk past. That means if your dining room is 10 feet wide, your table shouldn't be more than 42 inches wide. Trust us, you don't want to do the sideways shuffle every time someone needs to get up.
Shape Matters More Than You Think
- Rectangular tables are the most common and work well in most rooms. They're great for conversation and fit more people.
- Round tables create intimacy and work perfectly in square rooms or breakfast nooks. Everyone can see each other, and there's no "head of the table."
- Square tables are ideal for smaller spaces and create a cozy feel for four people.
- Oval tables give you the people-capacity of rectangular tables but with softer edges. Great for homes with kids.
Seating Reality Check - Allow 24 inches of table space per person. So a 60-inch round table can comfortably seat six. Could you squeeze in eight for a holiday dinner? Sure. But for everyday comfort, stick with six.
Care for Your Table
Every table needs some TLC. Use placemats or a table pad to protect the surface. Clean spills quickly (especially on wood). And yes, coasters are your friend. Water rings are not a good look.
Frequently Asked Dining Table Questions
What size dining table seats 6 people? A rectangular table that's 72 inches long or a round table that's 60 inches in diameter will comfortably seat six. If you want to occasionally squeeze in extra guests, look for tables with leaves that can extend.
How do I protect my dining table? Use placemats, trivets for hot dishes, and tablecloths for messy activities. A custom table pad provides serious protection if you're worried about damage. For everyday use, just wipe spills quickly and avoid placing super-hot items directly on the surface.
Can I mix and match my dining chairs? Absolutely! Mixing chair styles is a popular look right now. Try matching side chairs with different end chairs, or mix materials like wood and upholstered seats. Just keep one element consistent such as colour or style so it looks intentional, not accidental.
What's better: pedestal or leg base? Pedestal bases give you more leg room since there are no corner legs to bump. They're great for round and square tables. Four-legged tables are more traditional and generally more stable for larger rectangular tables.
How high should my dining table be? Standard dining tables are 28-30 inches high. Counter-height tables are 34-36 inches. Make sure your chairs work with your table height. You want about 12 inches between the seat and the table top for comfortable leg room.
Make Every Moment Matter
Your dining table is where report cards get signed, where tough conversations happen, and where you'll catch up on everyone's day over dinner. It's where your kids will do homework (even when you tell them not to) and where you'll wrap presents during the holidays. Choose a table that fits your space, matches your style, and can handle whatever your family throws at it, literally and figuratively.
From compact tables perfect for your first apartment to extension tables that grow with your family, we've got options for every home and budget.
Shop our full collection of dining tables online or visit your nearest Dufresne location. Want help figuring out what size works best? Book an appointment with one of our furniture experts who can walk you through your options. And once you've got your perfect table, check out our dining chairs collection to complete the look.
Because at Dufresne, we're not just selling tables. We're helping Canadian families create the spaces where memories happen.