Dining rooms are where we nourish ourselves, convene with loved ones, and host special celebrations. Sometimes they even double as meeting rooms or study areas. Since dining rooms get so much traffic and are one of the most visible parts of the home, choosing the right furniture can impact how you experience the space.
For one, durability of furniture pieces is important. Cortney McClure, founder and principal designer of Cortney McClure Design, explains that dining furniture should be sturdy and made to withstand anything from big family meals to kids doing messy crafts. The furniture design is also key. McClure suggests looking for retailers that offer a range of styles, materials, and customization options. When not shopping in person, a comprehensive return policy can come in handy. Madelaine Mayer, founder and principal designer of AD:ROIT, says this is true for dining tables in particular since they can be quite large and heavy, but also dining chairs, which could look great but be wildly uncomfortable. We researched dozens of dining room furniture retailers and shortlisted the best based on products’ durability, comfort, style, and functionality. Lulu and Georgia Buy on Luluandgeorgia.com What We Like Quality, durable materials Classic silhouettes with modern flair Customizable colors and finishes What We Don’t Like Materials require extra care for cleaning and maintenance Some pieces have limited inventory Lulu and Georgia focuses on quality craftsmanship and materials, often offering furniture made in collaboration with designers or as part of curated collections. Many of the large pieces, like dining room tables, sideboards, and cabinets, are made with durable wood materials such as oak, walnut, or ashwood. Many of the larger pieces feature clean-lined silhouettes with artistic touches like beaded legs, scalloped edges, and fluted surfaces that can add a unique edge to a dining space. There are ample shapes and fabrics to choose from in both tables and chairs, so you can customize pieces to your space and aesthetic. One note is that due to the craftsmanship, there is sometimes a limited stock of items, so you may have to snag pieces ahead of time or wait a couple of months for a restock. The pieces also require careful care when it comes to cleaning. West Elm Buy on West Elm What We Like Good options for small spaces Sets and separate pieces available Many Fair Trade-certified pieces What We Don’t Like Can take a long time for pieces to arrive West Elm offers a wide range of styles and price points, catering to different buyer preferences. You can browse the pieces as collections or separates. The collections allow you to easily build a set with suggested furniture pairings. Though you can also choose your own to swap out chairs for different occasions or as your style evolves. Many of West Elm’s pieces are Fair Trade certified, meaning they are built under healthy working and environmental conditions, or sustainably sourced.Discover the best places to buy dining room furniture in 2024. We’ve compiled a list of top retailers offering a variety of styles, quality, and customization options. Each store has its unique strengths and weaknesses, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your home. West Elm offers contract-grade and kiln-dried furniture, ensuring durability and longevity. With a wide range of customization options, including drop-leaf tables, finishes, and colors, you can create a dining set tailored to your needs. However, be aware that delivery may take up to a month, so plan accordingly. IKEA is known for its modern designs, quick delivery, and affordable prices. Their furniture is ideal for starter homes and rental spaces, with options for small spaces and extendable tables. While many pieces are made from particle board, there are solid wood and metal alternatives. Assembly can be time-consuming, but it’s a small price to pay for the value. CB2 stands out for its high-quality craftsmanship and unique style selections. Collaborating with designers, CB2 offers statement pieces such as black-and-white marble tables and glass atop sculptural stones. They also provide a selection of chairs, stools, and credenzas. Most wood pieces are FSC-certified, emphasizing sustainability. Note the stricter return policy, requiring a 50% deposit upon purchase. Pottery Barn is a go-to for timeless, high-quality classics. With over 70 years in the business, they offer an easy-to-browse selection of chairs, tables, and accessories. Filtering by color, material, and sales helps you find pieces that fit your style and budget. They also offer many sustainable options and features like extendable tables and extra storage.
Pottery Barn is known for its sustainable wood furniture. Chairs can be customized with different colors or finishes. The durability of the pieces is a standout feature. However, Pottery Barn furniture leans more traditional in style.
