The biggest dining table mistake Australians make is buying the wrong shape for the room, not the wrong size. A 180cm rectangular table in a square 3.5m x 3.5m room feels cramped at the corners and dead in the middle — a 130cm round in the same room seats the same number of people with more walking space. We hold over 220 dining tables in stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, from $90 chipboard to $1,200 solid timber.
What size dining table do I need?
Match table length to the number of people you actually feed, not the number of dining chairs you own. The Australian rule of thumb is 60cm of table width per person on a rectangle, and 50cm of edge length per person on a round. A 150cm rectangle seats four comfortably and six tightly. A 180cm rectangle seats six comfortably.
| Shape & size |
Comfortable seats |
Tight seats |
Minimum room size |
| 120cm round |
4 |
5 |
3.0m x 3.0m |
| 140cm round |
6 |
7 |
3.4m x 3.4m |
| 120cm rectangle |
4 |
4 |
2.9m x 2.5m |
| 150cm rectangle |
4 |
6 |
3.2m x 2.5m |
| 180cm rectangle |
6 |
8 |
3.5m x 2.5m |
| 210cm rectangle |
8 |
10 |
3.8m x 2.5m |
| 240cm extendable |
8 |
12 |
4.1m x 2.5m extended |
Solid timber, veneer or chipboard — what's the difference?
"Solid timber" dining tables are sold at every price point in Australia, but the term is mostly misleading. True solid timber means the table top is one piece (or panel-glued planks) of real wood — usually oak, ash, pine or rubberwood. It weighs 35-60kg for a 150cm table and costs $500+. Anything labelled "solid timber" that weighs under 25kg has a veneered top, no exceptions.
Veneer is a 0.5-3mm slice of real timber glued over MDF or particle board. It looks like solid timber but chips at the edges within 2-3 years of family use. Chipboard with a printed wood-look surface (also called "engineered wood") is the cheapest option — fine for guest rooms or rentals, but the surface scratches with cutlery and water rings stain permanently.
| Material |
Weight (150cm) |
Lifespan |
Price range |
Best for |
| Solid hardwood (oak, ash) |
40-60kg |
20+ years |
$700-$2,000+ |
Family heirloom |
| Solid pine |
30-45kg |
10-15 years |
$300-$700 |
Long-term value |
| Timber veneer over MDF |
20-30kg |
5-8 years |
$200-$500 |
Mid-budget, dry climates |
| Chipboard (engineered) |
15-22kg |
3-5 years |
$90-$250 |
Rentals, guest rooms |
| Glass top + metal base |
20-35kg |
10+ years if not chipped |
$200-$600 |
Small rooms, modern style |
Should I get an extendable dining table?
Yes, if you host more than four times a year. Extendable dining tables add 30-60cm with a centre leaf or butterfly mechanism — turning a 150cm table for four into a 200cm table for six in under 30 seconds. The mechanism adds $100-$300 to the price and 2-3kg of weight.
The trade-off most buyers don't think about: the storage of the extension leaf. Built-in butterfly mechanisms keep the leaf inside the table. Drop-in leaves need cupboard space when not in use. Check which type before buying — a forgotten drop-in leaf in a hall cupboard for two years warps and stops fitting.
Quick buyer's checklist
- Measure the room first — allow 90cm clearance on at least two sides for chairs to pull back
- Match shape to room: round for square rooms, rectangle for narrow rooms
- Confirm chair count vs comfortable seats (the table column above), not max squeeze
- Check weight — under 25kg means the top is engineered wood, not solid timber
- Extendable adds $100-$300 but suits anyone hosting more than 4 times a year
- Pair with chairs the same height: standard table is 75cm, standard chair seat is 45cm
Frequently asked questions
What's the standard dining table height?
75cm in Australia. Chair seats are 45cm, leaving 30cm clearance between seat and table edge. Counter-height tables are 90cm (matched with 60cm stools). Bar-height tables are 105cm (matched with 75cm stools).
Will an extendable dining table fit a small room?
Yes when closed. Most extendable dining tables open from 120cm to 180cm. Closed, they fit a 2.9m wide room. Open, they need at least 3.5m wide. Use the closed size daily and only extend for guests.
How long does delivery take?
We dispatch within 1-2 business days from our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses. Capital city addresses arrive in 3-5 business days. Perth and Adelaide take 5-8 days. Regional and Tasmanian addresses take 5-12 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay or Zip?
Yes. We accept Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4. A $400 dining table works out to four fortnightly payments of $100 with Afterpay. A $700 extendable table is $175 a fortnight.
What's your returns policy?
We offer 15-day returns on unassembled dining tables in original packaging. Every table comes with a 12-month manufacturer warranty against defects. See our return policy for full details.
Complete your dining room
A dining table works hardest with three matching pieces. Add dining chairs with 45cm seat heights to match the 75cm table, a buffet or sideboard for plates and serving dishes within reach, and an island bench if you need extra prep space.
Why buy your dining table from Simple Deals
We're a family-run Australian business, trading since 2018. We hold dining table stock in our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatch in 1-2 business days, and back every table with a 12-month warranty and 15-day returns. Real people answer the phone on 1300 456 786, Monday to Friday. Over 50,000 Australian customers; 4.66★ from 5,363 verified reviews.
