The best material for your dining table depends on how you will be using it and how much maintenance you want to do. Below are some pros and cons of popular materials.

Popular Wood Types

Walnut. A classic hardwood renowned for its rich color, density, and durability, making it ideal for daily use. However, it can be expensive.

Oak. One of the most popular types of wood for tables due to its durability, family-friendliness, minimal maintenance, and lower cost than some other wood types.

Acacia. Known for its beautiful grain, acacia is highly durable and suitable for heavy use. Maintenance involves simple cleaning and occasional oiling. 

Mahogany. Rich, elegant, and timeless mahogany dining tables are frequently found in traditional dining rooms. Mahogany has fewer knots than other types of wood, creating a smoother appearance. However, it is more expensive.

Mango. Mango wood requires only simple cleaning because of its sustainability and unique grain patterns. However, it is less durable than other woods and not ideal for daily use.

Rubberwood. Rubberwood is durable enough for daily table use when treated as a medium-density light-colored hardwood that is considered cost-effective and environmentally friendly when properly harvested. However, treatment often involves chemicals, and rubberwood may trigger latex allergies in some people.

Other Popular Dining Table Materials

Marble. Elegant marble is one of the most popular dining table materials. As a stone, it is highly durable overall. However, marble is heavy and expensive and can stain easily, chip, or crack.

Metal. Metal is one of the most practical dining table materials, given its durability and low maintenance, and it can fit any design style. For example, dark and distressed metal finishes suit the industrial style, polished finishes suit the contemporary style, and dark and smooth metals suit the traditional style. 

Glass. Tempered glass tables resist breakage, keep sightlines open, and fit a range of styles. However, glass tends to show fingerprints readily.

Stone. Every type of stone is unique, and it can last a lifetime. However, it is more expensive and heavier, than many other materials, and can be fragile, so ensure the appropriate room and care when selecting this type of material. Use only suitable for natural stone cleaners.

Best Materials forEasy maintenance: Metal and most hardwoods.A luxury look: Marble, granite, and other stones; mahogany, ebony, cherry, and walnut woods.Longevity: Metal, hardwood, stone, cement.