Buying guide for Best farmhouse dining tables
Sometimes the farmhouse trend feels inescapable with rough-hewn wood, cast iron, bronzed nickel, and checkered fabric everywhere you look. When you consider the practicality of these finishes, though, you find a lot of appeal in the farmhouse style. Aside from its warmth, its sturdy wood, simple lines, and relaxed vibes are timeless, and one of the best examples of farmhouse decorating is the dining table.
Farmhouse dining tables characteristically have a surface that shows off the natural look and grain of the wood, never highly polished. The tabletop might even have a few natural imperfections, such as knots. While the farmhouse aesthetic can also encompass more modern characteristics like smooth surfaces and manufactured materials, a light-colored plain wooden top remains the trademark of a farmhouse dining table.
The popularity of farmhouse dining tables means there are many choices out there for you no matter what your budget. A good shopping guide and a few recommendations can help you find the right one to suit your needs.
How to buy the best farmhouse dining table
Size
Traditionally, farmhouse tables were large and took up a lot of room, which wasn’t a problem in a big farmhouse kitchen. Fortunately, as they’ve grown more popular, they’ve become available in lighter, smaller styles.
First, determine the largest table that will fit in your dining space. Measure the room, and then figure that your table will take up about a fourth or third of it. Then decide the number of people the table needs to seat. As a rough rule of thumb, a table 6 feet long can seat up to eight people.
Shape
Farmhouse dining tables are typically rectangular, but depending on your space and décor, you might want a circular, oval, or square table. Each shape has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on the room and the number of people you need to seat.
Type of wood
You have several choices when it comes to the wood in your farmhouse dining table. Since most are made to show off the natural grain of the wood, pick a hardwood that appeals to you, such as oak, hickory, ash, or maple. Hardwood is the first choice for these tables because of its durability, softer woods like pine are cheaper, while some tops are made of manufactured wood with a hardwood veneer, which makes the tables lighter and more affordable.
Finish
Displaying the grain and construction of the table is a key characteristic of these dining tables, so you might want a light- or dark-stained finish with a smooth or rough texture. However, some of these tables are whitewashed or painted, which covers up the grain but can still show off the rustic and rough-hewn character of the piece.
Farmhouse dining tables tend to come with legs or bases in muted or neutral colors. Variations on the country/farmhouse theme pair the neutral wooden or whitewashed tabletop with dark iron or bronzed metal accents or bright colors, but the overarching feel of a farmhouse table remains rustic, natural, and neutral.
Whitewash is a thin coat of light-colored lime-based paint used on wood that allows the grain to show through. It adds a great weathered look to farmhouse furniture.
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Features to look for in farmhouse dining tables
Components
Top: The wooden tabletop is the signature feature that distinguishes a farmhouse dining table. Warm and unpretentious, a wooden plank tabletop has a relaxed and natural vibe. And proper care only enhances the wood’s patina and character as it ages.
Base: The base of the table can match or contrast with the rustic wood of the tabletop. Depending on your décor, the base can be ornate, simple, metal, wood, or even stone in different configurations.
- Legs are the simplest type of base for farmhouse dining tables, and there’s a huge array of possibilities, from traditional spool-turned spindles to smooth and square to tapered to U-shaped sled legs, and more.
- Trestles are also commonly found on farmhouse tables. These feature horizontal beams that support the top and are connected to two or three vertical legs. Popular elements of trestle bases include X-bracing and sawhorse supports.
- Pedestal base supports the center of a table. This type of base leaves a lot of legroom. These bases range from simple columns to ornate lathe-turned balusters and can be a great way to contrast with the rustic tabletop.
Leaves: In the past, farmhouse dining tables were constructed as one piece, with no way to add seating. However, there are now farmhouse dining tables with removable leaves so you can accommodate fewer or more people as necessary.
Functionality
Traditionally, a farmhouse dining table was the workhorse of the home, a place where the family could gather to eat meals, talk, and work on meal preparation or other projects. Farmhouse kitchens didn’t have countertops, so the table had to do it all. Even now, a farmhouse dining table provides an inviting space where the kids can do homework, adults can work at the computer, and friends can gather for games, meals, and casual conversation.
Did You Know?
“French country” is a style that combines rustic elements with touches of elegance. Distressed wood is a hallmark of French country furniture and an attractive option for a farmhouse dining table.
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Accessories for a farmhouse dining table
Seating
If your farmhouse dining table doesn’t come with seating, you’ll need some dining chairs. These tables look great with matching chairs, but depending on your décor, you could pair one with modern, traditional, or coastal-style chairs. Bench seating is also a popular option for these tables.
Décor
Whether polished, stained, or painted, you might not want to hide your farmhouse dining table under a tablecloth. A table runner can supply a touch of color and texture and easily be changed seasonally. To protect the table surface, also consider using placemats.
Dinnerware
If you’re choosing dinnerware to go with your farmhouse dining table, a set with simple, rustic lines will complement the furniture nicely. Traditional shapes, chunky silhouettes, and a matte or satin finish work well with the farmhouse aesthetic, as do wooden accessories like spoons and trays.
How much do farmhouse dining tables cost?
Inexpensive
You can find inexpensive farmhouse tables that cost between $150 and $400, usually from large online retailers and catalog stores. In this price range, you’ll find mostly manufactured wood construction, with real or simulated hardwood veneer, and pieces that usually ship flat and need to be assembled.
Mid-range
Spend a little more money and you can find farmhouse tables that cost between $500 to $1,000. These feature better construction and come either fully or partially assembled. These might include leaves and be made of real wood, mostly pine and other softwoods, but also reclaimed wood and hardwood veneer.
Expensive
The priciest farmhouse tables cost $1,000 to $2,000 and more. These heirloom pieces feature solid craftsmanship, real hardwood, and generous proportions. These tables are made to last decades.
A company board is a table extension that goes at the end of a dining table to seat extra guests. It differs from leaves, which go in the center of the table.
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Tips
- Paint the base. If you want to inject a spot of color into your farmhouse décor but don’t want to cover up the natural grain of the table’s wooden top, paint the base. You can add visual impact without overwhelming the natural look you’re going for.
- Protect the top with a sealant. The rustic texture of a farmhouse dining table is one of its main attractions, but gaps and holes can weaken the structure, especially if food or drink gets spilled into them. Seal your tabletop with a water-resistant finish.
- Coordinate the height of chairs with the table’s apron, or skirting. Some farmhouse tables have a thick apron that extends a few inches down vertically under the tabletop. If the chairs are too tall, the apron can hit diners’ knees.
FAQ
Q. Are farmhouse tables still in style?
A. Farmhouse style has been a design choice in the United States for decades, but it exploded in popularity in the mid-2010s. While some designers consider the “modern farmhouse” and “industrial farmhouse” trends played out, the traditional lines, neutral colors, and wood grain of farmhouse dining tables continue to complement many decorating styles.
Q. What type of wood is best for a farmhouse table?
A. Farmhouse style is rooted in the North American and European rural past. Look for wood from trees native to these regions, such as maple, oak, hickory, and pine. Tropical hardwoods like mahogany, while available for use in farmhouse furniture, are more associated with fine furniture. Whatever the wood, a farmhouse table’s top should have a rustic look, not the highly polished finish associated with fine furniture.
Q. Is a round or rectangular table more efficient?
A. Round tables fit in smaller spaces and can seat more people in relation to their surface area than rectangular tables, but rectangular tables offer more space per person than round tables.
