Guide - Choose the Right Dining Table

The kitchen table or dining table is so much more than just a place for meals. The dining table is a natural gathering spot for homework, remote work, conversations, wine tasting, game nights, and various crafting projects. Here, everyday life unfolds interspersed with celebrations. A functional and sustainable dining table is a wise investment – a table that only becomes more beautiful over time as it collects small traces of life, in the form of a personal and unique patina. But which table suits your home best? How should one think about the shape of the table? And what is it like to live with furniture made of solid wood? Let yourself be inspired by our dining table guide and find the perfect table for your home.

Needs and spaces

Start by listing the needs and desires, as well as assessing the conditions. If you often have guests at home, for example, a table with extension leaves can be invaluable. Is the room narrow or square? Depending on the layout of the room where the table will be placed, it may be wise to choose a shape for the dining table that optimizes the space. Which type of wood do you like the most and what works best with the rest of the decor?

The shape of the table

Choose between a dining table with comfortably rounded shapes and extension leaves, or a wide kitchen table for the spacious living room or dining area. A round pedestal table, where the tabletop rests on a pedestal in the middle, feels airy and is especially suitable if you live in a small space. For added flexibility, you may want a traditional round table that can expand significantly when dinner guests are many.

Good to know!

When measuring how large a table can fit, it's important to consider that the chairs increase the perimeter of the dining table. Roughly, each chair adds about 20 centimeters when the chairs are pushed in.

Round dining tables

Round dining tables create an inclusive feeling around the table since no one ends up far away at one end. Additionally, round kitchen tables usually work excellently in smaller kitchens. With a round dining table, it's easy to furnish the room with the table in the center.

Pillar Dining Table

The sleek Pedestal Tables were launched in spring 2020 – an inviting round kitchen table in solid wood. Timeless and functional in its design, and thanks to the construction with the base in the middle, there's no need to consider protruding table legs when accommodating many chairs around the table. The tabletop lacks aprons, allowing armchairs to be comfortably tucked under the table. A table to gather around and live with for a long time. Available in solid oak or birch.

"On round tables with a central pedestal, one avoids having someone sit directly in front of a leg. These tables are often seen with metal bases. Achieving a stable wooden construction is a greater challenge, especially with a solid wood top. The central pedestal of the Pedestal Table features slender console crosses towards the floor and tabletop, which are directly glued together in the carpentry. Since the top lacks aprons, armchairs can be pushed all the way in."

Nirvan Richter, designer

Round dining table

Round dining table It has been in Norrgavel's range since 2010. A solid craftsmanship with an inviting round shape that offers many beautiful details. An incredibly flexible dining table that is especially suitable when you want plenty of seating around the table for more festive occasions. With all six extension leaves in place, it can accommodate up to 19 people. Without the extension leaves, the table is compact and easily placed even in smaller kitchens. A dining table in timeless design – made of solid birch or oak. At Norrgavel, respect for the natural cycle and timeless beautiful design always go hand in hand.

"At last – Norrgavel's first round dining table! The traditional shape boasts fine details – the straight exterior of the legs stands out graphically against the apron and the rounded tabletop edge, while the inner corners of the legs are pleasantly rounded. The table is sturdy despite being fantastically extendable (all in wood!) with up to six extension leaves and a length of over four meters.

Nirvan Richter, designer

Good to know!

Solid wood is an exclusive natural material that lives with the seasons. For this reason, the Round dining table is cleverly designed with a gap in the apron to prevent the tabletop from shrinking over the apron when humidity is low. During low humidity, the gap in the apron will decrease, while it is at its widest when humidity is high. These visible movements are part of the charm of solid wood furniture.

Rectangular Dining Tables

Rectangular-shaped dining tables can have a generous width, perfect for spacious dining areas, but can also be slim in width and function as a lovely long table in a narrow room – why not place more than one table lengthwise? Choose a table with or without extension leaves depending on preferences and usage. A classic shape that invites wonderful moments around the table.

Wide Dining Table

A generous dining table that invites to festivities – here is space for up to 16 people when four extension leaves are in place. Wide Dining Table has been in the assortment since 2003. Genuine carpentry craftsmanship in pure and timeless design, made of solid oak. Despite the weight that comes with the solid oak wood, the table feels light and graceful. The feeling of lightness is further enhanced by the design solution where the tabletops are in one piece with the short aprons.

"All Norrgavel tables are of high quality – simple in form, clear in function, and of course renewable with solid wood throughout. But the wide dining table is something truly unique! Despite its 75 kg solid oak, it feels like the table is floating, partly because we have managed to avoid aprons on the long sides. Instead, it is the extension function that stabilizes the table. The feeling of lightness is further enhanced by the fact that the tabletops are in one piece with the short aprons. All parts of the table are made of solid oak with beautiful details that are pleasant to touch. Inside the table, the extra support leg is stored with its specially designed stainless steel fittings and two extension leaves softly resting on felt strips. Don't forget to look under the table!"

