"Moving into a new place is all fun and games until you remember you have to furnish it. Like, all of it. While we love curating aesthetically pleasing Nancy Meyers and Carrie Bradshaw-inspired home decor Pinterest boards as much as the next person, starting with the basics is easier. One of the main rooms you should focus on is the kitchen, specifically where you’ll be dining each day. If your space is on the smaller side, you already know how difficult it is to find the best small dining table that fits in your space while still meeting your needs. Keep reading below for our best tips on choosing a small-space table and some of our favorite shopping options.
How to Find the Best Table for Small Spaces
Whether this is your first big-girl apartment or you just moved in with your partner, you’ve got to start somewhere. Pedestal tables are a great option to consider when choosing a dining table for small spaces because you don’t have to worry about bumping into table legs, and you can easily add or remove chairs depending on how many people you may be hosting. Round dining tables are also a good choice for small spaces because they’re easier to manipulate into small spaces and don’t have corners that take up too much room.
To make sure you choose the right size table, measure your space carefully, and don’t forget to account for the chairs. Ideally, you’ll want about 36 inches of space between the table and walls or other furniture—that will give you enough space to pull out the chairs and walk around the table easily. If you’re really short on space, you can shorten this distance a bit, but just make sure you can still sit comfortably at the table without feeling squished. To maximize your space further, choose a dining table that allows you to push the chairs in fully (pedestal tables are great for this!). That will allow your table and chairs to take up the smallest footprint possible and leave you with more space when you’re not sitting at the table.
As for the materials of your table, engineered materials like MDF (medium-density fiberboard) are easy to maintain because of their protective covering. At the same time, solid wood and stone tables look super luxe but may need some more maintenance and upkeep due to their sensitive nature and being prone to stains or scratches. Finding the best small dining tables doesn’t have to be a chore, keep reading for 25 tables for small spaces you can snag ASAP.
Budget (under $250)
If you need a table for your space at one of the lowest price points, start here. The simple design makes it so easy to decorate around that you can easily choose different types of chairs and centerpieces to craft a high-end look on a budget.
- Seats up to two
- Clean design
- Easy to clean
Price: $39
If you want something that simply gets the job done, this dining set from Amazon does the trick. The rectangular shape of the table makes a great option to push up against the wall, so you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much space.
- Seats up to two
- Sits higher up than most tables
- Comes with two stools
Price: $119
Want a tulip table at a fraction of the price? We found this one from Amazon that is modern, sleek, and sturdy. We’re not exaggerating when we say that this table elevates every single dining space.
- Seats up to four
- Durable
Price: $125
Rectangular tables may seem like they take up too much room, but they can be easily put up against a wall to save space. This option from Home Depot is made from solid wood and the design is timeless, allowing the table to move with you as you set roots in new places.
- Seats up to six
- Has a vintage look
- Natural finish
- Long-lasting
Price: $135
Ooh la la, this marble bistro table with an intricate ornate base from World Market is sophisticated and makes a great functional statement piece for your home.
- Seats up to two
- Unique look
- Fits easily in a corner
Price: $159
This larger yet still cozy table is easy to decorate around, depending on what kind of chairs you bring into the space. This is the type of table that looks more expensive than it is.
- Seats up to four
- Crisscross base easily fits chairs
Price: $175
This rectangular table has a drop-leaf on its edge that can easily open up to seat more people (or hold more appetizers at all your reality TV watch parties).
- Seats up to four
- Has a drawer for easy organization
- High-quality for its price point
Price: $199
With the rounded top of this triangular table, we’d describe it more as gumdrop-shaped (doesn’t that sound cuter to say?). The flat base allows you to push it up against a wall or even tuck it away in the corner of a kitchen nook so it’s not taking up too much space.
- Seats up to two
- Warm brown finish
Price: $205
This Ikea table is set at a great price for its size and capacity and is a reliable affordable option. Upon first inspection, you’d hardly be able to tell that it has a leaf you can extend for company.
