I absolutely love it when I get a request for a post from one of my readers and today’s post is one such. When Neha wrote to me last week requesting a post on dining table top ideas, I was thrilled.

I spend a lot of time planning my posts, and a large part of that time is spent wondering what you guys will find really useful. Knowing that at least one person is waiting for this information… and if there is one, there must be more… is a great way to start.

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Dining Table Top Ideas:

So let’s get right to today’s post. From the basic and simplest, to the unusual and surprising, we have them all. Here goes…

(1) Wooden Dining Table Tops:

Yes, like I said, we do have the basics. So let’s start right from there. The simplest dining table top would be made of plywood, finished in a selected veneer.

Simplest in no way means not beautiful or stylish or trending. In fact, with the simplest designs, you can never go wrong. These will always be evergreen and fit in perfectly with pretty much any design style you choose.

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You can always add a little design to these tops by just the slightest change. How you place your veneer, for instance.

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See how lovely these table tops look, simply because of the beautiful pattern made by the veneer.

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These patterns can then get as exciting as you like. You can place the same veneer or wood in various cuts and combinations to make different patterns. This herringbone for instance.

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Using different types of veneer or wood can add colours to your design…

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… which then opens up limitless possibilities.

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Then, pretty much anything you think of, can become a reality.

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A personal favourite of mine is live edge dining table tops. This means the top is made of solid wood. The open edges of the wood, towards the outside of the table, are not cut and straightened. They are left in their natural shape. This gives a raw, rustic, warm look and makes each piece unique and inimitable.

We recently used this live edge dining table in our White & Light Home. I think it looks fabulous and we will be bringing the whole reveal to you soon.

(2) Glass Dining Table Tops:

The second most commonly used dining table tops are made of glass. Just like wood, these can be very simple, yet very stylish.

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Where they differ from wooden tops is this. In the wooden tops, the primary design feature is the top itself. In the glass table, because you can see the base right through the glass, the primary design feature will be the base.

From modern, geometric lines…

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… to more traditional and ornate ones, you can use all kinds of beautiful bases with glass tops.

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Then, of course, you can use coloured glass on the top..

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… to make a dramatic statement of its own.

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Mirrors are another great finish to make stunning dining table tops. You do have to work extra hard to maintain these. Imagine a mirror top full of finger prints for instance. It will lose its charm if it isn’t sparkling clean.

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(3) Wood and Glass:

Combining both these common table top finishes makes for unusual and beautiful dining table tops.

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Something similar can also be done using live edge wood. Only here the live edge is used towards the inside of the table instead of outside.

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(4) Wood and Resin:

This is a relatively new finish with so many possibilities.

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The resin can be completely transparent or of any colour you like. I am looking forward to using this myself when a suitable opportunity arises.

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(5) Stone Dining Table Tops:

Using stone is one of my favourite dining table top ideas. In fact, I have used a marble top on my own dining table.

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From the more traditional, in my home above, to the the more modern, as in the pic below, a stone top will work anywhere.

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Though you can use a stone top on any regular wooden dining table, it looks great teamed up with brass too.

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If you want to move away from the regular, you can choose a live edge kind of finish for your stone.

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Choose an onyx top for a pretty, delicate look. Onyx, being translucent, is great for back lighting.

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And then there is inlay. Again, there are limitless possibilities in terms of designs, style and colour.

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What I love about a stone top is that it’s the most maintenance free of all. With wood you have to worry about scratches, heat, spills and spoiling the top finish various ways. Glass tops have you worrying about finger prints and marks that show up easily. With stone tops you worry about neither.

(6) Tile Table Tops:

Just as with stone, tile table tops are absolutely maintenance free too. They also provide more options than stone in terms of colours, patterns and prints. But, whereas a stone finish would work with almost any design style, I would use tiles only in a more earthy or rustic set up.

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From going subtle to a riot of colours, you can do it all. These tile tops would work very well with ethnic and bohemian themed decor.

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You can also use mosaic to make so many pretty designs.

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A tiled top is also something you can easily DIY at home, even on your existing wooden table top. Click here for step by step instructions on how.

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(7) Unusual Dining Table Top Ideas:

From repurposing old furniture to DIY, we will cover some interesting dining table top ideas here.

Ever thought of using an old door as a dining table top? Paint it a vibrant colour and how pretty is this?

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You can have a polished finish for a more subtle look. You can also cover the entire surface with glass.. or parts of it as shown below.. to even out the surface in case of panels or carving on your door.

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Stenciling your old table top is an easy and effective way to upcycle your existing dining table top. Give your dining are a whole new look with minimal effort and expense.

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Decoupage is another great way to give yourself an exciting, unusual dining table top.

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Like a cement top for your dining table? This one is a DIY using paint. Click here to see how Natalie did it.

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Remember the live edge tables we talked about above? Here are some unusual options on them.

How about filling in the gap between the two live edges with pebbles?

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Or planting pretty succulents in there? A live edge table that is actually alive!

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That about wraps up our post on dining table top ideas. I am sure there are so many more ideas out there, but I have included all I thought practical and doable by most people. In case I missed an idea you have, put it in the comments below so it helps all our readers.

I do hope you found this useful, and if there is any other question that’s been playing on our mind or any other topic you’d like me to cover in this blog, do write in and I will do my best.

Until next time,