A dining table is more than a surface — it’s the centre of life at home. It’s where stories are shared, children grow, plans are made, and friends linger long after dinner ends. So, when you’re choosing one, it’s worth slowing down and asking the right questions — the kind that go beyond dimensions and finishes.
At Design In The Sand, we believe a table should be built around you — your space, your lifestyle, and your sense of beauty. Here are some things to think about before you buy.
1. Is the Size Perfect for My Space?
2. Do I Like the Top?
The tabletop is the part you live with most — the surface you see, touch, and gather around. Whether it’s smooth and refined or full of natural texture, the feel of the timber matters.
Do you love its grain pattern?
Does it invite you to run your hand over it?
Our Edge Grain tops are very tactile – people just love to touch it, every piece of wood is individually selected — so the top isn’t just beautiful, it has character.
3. Do I Like the Legs?
Legs are often overlooked, yet they define the table’s personality. A sculptural leg can make a bold statement; a simple timber base keeps things grounded and timeless. The style also affects comfort — where your knees go, how the chairs fit, and how stable the table feels.
Choosing bespoke means your leg design can echo your home’s architecture or contrast with it intentionally.
4. What Colour Should It Be?
Colour sets the mood. Design In The Sand offers a free choice of colour – we will use the paint you choose – or alternatively ask us to use a particular wood - A pale oak feels airy and contemporary; a deeper walnut brings warmth and intimacy. Natural timber tones evolve with age and light, so think about how your table will look over time. If you’re matching to flooring or cabinetry, subtle contrast is often more successful than a perfect match.
5. Are the Proportions Right?
Proportion is the invisible ingredient of good design. It’s about how the top thickness, leg size, and table length relate to one another. It’s what makes a table feel “right” when you walk into the room. This is where working with a maker really shows its worth — small tweaks in height, overhang, or spacing can completely change the sense of balance.
6. Can I Get It Into My Home?
It sounds obvious, but access is often an afterthought. Will it fit through your doorways, around corners, or up staircases? Bespoke tables can be designed with this in mind — detachable legs or modular bases make delivery effortless without compromising strength or appearance.
7. Can I Get All My People Around It?
Think about the way you entertain and live. Do you want an everyday six-seater that can also fit eight at Christmas? Would you rather have a long, generous table for shared meals, or something compact and cosy? The answer shapes not just length, but leg placement, so everyone has comfortable room to sit and move.
8. What Chairs Work With It?
Your chairs and table should be partners, not rivals. Seat height, style, and material all affect comfort and cohesion. If you already have chairs, bring their measurements into the design conversation. If you’re starting fresh, we can help you pair the right seating — visually balanced and perfectly proportioned.
9. Is It Made Well?
A table should feel solid from the moment you touch it. Look for craftsmanship you can see: properly joined timber, grain-matched surfaces, and durable finishes. At Design In The Sand, every joint, edge, and curve is shaped by hand. It’s furniture built to last — not just to look good on delivery day.
10. Do I Like Its Personality?
Every table has one. Some are bold and graphic; others are calm, understated, or full of rustic warmth. Personality comes from materials, design, and imperfection — those little quirks that make the piece unmistakably yours. Bespoke isn’t about perfection; it’s about character.
11. Is the Finish What I Like?
Finish defines how your table feels and behaves. A shiny oil brings out the colour and grain; a matt lacquer adds subtle protection with a clean, contemporary look. We’ll help you choose a finish that suits your home’s light, your maintenance style, and the atmosphere you want to create.
12. Do I Like the Edges?
Edges change everything. A soft, rounded edge feels welcoming and family-friendly; a sharp square profile feels architectural and modern; a live edge celebrates nature’s shape. This detail quietly shapes how your table looks and feels — the kind of decision that makes a bespoke process so rewarding.
13. Why Choose a Bespoke Table?
When you commission a bespoke table, you’re not just buying furniture — you’re shaping a part of your home’s story. Here’s what that really means:
- Built for your space: no awkward gaps or compromise on size.
- Built around your life: designed for how you use it — family meals, creative projects, or slow Sunday breakfasts.
- Built with real materials: timber chosen for its grain, tone, and character, not mass-market uniformity.
- Built to last: solid joinery and hand-applied finishes that age gracefully.
- Built with care: every piece made in collaboration with you — sketches, samples, and conversation.
When it’s done right, a bespoke table becomes more than furniture. It’s a piece that grows more beautiful with time — a focal point that feels like it’s always belonged.
Closing Thoughts
Buying a table shouldn’t be rushed. It’s an invitation to think about how you live and what you value — craftsmanship, sustainability, beauty, and connection. Whether your home is calm and minimal or rich and textured, the right table will quietly hold it all together.
At Design In The Sand, we build each table with the same intention: to create something that feels honest, personal, and built for a lifetime of use.
If you’re beginning your search, start with a conversation — not a catalogue.
Are you ready to design your own table? Here's how it's done in 5 easy steps.