- Seats up to four
- Self-storing leaf
Price: $229
This table has crossed legs for a unique look that brings together any room. The wood grain and rustic brown finish give modern farmhouse vibes at an attainable price.
- Seats up to four
- Perfect size for a nook
Price: $250
Investment (under $400)
This is a larger version of a pedestal table, and it seamlessly goes well with any kind of dining chairs for a customizable look.
- Seats up to four
- Needs to be wiped clean regularly
Price: $279
If you want a dining set and don’t want to worry about finding chairs to match the vibe, opt for this dining set (which seriously does it all). It comes in a gorgeous walnut shade that makes it look incredibly rich.
- Seats up to two
- Comes with two cushioned chairs
- Easy to clean
Price: $279
“Actually, I didn’t thrift this, I got it at World Market!” is what you’ll inevitably say when all your guests ask you where this is from. This handcrafted solid acacia wood table is practically a vintage piece of art. It has two drop-leaves, so you can leave it on display front and center in a room or slide it up against a wall for a half-moon look.
- Seats up to four when extended
- Space-saving
- Make sure you keep away from moisture
Price: $299
Your post-grad IKEA phase may not be just a phase, and this dining table is proof of that (because look at this table!). It has two drop leaves on each end, allowing you to extend one or both depending on if you need more room.
- Seats up to four
- Unique grain pattern on every table
Price: $299
This table from Target brings in elements of interior design to your eating space with its caned base. If you’re looking to fuel your boho-loving heart on a budget, start here.
- Seats up to four
- Caned design along frame
Price: $350
With a crisscross X-base, this table’s beautiful design and brown hue gives Pottery Barn-quality at a Target price. Just wait until the light shines on this table and brightens up your whole room.
- Seats up to four
- Comes in two colors
- Sturdy and durable
Price: $348
This pull-out solid birch wood table is one of the most versatile tables for small spaces. It has two drop leaves, allowing you to have one extended at any time so you can adjust the table sizing when needed.
- Seats up to four
- Six built-in drawers
- Easy to clean
Price: $349
Made from sustainably sourced wood, this craftsman style pedestal table brightens up any space and can easily be tucked away without any table legs protruding.
- Comfortably seats up to four
- Built to be long-lasting
Price: $399
Studio McGee teamed up with Target to design this stunning wooden table that’s totally cozy for small spaces. The table legs are spaced perfectly apart so you can easily push your chairs in all the way.
- Seats up to four
- Solid and sturdy for long-lasting use
Price: $400
Splurge
Yep, World Market has a larger version of their marble bistro table if you’re looking for something a little more roomy.
- Seats up to four
- Made of white marble
- Heavy and sturdy base
- Marble requires special care
Price: $479
IKEA’s Ingatorp table has an extra leaf stored under the table to extend it for more people if you find yourself hosting often, and its clear lacquered surface makes it oh-so-easy to clean.
- Seats up to six
- Can be extended with leaf to an oval shape
- Comes in three different colors
Price: $499
This All Modern table gives simple vibes while still boasting a high quality. The rich walnut finish is enough to pull us in alone. If you like the mid-century modern look, this is one of the best tables to snag for your smaller space.
- Seats up to two
- Solid and durable material
- Will get use out of it for years and years
Price: $529
A glass tabletop really allows you to open up your space and gives you leeway to what kind of chairs you can pair with it. Crumbs and spills can easily be wiped away on glass, so you know it’s simple to upkeep as well.
- Seats up to four
- Sturdy and long-lasting
Price: $549
If you’re all about curating a luxe environment, this concrete pedestal table from Crate & Barrel is basically a functional piece of art and furniture. The material is sensitive to stains, so if you’re prone to mess, you might want to use a tablecloth or placemats.
- Seats up to two
- Lightly textured
- Sturdy and holds up well
Price: $999
Bella Gil, Associate Commerce Editor
Because shopping is quite literally her full-time job, Bella is dedicated to making sure you spend your hard-earned money on products you’ll fall in love with. She spends her days testing, researching, and writing about a wide range of topics, from beauty products to rug cleaners and everything in between.