TL;DR - Quick Answers for Busy Shoppers
- Size: Allow at least 60cm of table width per person. Leave 90–100cm clearance around the table for chair pull-out and foot traffic.
- Standard height: 71–76cm (most tables sit at 75cm). Chairs should pair at 43–50cm seat height.
- Best material for families: Solid wood or wood-effect MDF for durability and easy cleaning.
- Best for small spaces: A round table - no sharp corners, better traffic flow, fits more people per square metre.
- Rectangular tables: Better for larger families (6+ seats) and long, narrow dining rooms.
- Current trends: Mixed materials, warm wood tones, round tables making a comeback, and velvet dining chairs.
- Care: Wipe spills immediately, use placemats, oil solid wood every 6–12 months, and avoid direct sunlight.
1. What Size Dining Table Do I Need?
This is the question almost every South African shopper asks first - and for good reason. Get the size wrong, and you'll either be knocking elbows with your family at every meal or swimming in a table that makes the room feel empty.
Start with your room, not the table
Before you look at any table, measure your dining room. As a general rule, you need at least 90–100cm of clearance on every side of the table - enough for chairs to pull out comfortably and for people to walk past without having to turn sideways. A standard dining room of roughly 3.6m x 3m can comfortably accommodate a 1.4m–1.6m rectangular table. A 1.8m table typically needs a room of at least 4m in length to give proper clearance.
If your dining room shares open-plan space with your lounge, you have more flexibility on length, but you still want to define the dining area clearly with a rug or pendant light.
Work out how many seats you need
The standard rule: allow 60cm of table width per person for comfortable seating. In practice, this means:
| Table length | Comfortable seating |
|---|---|
| 1.2m | 4 people |
| 1.4m | 4–6 people |
| 1.6m | 6 people |
| 1.8m | 6–8 people |
| 2.0m+ | 8–10 people |
If you entertain often, choose a table that seats two more than your household needs - it's easier to add a chair than to wish you had bought bigger.
Extendable tables: the smart compromise
If space is genuinely tight but you love hosting, an extendable dining table is one of the smartest investments you can make. These fold out with a leaf or butterfly mechanism to add 30–40cm of extra length when you need it, and sit neatly compact the rest of the time. The 3 Piece Table Set White - Light Oak from Click Furniture is a great example of a compact format that works beautifully in a smaller kitchen or flat.
2. What Is the Best Dining Table Material?
The material of your dining table determines how it looks, how long it lasts, and how much maintenance you'll be doing on a Sunday afternoon. Here's an honest breakdown.
Solid wood
Solid wood is the most traditional choice and still the most loved. It's warm, character-rich, and can last generations if properly cared for. Hardwoods like oak, teak, and yellowwood are particularly durable and handle the humid South African climate well. The downside: solid wood needs occasional oiling, can scratch over time, and sits at the higher end of the price range.
Best for: Families who want a long-term investment piece and don't mind a little maintenance.
Engineered wood / MDF
Most modern budget-to-mid-range dining tables in South Africa use engineered wood (MDF or particle board) with a melamine or wood-effect laminate finish. This is the material used in many of Click Furniture's dining tables - including the Bianca Dining Table and the Vortex 7pc Dining Set. It's affordable, easy to wipe clean, available in a wide range of finishes, and holds up well under everyday use.
The one thing to watch: it can swell if exposed to sustained moisture, so wipe spills promptly and don't leave wet cloths sitting on the surface.
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers, rentals, and anyone who wants low-maintenance good looks.
Glass top
A glass-top dining table looks undeniably stylish and makes a small room feel bigger because it doesn't visually "fill" the space. Tempered safety glass is the material used for table tops and it is strong - but it does show fingerprints constantly, can scratch, and makes a fair amount of noise. It's also not ideal if you have young children.
Best for: Contemporary, open-plan spaces where you want a lighter visual footprint.
Marble and faux marble
Marble is gorgeous and very on-trend right now, but real marble is porous, stains easily from wine and acids, and is very expensive. Most tables sold in South Africa at accessible price points use a faux marble finish on MDF or ceramic - which gives you the look without the fussiness. The Sander Petra 5pc Dining Set from Click Furniture uses a barrel-shaped faux marble top that looks premium while staying practical for everyday use.