Nirvan Richter, designer

Extendable Dining Table

Pleasantly rounded in its forms, with extension leaves stored within the table, and with a tabletop that appears to float freely from the base. Extendable dining table has been in the range since 2010. When you take a closer look at the details under the table, you can see the traditional and solid construction of the table. A table that invites to parties and cozy evenings at home - here you can fit 14 people when both extension leaves are inserted. The table is available in solid oak or birch. And you can choose between two different sizes.

"Norrgavel's dining tables with extensions feature substantial wooden panels on the width. Along with a cleverly simple old table construction, this provides a beautiful transition between the main tabletop and the extension leaves. The table has pleasantly rounded shapes and a top that appears to float freely from the underframe. The extension leaves are stored within the table."

Nirvan Richter, designer

Good to know!

On Norrgavel's dining tables with space for extension leaves, it becomes particularly evident that wood moves. This is manifested by the contact surfaces between the tabletops becoming convex or concave depending on the season/humidity. It's fascinating to observe how solid wood shifts throughout the seasons.

Dining Table

The table that is called exactly what it is. Dinging table launched in 2020, which is ten years after Bord med utdrag was created. Matbord resembles its older sibling Bord med utdrag, but on Matbord, the tabletop has been positioned with the wood grain running lengthwise. A sleek table with pleasantly softened edge profiles. Around this table, 6 people can easily fit. It looks extra nice if furnished with a Pinnsoffa along one long side and complemented with matching Pinnstol. A dining table in timeless beautiful design, made of solid birch or oak.

"Many have requested the small extendable table, without the extension. To create a beautiful table, we have made various modifications. The biggest difference is that the tabletop has the wood grain running lengthwise (Extendable Table has a split top and therefore wood grain running across). This gives the table a completely different look, which has led us to choose a different edge profile, reduced protrusions, and larger rounded corners."

Nirvan Richter, designer

Good to know!

Choosing a table with a solid wood tabletop and an open finish is both practical and beautiful. One can either embrace marks and stains as part of the "patina of life" and appreciate the charming visible traces of life. Alternatively, if one prefers to maintain a pristine appearance, simply sand and refinish the table – like magic, it's good as new again!

Multi-O Table

Multi-O is sprung from the BAS table from 1997. A stripped-down and stylish table that can be customized to fit the size of the room and personalized with all possible options. Solid birch or oak tabletop? Underframe painted with tempera or lacquer color? Minimalist design that fits in small, narrow kitchens as well as in long, narrow living rooms – create a lovely long table by placing two 70x180 Multi-O tables side by side. Furnish with benches, Pinnsoffa, and chairs alternately for a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Let the dining area and socializing around the table take center stage.

"Timeless furniture – that doesn't feel dated after a short while – is a hallmark of Norrgavel; furniture with fine proportions, materials, and quality that works year after year without making much fuss. The idea of our classic BAS table from 1997 persists, in 2016 we modified the dimensions and refined the expression through a thinner tabletop.

With its simple form, the tables fit everywhere. The name Multi suggests that you can get your table almost as you want – YOUR table doesn't exist yet. With Multi-O, you can create a dining table, desk, or side table in different sizes; drawers, wheels, and shelves can be added. The materials are birch and oak, treated and painted according to your preferences."

Nirvan Richter, designer

Materials and Surface Treatment

When you have decided on the table model and size, it's time for the next decision – choosing the wood type and surface treatment. This way, you create a table that is tailored to your kitchen or dining room.

All tables from Norrgavel are made of high-quality solid wood. Choose between oak or birch and various open surface treatments; oil, pigmented oil, or soap. Or opt for a contrast with table legs painted in a timeless tempera color or lacquer color (for selected table models). Regardless of the options chosen, you will receive a fantastic table that only becomes more beautiful over the years. Dining and kitchen tables from Norrgavel are designed to last for generations. We work with furniture as utility objects and want them to make everyday life both simple and beautiful. Unadorned and exquisite.

Customer service

Norrgavel

About our furniture

Guide - Choose the Right Dining Table

Needs and spaces

The shape of the table

Good to know!

Round dining tables

Pillar Dining Table

Round dining table

Good to know!

Rectangular Dining Tables

Wide Dining Table

Extendable Dining Table

Good to know!

Dining Table

Good to know!

Multi-O Table

Materials and Surface Treatment

Take care of you table from Norrgavel

Chairs and benches

Surface Treatment & Furniture Color

Manufacturing & Material

Our core values

PlusCustomer service

PlusNorrgavel

PlusAbout our furniture

Guide - Choose the Right Dining Table

Needs and spaces

The shape of the table

Good to know!

Round dining tables

Pillar Dining Table

Round dining table

Rectangular Dining Tables

Wide Dining Table

Extendable Dining Table

Dining Table

Multi-O Table

Materials and Surface Treatment

Take care of you table from Norrgavel

Chairs and benches

Surface Treatment & Furniture Color

Manufacturing & Material

Our core values

Customer service

Norrgavel

About our furniture