Castlery offers durable dining room staples that work well in any space. Solid wood pieces are reasonably priced. Table designs have clean-lined silhouettes. Chairs offer more shape and fabric options. Castlery has outdoor-friendly options and dining sets. But there are limited colorways. Article has a streamlined selection of dining room furniture. Clean lines and simple silhouettes bring mid-century modern flair. There are various size options and sturdy construction. However, there is sparse style variety. Costco offers reliable quality at hard-to-beat price points. There are options for large groups and a wide variety of dining sets. Pieces are functional and durable. But you need a membership to purchase and the designs are less style-focused. Wayfair has every style and shape. Fast shipping and helpful user reviews. Suitable for various sizes and styles of spaces. However, quality can be inconsistent.We like that Wayfair has the widest selection of dining room furniture on this list. Whether you’re looking for a more artistic, functional, round, or short piece, Wayfair has it. However, the variety can mean inconsistency in quality. So, make sure to check the materials to ensure they meet your durability standards.
You can easily mix and match styles, colors, and finishes with Wayfair. The retailer also has very fast delivery times for most pieces and helpful user reviews, so you can see how the furniture looks in a room before checking out. For high-quality furniture that’s both stylish and durable, we like retailers like Pottery Barn, CB2, and West Elm. They offer ample variety and customizable features. When it comes to sturdy construction and evergreen pieces, Article and Castlery are reliable options that meld with different styles. How We Picked the Best Places to Buy Dining Room Furniture Many of the retailers were selected for their furniture’s ability to stand the test of time in terms of style and construction. Others were chosen for customizability and versatility, especially for smaller homes or apartments. We also consulted industry experts for their insights on retailer selection. We researched dozens of today’s standout dining room retailers and checked the products’ performance in terms of durability, design, and versatility. We carefully evaluated each retailer based on these characteristics before making our final picks. What to Look for in a Dining Room Furniture Retailer A Variety of Furniture for Different Design Styles A retailer with a wide selection of styles is helpful as you can easily find a piece that matches your preferences. Pottery Barn and Wayfair, for example, do this. “A retailer that offers both new and vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces can give your dining room unique character,” McClure says. Some retailers like Article and Castlery have less variety but more curated simple silhouettes that blend with many styles, which can be easier to choose from than a sea of options. Durable, Quality Materials and Construction Dining rooms get a lot of traffic, so it’s important that they can handle it. Solid wood is more durable than MDF or particle board, which are more prone to chips and scratches. Some retailers prioritize this quality of construction and materials, like Lulu and Georgia. Contract-grade furniture is specifically made to withstand heavy use and is made with hardwood and reinforcement bars. This standard can be found at retailers like West Elm. Knowing how you’ll use your furniture is helpful when deciding on material. Mayer suggests asking questions like, “Are you using your dining area every day or just on holidays? Do you sit down for a quick bite or do you enjoy hosting three-hour-long dinner parties? Do you have several small children who might spill things or an adult-only home?”When selecting dining room furniture, comfort and durability are paramount. The most popular shapes for dining tables are square, rectangle, circle, and oval. The layout of your space will guide your choice of furniture shape. Pottery Barn offers a variety of styles and customizable sizes for each shape.
In smaller spaces, adaptable designs like gate-leg and self-storing leaf expandable tables are beneficial. Mayer recommends Lulu and Georgia, West Elm, and IKEA, particularly the Norden gateleg table with storage.
The decision between choosing a dining room furniture set or individual pieces hinges on personal preference. Dining sets are convenient and simplify the process of pairing pieces, which McClure sees as an advantage. However, buying separate pieces allows for more customization and creativity, such as mixing a vintage table with modern chairs. Mayer advises checking seat heights and arms against the table’s clearance when buying individual pieces. Costco is a reliable retailer for sets catering to different group sizes.
The Spruce’s credibility in this roundup comes from Shagun Khare, an interior design and home decor writer with over three years of experience in furniture, room layouts, and lifestyle. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2021, covering home trends, furniture shopping, and expert-backed design advice. Our experts include Madelaine Mayer, founder of AD:ROIT, and Cortney McClure, founder of Cortney McClure Design.
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