Best for: Homeowners who want the marble aesthetic without the upkeep.
Quick material comparison
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Price range (SA) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood | High | Medium | R5,000–R20,000+ | Long-term investment |
| Engineered wood | Medium-high | Low | R1,500–R8,000 | Everyday family use |
| Glass top | Medium | Low-medium | R2,000–R10,000 | Contemporary spaces |
| Faux marble | Medium | Low | R2,500–R8,000 | Style-forward buyers |
3. Is a Round or Rectangular Dining Table Better?
The honest answer: it depends on your space and how you use it. But here's what actually matters.
Round tables: the social choice for smaller spaces
Round tables are having a major moment - and there are good practical reasons for it. Without sharp corners, they create better traffic flow in tighter spaces. Everyone sits equidistant from the centre, which makes conversation more natural. They're also safer for young children.
A standard round table of 90cm diameter seats 4 people. At 120cm, you can fit 4–5. One important note: round tables don't scale up as efficiently as rectangular ones. Once you need to seat more than 6, a round table starts taking up a lot of floor space.
The Sun Round Table Black from Click Furniture is a clean, contemporary 90cm round table that works beautifully in a small dining room, kitchen corner, or studio flat.
Choose a round table if: Your room is square or compact, you have 2–4 people in your household, and you value conversation flow over capacity.
Rectangular tables: the practical workhorse
Rectangular tables are the default for good reason - they seat more people per square metre than any other shape, they fit neatly into most room layouts, and they're available in a wider range of sizes. They're the go-to for families of 5 or more, and they extend easily with leaves for entertaining.
Choose a rectangular table if: You have a longer, narrower dining room, you regularly host larger groups, or you need a table that does double duty as a workspace or homework station.
Other shapes worth considering
- Oval: Combines the conversational warmth of a round table with the length of a rectangular one. Great for 6-seater needs in a narrower room.
- Square: Works beautifully for 4 people and creates a balanced, symmetrical feel - but doesn't scale well beyond that.
4. What Is the Standard Height of a Dining Table in South Africa?
Standard dining table height is 71–76cm (28–30 inches), with 75cm being the most common measurement on products sold in South Africa. This isn't arbitrary - it's based on the average seated elbow height of an adult.
At 75cm, most adults can sit with feet flat on the floor, elbows bent comfortably, and plates at a natural eating height. Pair this with dining chairs that have a seat height of 43–50cm, and you get the standard 25–30cm gap between seat and table surface that allows comfortable thigh clearance.
What about counter-height and bar-height tables?
- Counter-height tables sit at around 90–95cm and pair with stools of 60–65cm. These work well in open-plan kitchen-dining areas or for casual, smaller households.
- Bar-height tables are typically 100–107cm and pair with bar stools of 73–76cm. They're more of a statement piece and can feel less welcoming for long meals.
If you're buying dining chairs separately, always check the seat height measurement against your table height before purchasing. The difference should be 25–30cm.
5. How Many People Can a 1.6m Dining Table Seat?
A 1.6m rectangular dining table seats 6 people comfortably - two on each long side and one at each end. If you push it, you can fit 8 by squeezing three on each side and one at each end, but it gets tight.
For a 1.6m table to feel comfortable, your dining room should be at least 3.5m wide to give proper clearance for chairs to pull out on both sides plus room to walk past.
Quick seating guide for South African buyers
| Table length | Comfortable seats | Room size needed (length) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0m–1.2m | 4 | 3.0m |
| 1.4m | 4–6 | 3.5m |
| 1.6m | 6 | 3.5m–4.0m |
| 1.8m | 6–8 | 4.0m |
| 2.0m+ | 8–10 | 4.5m+ |
For round tables: allow roughly 60cm of table edge per seat. A 90cm round table fits 4. A 120cm round table fits 5–6.
6. What Are the Dining Table Trends in South Africa?
South Africa's furniture design scene is confident, warm, and moving away from the cold minimalism of the previous decade. According to the South African Furniture Initiative (SAFI), local manufacturers are actively shaping what modern African home design looks like - and that influence is very visible in dining room choices right now.
1. Warm wood tones are back
The all-white or all-grey dining room has peaked. South African homeowners are embracing warm, layered wood tones - oak finishes, walnut-effect laminates, and natural timber. Mixing wood tones (lighter table, darker chairs, or vice versa) is very much the look.
2. Round tables as a design statement
Round tables are trending globally and locally. Beyond the practical benefits, designers are using them as a deliberate social statement - removing hierarchy from the dining table, inviting everyone in equally. If you're updating your dining room, a round or oval table is a strong choice.
3. Velvet dining chairs
The velvet dining chair trend shows no sign of slowing. Deep jewel tones, earth tones, and warm neutrals in velvet upholstery are showing up in dining rooms across the country. They pair beautifully with both wood and engineered wood table tops.
4. Mixed materials
Tables that combine two materials - a wood-effect top with black metal legs, or a faux marble top on pencil metal legs - are increasingly popular because they add visual interest without being cluttered. This two-tone approach works especially well in open-plan spaces where the dining table needs to hold its own against the lounge area.
5. Multifunctional dining spaces
The dining table isn't just for meals - it's a home office during the day, a homework station in the afternoon, and a dinner table in the evening. Buyers are choosing more durable surfaces and designs that look just as good with a laptop on them as with a candle and wine glasses.
7. How Do I Care for a Wooden or Wood-Effect Dining Table?
Your dining table is one of the most used pieces of furniture in your home - a little regular care goes a long way.
For solid wood tables
- Clean daily: A soft, slightly damp cloth is all you need. Avoid abrasive cloths or harsh chemical cleaners.
- Wipe spills immediately: Don't let water sit on the surface.
- Use placemats and coasters: Heat from hot dishes and moisture rings from glasses are the two most common causes of damage.
- Oil regularly: Apply a food-safe wood oil or furniture wax every 6–12 months to keep the wood hydrated and protected.
- Keep away from direct sunlight: Prolonged UV exposure causes fading and can cause warping over time.
- Sand and refinish when needed: Light scratches can be sanded and oiled back to looking new.
For engineered wood / MDF tables
- Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soapy water - this is genuinely all you need.
- Never use abrasive scrubbers - they scratch the laminate surface.
- Avoid prolonged moisture exposure - MDF swells when wet. Always dry the surface thoroughly after wiping.
- Use furniture coasters under hot dishes - extreme heat can blister the laminate.
For glass-top tables
- Use a glass cleaner or a vinegar-and-water mix and a microfibre cloth. Wipe in one direction to avoid streaking.
- Avoid abrasive anything - glass scratches more easily than people expect.
- Use a silicone table mat under plates to reduce noise and protect the surface.
Shop Dining Tables at Click Furniture
If you're ready to start shopping, Click Furniture's dining table range covers everything from compact 4-seater options to full 7-piece dining sets - all with free nationwide delivery and the option to pay over two months. Prices start from R1,995, so there's something for every room size and budget.
Whether you're after a sleek modern table for a Joburg apartment or a generous family set for your Cape Town home, you'll find it without the markup of a traditional furniture store.
Browse the full dining range at Click Furniture
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a dining table and chairs separately in South Africa? Yes - buying them separately gives you more flexibility to mix styles. Just make sure the chair seat height (43–50cm is standard) is compatible with your table height (71–76cm). The gap between seat and table surface should be 25–30cm for comfortable seating.
What's a good dining table for a small flat? For a small flat or studio apartment, look at round tables of 90cm diameter (seats 4), compact rectangular tables of 1.2m (seats 4), or bar-height tables with stools that tuck neatly away. The Sun Round Table Black at R2,750 is a clean, affordable option for smaller spaces.
How long does a good dining table last? A solid wood table, properly cared for, can last 20–30 years or more. A well-made engineered wood table with a quality laminate finish will comfortably last 10–15 years with normal use and basic care.
Is it better to buy a dining set or mix and match? Both work. A matched dining set gives you guaranteed coordination and is often better value per piece. Mixing and matching gives you more flexibility to personalise the space. The "mix-match" look is very much in style right now - especially pairing a wood-effect table with velvet upholstered chairs in a contrasting tone.
This guide was written by the Click Furniture team. We're an online furniture retailer delivering across South Africa, with free delivery on all orders. Visit clickfurniture.co.za to shop our full range.
